TO:            LEA Superintendents and Charter Leaders

FROM:    Eliz Colbert, Ed.D.
                   Executive Director, North Carolina Virtual Public School

DATE:     July 31, 2017

RE:           HOUSE BILL 800/SL 2017-173 AND VENDOR COURSE APPROVAL                 PROCESS

This correspondence is regarding important changes in the first-time credit, teacher led vendor course approval process managed by the North Carolina Virtual Public School in light of legislative changes from the 2017 Legislative session.
 
HB 800-Various Changes to Charter School Laws  became  Session Law 2017-173 on July 21, 2017.  Part VI of this bill makes modifications to NCVPS, which include repealing the requirement that all e-learning opportunities are consolidated under NCVPS . The provision also allows local school administrative units to partner with providers for e-learning opportunities. These other providers must (i) be accredited by a regional accrediting agency; (ii) employ teachers who hold teaching licenses from states that are in the NASDTEC Educator Identification Clearinghouse; and (iii) ensure that the courses offered to North Carolina students are aligned to the North Carolina Standard Course of Study.

Proposed changes to   SBE Policy # CCRE-001 ("Course for Credit") will be presented to the State Board of Education in the next two months.
 
Effective immediately, NCVPS will cease the facilitation of the North Carolina Vendor Course Approval Process (VCAP).  Vendor courses that are teacher led and for first time credit will no longer be required to be submitted for review and approval through the VCAP before a district/charter can utilize the course for instruction. The  Approved Vendor Course list  will be available as a resource through August 31, 2017, as you make your e-learning decisions.  

Feel free to contact Don Lourcey, VCAP Coordinator, at [email protected] , or 919-218-8845 with questions or concerns.

c  Dr. Maria Pitre-Martin, Deputy State Superintendent
    Dr. Tiffany Perkins, Director, K12 Standards, Curriculum and Instruction
    Katie Cornetto, State Board of Education Attorney


1017 Main Campus Drive, Partners I Bldg.,
SUITE 3900, Raleigh, NC 27606
Phone: 919-513-8550 | Fax: 919-513-2557 |
www.ncvps.org