New laws in North Carolina will scale back the number of standardized tests that public school students take and lay out expanded rights for crime victims. 

The crime victims' bill implements what's known as Marsy's Law, the constitutional amendment approved by voters last fall that expands rights given to crime victims. The measure explains which additional crimes trigger those rights and the process by which a victim can assert them.

The testing legislation approved by the General Assembly eliminates over 20 state exams currently given to students. It will be implemented next school year.

Also among the half-dozen bills that Gov. Roy Cooper announced on Thursday that he signed is one directing the State Lottery Commission to study the feasibility of state-regulated sports and steeplechase betting.

North Carolina lawmakers are proposing several changes that would overhaul the state's testing requirements for public schools.

Many educators have raised concerns over high-stakes standardized tests. Proposed legislation would eliminate nearly two-dozen state exams.

The House and Senate have both passed their own bills to reduce testing.

Lawmakers say this will give educators more time to focus on teaching methods and make the testing process less stressful for both teachers and students.

Some of the proposed changes include eliminating the use of the state's final exam as part of the testing program to assess teacher performance and professional growth.

The State Board of Education would also stop using End-of-Grade tests for grades three through eight. Instead, a “Check-In” process would be put in place. For example, EOG exams in math, reading and science would be replaced with shorter versions throughout the year.

Lawmakers say they hope to merge proposals from both the House and Senate, so schools can begin using the new standards in the fall.

*You can follow WFDD's Keri Brown on Twitter @kerib_news