Source: http://law.justia.com/codes/north-carolina/2005/chapter_115c/article_39.html
Timestamp: 2016-02-09 05:46:11
Document Index: 133414747

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1', '§ 115', '§ 115', '§ 115', '§ 115', '§ 115', '§ 115', '§ 115', '§ 115', 'art 2', '§ 115', '§ 115', '§ 115', '§ 115', '§ 115', '§ 115', '§ 115', '§ 115', 'art 3', '§ 115', 'arts 1', '§ 115', 'art 1', 'art 2', '§ 115', 'art 4', '§ 115', '§ 115']

North Carolina General Statutes Article 39 - Nonpublic Schools. :: Chapter 115C — Elementary and Secondary Education. :: 2005 North Carolina Code :: North Carolina Code :: US Codes and Statutes :: US Law :: Justia
Justia › US Law › US Codes and Statutes › North Carolina Code › 2005 North Carolina Code › Chapter 115C — Elementary and Secondary Education. › North Carolina General Statutes Article 39 - Nonpublic Schools.	2005 North Carolina Code - General Statutes Article 39 - Nonpublic Schools.SUBCHAPTER X.� PRIVATE AND
Part 1.� Private Church Schools and Schools of Religious
§ 115C‑547.� Policy.
In conformity with the Constitutions of the United States and
of North Carolina, it is the public policy of the State in matters of education
that "No human authority shall, in any case whatever, control or interfere
with the rights of conscience," or with religious liberty and that
"religion, morality and knowledge being necessary to good government and
the happiness of mankind . . . the means of education shall forever be
encouraged." (1979, c. 505;
1981, c. 423, s. 1.)
§ 115C‑548.� Attendance; health and safety regulations.
Each private church school or school of religious charter
shall make, and maintain annual attendance and disease immunization records for
each pupil enrolled and regularly attending classes. Attendance by a child at
any school to which this Part relates and which complies with this Part shall
satisfy the requirements of compulsory school attendance so long as the school
operates on a regular schedule, excluding reasonable holidays and vacations,
during at least nine calendar months of the year. Each school shall be subject
to reasonable fire, health and safety inspections by State, county and
municipal authorities as required by law.
The Division of Nonpublic Education, Department of
Administration, shall ensure that materials are provided to these schools so
that they can provide parents and guardians with information about
meningococcal meningitis and influenza and their vaccines at the beginning of
every school year. This information may be provided electronically or on the
Division's Web page. This information shall include the causes, symptoms, and
how meningococcal meningitis and influenza are spread and the places where
parents and guardians may obtain additional information and vaccinations for
their children. (1979, c. 505; 1981, c. 423, s. 1;
2004‑118, s. 4.)
§ 115C‑549.� Standardized testing requirements.
shall administer, at least once in each school year, a nationally standardized
test or other nationally standardized equivalent measurement selected by the
chief administrative officer of such school, to all students enrolled or
regularly attending grades three, six and nine. The nationally standardized
test or other equivalent measurement selected must measure achievement in the
areas of English grammar, reading, spelling and mathematics. Each school shall
make and maintain records of the results achieved by its students. For one year
after the testing, all records shall be made available, subject to G.S. 115C‑174.13,
at the principal office of such school, at all reasonable times, for annual
inspection by a duly authorized representative of the State of North Carolina. (1979, c. 505; 1981, c. 423, s. 1; 1987, c. 738, s. 180(b);
2004‑199, s. 30(a).)
§ 115C‑550.� High school competency testing.
To assure that all high school graduates possess those
minimum skills and that knowledge thought necessary to function in society,
each private church school or school of religious charter shall administer at
least once in each school year, a nationally standardized test or other
nationally standardized equivalent measure selected by the chief administrative
officer of such school, to all students enrolled and regularly attending the
eleventh grade. The nationally standardized test or other equivalent
measurement selected must measure competencies in the verbal and quantitative
areas. Each private church school or school of religious charter shall
establish a minimum score which must be attained by a student on the selected
test in order to be graduated from high school. For one year after the testing,
all records shall be made available, subject to G.S. 115C‑174.13, at the
principal office of such school, at all reasonable times, for annual inspection
by a duly authorized representative of the State of North Carolina. (1979, c. 505; 1981, c. 423, s. 1; 2004‑199, s.
30(b).)
§ 115C‑551.� Voluntary participation in the State
Any such school may, on a voluntary basis, participate in any
State operated or sponsored program which would otherwise be available to such
school, including but not limited to the high school competency testing and
statewide testing programs. (1979, c. 505; 1981, c.
423, s. 1.)
§ 115C‑552.� New school notice requirements;
(a)������ Any new school to which this Part relates shall
send to a duly authorized representative of the State of North Carolina a
notice of intent to operate, name and address of the school, and name of the
school's owner and chief administrator.
(b)������ Any school to which this Part applies shall notify
a duly authorized representative of the State of North Carolina upon
termination of the school. (1979, c. 505; 1981, c.
§ 115C‑553.� Duly authorized representative.
The duly authorized representative of the State of North
Carolina to whom reports of commencing operation and termination shall be made
and who may inspect certain records under this Part shall be designated by the
Governor. (1979, c. 505; 1981, c. 423, s. 1.)
§ 115C‑554.� Requirements exclusive.
No school, operated by any church or other organized
religious group or body as part of its religious ministry, which complies with
the requirements of this Part shall be subject to any other provision of law
relating to education except requirements of law respecting fire, safety,
sanitation and immunization. (1979, c. 505; 1981, c.
Part 2. Qualified Nonpublic Schools. § 115C‑555.� Qualification of nonpublic schools.
The provisions of this Part shall apply to any nonpublic
school which has one or more of the following characteristics:
(1)������ It is accredited by the State Board of Education.
(2)������ It is accredited by the Southern Association of
Colleges and� Schools.
(3)������ It is an active member of the North Carolina
(4)������ It receives no funding from the State of North
Carolina. (1979, c. 506; 1981, c. 423, s. 1.)
§ 115C‑556.� Attendance; health and safety regulations.
Each qualified nonpublic school shall make, and maintain
annual attendance and disease immunization records for each pupil enrolled and
regularly attending classes. Attendance by a child at any school to which this
Part relates and which complies with this Part shall satisfy the requirements
of compulsory school attendance so long as the school operates on a regular
schedule, excluding reasonable holidays and vacations, during at least nine
calendar months of the year. Each school shall be subject to reasonable fire,
health and safety inspections by State, county and municipal authorities as
Administration, shall ensure that materials are provided to each qualified
nonpublic school so that the school can provide parents and guardians with
information about meningococcal meningitis and influenza and their vaccines at
the beginning of every school year. This information may be provided electronically
or on the Division's Web page. This information shall include the causes,
symptoms, and how meningococcal meningitis and influenza are spread and the
places where parents and guardians may obtain additional information and
vaccinations for their children. (1979, c. 506; 1981,
c. 423, s. 1; 2004‑118, s. 5.)
§ 115C‑557.� Standardized testing requirements.
Each qualified nonpublic school shall administer, at least
once in each school year, a nationally standardized test or other nationally
standardized equivalent measurement selected by the chief administrative
officer of such school, to all students enrolled or regularly attending grades
three, six and nine. The nationally standardized test or other equivalent
measurement selected must measure achievement in the areas of English grammar,
reading, spelling and mathematics. Each school shall make and maintain records
of the results achieved by its students. For one year after the testing, all
records shall be made available, subject to G.S. 115C‑174.13, at the
by a duly authorized representative of the State of North Carolina. (1979, c. 506; 1981, c. 423, s. 1; 1987, c. 738, s. 180(c);
2004‑199, s. 30(c).)
§ 115C‑558.� High school competency testing.
each qualified nonpublic school shall administer at least once in each school
year, a nationally standardized test or other nationally standardized
equivalent measure selected by the chief administrative officer of such school,
to all students enrolled and regularly attending the eleventh grade. The
nationally standardized test or other equivalent measurement selected must
measure competencies in the verbal and quantitative areas. Each qualified
nonpublic school shall establish a minimum score which must be attained by a
student on the selected test in order to be graduated from high school. For one
year after the testing, all records shall be made available, subject to G.S.
115C‑174.13, at the principal office of such school, at all reasonable
times, for annual inspection by a duly authorized representative of the State
of North Carolina. (1979, c. 506; 1981, c. 423, s. 1;
2004‑199, s. 30(d).)
§ 115C‑559.� Voluntary participation in the State
statewide testing programs. (1979, c. 506; 1981, c.
§ 115C‑560.� New school notice requirements;
termination of the school. (1979, c. 506; 1981, c.
§ 115C‑561.� Duly authorized representative.
Governor. (1979, c. 506; 1981, c. 423, s. 1.)
§ 115C‑562.� Requirements exclusive.
No qualifying nonpublic school, which complies with the
requirements of this Part, shall be subject to any other provision of law
relating to education except requirements of law respecting fire,� safety,
sanitation and immunization. (1979, c. 506; 1981, c.
Part 3.� Home Schools.
§ 115C‑563.� Definitions.
As used in this Part or Parts 1 and 2 of this section
(a)������ "Home school" means a nonpublic school in
which one or more children of not more than two families or households receive
academic instruction from parents or legal guardians, or a member of either
(b)������ "Duly authorized representative of the
State" means the Director, Division of Nonpublic Education, or his staff. (1987 (Reg. Sess., 1988), c. 891, s. 1.)
§ 115C‑564.� Qualifications and requirements.
A home school shall make the election to operate under the
qualifications of either Part 1 or Part 2 of this Article and shall meet the
requirements of the Part elected, except that any requirement related to safety
and sanitation inspections shall be waived if the school operates in a private
residence and except that testing requirements in G.S. 115C‑549 and G.S.
115C‑557 shall be on an annual basis.� The persons providing academic
instruction in a home school shall hold at least a high school diploma or its
equivalent. (1987 (Reg. Sess., 1988), c. 891, s. 1.)
§ 115C‑565.� Requirements exclusive.
No school which complies with this Part shall be subject to
any other provision of law relating to education except requirements of law
respecting immunization. The Division of Nonpublic Education, Department of
Administration, shall provide to home schools information about meningococcal
meningitis and influenza and their vaccines. This information may be provided
electronically or on the Division's Web page. The information shall include the
causes, symptoms, and how meningococcal meningitis and influenza are spread and
the places where parents and guardians may obtain additional information and
vaccinations for their children. (1987 (Reg. Sess.,
1988), c. 891, s. 1; 2004‑118, s. 6.)
Part 4.� Miscellaneous Requirements. § 115C‑566.� Driving eligibility certificates;
(a)������ The Secretary of Administration, upon consideration
of the advice of the Division of Nonpublic Education in the Office of the
Governor and representatives of nonpublic schools, shall adopt rules for the
procedures a person who is or was enrolled in a home school, in a nonpublic
school that is not accredited by the State Board of Education, or in an
educational program found by a court, prior to July 1, 1998, to comply with the
compulsory attendance law, must follow and the requirements that person must
meet to obtain a driving eligibility certificate. The procedures shall provide
that the person who is required under G.S. 20‑11(n) to sign the driving
eligibility certificate must provide the certificate if he or she determines
that one of the following requirements is met:
(1)������ The person seeking the certificate is eligible for
the certificate under G.S. 20‑11(n)(1) and is not subject to G.S. 20‑11(n1).
(2)������ The person seeking the certificate is eligible for
the certificate under G.S. 20‑11(n)(1) and G.S. 20‑11(n1).
The rules shall define exemplary student behavior, define
what constitutes the successful completion of a drug or alcohol treatment
counseling program, and provide for an appeal to an appropriate educational
entity by a person who is denied a driving eligibility certificate. The
Division of Nonpublic Education also shall develop policies as to when it is
appropriate to notify the Division of Motor Vehicles that a person who is or
was enrolled in a home school or in a nonpublic school that is not accredited
by the State Board of Education no longer meets the requirements for a driving
(b)������ The Secretary of Administration shall develop a
form for parents, guardians, or emancipated juveniles, as appropriate, to
provide their written, irrevocable consent for a school to disclose to the
Division of Motor Vehicles that the student no longer meets the conditions for
a driving eligibility certificate under G.S. 20‑11(n)(1) or G.S. 20‑11(n1),
if applicable, in the event that this disclosure is necessary to comply with
G.S. 20‑11 or G.S. 20‑13.2. Other than identifying under which
statutory subsection the student is no longer eligible, no other details or
information concerning the student's school record shall be released pursuant
to this consent. This form shall be used for students enrolled in home schools
or nonpublic schools.
(c)������ In accordance with rules adopted by the Secretary
under this section, persons who are required to sign driving eligibility
certificates that meet the conditions established in G.S. 20‑11 shall
obtain the necessary written, irrevocable consent from parents, guardians, or
emancipated juveniles, as appropriate, in order to disclose information to the
Division of Motor Vehicles and shall notify the Division of Motor Vehicles when
a student who holds a driving eligibility certificate no longer meets the
conditions under G.S. 20‑11(n)(1) or G.S. 20‑11(n1). (1997‑507, s. 5; 1998‑212, s. 9.21(d); 1999‑243,
§ 115C‑567.� Reserved for future codification purposes.