HB 848

Enacts new GS 115C-235 to create a pilot program in Cleveland County Schools beginning in the 2025-2026 school year and ending after the 2030-2031 school year. The program allows Cleveland County Schools and the Cleveland County Board of Education to exercise flexibility in class sizes for kindergarten through third grade. The program also allows a school to hire teachers who do not possess a license in compliance with the law or in accordance with the regulations of the State Board of Education. Up to fifty percent of teachers in a school may be unlicensed. Up to twenty-five percent of all teachers employed by the Cleveland County Board of Education may be unlicensed. Teachers of mathematics, science, social studies, and language arts must be college graduates. Unlicensed teachers must complete preservice training in identifying students with disabilities, managing student behavior, defusing and de-escalating disruptive or dangerous behavior, and the safe and appropriate use of seclusion and restraint. Individuals who qualify to be teacher assistants in kindergarten classrooms may be teacher assistants in NC Pre-K classrooms without meeting the requirements established by statute or regulation for NC Pre-K teacher assistants. Allows the transfer of funds for teacher assistants, textbooks, and digital resources.