NC Education Code · Regulation
Title 16 — root / Chapter 06 — 16 NCAC 06G .0317
Plain English summary
This regulation establishes the procedural requirements for Local School Administrative Units (LSAUs) seeking to implement School Reform Models (transformation, restart, or turnaround) in Continually Low Performing Schools. It defines key terms, specifies application and Reform Implementation Plan content requirements for each model type, and sets out ongoing reporting obligations, reauthorization procedures, and grounds for the State Board of Education to revoke authorization. LSAUs must submit detailed applications, budgets, timelines, and annual reports, with the SBE retaining authority to approve, continue, or remove authorization based on academic progress metrics.
Key requirements
- A LSAU that wants to implement a transformation model in a CLPS shall submit to the State Board of Education (SBE) an application and an RIP that describes how the LSAU will implement improvements in the four areas critical to transforming a CLPS listed in G.S. 115C-105.37B(a)(1).
- A LSAU that wants to implement a transformation model in a CLPS shall submit to the SBE an application and an RIP that specifies the goals for increasing the achievement score, growth score, and subgroup growth scores in the school.
- A LSAU that wants to implement a transformation model in a CLPS shall submit to the SBE an application and an RIP that includes a proposed budget detailing the revenues and expenditures necessary to implement the RIP.
- A LSAU that wants to implement a transformation model in a CLPS shall submit to the SBE an application and an RIP that includes a timeline for implementing the RIP.
- A LSAU that wants to implement a restart model in a CLPS shall submit to the SBE an application and an RIP that includes a written commitment to implement the restart model for the duration of the five-year monitoring cycle described in paragraph (g) of this Rule.
- A LSAU that wants to implement a turnaround model in a CLPS shall submit to the SBE an application and an RIP that describes the procedures that LSAU will use when removing staff, including due process protections where required by law.
- An LSAU that has been authorized to implement a transformation or turnaround model shall submit an annual report to DPI by December 1 of each year describing and documenting changes in the school's growth score and achievement score within the preceding school year.
- An LSAU that has been authorized to implement restart model shall include the operational flexibilities described in the RIP and any revisions to the RIP as action steps in the School Improvement Plan, specifying the school year(s) in which the operational flexibilities are to be utilized, and submit the School Improvement Plan to the SBE for review and approval in accordance with G.S. 115C-105.37A(a).
- By December 1st of the second year and every year after, submit an annual report that shall include descriptions and documentation of how the school utilized the operational flexibilities authorized in the restart model in the past year and how it intends to utilize authorized operational flexibilities in the future.
- By January 31st of year five of any five-year restart model cycle submit a report describing and documenting all policies, guidelines, or directives it adopted to implement the restart model; all changes in growth scores and achievement scores along with the LSAU's explanation for those changes; and all efforts to reduce administrative barriers identified in the RIP and all measurable changes to those barriers attributable to those efforts.
- If an LSAU desires to continue to operate a school that has an indication of growth of not met and a net negative achievement score from Year 1 to Year 4 of any five-year cycle under the restart model, the LSAU shall submit an application for continued authorization by February 28th along with a revised RIP that addresses the perceived causes of the decline in the school's growth score and achievement score.
- The application shall include a commitment to cooperate with oversight and support from DPI during the term of the restart model.
- If the SBE approves the application for continued authorization, the LSAU shall, by May 31st of the school year following said approval and each year thereafter, submit evidence of how the LSAU has supported the school's operation under the restart model and use of operational flexibilities have helped to improve its growth and achievement scores.
- If, at the end of Year 5, a school has realized academic gain, the LSAU may submit an application by February 28th to continue operating the school under the restart model with the same RIP or a revised RIP.
- The SBE shall authorize the LSAU to implement the requested SRM if the SBE determines that the LSAU has the ability to implement the RIP and the LSAU is likely to operate the school in an educationally and economically sound manner to improve student learning.
- The LSAU shall operate the school under the authorized SRM until the SBE refuses to continue or removes the authorization.
Affected parties
- Local School Administrative Units (LSAUs)
- State Board of Education (SBE)
- Department of Public Instruction (DPI)
- Continually Low Performing Schools
- Students in low-performing schools
- Education Management Organizations (EMOs)
- School staff subject to turnaround model staffing changes