Partners for Educational Freedom in North Carolina

Major school choice expansion as the North Carolina General Assembly was able to pass a bi-partisan budget that includes our school choice priorities, including: Scholarship maximum increases from a flat $4,200 to 90% of the States public school per pupil spending for a full-time student (45% for part-time students), which is approximately $5,900. As public school per pupil spending increases each year, so would the scholarship amount. Increases income requirements from 150% to 175% of the amount required for the student to qualify for free and reduced lunchincome for a family of four increases from approximately $73,000/year to approximately $85,000/year. Increases the states yearly appropriation from $10 million per year to $15 million per year until the 2031-2032 school year. The State may contract with a nonprofit to provide outreach and assistance to families as they navigate the scholarship process.

Special Needs Scholarship Grant Programs Increases funding for the Disabilities Grant by $5.95M and increases funding for the ESA program by $9.65M for the 2021-22 school year. Combines the Children with Disabilities Grant and Education Savings Account program into one program: NC Personal Education Student Accounts for Children with Disabilities, with over $31.6M for 2022-23. Implements forward funding and guarantees an additional $1M each year through 2032-33.

Public Charter Schools $1.1 million for charters that accepted students after the second ADM count. Fast track replication process for some charter schools. Planning year will not be required for these schools. $4.9 million total for the biennium to implement mobile panic alarm capability in all public K-12 and charter schools. $2.5 million for Transportation Grant Program for charter schools with 50%+ FRL, reimbursement up to 65% costs. Charter schools get water and sewer requirements for municipalities. Extended virtual charter school program.