NC H923

Establishes a two-year (2021-2023) Kindergarten Social and Emotional Learning Pilot Program to expand the NC Preschool Pyramid Model from preschool into kindergarten classrooms

Six low-performing and geographically diverse local school administrative units will be selected by December 1, 2021, with priority given to low-wealth districts; each unit implements the program in six kindergarten classrooms

Department of Public Instruction shall adapt the SEL model for kindergarten by December 31, 2021, provide training to six teachers, two administrators, and two coaches per district between January-June 2022, and allocate at least $5,000 per district for classroom materials

Classroom implementation occurs during the 2022-2023 school year with ongoing professional development and feedback collection; Department must report evaluation findings to legislative committees by July 15, 2023, including plans for statewide expansion

Appropriates $292,758 in nonrecurring funds for fiscal year 2021-2022 and $248,657 for fiscal year 2022-2023; act becomes effective July 1, 2021