Bill Summaries: H733 (2019-2020 Session)

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  • Summary date: Apr 11 2019 - View summary

    Requires the North Carolina Education and Workforce Innovation Commission (Commission) to administer a pilot program (pilot) in up to 25 local school administrative units to promote access to innovative digital and personalized learning solutions for high school students that bridge the gap between chemistry and physical science classes and career and technical education (CTE) career pathways. Requires the local school administrative units to incorporate STEM-focused educational software programs developed by Plasma Games, Inc., in select STEM classes and their CTE programs to encourage student interest and workforce development for chemistry-dependent industries located in the state. Requires the pilot to be conducted for two school years, beginning with 2019-20 and ending with 2020-21. Requires the pilot to include the specified local school administrative units. 

    Requires a participating local school administrative unit to provide the Commission with a plan for the placement of the technology in its school and sets out requirements for the plan and its implementation. 

    Appropriates $1.5 million in nonrecurring funds for 2019-20 and an additional $1.5 million in nonrecurring funds for 2020-21 from the General Fund to DPI to be provided to the Commission for allocation to local school administrative units participating in the pilot, with funds to be used for licensing fees for the educational software, Plasma Games's operating costs, and for implementation of the pilot.

    Requires participating local school administrative units to provide an interim report by May 1, 2020, and a final report by May 1, 2021, to the Commission on the implementation of the pilot for that school year, including the specified information. Requires the Commission to provide an interim report by June 1, 2020, and a final report by June 1, 2021, to the specified NCGA committee on the implementation of the pilot and the information reported by participating local school administrative units.

    Effective July 1, 2019.