NC H596

Creates the Standard Course of Study Advisory Commission (SCOS Commission) to recommend academic standards in reading, writing, mathematics, science, history, geography, and civics to the State Board of Education for approval

Commission consists of 19 members appointed by the Senate President Pro Tempore (6), House Speaker (6), and Governor (6), plus the Superintendent of Public Instruction and three nonvoting members from higher education and business

Members serve four-year terms with a maximum of eight consecutive years; membership includes superintendents, principals, teachers, parents, curriculum specialists, and business representatives

State Board of Education must adopt or reject Commission recommendations without substantive changes; if both original and amended recommendations are rejected, the Board may develop its own standards subject to legislative review with a 31-day waiting period

Commission must review social studies standards during 2025-2026 school year and submit recommendations by January 1, 2026, with annual reports due to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee beginning December 1, 2026