NC S704

Authorizes the State Board of Education to approve local school board requests to reform continually low-performing schools using one of four defined models.

Establishes transformation model focusing on increasing teacher and school leader effectiveness, implementing comprehensive instructional reform strategies, increasing learning time, and providing operational flexibility and sustained support.

Establishes restart model allowing schools to operate under same exemptions as charter schools or under educational management organization management without increasing maximum number of charter schools.

Establishes turnaround model requiring replacement of principals who have served at least three years and rehiring no more than 50% of school staff, plus adopting new governance structures and implementing instruction aligned with Standard Course of Study.

Establishes school closure model allowing local school administrative units to close schools and enroll students in other higher-achieving schools within the same administrative unit, with State Board adoption of rules and annual reporting requirements from local boards.