NC S860

Extends the testing window for semester courses from 5 instructional days to 15 instructional days at the end of the semester for administering final exams and annual assessments.

Changes school performance grade calculation to weight school achievement score and school growth score equally at 50% each, with an option for schools meeting expected growth to use achievement score alone if it produces a higher grade.

Delays implementation of four-year teacher contracts from the 2013-2014 school year to the 2014-2015 school year, allowing superintendents to recommend 25% of eligible teachers with at least three consecutive years of employment.

Provides flexibility for principal and assistant principal contract terms by allowing initial contracts of one to four years (changed from two to four years) and subsequent contracts of one to four years.