AN ACT to allocate additional funds to constituent institutions identified as historically minority‑serving institutions to address underfunding at those institutions, to establish the historically minority‑serving institutions advisory board, and to add certain institutions to the north carolina teaching fellows program.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  The General Assembly finds that, due to the historical and continued inequality in funding provided to constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina identified as Historically Minority‑Serving Institutions (HMSIs) and to provide enhancement funding for the purpose of ensuring these institutions are comparable and competitive with other constituent institutions in all facets of their operations and programs, there is appropriated from the General Fund to the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina the sum of twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) in additional recurring funds to be allocated to each of the following constituent institutions for 10 fiscal years, beginning with the 2021‑2022 fiscal year until the 2030‑2031 fiscal year:

(1)        North Carolina Central University

(2)        North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

(3)        Fayetteville State University

(4)        Winston‑Salem State University

(5)        Elizabeth City State University

(6)        University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

These funds may be used for scholarships, faculty recruitment, course development, and general operational support.

SECTION 2.(a)  There is established the Historically Minority‑Serving Institutions Advisory Board (Board). The Board shall be located administratively in The University of North Carolina System Office.

SECTION 2.(b)  The Board shall be composed of 17 members as follows:

(1)        Seven members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, three of which shall be legislators. At least four of the appointees shall have attended or graduated from one of the historically minority‑serving constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina.

(2)        Seven members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, three of which shall be legislators. At least four of the appointees shall have attended or graduated from one of the historically minority‑serving constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina.

(3)        Three members appointed by the Governor, one of whom the Governor shall designate as the Chair. At least one of the appointees shall have attended or graduated from one of the historically minority‑serving constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina.

SECTION 2.(c)  The Board shall study strategies and actions that can be taken to increase the rates of enrollment, retention, and graduation for the historically minority‑serving institutions that are constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina. The Board shall also study (i) disparities in the funding formulas for the historically minority‑serving institutions that are constituent institutions with specific attention to the funding disparities for certain programs of the institutions, specifically educator preparation programs, and (ii) the historical gap in funding for the historically minority‑serving institutions that are constituent institutions.

SECTION 2.(d)  The Board shall meet upon the call of the Chair. A quorum of the Board shall be nine members. Any vacancy on the Board shall be filled by the appointing authority.

SECTION 2.(e)  The University of North Carolina System Office shall provide meeting space, administrative support, equipment, and supplies to the Board.

SECTION 2.(f)  The Board members shall receive per diem, subsistence, and travel allowances in accordance with G.S. 138‑5, 138‑6, or 120‑3.1, as appropriate.

SECTION 2.(g)  The Board shall submit its preliminary findings and recommendations to the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina and to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee no later than December 15, 2022, and shall submit a final report to the Board of Governors and the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee no later than March 15, 2023. The Board shall terminate on March 15, 2023, or upon the filing of its final report, whichever occurs first.

SECTION 3.  G.S. 116‑209.62 reads as rewritten:

§ 116‑209.62.  North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program established; administration.

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(f)        Program Selection Criteria. – The Authority shall administer the Program in cooperation with up to eight 10 institutions of higher education with approved educator preparation programs selected by the Commission that represent a diverse selection of both postsecondary constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina and private postsecondary institutions operating in the State. The Commission shall include at least the following constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina in the Program: one institution that is designated as a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) and one institution that is designated as a Historically American Indian University. The Commission shall adopt stringent standards for selection of the most effective educator preparation programs, including the following:

(1)        Demonstrates high rates of educator effectiveness on value‑added models and teacher evaluations, including using performance‑based, subject‑specific assessment and support systems, such as edTPA or other metrics of evaluating candidate effectiveness that have predictive validity.

(2)        Demonstrates measurable impact of prior graduates on student learning, including impact of graduates teaching in STEM or special education licensure areas.

(3)        Demonstrates high rates of graduates passing exams required for teacher licensure.

(4)        Provides curricular and co‑curricular enhancements in leadership, facilitates learning for diverse learners, and promotes community engagement, classroom management, and reflection and assessment.

(5)        Requires at least a minor concentration of study in the subject area that the candidate may teach.

(6)        Provides early and frequent internship or practical experiences, including the opportunity for participants to perform practicums in diverse school environments.

(7)        Is approved by the State Board of Education as an educator preparation program.

(g)        Awards of Forgivable Loans. – The Program shall provide forgivable loans to selected students to be used at the eight selected participating institutions for completion of a program leading to initial teacher licensure as follows:

(1)        North Carolina high school seniors. – Forgivable loans of up to four thousand one hundred twenty‑five dollars ($4,125) per semester for up to eight semesters.

(2)        Students applying for transfer to a selected educator preparation program at an institution of higher education. – Forgivable loans of up to four thousand one hundred twenty‑five dollars ($4,125) per semester for up to six semesters.

(3)        Individuals currently holding a bachelor's degree seeking preparation for teacher licensure. – Forgivable loans of up to four thousand one hundred twenty‑five dollars ($4,125) per semester for up to four semesters.

(4)        Students matriculating at institutions of higher education who are changing to enrollment in a selected educator preparation program. – Forgivable loans of up to four thousand one hundred twenty‑five dollars ($4,125) per semester for up to four semesters.

Forgivable loans may be used for tuition, fees, the cost of books, and expenses related to obtaining licensure.

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SECTION 4.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2021. Section 3 of this act applies beginning with the 2022‑2023 academic year.