North Carolina § 115C-106 - 1. State goal.

§ 115C-106. 1. State goal.

The goal of the State is to provide full educational opportunity to all children with disabilities who reside in the State. History (1973, c. 1293, ss. 2-4; 1975, c. 563, ss. 1-5; 1977, c. 927, ss. 1, 2; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1295; 1981, c. 423, s. 1; 1997-443, s. 11A.47; 2006-69, s. 2.) DPI Study/Improve Outcomes For Students With Disabilities. - Session Laws 2015-241, s. 8.30(a) and (b), as amended by Session Laws 2019-165, s. 3.1(b), provides: "(a) The Department of Public Instruction shall study and develop potential policy changes for improving the outcomes for elementary and secondary students with disabilities, including raising the graduation rates, providing more outcome-based goals, creating greater access to career-ready diplomas, increasing integration of accessible digital learning options, and providing earlier and improved transition services planning. The Department shall do at least the following toward achieving the goals set forth in this section: "(1) Examine current Individualized Education Program (IEP) requirements and develop reforms with greater focus on outcome-based goals for students with disabilities. "(2) Solicit input and bring together stakeholders and other interested parties to develop policies on transition services plans for students with disabilities from elementary to middle school, middle to high school, and high school to postsecondary education, and for employment opportunities and adult living options. "(3) Solicit input and bring together stakeholders to create accessible ways for students with IEPs to access the Future Ready Core Course of Study in more significant numbers as a viable alternative to the Occupational Course of Study. "(4) Examine model programs that may be employed by local school administrative units aimed at increasing the graduation rate and school performance of students with disabilities." "(b) Repealed by Session Laws 2019-165, s. 3.1(b), effective July 26, 2019." Education Opportunities For Students With Disabilities. - Session Laws 2015-241, s. 11.19(a), (b), provides: "(a) The Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services, with the assistance of the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and Division of Social Services, the Department of Public Instruction, The University of North Carolina, and the North Carolina Community College System, and in consultation with the North Carolina Postsecondary Education Alliance, community stakeholders, and other interested parties, shall: "(1) Assess gaps and system needs to support transitions of people with disabilities to adulthood. "(2) Develop a program and fiscal policies to expand and sustain postsecondary education and employment opportunities for people with disabilities. "(3) Plan and implement approaches to public awareness about postsecondary education and employment for people with disabilities. "(4) Plan and implement joint policies and common data indicators for tracking the outcomes of people with disabilities after leaving high school. "(5) Consider options for technology to link agency databases. "The Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services shall report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee and the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services by November 15, 2015, and annually thereafter through November 15, 2017, on the implementation of this section. "(b) The State Education Assistance Authority shall study strategies for ensuring that the State system of financial assistance for postsecondary education is fully available to assist qualified students with disabilities who are enrolled in certificate-based, approved university programs developed for them. The Authority shall report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee and the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services by March 15, 2016, on the results of this study." Editor's Note. - This Article was rewritten by Session Laws 2006-69, ss. 1 and 2. The historical citations in the former sections have been added to the corresponding sections in this Article as rewritten. Session Laws 2008-83, s. 2, provides: "The UNC-CH Division TEACCH Autism Program (TEACCH), in consultation with the School of Government and the Autism Society of NC, shall develop a video to raise awareness of autism for those involved in government and public service, including information on recognizing the signs and symptoms of autism spectrum disorders, and contacts for further information on appropriate responses to individuals with autism." Session Laws 2008-174, s. 1, provides: "The State Board of Education and Department of Health and Human Services shall jointly meet and make a determination as to which public agency is responsible for providing special education and related services as required under Article 9 of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes and the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act, 20 U.S.C. § 144, et seq., (2004), as amended, for children with disabilities who are placed in private psychiatric residential treatment facilities by a public agency other than the local educational agency. The State Board of Education and Department of Health and Human Services shall report the determination and any recommended legislation or policy changes by January 1, 2009, to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee and the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services." Session Laws 2015-241, s. 1.1, provides: "This act shall be known as 'The Current Operations and Capital Improvements Appropriations Act of 2015.'" Session Laws 2015-241, s. 33.4, provides: "Except for statutory changes or other provisions that clearly indicate an intention to have effects beyond the 2015-2017 fiscal biennium, the textual provisions of this act apply only to funds appropriated for, and activities occurring during, the 2015-2017 fiscal biennium." Session Laws 2015-241, s. 33.6, is a severability clause.