NC H44

General Assembly intends to transition public school funding from traditional and digital textbooks to comprehensive digital materials and instructional resources by 2017.

Digital textbooks and online instructional resources should be prioritized as they provide current, customizable educational content that can improve student academic performance.

Local school administrative units (LEAs) are encouraged to explore and implement virtual learning, blended instruction, and online courses to increase access to subject areas and provide credit recovery and career/technical education opportunities.

LEAs may currently use existing textbook funding to purchase digital instructional materials and digital textbooks as part of this transition.

Bill becomes effective upon passage (ratified March 11, 2013; approved March 15, 2013).