NC H921

Department of Public Instruction shall study and implement methods to improve outcomes for elementary and secondary students with disabilities, including higher graduation rates, outcome-based IEP goals, greater access to Future Ready Core Course of Study, and improved transition services planning.

Appropriates $6,923,286 for 2015-2016 and $14,077,154 for 2016-2017 to provide one percent annual funding increases for children with disabilities, allocated at $3,966.24 per child (2015-2016) and $4,005.90 per child (2016-2017).

Appropriates $600,000 annually for 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 to the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities to support three regional Partnerships for expanding postsecondary education options for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Requires multiple state agencies to assess gaps in transition services, develop policies to expand postsecondary education and employment opportunities for people with disabilities, and track outcomes with joint data indicators by November 15, 2015, and annually through 2017.

State Education Assistance Authority shall study and report by March 15, 2016, on strategies to ensure state financial assistance for postsecondary education is available to qualified students with disabilities in certificate-based approved university programs.