NC S368

Requires the State Education Assistance Authority (SEAA) to select an independent research organization to conduct evaluations of the Opportunity Scholarship program beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, with the first report due by December 1, 2024.

Mandates administration of a common examination to samples of scholarship recipients attending nonpublic schools and eligible non-recipients remaining in public schools to compare learning gains or losses and competitive effects on public school performance.

Makes participation in the common examination a condition of scholarship eligibility for selected students and requires nonpublic schools accepting scholarship students to administer or allow administration of the examination.

Requires nonpublic schools to report grade retention rates for scholarship recipients and all enrolled students, and graduation rates consistent with nationally recognized standards.

Authorizes the Authority to retain up to $2,150,000 annually (the lesser of 4% of appropriated funds or that amount) for administrative costs, with up to $150,000 allocated specifically for selecting and managing the independent research organization conducting evaluations.