AN ACT to raise the compulsory school attendance age to eighteen years old over a five‑year period and TO establish a Completion Rate Indicator for School Performance Grades.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

 

part i. raise dropout age to 16 years and six months for the 2022‑2023 school year

SECTION 1.(a)  G.S. 115C‑378(a) reads as rewritten:

(a)      Every parent, guardian guardian, or custodian in this State having charge or control of a child between the ages of (i) seven years and (ii) 16 years and six months shall cause the child to attend school continuously for a period equal to the time which the public school to which the child is assigned shall be in session. session, unless the child graduates from high school. Every parent, guardian, or custodian in this State having charge or control of a child under age seven who is enrolled in a public school in grades kindergarten through two shall also cause the child to attend school continuously for a period equal to the time which the public school to which the child is assigned shall be in session unless the child has withdrawn from school.

SECTION 1.(b)  G.S. 115C‑238.66(3) reads as rewritten:

(3)      School attendance. – Every parent, guardian, or other person in this State having charge or control of a child who is enrolled in the regional school and who is less than 16 years and six months of age shall cause such child to attend school continuously for a period equal to the time that the regional school shall be in session. session, unless the child graduates from high school. No person shall encourage, entice, or counsel any child to be unlawfully absent from the regional school. Any person who aids or abets a student's unlawful absence from the regional school shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The principal shall be responsible for implementing such additional policies concerning compulsory attendance as shall be adopted by the board of directors, including regulations concerning lawful and unlawful absences, permissible excuses for temporary absences, maintenance of attendance records, and attendance counseling.

SECTION 1.(c)  G.S. 116‑235(b)(2) reads as rewritten:

(2)      School Attendance. – Every parent, guardian, or other person in this State having charge or control of a child who is enrolled in the School and who is less than 16 years and six months of age shall cause such child to attend school continuously for a period equal to the time which the School shall be in session. session, unless the child graduates from high school. No person shall encourage, entice, or counsel any child to be unlawfully absent from the School. Any person who aids or abets a student's unlawful absence from the School shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The Chancellor of the School shall be responsible for implementing such additional policies concerning compulsory attendance as shall be adopted by the Board of Trustees, including regulations concerning lawful and unlawful absences, permissible excuses for temporary absences, maintenance of attendance records, and attendance counseling.

SECTION 1.(d)  G.S. 116‑239.8(b)(5) reads as rewritten:

(5)      School attendance. – Every parent, guardian, or other person in this State having charge or control of a child who is enrolled in the laboratory school and who is less than 16 years and six months of age shall cause such child to attend school continuously for a period equal to the time that the laboratory school shall be in session. session, unless the child graduates from high school. No person shall encourage, entice, or counsel any child to be unlawfully absent from the laboratory school. Any person who aids or abets a student's unlawful absence from the laboratory school shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The principal shall be responsible for implementing such additional policies concerning compulsory attendance as shall be adopted by the chancellor, including regulations concerning lawful and unlawful absences, permissible excuses for temporary absences, maintenance of attendance records, and attendance counseling.

SECTION 1.(e)  G.S. 7B‑1501(27) reads as rewritten:

(27)    Undisciplined juvenile. –

a.         A juvenile who, while less than 16 years and six months of age but at least 6 years of age, is unlawfully absent from school; or is regularly disobedient to and beyond the disciplinary control of the juvenile's parent, guardian, or custodian; or is regularly found in places where it is unlawful for a juvenile to be; or has run away from home for a period of more than 24 hours; or

b.         A juvenile who is between (i) 16 or 17 years and six months of age and (ii) 18 years of age and who is regularly disobedient to and beyond the disciplinary control of the juvenile's parent, guardian, or custodian; or is regularly found in places where it is unlawful for a juvenile to be; or has run away from home for a period of more than 24 hours.

SECTION 1.(f)  G.S. 143B‑805(20) reads as rewritten:

(20)    Undisciplined juvenile. –

a.         A juvenile who, while less than 16 years and six months of age but at least 6 years of age, is unlawfully absent from school; or is regularly disobedient to and beyond the disciplinary control of the juvenile's parent, guardian, or custodian; or is regularly found in places where it is unlawful for a juvenile to be; or has run away from home for a period of more than 24 hours; or

b.         A juvenile who is between (i) 16 or 17 years and six months of age and (ii) 18 years of age and who is regularly disobedient to and beyond the disciplinary control of the juvenile's parent, guardian, or custodian; or is regularly found in places where it is unlawful for a juvenile to be; or has run away from home for a period of more than 24 hours.

 

part iI. raise dropout age to 17 years for the 2023‑2024 school year

SECTION 2.(a)  G.S. 115C‑378(a), as amended by Section 1(a) of this act, reads as rewritten:

(a)      Every parent, guardian, or custodian in this State having charge or control of a child between the ages of (i) seven years and (ii) 16 17 years and six months shall cause the child to attend school continuously for a period equal to the time which the public school to which the child is assigned shall be in session, unless the child graduates from high school. Every parent, guardian, or custodian in this State having charge or control of a child under age seven who is enrolled in a public school in grades kindergarten through two shall also cause the child to attend school continuously for a period equal to the time which the public school to which the child is assigned shall be in session unless the child has withdrawn from school.

SECTION 2.(b)  G.S. 115C‑238.66(3), as amended by Section 1(b) of this act, reads as rewritten:

(3)      School attendance. – Every parent, guardian, or other person in this State having charge or control of a child who is enrolled in the regional school and who is less than 16 17 years and six months of age shall cause such child to attend school continuously for a period equal to the time that the regional school shall be in session, unless the child graduates from high school. No person shall encourage, entice, or counsel any child to be unlawfully absent from the regional school. Any person who aids or abets a student's unlawful absence from the regional school shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The principal shall be responsible for implementing such additional policies concerning compulsory attendance as shall be adopted by the board of directors, including regulations concerning lawful and unlawful absences, permissible excuses for temporary absences, maintenance of attendance records, and attendance counseling.

SECTION 2.(c)  G.S. 116‑235(b)(2), as amended by Section 1(c) of this act, reads as rewritten:

(2)      School Attendance. – Every parent, guardian, or other person in this State having charge or control of a child who is enrolled in the School and who is less than 16 17 years and six months of age shall cause such child to attend school continuously for a period equal to the time which the School shall be in session, unless the child graduates from high school. No person shall encourage, entice, or counsel any child to be unlawfully absent from the School. Any person who aids or abets a student's unlawful absence from the School shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The Chancellor of the School shall be responsible for implementing such additional policies concerning compulsory attendance as shall be adopted by the Board of Trustees, including regulations concerning lawful and unlawful absences, permissible excuses for temporary absences, maintenance of attendance records, and attendance counseling.

SECTION 2.(d)  G.S. 116‑239.8(b)(5), as amended by Section 1(d) of this act, reads as rewritten:

(5)      School attendance. – Every parent, guardian, or other person in this State having charge or control of a child who is enrolled in the laboratory school and who is less than 16 17 years and six months of age shall cause such child to attend school continuously for a period equal to the time that the laboratory school shall be in session, unless the child graduates from high school. No person shall encourage, entice, or counsel any child to be unlawfully absent from the laboratory school. Any person who aids or abets a student's unlawful absence from the laboratory school shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The principal shall be responsible for implementing such additional policies concerning compulsory attendance as shall be adopted by the chancellor, including regulations concerning lawful and unlawful absences, permissible excuses for temporary absences, maintenance of attendance records, and attendance counseling.

SECTION 2.(e)  G.S. 7B‑1501(27), as amended by Section 1(e) of this act, reads as rewritten:

(27)    Undisciplined juvenile. –

a.         A juvenile who, while less than 16 17 years and six months of age but at least 6 years of age, is unlawfully absent from school; or is regularly disobedient to and beyond the disciplinary control of the juvenile's parent, guardian, or custodian; or is regularly found in places where it is unlawful for a juvenile to be; or has run away from home for a period of more than 24 hours; or

b.         A juvenile who is between (i) 16 17 years and six months of age and (ii) 18 years of age and who is regularly disobedient to and beyond the disciplinary control of the juvenile's parent, guardian, or custodian; or is regularly found in places where it is unlawful for a juvenile to be; or has run away from home for a period of more than 24 hours.

SECTION 2.(f)  G.S. 143B‑805(20), as amended by Section 1(f) of this act, reads as rewritten:

(20)    Undisciplined juvenile. –

a.         A juvenile who, while less than 16 17 years and six months of age but at least 6 years of age, is unlawfully absent from school; or is regularly disobedient to and beyond the disciplinary control of the juvenile's parent, guardian, or custodian; or is regularly found in places where it is unlawful for a juvenile to be; or has run away from home for a period of more than 24 hours; or

b.         A juvenile who is between (i) 16 17 years and six months of age and (ii) 18 years of age and who is regularly disobedient to and beyond the disciplinary control of the juvenile's parent, guardian, or custodian; or is regularly found in places where it is unlawful for a juvenile to be; or has run away from home for a period of more than 24 hours.

 

part iII. raise dropout age to 17 years and six months for the 2024‑2025 school year

SECTION 3.(a)  G.S. 115C‑378(a), as amended by Section 2(a) of this act, reads as rewritten:

(a)      Every parent, guardian, or custodian in this State having charge or control of a child between the ages of (i) seven years and (ii) 17 years and six months shall cause the child to attend school continuously for a period equal to the time which the public school to which the child is assigned shall be in session, unless the child graduates from high school. Every parent, guardian, or custodian in this State having charge or control of a child under age seven who is enrolled in a public school in grades kindergarten through two shall also cause the child to attend school continuously for a period equal to the time which the public school to which the child is assigned shall be in session unless the child has withdrawn from school.

SECTION 3.(b)  G.S. 115C‑238.66(3), as amended by Section 2(b) of this act, reads as rewritten:

(3)      School attendance. – Every parent, guardian, or other person in this State having charge or control of a child who is enrolled in the regional school and who is less than 17 years and six months of age shall cause such child to attend school continuously for a period equal to the time that the regional school shall be in session, unless the child graduates from high school. No person shall encourage, entice, or counsel any child to be unlawfully absent from the regional school. Any person who aids or abets a student's unlawful absence from the regional school shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The principal shall be responsible for implementing such additional policies concerning compulsory attendance as shall be adopted by the board of directors, including regulations concerning lawful and unlawful absences, permissible excuses for temporary absences, maintenance of attendance records, and attendance counseling.

SECTION 3.(c)  G.S. 116‑235(b)(2), as amended by Section 2(c) of this act, reads as rewritten:

(2)      School Attendance. – Every parent, guardian, or other person in this State having charge or control of a child who is enrolled in the School and who is less than 17 years and six months of age shall cause such child to attend school continuously for a period equal to the time which the School shall be in session, unless the child graduates from high school. No person shall encourage, entice, or counsel any child to be unlawfully absent from the School. Any person who aids or abets a student's unlawful absence from the School shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The Chancellor of the School shall be responsible for implementing such additional policies concerning compulsory attendance as shall be adopted by the Board of Trustees, including regulations concerning lawful and unlawful absences, permissible excuses for temporary absences, maintenance of attendance records, and attendance counseling.

SECTION 3.(d)  G.S. 116‑239.8(b)(5), as amended by Section 2(d) of this act, reads as rewritten:

(5)      School attendance. – Every parent, guardian, or other person in this State having charge or control of a child who is enrolled in the laboratory school and who is less than 17 years and six months of age shall cause such child to attend school continuously for a period equal to the time that the laboratory school shall be in session, unless the child graduates from high school. No person shall encourage, entice, or counsel any child to be unlawfully absent from the laboratory school. Any person who aids or abets a student's unlawful absence from the laboratory school shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The principal shall be responsible for implementing such additional policies concerning compulsory attendance as shall be adopted by the chancellor, including regulations concerning lawful and unlawful absences, permissible excuses for temporary absences, maintenance of attendance records, and attendance counseling.

SECTION 3.(e)  G.S. 7B‑1501(27), as amended by Section 2(e) of this act, reads as rewritten:

(27)    Undisciplined juvenile. –

a.         A juvenile who, while less than 17 years and six months of age but at least 6 years of age, is unlawfully absent from school; or is regularly disobedient to and beyond the disciplinary control of the juvenile's parent, guardian, or custodian; or is regularly found in places where it is unlawful for a juvenile to be; or has run away from home for a period of more than 24 hours; or

b.         A juvenile who is between (i) 17 years and six months of age and (ii) 18 years of age and who is regularly disobedient to and beyond the disciplinary control of the juvenile's parent, guardian, or custodian; or is regularly found in places where it is unlawful for a juvenile to be; or has run away from home for a period of more than 24 hours.

SECTION 3.(f)  G.S. 143B‑805(20), as amended by Section 2(f) of this act, reads as rewritten:

(20)    Undisciplined juvenile. –

a.         A juvenile who, while less than 17 years and six months of age but at least 6 years of age, is unlawfully absent from school; or is regularly disobedient to and beyond the disciplinary control of the juvenile's parent, guardian, or custodian; or is regularly found in places where it is unlawful for a juvenile to be; or has run away from home for a period of more than 24 hours; or

b.         A juvenile who is between (i) 17 years and six months of age and (ii) 18 years of age and who is regularly disobedient to and beyond the disciplinary control of the juvenile's parent, guardian, or custodian; or is regularly found in places where it is unlawful for a juvenile to be; or has run away from home for a period of more than 24 hours.

 

part iV. raise dropout age to 18 years for the 2025‑2026 school year

SECTION 4.(a)  G.S. 115C‑378(a), as amended by Section 3(a) of this act, reads as rewritten:

(a)      Every parent, guardian, or custodian in this State having charge or control of a child between the ages of (i) seven years and (ii) 17 18 years and six months shall cause the child to attend school continuously for a period equal to the time which the public school to which the child is assigned shall be in session, unless the child graduates from high school. Every parent, guardian, or custodian in this State having charge or control of a child under age seven who is enrolled in a public school in grades kindergarten through two shall also cause the child to attend school continuously for a period equal to the time which the public school to which the child is assigned shall be in session unless the child has withdrawn from school.

SECTION 4.(b)  G.S. 115C‑238.66(3), as amended by Section 3(b) of this act, reads as rewritten:

(3)      School attendance. – Every parent, guardian, or other person in this State having charge or control of a child who is enrolled in the regional school and who is less than 17 18 years and six months of age shall cause such child to attend school continuously for a period equal to the time that the regional school shall be in session, unless the child graduates from high school. No person shall encourage, entice, or counsel any child to be unlawfully absent from the regional school. Any person who aids or abets a student's unlawful absence from the regional school shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The principal shall be responsible for implementing such additional policies concerning compulsory attendance as shall be adopted by the board of directors, including regulations concerning lawful and unlawful absences, permissible excuses for temporary absences, maintenance of attendance records, and attendance counseling.

SECTION 4.(c)  G.S. 116‑235(b)(2), as amended by Section 3(c) of this act, reads as rewritten:

(2)      School Attendance. – Every parent, guardian, or other person in this State having charge or control of a child who is enrolled in the School and who is less than 17 18 years and six months of age shall cause such child to attend school continuously for a period equal to the time which the School shall be in session, unless the child graduates from high school. No person shall encourage, entice, or counsel any child to be unlawfully absent from the School. Any person who aids or abets a student's unlawful absence from the School shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The Chancellor of the School shall be responsible for implementing such additional policies concerning compulsory attendance as shall be adopted by the Board of Trustees, including regulations concerning lawful and unlawful absences, permissible excuses for temporary absences, maintenance of attendance records, and attendance counseling.

SECTION 4.(d)  G.S. 116‑239.8(b)(5), as amended by Section 3(d) of this act, reads as rewritten:

(5)      School attendance. – Every parent, guardian, or other person in this State having charge or control of a child who is enrolled in the laboratory school and who is less than 17 18 years and six months of age shall cause such child to attend school continuously for a period equal to the time that the laboratory school shall be in session, unless the child graduates from high school. No person shall encourage, entice, or counsel any child to be unlawfully absent from the laboratory school. Any person who aids or abets a student's unlawful absence from the laboratory school shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The principal shall be responsible for implementing such additional policies concerning compulsory attendance as shall be adopted by the chancellor, including regulations concerning lawful and unlawful absences, permissible excuses for temporary absences, maintenance of attendance records, and attendance counseling.

SECTION 4.(e)  G.S. 7B‑1501(27), as amended by Section 3(e) of this act, reads as rewritten:

(27)    Undisciplined juvenile. – A

a.         A juvenile who, while less than 17 18 years and six months of age but at least 6 years of age, is unlawfully absent from school; or is regularly disobedient to and beyond the disciplinary control of the juvenile's parent, guardian, or custodian; or is regularly found in places where it is unlawful for a juvenile to be; or has run away from home for a period of more than 24 hours; orhours.

b.         A juvenile who is between (i) 17 years and six months of age and (ii) 18 years of age and who is regularly disobedient to and beyond the disciplinary control of the juvenile's parent, guardian, or custodian; or is regularly found in places where it is unlawful for a juvenile to be; or has run away from home for a period of more than 24 hours.

SECTION 4.(f)  G.S. 143B‑805(20), as amended by Section 3(f) of this act, reads as rewritten:

(20)    Undisciplined juvenile. – A

a.         A juvenile who, while less than 17 18 years and six months of age but at least 6 years of age, is unlawfully absent from school; or is regularly disobedient to and beyond the disciplinary control of the juvenile's parent, guardian, or custodian; or is regularly found in places where it is unlawful for a juvenile to be; or has run away from home for a period of more than 24 hours; orhours.

b.         A juvenile who is between (i) 17 years and six months of age and (ii) 18 years of age and who is regularly disobedient to and beyond the disciplinary control of the juvenile's parent, guardian, or custodian; or is regularly found in places where it is unlawful for a juvenile to be; or has run away from home for a period of more than 24 hours.

SECTION 4.(g)  Section 8.21 of S.L. 2016‑94 is repealed.

 

part v. Completion Rate Indicator for School Performance Grades

SECTION 5.(a)  G.S. 115C‑83.15(b)(2) reads as rewritten:

(2)      For schools serving any students in ninth through twelfth grade, the State Board shall assign points on the following measures available for that school:

a.         One point for each percent of students who score at or above proficient on either the Algebra I or Integrated Math I end‑of‑course test or, for students who completed Algebra I or Integrated Math I before ninth grade, another mathematics course with an end‑of‑course test.

b.         One point for each percent of students who score at or above proficient on the English II end‑of‑course test.

c.         One point for each percent of students who score at or above proficient on the Biology end‑of‑course test.

d.         One point for each percent of students who complete Algebra II or Integrated Math III with a passing grade.

e.         One point for each percent of students who either (i) achieve the minimum score required for admission into a constituent institution of The University of North Carolina on a nationally normed test of college readiness or (ii) are enrolled in Career and Technical Education courses and score at Silver, Gold, or Platinum levels on a nationally normed test of workplace readiness.

f.          Repealed by Session Laws 2019‑142, s. 1, effective July 19, 2019, and applicable to measures based on data from the 2018‑2019 school year and each school year thereafter.

g.         One point for each percent of students who graduate within four years of entering high school.

h.         One point for each percent of students who progress in achieving English language proficiency.

i.          One half of a point for each percent of students who meet one of the following criteria within five years of entering high school:

1.         Graduate from high school.

2.         Earn an adult high school diploma.

3.         Earn an adult high school equivalency diploma.

In calculating the overall school achievement score earned by schools, the State Board of Education shall (i) use a composite approach to weigh the achievement elements based on the number of students measured by any given achievement element and (ii) proportionally adjust the scale to account for the absence of a school achievement element for award of scores to a school that does not have a measure of one of the school achievement elements annually assessed for the grades taught at that school. The overall school achievement score shall be translated to a 100‑point scale and used for school reporting purposes as provided in G.S. 115C‑12(9)c1., 115C‑218.65, 115C‑238.66, and 116‑239.8.

SECTION 5.(b)  G.S. 115C‑83.16(a)(2) reads as rewritten:

(2)      For schools serving any students in ninth through twelfth grade, the State Board shall define the indicators as follows:

a.         Academic indicators. –

1.         The academic achievement indicator shall include the following measures:

I.          Proficiency on either the Algebra I or Integrated Math I end‑of‑course test or, for students who completed Algebra I or Integrated Math I before ninth grade, another mathematics course with an end‑of‑course test.

II.        Proficiency on the English II end‑of‑course test.

III.       The growth score earned by schools.

2.         Repealed by Session Laws 2017‑206, s. 1(b), effective August 30, 2017, and applicable beginning with the 2017‑2018 school year.

3.         The graduation rate indicator shall be the percentage of students who graduate within four years of entering high school.

4.         The English language proficiency indicator shall be the percentage of students who progress in achieving English language proficiency.

b.         School quality and student success indicator. – The school quality and student success indicator shall be made up of the following measures:

1.         Proficiency on the Biology end‑of‑course test.

2.         The percentage of students who complete Algebra II or Integrated Math III with a passing grade.

3.         The percentage of students who either (i) achieve the minimum score required for admission into a constituent institution of The University of North Carolina on a nationally normed test of college readiness or (ii) are enrolled in Career and Technical Education courses and score at Silver, Gold, or Platinum levels on a nationally normed test of workplace readiness.

4.         Repealed by Session Laws 2019‑142, s. 2, effective July 19, 2019, and applicable to measures based on data from the 2018‑2019 school year and each school year thereafter.

5.         The percentage of students who meet one of the following criteria within five years of entering high school:

I.          Graduate from high school.

II.        Earn an adult high school diploma.

III.       Earn an adult high school equivalency diploma.

SECTION 5.(c)  G.S. 115C‑12 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:

(27b)  Duty to Provide Dropout Data to the State Board of Community Colleges. – For the purposes of calculating the high school completion rate required by G.S. 115C‑83.15(b)(2)i., by June 15 of each year, the State Board of Education shall provide the State Board of Community Colleges with identifying information for any students who meet the following criteria:

a.         The student unenrolled from a public school unit before graduation or completion of a program of study without transferring to another secondary school.

b.         The student entered high school no more than five years earlier.

SECTION 5.(d)  G.S. 115D‑5(a2) reads as rewritten:

(a2)    The State Board of Community Colleges shall comply with the following provisions of to ensure an efficient exchange of information between education agencies in the State:

(1)        The provisions of G.S. 116‑11(10a) to plan and implement an exchange of information between the public schools and the institutions of higher education in the State.

(2)        By July 15 of each year, for students included in the data provided pursuant to G.S. 115C‑12(27b), the State Board of Community Colleges shall provide the State Board of Education with the dates that students earned an adult high school equivalency diploma.

SECTION 5.(e)  This section is effective when it becomes law and applies to school performance scores and grades issued based on data from the 2021‑2022 school year.

 

part VI. Effective date

SECTION 6.  This act is effective as follows:

(1)        Section 1 of this act becomes effective July 1, 2022, and applies beginning with the 2022‑2023 school year.

(2)        Section 2 of this act becomes effective July 1, 2023, and applies beginning with the 2023‑2024 school year.

(3)        Section 3 of this act becomes effective July 1, 2024, and applies beginning with the 2024‑2025 school year.

(4)        Section 4 of this act becomes effective July 1, 2025, and applies beginning with the 2025‑2026 school year.

(5)        The remainder of this act is effective when it becomes law.