A new bill filed by State Rep. Heather H. Rhyne seeks to update how school performance is measured, aiming to improve assessment accuracy and address achievement gaps, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 773 on April 3 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘School Performance Grade Changes.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill aims to modify the metrics and grading system used to assess school performance in North Carolina. It revises school achievement scores for grades K-12, assigning points based on student proficiency in various subjects, including mathematics, science, reading, and English Language Arts. The bill also adjusts criteria for high school achievements, considering factors like completion of advanced courses and college or career readiness. School performance scores will combine achievement and growth metrics equally, replacing the previous 80-20 weight. The bill establishes separate performance grades for student subgroups and mandates detailed reporting on subgroup achievements, aiming to identify and address achievement gaps. Effective upon enactment, it applies to data from the 2025-26 school year.
Of the four sponsors of this bill, Tricia Ann Cotham proposed the most bills (38) during the 2025 regular session.
Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.
You can read more about the bills and other measures here.
Rhyne graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1998.
Rhyne, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2024 to represent the state’s 97th House district, replacing previous state representative Jason Saine.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heather H. Rhyne, Brian Biggs, David Willis, and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 773 | 04/03/2025 | School Performance Grade Changes. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Blair Eddins, Jennifer Balkcom, and Sarah Stevens | HB 791 | 04/03/2025 | Women’s Safety and Protection Act. |
| Heather H. Rhyne and Timothy Reeder, MD | HB 592 | 03/31/2025 | Toxic-Free Medical Devices Act of 2025. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Erin Paré, Mike Schietzelt, and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 611 | 03/31/2025 | Increase APs in Public Schools. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Jeff Zenger, Jonathan L. Almond, and Neal Jackson | HB 618 | 03/31/2025 | Ivermectin Access Act. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Allen Chesser, Cody Huneycutt, and Kyle Hall | HB 574 | 03/27/2025 | Workforce Development Pilot Project. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Allen Chesser, Donny Lambeth, and Grant L. Campbell, MD | HB 536 | 03/26/2025 | Physical Therapy Practice Act Mods. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Dean Arp, Donny Lambeth, and Erin Paré | HB 542 | 03/26/2025 | Child Care Mental & Behavioral Services/Funds. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Allen Chesser, Donna McDowell White, and Timothy Reeder, MD | HB 546 | 03/26/2025 | Inmate Medicaid Suspension/Team-Based Care. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Allen Chesser, Brandon Lofton, and Kyle Hall | HB 517 | 03/25/2025 | Modify Nonprofit Corp. Act/Charitable Org. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Dennis Riddell, Erin Paré, and Monika Johnson-Hostler | HB 488 | 03/24/2025 | Modify School Performance Grades. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Donna McDowell White, Donny Lambeth, and Jimmy Dixon | HB 491 | 03/24/2025 | Medicaid Work Requirements. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Allen Chesser, and Ray Pickett | HB 437 | 03/18/2025 | Establish Drug-Free Homeless Service Zones. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Dean Arp, Donny Lambeth, and Erin Paré | HB 412 | 03/17/2025 | Child Care Regulatory Reforms. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Brian Biggs, and David Willis | HB 415 | 03/17/2025 | Modify Math & Social Studies Grad. Req. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Allen Chesser, Jake Johnson, and Mike Schietzelt | HB 372 | 03/11/2025 | Home-Based Business Fairness Act. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Allen Chesser, Cody Huneycutt, and Kyle Hall | HB 351 | 03/10/2025 | Recovery-Friendly Workplace Program/Funds. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr., Charles W. Miller, and Cody Huneycutt | HB 330 | 03/06/2025 | Controlled Substances Act – Updates. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Dean Arp, Donny Lambeth, and Erin Paré | HB 309 | 03/05/2025 | Various Local Provisions VI. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Howard Penny, Jr., Jonathan L. Almond, and Paul Scott | HB 239 | 02/26/2025 | Change to EC Funding Formula. |
| Heather H. Rhyne and Jeffrey C. McNeely | HB 190 | 02/24/2025 | SchCal Mandatory Winter Break/Date Adjustment. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Cody Huneycutt, Hugh Blackwell, and Jarrod Lowery | HB 163 | 02/21/2025 | Pharmacy Benefits Manager Provisions. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Allen Buansi, Grant L. Campbell, MD, and Jarrod Lowery | HB 145 | 02/17/2025 | Funds for Diabetes Research Institute/UNC-CH. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Allen Chesser, Brenden H. Jones, and Jay Adams | HB 35 | 02/03/2025 | Establish Military Appreciation Month. |
| Heather H. Rhyne | HB 41 | 02/03/2025 | Lincoln/Catawba Common Boundary Line. |
