NC H112

All public school units must provide in-person instruction options to students in grades kindergarten through 12 for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year, beginning no later than 21 days after the bill becomes effective.

Elementary students (K-5) must be offered in-person instruction under Plan A (Minimal Social Distancing) or Plan B (Moderate Social Distancing), with school boards able to use either or both plans as needed.

Middle and high school students (grades 6-12) must be offered in-person instruction under Plan B (Moderate Social Distancing), with flexibility to offer Plan A if the Department of Health and Human Services issues guidance permitting it.

Students with individualized education programs (IEPs) or Section 504 plans must receive in-person instruction and related services; boards are encouraged to prioritize in-person instruction for students in self-contained special education classrooms, those with excessive absenteeism, and those at risk for academic failure.

School boards must continue offering remote instruction options at the discretion of parents or guardians and have authority to shift individual schools or classrooms to remote instruction only when necessary due to COVID-19 exposures affecting personnel or requiring student quarantines.