A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO THE department of public instruction TO ENSURE THAT EVAAS IS AVAILABLE IN EVERY school system AND CHARTER SCHOOL IN NORTH CAROLINA.
Whereas, EVAAS, an educational value‑added assessment system, is a powerful tool to ensure all North Carolina students have maximum opportunities for learning; and
Whereas, EVAAS systematically evaluates policy and programs so that our education dollars are spent appropriately and effectively; and
Whereas, EVAAS assists in determining how educational entities are influencing student progress so that every student is benefited, regardless of achievement level; and
Whereas, EVAAS analyses follow the progress of individual students over time to assess student progress at the district, school, and classroom levels and provide customized, proactive trajectories for individual students toward critical academic benchmarks; and
Wheras, it is critical to North Carolina's education system that EVAAS continues to be available in every district and charter school via a secure and user‑friendly web application; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction the sum of two million dollars ($2,000,000) for the 2010‑2011 fiscal year to ensure that EVAAS (Education Value Added Assessment System) is available to all local school administrative units and charter schools.  Funds appropriated for EVAAS shall not revert, but shall be carried forward to the next fiscal year.  It is the intent of the General Assembly that EVAAS be used extensively throughout the State by teachers, administrators, and appropriate support staff to assist all North Carolina students in reaching their highest academic potential.  Accordingly, the State Board of Education is directed to issue guidelines explaining how all teachers can access and utilize EVAAS.
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2010.