Current law requires that each local board of education ensure that the report card for its school system is widely distributed to the local press or is otherwise provided to the public. Amends GS 115C-47(58) public schools, GS 115C-218.65 (charter schools), and GS 115C-238.66(11) regional schools to require that any publication of the annual report card must include an explanation as to how the school performance data and associated school performance grades were calculated and compiled. Requires that explanation of the method of calculation and compilation also be made available in Spanish.

Adds new subsection (c1) to GS 115C-83.15 to direct the State Board of Education to use the Education Value-Added Assessment System (EVAAS) to calculate a student growth score for the 20% of the lowest performing students from the previous school year. Adds new subsection (c2) to GS 115C-83.15 to direct the state Board of Education to identify additional criteria to include in calculating the overall school performance grade and to report on the identification of the additional criteria and the calculation of school performance grades to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee by January 15 of each year.

Amends subsection (d) regarding the calculation of the school performance scores and grades. Directs the State Board of Education to use EVAAS to calculate the school performance score by adding the school achievement score, and the school growth score, and including the student growth score for the 20% of the lowest performing students, and the score for additional criteria as provided in new subsections (c1) and (c2) of GS 115C-83.15.

Provides that the school achievement score is to account for 40% (was, 80%), the student growth score for lowest performing students is to account for 20%, the score for additional criteria is to account for 20%, and the school growth score will continue to account for 20%.

Provides that regardless of the provisions of GS 115C-83.15(c2), as enacted by this act, by November 15, 2016, the State Board of Education is to report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee on any additional criteria identified by the State Board for inclusion in the calculation of school performance grades and the method for calculation of scores in accordance with the purposes set forth in GS 115C-83.15.