H.B. 601
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
Apr 13, 2023
SESSION 2023 HOUSE PRINCIPAL CLERK
H D
HOUSE BILL DRH40325-MT-20
Short Title: Comm. Colleges Funding & Accountability Study. (Public)
Sponsors: Representative Winslow.
Referred to:
1 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
2 AN ACT TO DIRECT THE STATE BOARD OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES TO STUDY
3 AND REPORT ON OPTIONS FOR IMPROVING THE CURRENT FUNDING MODEL
4 AND ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGES.
5 The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
6 SECTION 1. The State Board of Community Colleges shall study and report to the
7 Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee by January 15, 2024, on options for improving
8 funding and accountability for community colleges. The study and report shall evaluate at least
9 the following:
10 (1) The process of allocating funds to community colleges, especially allocating
11 funds based on full-time enrollment (FTE), including an evaluation of the
12 benefits and associated costs of the following possible changes to that process:
13 a. Reducing the number of membership hours needed for one FTE
14 student under the formula while maintaining existing payments per
15 FTE for each course tier.
16 b. Increasing the base allotment provided to community colleges and the
17 impact on colleges with different levels of enrollment.
18 c. Revising the current tiered weighting model for courses, including
19 increasing payments for certain tiers and expanding the number of
20 courses in tiers with higher payments.
21 d. Providing start-up funding to assist community colleges with new
22 programs.
23 (2) The effect the current formula, based on FTE, has on small community
24 colleges, especially colleges with a significant number of part-time students.
25 The evaluation shall include a comparison of funds generated by part-time
26 students relative to academic and institutional supports used by those students.
27 (3) Institutional accountability measures and performance standards adopted
28 pursuant to G.S. 115D-31.3, including at least the following:
29 a. The effects the current mandatory performance measures have on
30 student success and funding for community colleges.
31 b. Recommendations for other performance metrics to address student
32 learning, success, and skills attainment.
33 (4) The extent to which the tiered weighting of community college courses
34 reflects actual demand for occupations in the State and the different service
35 regions for each community college. As part of this evaluation, the State
36 Board shall consult with the Department of Commerce and determine (i) job
*DRH40325-MT-20*
 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2023
1 fields with the highest demand for workers compared to the number of courses
2 offered in those fields and (ii) whether the current funding model encourages
3 or discourages community colleges to start and maintain programs in
4 high-demand fields like science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and
5 other technical fields, including plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and welding
6 fields.
7 (5) Any other recommendation the State Board deems relevant to its study.
8 SECTION 2. This act is effective when it becomes law.
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