Bill > H981

This bill directs the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to conduct a comprehensive study on implementing open enrollment policies within local school administrative units, which are essentially school districts. The study will explore how students could potentially attend any school within their home school district, instead of being limited to their assigned base school. The research will include examining existing voluntary open enrollment plans and investigating mandatory open enrollment implementation details such as the number of annual enrollment periods, application processes, school capacity management, transportation options for students choosing schools outside their base assignment, potential grounds for request denials, and possible appeal procedures for school assignment decisions. The Department is required to compile its findings and recommendations into a report for the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee by April 15, 2026, with the goal of providing insights that could potentially inform future legislation about school choice and enrollment flexibility. The bill becomes effective immediately upon becoming law, signaling the state's interest in exploring more flexible public school attendance options.

Education, Government Affairs

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H981