NC S8

Removes the cap on the number of charter schools that the State Board of Education may authorize in North Carolina.

Changes State Board approval of charter school applications from mandatory ("shall") to discretionary ("may"), allowing the board to reject applications that meet technical requirements.

Increases the allowable enrollment growth cap for charter schools from 10% to 20% annually without State Board approval.

Permits charter schools to charge fees that are equivalent to those charged by their local school administrative unit, whereas previously no fees could be charged.

Establishes new performance standards for charter schools, including mandatory strategic plans for schools with inadequate performance and authorizes the State Board to terminate or decline renewal of charters for persistently low-performing schools.