NC H53

Allows local school boards to adopt calendars with fewer than 185 instructional days if they meet the 1,025 instructional hours requirement over nine calendar months.

Permits varying amounts of instructional time across different days and semesters, and allows boards to vary the number of days per semester while maintaining equivalent hours between semesters.

Requires that teachers employed on 10-month terms at schools with fewer than 185 instructional days receive compensation and benefits equivalent to teachers working 185 days.

Moves the earliest possible school opening date from the Monday closest to August 26 to August 10, and allows schools to administer semester exams prior to December 31 if the fall semester ends before that date.

Applies the same 1,025-hour instructional requirement (removing the 185-day minimum) to charter schools, innovation high schools, and other alternative education programs.