NC S318

Allows local school boards to set their own school calendar start and end dates for schools or school districts identified as low-performing by the State Board of Education, rather than following the traditional calendar requirements.

Provides that schools may use the modified calendar if they receive a D or F performance grade, and must return to traditional calendar requirements after three consecutive years of C or higher grades and not being identified as low-performing.

Requires school improvement teams to include in their plans: goals for the modified calendar, how it will increase student achievement, calendar details including breaks, proposals for targeted learning interventions during breaks, and measurement of student and parent satisfaction.

Mandates the Department of Public Instruction to study the effect of modified calendars on student performance by comparing low-performing schools using traditional versus modified calendars, with reports due to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee by March 15, 2019, and annually thereafter.

Effective beginning with the 2017-2018 school year.