(a) Parents or guardians of students not demonstrating reading proficiency shall be encouraged to enroll their student in a reading camp provided by the local school administrative unit. Parents or guardians of a student not demonstrating reading proficiency shall make the final decision regarding a student’s reading camp attendance. Local school administrative units shall provide at least one opportunity for students not participating in a reading camp to demonstrate reading proficiency appropriate for third grade students on an alternative assessment or through a student reading portfolio process approved by the State Board of Education prior to retaining the student.

(b) (Applicable before the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year) Students retained under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 115C-83.7(a) shall be provided with a teacher selected based on demonstrated student outcomes in reading proficiency and placed in an accelerated reading class or a transitional third and fourth grade class combination, as appropriate. Classroom instruction shall include at least 90 minutes of daily, uninterrupted, evidence-based reading instruction, not to include independent reading time, and other appropriate instructional supports and services and reading interventions.

(b) (Applicable beginning with the 2022-2023 school year) Students retained under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 115C-83.7(a) shall be provided with a teacher selected based on demonstrated student outcomes in reading proficiency and placed in an accelerated reading class or a transitional third and fourth grade class combination, as appropriate. Classroom instruction shall include at least 90 minutes of daily, uninterrupted, Science of Reading-based instruction, not to include independent reading time, and other appropriate literacy interventions, as outlined in each student’s Individual Reading Plan.

(c) The State Board of Education shall establish a midyear promotion policy for any student retained under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 115C-83.7(a) who, by November 1, demonstrates reading proficiency through administration of the alternative assessment of reading comprehension or student reading portfolio review. Principals shall use the provisions under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 115C-288(a) to grade and classify students demonstrating reading proficiency after the November 1 midyear promotion deadline.

(d) Repealed by Session Laws 2013-360, s. 8.30, effective July 1, 2013.

(e) (Applicable before the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year) Parents or guardians of students who have been retained twice under the provisions of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 115C-83.7(a) shall be offered supplemental tutoring for the retained student in evidence-based reading services outside the instructional day.

(e) (Applicable beginning with the 2022-2023 school year) Parents or guardians of students who have been retained twice under the provisions of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 115C-83.7(a) shall be offered supplemental tutoring grounded in the Science of Reading for the retained student outside the instructional day. (2012-142, s. 7A.1(b); 2013-360, s. 8.30; 2014-5, s. 6; 2021-8, s. 6(g).)