A newly introduced bill in the North Carolina General Assembly could significantly reshape how charter schools operate and are regulated across the state.
House Bill 556, known as the 2025 Charter Schools Review Board Omnibus, proposes granting the Charter Schools Review Board more authority while reducing oversight by the State Board of Education in key areas of charter school governance.
Key Provisions of the Bill
If enacted, the bill would:
- Require Review Board Approval of State Rules: Any new rules or policies regarding charter schools from the State Board of Education would need prior approval from the Charter Schools Review Board.
- Authorize Legal Counsel for the Review Board: The Review Board would be authorized to hire legal counsel independently without needing permission from the attorney general’s office.
- Exempt Charter Schools From Reporting Class Rank: Charter schools would no longer be required to report class rank on student transcripts, giving them more flexibility in determining how to assess and communicate student performance.
- Allow Alternate Teacher Evaluations: Charter schools could implement their own teacher evaluation models, as long as these include standards and criteria similar to the North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards.
- Shift Low-Performing Charter School Reporting: Low-performing charter schools would report their improvement plans directly to the Review Board, bypassing existing public school improvement requirements.
Fast-Tracking Remote Charter Academies
Another significant provision of the bill aims to streamline the approval process for remote charter academies. Schools that plan to enroll 250 or more students in a remote learning environment could apply for a separate charter for that academy through an expedited process, with no required planning year. Additionally, these remote academies would be evaluated and graded separately from the in-person portions of the school.
Impact on Charter School Funding and Oversight
The bill introduces provisions that allow the Review Board to review decisions related to federal funding for charter schools. It also establishes a standardized procedure for verifying student enrollment and transferring funds between charter schools and local school administrative units.
The Charter Schools Review Board also would gain the ability to withhold or reduce funding for charter schools that violate terms of their charter or fail to meet fiscal and operational standards.
Support and Concerns
Proponents of the bill, including Rep. David Willis of District 68 (southeast of Charlotte), who sponsored the legislation, argue that it empowers charter schools with greater autonomy and aligns oversight more closely with the needs of these unique educational institutions. However, critics express concern that the shift in authority away from the State Board of Education could diminish statewide consistency and accountability in charter school operations.
What Comes Next
If approved, House Bill 556 would take effect beginning with the 2025-2026 school year. The bill is currently under review in committee, where lawmakers will consider its potential impact on North Carolina’s public education landscape.
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