Students in North Carolina may be spending some extra time in the classroom the summer after the North Carolina General Assembly approved House Bill 82, Summer Learning Choice for NC Families last week.
The bill, which passed both the House and the Senate and signed by Governor Roy Cooper on Friday, requires school districts to offer in-person summer school that targets children at risk of academic failure due to poor virtual learning during the pandemic has passed in the North Carolina General Assembly.
“This pandemic has challenged students and teachers like never before,” said NC Governor Roy Cooper. “Providing a summer opportunity for academic growth plus mental and physical health will help schools begin to address those challenges.”
NC House Bill 32 received a wide range of support in the form of sponsors, including WNC representatives Rep. Karl Gillespie and Rep. Mike Clampitt.
House Bill 82 will create a six-week in-person and fully-funded summer school program available to every family if they so choose.
“Parents are ready to see their children going back to school and to recover from the learning loss that has occurred during the pandemic,” said Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland), who is also the lead sponsor of the bill. “After bipartisan work from the House and Senate and input from educators around the state, this legislation will give North Carolina families an option for their children to grow and learn during this summer.”
The summer school program would offer core academic courses, as well as enrichment classes in the arts and physical activities. The bill received strong support from local superintendents and education advocates, including Disability Rights NC. Though school districts have to offer the program, it’s optional for families to participate.
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