A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to establish a blue ribbon commission on graduation disparity.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  There is established a Blue Ribbon Commission of Graduation Disparity.  The purpose of the Commission is to examine each of the following:
(1)	Minority graduation statistics.
(2)	National best practices for educating minority students.
(3)	Current statewide efforts to increase high school retention of minority students.
(4)	Teaching methodologies specifically designed for minority students.
(5)	Existing technical and career curriculum.
(6)	Innovative practices or solutions that have demonstrated success in other states.
The Commission shall develop a comprehensive, statewide plan and recommendations for increasing the number of minority individuals who complete high school.
SECTION 2.  The Commission shall be comprised of the following 16 members:
(1)	Five members of the Senate, one local school superintendent, and two other members including education policy experts and community leaders, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(2)	Five members of the House of Representatives, one local school superintendent, and two other members including education policy experts and community leaders, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
SECTION 3.  The Commission shall meet five times. The Commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the 2011 General Assembly prior to February 1, 2011.
SECTION 4.  Of the funds available to the General Assembly, the sum of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) shall be allocated to the Commission.  These funds may be used to cover the expenses of any national experts or consultants that the Commission seeks to engage to advise the members regarding its proceedings, comprehensive plan, or recommendations.
SECTION 5.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2010.