NC H673

Requires State Board of Education to complete review and approval of alternative reading assessments by September 15 each year.

Modifies student reading portfolio requirements by reducing required work samples from three to two per reading standard and allowing a single work sample to count toward up to two standards.

Allows a student reading portfolio to be compiled only when standardized testing would likely not yield positive findings, and permits one reading passage sample meeting 80% comprehension to satisfy proficiency demonstration.

Permits teachers of record to administer formative and diagnostic reading assessments to kindergarten through third grade students without restriction.

Requires principals to limit student reading portfolio use only to students determined appropriate and to discontinue use when students are not demonstrating reading proficiency; mandates at least one principal-led information session within first 30 days of school about third grade reading proficiency requirements.

Requires students retained after reading camp attendance of minimum 64 hours to be placed in transitional third and fourth grade class combinations; requires parents declining reading camp to notify schools of alternative reading interventions.

Effective beginning with the 2015-2016 school year.