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 State Board of Education Vision: Every public school student in North Carolina will be empowered to accept academic challenges, prepared to pursue their chosen path after graduating high school, and encouraged to become lifelong learners with the capacity to engage in a globally-collaborative society.
State Board of Education Mission: The mission of the North Carolina State Board of Education is to use its constitutional authority to guard and maintain the right of a sound, basic education for every child in North Carolina Public Schools.
Friday, February 16, 2024
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Highlights
WRAL - Emily Walkenhorst | Feb.12, 2024: North Carolina needs to overhaul math instruction, superintendent tells lawmakers - While the Department of Public Instruction can review math standards and make recommendations to schools, legislation can more formally dictate — and fund — certain efforts.
Truitt cited the work she, lawmakers and other educators have done to overhaul reading instruction to use more science-based methods of instruction and to teach those methods to current and prospective teachers. The efforts are seeing early gains in kindergarten through third grade reading that are also coinciding with increased tutoring and intervention in reading.
“We need to do the same thing with math,” Truitt said.
Truitt’s plan would include more intervention for students outside of their regular math class. Parents would also be kept in the loop more often on their children’s struggles in math, using written communication.
DPI presentation to the House Select Committee on Education Reform on Monday, Feb. 12, 2024
A collaboration between the NC Chamber Foundation and N.C. Department of Public Instruction
 Opportunities to Engage with Your Local Schools
Depending on the needs of your business, the following are ways you can engage with your local school district. To learn more about these ideas and how to engage with your local schools, fill out the form below to be directly connected with the N.C. Department of Public Instruction.
EXPLORE THE NCBCE NAVIGATOR
CONNECT WITH YOUR LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT NOW
K-12 Learning that Builds Workforce Readiness
Future Focused, Career Ready: A Conversation with Superintendent Catherine Truitt and NC Chamber CEO Gary Salamido
Last week NCDPI, in collaboration with the NC Chamber, released a toolkit to assist employers in connecting with K-12 education to strengthen their talent pipelines.
Click here to watch the recorded conversation with Superintendent Truitt and NC Chamber CEO Gary Salamido to learn more about the toolkit and connecting K-12 education and the workforce in North Carolina.
DPI Press Release | Feb. 8, 2024: Toolkit from NCPI, NC Chamber Foundation Connects Employers with Students
Bertie County Schools Awarded $15 Million Grant
Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald - Holly Taylor | Feb. 9, 2024: Unexpected windfall - Bertie County Schools got a big surprise during a visit on Feb. 7 from State Senator Bobby Hanig and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt. The duo presented school officials with a $15 million check from the Needs-Based Public School Capital Fund (NBPSCF) to be used to add a Career and Technical Education (CTE) wing to Bertie High School. The NBPSCF program was created by the North Carolina General Assembly in 2017 to help address critical school facility needs. It is funded through state lottery revenues, and since 2021 there is no required match from the local government when districts receive these grant awards.
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Supplemental Grant Applications [per SL 2023-134, Section 4.3.(c)] -The special FY23-24 application period for FY22-23 NBPSCF Grant recipients, with projects that are not yet under construction, is NOW OPEN. The deadline for submitting applications and supporting materials under this provision is June 30, 2024.
Lenior County Schools Awarded $52 Million Grant
WITN - Baileigh Bockover | Feb. 12, 2024: $52 million grant will fund renovation of Lenoir County middle school - The Lenoir County superintendent says the walls and classrooms in E.B. Frink Middle School will be torn down and rebuilt in a few months. “We believe the new middle school will give our La Grange students and our community the best learning environment we can provide. that’s what they deserve and that’s what we are determined to give them,” said Superintendent Brent Williams.
Related video: State superintendent awards grant for new school in Lenoir County (WNCT Greenville)
2024 NC Teacher Working Conditions (TWC) Reminders
Throughout the month of January NCDPI hosted a series of NC TWC webinars. The links to those webinars can be found here.
- NCDPI will continue to host NC TWC office hours every Thursday from 4-5 p.m. through March 29. Join office hours here.
As a reminder for TWC Coordinators, if you have not already done so, please confirm or update your school's expected survey count. If you have questions about this, please email NCTWC@dpi.nc.gov.
Education Matters Episode on NC Teacher Working Conditions (TWC) Survey - Check out the latest episode of NC Education Matters where Dr. Jeni Corn, Director of the Office of Research and Evaluation at NCDPI, and North Carolina Teachers and Principals of the Year discuss the newly improved NC Teacher Working Conditions Survey for 2024, which opens March 1, and working conditions for NC teachers.
Watch the episode here.
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State Board of Education March Meeting
Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here - Select Legislative Updates.
Charter School Review Board - March Meeting
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Monday, March 11th and Tuesday, March 12th
The 2024 North Carolina Charter School Application is now open, as of Friday, January 26th at 5 pm Eastern. The 2024 charter application window will close on April 26, 2024, at 5pm Eastern. Applicants who are interested in opening a charter school in 2025 under the accelerated timeline, or in 2026 under the standard timeline must submit their charter applications on or before the April 26, 2024 application close date.
Both the online application and $1,000 application fee must be submitted on or before April 26, 2024 at 5pm Eastern. Applicant boards will be expected to appear in-person for interviews at the Department of Public Instruction in Raleigh, NC that will commence during the monthly meetings of the Charter Schools Review Board meeting beginning September 2024.
For questions about the charter application process, please reach out to Melanie.Rackley@dpi.nc.gov.
The link to the 2024 NC Charter School application is posted on the NCDPI Charter Schools Application page found here.
A free webinar on starting a charter school is being hosted by the NC Association for Public Charter Schools on March 7th at 7pm. Register through this link.
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K-12 Education Bills - LINK
K-12 Ed Bills Eligible for the 2024 Short Session - LINK
Bills Eligible for Consideration by the General Assembly during the 2024
The Regular Session of the 2023 General Assembly adjourned October 25, 2023, and will reconvene on the following dates: Wednesday, January 17, 2024 at 12:00 P.M.; Wednesday, February 14, 2023 at 12:00 P.M.; Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at 12:00 P.M.; and Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at 12:00 P.M. (S.J.R. 760).
The Short Session of the 2023-2024 legislative biennium will convene on Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at 12:00 P.M. See this MEMORANDUM for matters that may be considered for the 2024 Short Session.
K-12 Educaton Bills that have become Session Law
K-12 Education Bills with Action
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DATE & TIME: Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at 10:00 AM
LOCATION: 643 LOB
PRESIDING: Representative Tricia Cotham, Co-Chair
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DATE & TIME: Monday, February 26, 2024, at 1:00 PM
LOCATION: 643 LOB
PRESIDING: Representative Brian Biggs, Co-Chair
Link to Committee on Education Reform meetings - HERE
Information from the Monday, February 12, 2024 meeting: Agenda
ESSER Funding Cliff Toolkit – Data-Driven Financial Decision Making for Post-ESSER Spending
- Dr. Michael Maher, Deputy State Superintendent, Department of Public Instruction
Preparing All Students for Math 1 with Comprehensive Mathematics Reform
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Dr. Michael Maher, Deputy State Superintendent, Department of Public Instruction
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 Please reach out to the DPI staff listed below with any additional questions:
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Rachel Wright-Junio, Director of the Office of Learning Recovery & Acceleration Rachel.WrightJunio@dpi.nc.gov
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Dr. Andrew Smith, Assistant State Superintendent, Office of Innovation
Andrew.Smith@dpi.nc.gov
The Senate is accepting page applications for the 2024 session.
 Click here to view weeks available for 2024
Qualifications
In order to be a Senate Page, you must:
- Be in tenth, eleventh or twelfth grade
- Be sponsored by a member of the North Carolina Senate (accomplished through the application process described below)
- Be in good academic standing at school
- Have prior approval by the principal of your school if you are appointed to serve as a page during the school year
When to Apply
- Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until all positions for the session are full.
- The Home page will reflect when applications are no longer being accepted.
How to Apply
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Contact your senator to request an application as they are not available online or through the Page Office. Contact information for each senator is available on their web page.
- Return your completed application to your senator for their consideration.
- The selection process is quite competitive and not all who apply will be appointed. Each senator has their own criteria which they use to select pages for appointment by the Senate President Pro Tempore.
Notification of Appointment
If appointed, the student will receive an official letter of appointment from the Senate President Pro Tempore along with a packet including all necessary information and forms.
Please contact the Senate Page Coordinator's Office with further questions: Phone: 919-733-5702
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Useful Information
This section includes details pertaining to acronyms referenced throughout the K-12 Education Legislative Update newsletters.
For the glossary of education acronyms/terms click here.
DPI = Department of Public Instruction
SBE = North Carolina State Board of Education
LEA = Local Education Agency
PSU = Public School Unit
For the glossary of legislative terms click here.
NCGA = North Carolina General Assembly
LB/LOB = Legislative Building/Legislative Office Building
HB/SB = House Bill/Senate Bill
JR = Joint Resolution
SL = Session Law
GS = General Statute
PCS = Proposed Committee Substitute
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Education Articles and Briefs
Daily Tar Heel- Sierra President | Feb. 13, 2024: CHCCS receives $200,000 in new school safety grant from NCDPI - The N.C. General Assembly allotted $35 million to CFSS for school safety grants in its latest budget, and CHCCS was one of the 230 school districts and charter schools in the state that will receive funding. Karen Fairley, the executive director for the Center for Safer Schools, said CFSS was created following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012. She said the center works to support public school districts through training, technical assistance and resources that ensure safety. Fairley said the school safety grants are an annual grant that public school units apply for. Fairley said schools applying for the grant must include their request, as well as substantial data and numbers to confirm their need.
Governor Cooper Press Office | Feb. 9, 2024: Governor Cooper Tours Schools in Winston-Salem, Greenville, and Beaufort, Highlights How Strong Public Schools Make Strong Communities - The work being done in public schools is laying the foundation for North Carolina’s future. Today, Gov. Cooper visited Diggs-Latham Elementary as part of the Year of Public Schools.
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These competitive grants are intended to support North Carolina districts and schools as they address challenges, harness opportunities and leverage resources for digital-age teaching and learning.
- Up to $50,000 for ONE YEAR for Traditional PSUs or Up to $25,000 for ONE YEAR for Charter, Regional, and Lab Schools.
- Up to $95,000 for THREE Years for Traditional PSUs or Up to $30,000 for THREE Years for Charter, Regional, and Lab Schools.
The window for the request for proposals for the grants opened December 7, 2023 and will close with a March 4, 2024 deadline.
The materials related to the Request for Proposals are available on the Digital Teaching and Learning website for detailed information about this grant opportunity and submission guidelines.
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Grant writing support sessions will be offered from the time grants are open till grants close.
For more information about the DLI Grants, contact:
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The Golden LEAF Colleges and Universities Scholarship application for the 2024-2025 academic year is now available at CFNC.org. A total of 215 awards will be offered to first-time recipients from qualifying rural counties. Applications are due March 1, 2024.
The awards are valued at $14,000 ($3,500 per year for up to four years) for North Carolina high school students attending a participating North Carolina college or university. North Carolina community college transfer students can receive $3,500 per year for up to three years.
To be eligible, students must be a graduating North Carolina high school senior or a currently enrolled North Carolina community college transfer student, enrolling full-time in the fall at a participating North Carolina public or private college or university. Recipients are selected based upon multiple factors including an intent to return to a rural North Carolina county after graduation. Applicants must also fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and demonstrate financial need as determined by the application process; have a cumulative GPA of no less than 2.5; and be a resident of a rural North Carolina county that is economically distressed. Click here for the full list of eligible counties.
The Golden LEAF Scholarship Program is administered by the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority and funded by the Golden LEAF Foundation. A complete list of program requirements, participating campuses and qualifying counties can be viewed at CFNC.org. Call 1-800-700-1775, Ext. 4658 or send an email to information@ncseaa.edu, for more information.
Students awarded the Golden LEAF Scholarship to attend North Carolina colleges and universities are also eligible to participate in the Rural Internship Initiative. The initiative allows scholars to participate in paid internships in their career field of interest, while strengthening connections and opportunities in a rural North Carolina community.
For more information about the Golden LEAF Scholarship Program, visit Scholars.GoldenLEAF.org.
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NCSECU Foundation Scholarship SECU Foundation takes an active role in assisting communities across North Carolina because we believe in “People Helping People®.” To support this commitment, the People Helping People scholarship was established to help North Carolina public high school students attend college.
The Application Process opened on December 1st. Please share this scholarship opportunity with your high school guidance counselors and deans to promote this scholarship opportunity.
Applications will close on March 5th, 2024, with selection interviews starting March 22nd, 2024. All final nominations are due to Dr. Natasha Norins by March 5th via email with PDF attachments from applicants.
For further assistance, please contact Dr. Natasha Norins, natasha.norins@dpi.nc.gov.
N.C. Youth Outdoor Engagement Commission’s Go Outside (GO) Grant
What is the N.C. Youth Outdoor Engagement Commission’s Go Outside (GO) Grant? The N.C. Youth Outdoor Engagement Commission provides outdoor learning opportunities for youth across the state of North Carolina. This state-wide grant program directly supports the construction of outdoor learning facilities and experiential learning trips and programs.
What organizations are eligible to apply for a GO Grant? Eligible organizations must qualify as either a North Carolina K-12 school, or nonprofit organization.
Learn more about the grant and apply here.
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NCDPI seeks amazing young leaders for summer 2024 paid internships! We have opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in education, public policy, business management, public administration, communications, and more.
List of available 2024 summer internship opportunities
Online Internship Application Form
- Resumes or other correspondence without an application will not be considered.
- Applications will be accepted online beginning in early January, with an application deadline of February 26, 2024 for Summer 2024 opportunities.
Visit go.ncdpi.gov/intern for more details.
Please reach out to intern@dpi.nc.gov if you are interested in pursuing an academic year opportunity.
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Helpful Resources
NC Pathways to Excellence for Teaching Professionals Website
North Carolina’s K-12 Talent Pipeline Toolkit
North Carolina Teacher Pipeline - Work for NC Schools | NC DPI - Teacher Certification in NC
Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact
NC Secretary of State - Lobbyist Directory 2.06.24
NC Social and Emotional Learning | NC DPI
Center for Safer Schools | NC DPI - Say Something Anonymous Reporting System | NC DPI
DPI Financial Business Services (FBS) - Check FBS homepage regularly for updates.
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Press Releases
Important free resource: NCDPI K-12 Cybersecurity Program
Updates from the Office of Learning Recovery and Acceleration
NC Holocaust Curriculum Resources
BEST NC - 2023 Facts & Figures - Teacher Pay in North Carolina: A Smart Investment in Student Achievement - North Carolina Per Pupil Expenditures (PPE)
Dudley Flood Center: Equity Dashboard by School District - January 15, 2024
EdNC - Leandro articles | School District Profiles | Effective advocate for education in 2023-24
Education Commission of the States
Farm to School Coalition of North Carolina - Farm to school connects local agriculture, schools, and partners to benefit students, educators, farmers, and families, and communities.
Get Help: County-by-county guide to mental health and crisis resources in NC
The Hunt Institute - Programs focus on informing and inspiring elected officials and key policymakers to make informed decisions that result in improving the lives of all children through equitable, quality education.
North Carolina Education Corps - We bring together community members to support students and accelerate learning. You can help. Tutor with NC Education Corps
NC STEM Center - The NC STEM Center is a Web Portal for All Things Related to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education in North Carolina.
Public Agenda - Teachers in the News
Public School Forum of North Carolina: 2022 Education Policy Primer | 2023 Conference Budget Analysis
The Story of North Carolina - Resources that reach across time periods, making connections throughout North Carolina history.
United States Capitol Historical Society: We the People Hub - Free Civic Education Resources
U.S. News & World Report - Best High Schools in North Carolina - To see how schools in the state’s top metro areas ranked, check out the pages for Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro and Durham.
Top Elementary Schools | Top Middle Schools | Top High Schools
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IMPORTANT REMINDER
EDDIE (Educational Directory and Demographical Information Exchange) is the authoritative source for NC public school numbers and demographic information, is used by multiple NCDPI technology systems including: Accountability, PowerSchool, NC School Report Cards, and is used to meet federal reporting requirements.
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LEAs and charter schools are responsible for ensuring their data in EDDIE are complete, accurate, and current. EDDIE is located at: http://apps.schools.nc.gov/eddie
OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS CONTACT INFORMATION:
To view previous Weekly Legislative Updates click HERE.
The NC Department of Public instruction offers a number of topics for subscription.
To subscribe to other NC Department of Public Instruction topics, click here.
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