Number 10

NCDPI Awarded Approximately $17 Million in Grant Funding to Increase Mental Health Support for Public School Students

"The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) was recently awarded roughly $17 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Education to help meet the mental health needs of students in the state’s public schools. The funding will enable NCDPI to leverage partnerships with institutions of higher education and 15 school districts to increase the number and diversity of mental health service providers in high-needs schools. Starting this month and continuing through 2027, these grants will help the state bolster the pipeline of school-based mental health service providers, including school counselors, school social workers and school mental health clinicians.

The competitive grants, called the Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration (MHSP) Grant and the School-Based Mental Health (SBMH) Grant Program, were pursued by the agency last fall. The applications cited data from the newly released 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), presented today to the State Board of Education (SBE), as a primary need for the funding. Data included in the application underscore how mental health challenges hinder achievement for North Carolina students. Survey findings also demonstrate a continued negative impact on students’ mental health post-pandemic and highlight the ongoing need to address these challenges."

Read the full press release here.

Number 9

School Safety Grant Reopened

The School Safety Grant has reopened and will close at 11:59 p.m. on January 20.

As a reminder, this grant is for Safety Equipment, Services for Students in Crisis and Training to Increase School Safety. This grant is not funding School Resource Officers. Priority will be given to districts and charter schools that have not received funding through this grant in 2022. Click here for more information. 

The grant application can be found on the CCIP website under FY2023, Safer Schools-Round 2 Funding.

If you have questions, please email schoolsafetygrants@dpi.nc.gov.

Number 8

Early Grades Students Start School Year with Stronger Literacy Skills, Assessment Shows

"Students in early elementary grades in North Carolina public schools continue to show gains in literacy skills, according to results of a key assessment administered at the beginning of the current school year.

The percentage of students on track in each grade, kindergarten through third, who were performing at or above the benchmark score at the beginning of the year was higher this school year than in 2021-22, reflecting gains students achieved during the previous grade level and year. Of the 454,000 North Carolina students who were assessed at the start of this school year, nearly 28,000 more were performing at or above benchmark this year compared to 2021-22.

Additionally, the statewide results show that fewer students this school year were well below assessment benchmarks and in need of intensive intervention."

Read the full press release here.

Number 7

Final Week for Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching Nominations

This is the final week to nominate great 7-12 science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or computer science teachers for this cycle of the Presidential Awards!

Nominations must be completed by the end of the day on Monday, January 9. Teachers may begin an application at any time before the submission deadline of Monday, February 6.

Please nominate a great teacher here.

Number 6

Deadline to Register for Ready, Set, App! January 13

This mobile app building competition is open to all NC high schoolers. It challenges them to find creative and innovative solutions to problems in their community. Students will develop skills in design thinking, coding, graphic design, presentation, teamwork, critical thinking, and so much more.

No experience with app design? No problem! There is a team of dedicated interns with app building experience who will mentor students and meet with them regularly to aid in this process.

Register here by Friday, January 13.

Number 5

NCCAT Online Registration Open

NCCAT Online registration is open today! There is no charge for NCCAT Online courses. NCCAT Online courses are self-paced modules. Depending on the course, participants can earn 5 to 15 contact hours.

Learn more and register for courses here.

Number 4

27 Educators Selected as NCCAT Empower Beginning Teacher of the Year Finalists

Twenty-seven teachers across North Carolina have been selected as finalists for the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) Empower Beginning Teacher of the Year Award for their dedication, innovation, and ability to inspire students to achieve.

One of these talented educators will be named the 2023 NCCAT Empower Beginning Teacher of the Year. The award will be presented on March 9, 2023, at the NCCAT Cullowhee Campus.

“We appreciate the enthusiastic response from all over the state for the Beginning Teacher of the Year Award,” said NCCAT Executive Director M. Brock Womble. “These finalists provide a snapshot of great teachers' lasting impact on our students from the first to the last day they step into a North Carolina public school. We are excited about this opportunity to honor teachers for their important work in our state.”

Read the full list of finalists here. Congratulations!

Number 3

NCDPI Accepting Applications for 2023 Summer Internships

Interested candidates are encouraged to review the list of available 2023 summer internship opportunities prior to submitting an application. An online application, along with a resume and unofficial transcript are required for consideration. An optional cover letter may also be included.

Applications are currently being accepted with an application deadline of February 28 for summer 2023 opportunities.

Learn more and apply here.

Number 2

2023 Regional Technology Director of the Year Nominations

Congratulations to the 2023 NC Regional Technology Directors of the Year! Each candidate has made a significant impact on transforming student learning through the integration of technology. Their leadership is an inspiration to all Digital Teaching and Learning Leaders and Educators across the state.

All regional nominees will be recognized at the Annual State Technology Directors Meeting held at NCTIES on March 8, 2023. The NC State Technology Director of the Year will also be announced.

The 2023 Regional Technology Directors of the Year are:

• Kerry Mebane, Edenton-Chowan Public Schools (Northwest)
• Charles White, Lenoir County Schools (Southeast)
• Debby Atwater, Chapel-Hill Carrboro City Schools (North Central)
• Kendt Eklund, Moore County Schools (Sandhills)
• Butch Rooney, Davie County Schools (Piedmont Triad)
• Jay Parker, Union County Schools (Southwest)
• Amy Walker, Ashe County Schools (Northwest)
• Karen Cook, Swain County Schools (Western)

Number 1

Superintendent Truitt Welcomes 2023!

In her New Year message, Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt reflects on the past year, thanking educators, administrators and support staff for their commitment and dedication to the success of North Carolina students, and looks forward to the exciting opportunities for 2023.

Watch the video here.