Key Legislative Provisions in North Carolina Governing Remote Learning
Frameworks providing the structure and limitations for how public schools can utilize remote learning while ensuring educational consistency, student access, and instructional oversights.
Holly Springs, NC, Apr. 23, 2025 - Note: This page is a companion to the story, WCPSS Unveils Remote Instruction Plan for Emergencies in 2025–2026, published on the same date.
1. General Statute §115C-84.3: Remote Instruction
This statute defines "remote instruction" as teaching delivered to students outside the school facility, either synchronously or asynchronously. It permits public school units to use remote instruction under specific circumstances:
Emergency Situations: Schools may implement remote instruction when they cannot open due to severe weather, energy shortages, power failures, or other emergencies.
Districts with a "good cause waiver" may use up to 15 remote instruction days or 90 hours.
All other districts are limited to 5 remote instruction days or 30 hours per school year.
Annual Remote Instruction Plan: Governing boards that wish to use remote instruction must submit a detailed plan to the State Board of Education by July 1 each year. This plan must outline available resources, staff training, student attendance tracking, communication strategies, accommodations for students with disabilities, and methods for maintaining instructional quality.
2. Session Law 2022-59: Remote Academies
This law authorizes local education agencies (LEAs) to create "remote academies," which are public schools that provide most instruction online, using both synchronous and asynchronous methods, to students in remote locations.
Key requirements include:
Approval Process: Remote academies must be approved by the North Carolina State Board of Education for a five-year term.
Regulatory Compliance: These academies must meet specific accountability and instructional standards established in the statute.