NC H988

Extends the virtual charter school pilot program from four school years to eight school years, ending with the 2022-2023 school year instead of 2018-2019.

Maintains current operational requirements including maximum enrollment of 1,500 students in year one (increasing up to 2,592 by year four), teacher-to-student ratios of 1:50 for K-8 and 1:150 for grades 9-12, and requirement for learning coaches for each student.

Requires schools to maintain an administrative office in North Carolina with at least one testing center in each of eight State Board of Education districts, with at least 80% of teaching staff residing in North Carolina.

Requires State Board of Education to report on pilot program findings to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee by November 15, 2020 (after five years) and November 15, 2022 (after seven years) with data on enrollment, courses offered, withdrawal rates, and student performance.

Allows successfully performing virtual charter schools to be approved for permanent operation by the State Board of Education without additional application requirements after completing the pilot period.