North Carolina public schools are permitted to use up to five (5) remote instruction days per academic calendar year for emergencies like severe weather, without needing to make them up, as stated in NCGS § 115C-84.3. These days count towards the mandatory 1,025 instructional hours required by the state.
Key details regarding NC remote learning days:
- Waivers: Districts may request a “good cause” waiver to utilize up to 15 remote instruction days (or 90 hours) if schools cannot open due to severe conditions.
- Banked Days: If the five remote days are exhausted, districts often use “banked days”—extra hours built into the calendar above the state minimum—before needing to schedule traditional makeup days.
- Instruction Type: Remote days are often asynchronous, focusing on reinforcement of previously learned skills rather than new, live instruction.
- Attendance: Students must complete and submit assignments to be counted present.
Once remote and banked days are used up, districts must add makeup days, which may include Saturdays or using previously scheduled holidays/teacher workdays.