NC H15

Department of Public Instruction may use appropriated funds to enter into a statewide cooperative purchasing agreement for office productivity software for North Carolina public schools and charter schools, including technical support and professional development.

Establishes the Office of Principal Preparation within the State Education Assistance Authority to administer a competitive grant program for eligible entities preparing school leaders, replacing the previous requirement to contract with a private nonprofit corporation.

Modifies scholarship disbursement for students with disabilities to provide two methods: (1) scholarship endorsement for nonpublic schools meeting specific criteria, or (2) reimbursement for tuition at public schools other than assigned schools or eligible nonpublic schools.

Exempts students enrolled at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics and the North Carolina School of the Arts from paying fees for Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate examination administration and registration.

Becomes effective July 1, 2015, with scholarship provisions applying to awards for the 2015-2016 school year and subsequent years.