Winston-Salem Curriculum & Testing Bylaw FAQ
Winston-Salem, North Carolina public school curriculum and standardized testing are administered by the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools (WS/FCS) district and governed by North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) rules and State Board of Education policy. Municipal ordinances and city bylaws do not set school curricula; instead local board policy and state law determine standards, required tests, accommodations, and appeals. This guide summarizes where curriculum and testing authority rests, how enforcement and appeals work, what penalties or sanctions can apply, and how parents, students, and educators file requests or complaints with official offices and forms.
Authority & Scope
Curriculum adoption and assessment rules affecting Winston-Salem students come from the WS/FCS Board policies and NCDPI statewide standards. The district implements state standards, local course offerings, and required End-of-Grade (EOG) and End-of-Course (EOC) assessments under NCDPI oversight. For district-level policy and contact information see the district website Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools[1]. For state testing rules and schedules see the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction testing pages NCDPI Testing[2]. For district assessment program details see the WS/FCS assessment and accountability pages WS/FCS Assessment[3].
Penalties & Enforcement
Penalties for noncompliance with curriculum or testing requirements are not monetary fines imposed by the city; the cited official pages do not list civil fines for curriculum or testing noncompliance. Where specific monetary penalties would apply it is "not specified on the cited page".[2]
- Enforcer: WS/FCS administrative offices and school principals enforce district testing and curriculum policy; NCDPI enforces state assessment rules and certification of results.[1]
- Typical non-monetary sanctions: invalidation or withholding of test scores, required make-up testing, disciplinary measures under the Code of Student Conduct, or denial of course credit where EOC passage is required (specifics depend on district policy).
- Appeals and reviews: academic appeals, score review requests, and administrative hearings are handled by WS/FCS through published procedures; state-level score appeals and testing irregularity reviews go through NCDPI. Time limits for appeals vary by procedure and are not uniformly listed on the cited district pages, so please consult the linked office for current deadlines.[1]
- Inspections and audits: NCDPI conducts compliance reviews and audits of district testing programs; WS/FCS internal audit and accountability offices monitor local compliance.
Applications & Forms
Testing accommodations, opt-out requests, and score review forms are managed at district and state levels. The district posts guidance and forms for accommodations and appeals on its official site; where a specific form name, number, fee, or deadline is required it is "not specified on the cited page" and you should contact the district assessment office or NCDPI for the current PDF or online form.[1]
- How to submit: contact your school principal or the WS/FCS assessment office for submission instructions and required documentation.
- Deadlines: test registration and appeal deadlines are set per-administration; see the district and NCDPI testing calendars.
Action Steps
- Contact your school principal or WS/FCS Student Services to request published forms and timelines.[1]
- Submit testing accommodation documentation early, and retain copies of all correspondence.
- If a district-level appeal is exhausted, request state review through NCDPI following their published procedures.[2]
FAQ
- Who sets the school curriculum in Winston-Salem?
- Curriculum is set by the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board in alignment with North Carolina Standard Course of Study; the City of Winston-Salem does not set curriculum policy.[1]
- Can parents opt students out of state tests?
- Opt-out rules vary; NCDPI provides guidance on assessment participation and local districts publish their own procedures. Check WS/FCS policy and NCDPI guidance for the current process.[2]
- What penalties exist for failing to follow testing rules?
- Monetary fines are not specified on the cited pages; sanctions are typically administrative such as score invalidation, make-up tests, or disciplinary action by the district.[2]
- How do I request a test score review?
- Contact your school or the WS/FCS assessment office to obtain the official score review request form and submission instructions; if unresolved you may seek NCDPI review per state procedures.[1]
How-To
- Contact your childs school office to ask for the assessment or accommodation packet and identify the district contact person.
- Gather supporting documentation (IEP, 504 plan, medical records) required for accommodation review.
- Submit the accommodation request to the district assessment office before the published deadline; follow up in writing and keep copies.
- If the district decision is unsatisfactory, request the districts appeal instructions and then petition NCDPI for a state review if eligible.
Key Takeaways
- State and district policy govern curriculum and testing in Winston-Salem, not city bylaws.
- Contact WS/FCS assessment offices first for forms, deadlines, and appeals.[1]
Help and Support / Resources
- Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools official site
- WS/FCS Assessment & Accountability
- North Carolina Department of Public Instruction - Testing
- WS/FCS Board Policies and Code of Student Conduct