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May 6, 2025

Some Upcoming Dates of Note:
See below for details

• May 13th- OCS office hour covering year-over-year data
• June 20th- Annual Health Report due
• June 30th- Digital Learning & Media Inventory due
• June 30th- All Performance Framework items due

SECTION I: OCS PRIORITY REMINDERS

OCS May Office Hour: School Year Data Trends Join us for May's Virtual Office Hour, where Abby Pearce, Data Evaluation Specialist from the Office of Research & Promising Practices will be providing professional insight regarding trends in academic performance of charter schools over the years. This will be our final OCS office hour of the school year, so we hope to see you there! Tuesday, May 13th, 9am.

Annual Charter School Health Services Report due June 20th

Digital Learning & Media Inventory and Digital Learning Progress Rubric

The NC Digital Learning and Media Inventory (NCDLMI) is now open for the 2024-2025 school year and is due Monday, June 30, 2025.

ALL NC PSUs including LEA, Charters, Regional, and Lab Schools are legislatively mandated to complete the DLMI each year. As in previous years, all schools complete the School level DLMI, and PSUs complete the PSU level DLMI.  PSUs with only one school, such as charter, regional, and lab schools, complete both the PSU and School level DLMIs.

This 2024-2025 DLMI requests most of the same data points as last year.  A few items have been added or updated.The Digital Learning Progress Rubric (DLPR) is also part of the DLMI again this year in order to streamline data collection. 

The Digital Learning Dashboard (DLD) questions remain the same to fulfill session law "§ 115C-102.9, which requires collection and reporting of quantity and type of student access to digital devices and home internet.

Access the DLMI with your UID at https://schools.nc.gov/ncdlmi.  

Relevant Resources:

• 2024-2025 NCDLMI Training Deck:  https://go.ncdpi.gov/24-25DLMItraining 
• 2024-2025 PSU Level DLMI Presentation:  https://go.ncdpi.gov/24-25DLMIslidesPSU 
• 2024-25 NCDLMI PSU Level Users’ Guide/Worksheet: https://go.ncdpi.gov/24-25DLMIwsPSU 
• 2024-2025 SCHOOL Level DLMI Presentation: https://go.ncdpi.gov/24-25DLMISchoolslides 
• 2024-25 NCDLMI SCHOOL Level Users’ Guide/Worksheet: https://go.ncdpi.gov/24-25DLMIwsSchool 
• 2025 DLPR Worksheet: https://go.ncdpi.gov/24-25DLPRwsPSU 

Office Hours:

• Mondays from 2:00 - 3:00 pm
• May 12, 19
• June 2, 9, 16, 23
• Wednesdays from 10:00 - 11:00 am
• May 14, 21
• June 4, 11, 18, 25
• Meeting Link

Action needed by June 30, 2025

2024-2025 School-Based Mental Health Policy Report

Dear Charter School Contacts, 

In accordance with North Carolina SL 2019-245 and SL 2020-7 and with State Board of Education Policy SHLT-003, each K-12 school unit is required to upload a copy of their School Mental Health Improvement Plan for the upcoming school year and answer questions in the School Mental Health Policy Report.

In the online reporting portal, you will indicate that you are a charter school, and you will be directed to the SMH policy questions. To make it easier for you to assemble your report information prior to going online, a Word version and PDF of the online survey is attached to this email. Please complete the online survey to submit your report.  

*New this year – Upon completion of your SMH report, you will be redirected to a separate Qualtrics survey titled “Specialized Instructional Support Personnel Annual Report - PSU Level”. If you are not prepared to complete your SMH report and the SISP Annual Report in the same sitting, you can use the following link to return to the SISP Annual Report at another time: https://ncdpi.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3Ei0Qd21ZI944Z0. Word and PDF versions of this data collection are also attached, and more information is available on our School Mental Health Policy Reporting page. The best contact for questions related to the SMH report and the new SISP Annual Report is Pachovia Lovett, School Social Work Consultant, Pachovia.Lovett@dpi.nc.gov, 984-236-2821.

The survey platform is setup to allow respondents to leave the survey and resume their progress later, so long as they return on the same browser where they started the survey and do not wait longer than a month to return to the survey. This feature works by placing a cookie on the respondent’s browser that keeps track of the survey progress.

The information needed to complete the SMH progress report will come from your School Mental Health Improvement Plan, which is required to upload and must include the mental health training program and suicide risk referral protocol.  

Please note the deadline to complete the School Mental Health Policy Report is September 15, 2025. 

You can access the reporting portal through the link below.   

2025 School-Based Mental Health Policy Report

If you have questions or challenges in completing this online survey, please contact Les Spell at Les.Spell@dpi.nc.gov.  

We appreciate the time and energy spent in completing this report and look forward to reading each submission.  

SECTION II: SCHOOL BUSINESS UPDATES

School Business May 1, 2025

The FBS website continues to be updated with information related to School Business and our ongoing operations. Please check the FBS homepage regularly for updates. Please review the upcoming deadlines for due dates.

PRC 181 Learning Loss Reminder - All PSUs

Despite U.S. Department of Education (USED) discontinuing the annual reporting of ESSER funding, NCDPI is still required to ensure legislative compliance with the use of ESSER funds as written in federal legislation. To ensure both NCDPI and the PSUs meet this compliance requirement, we are requesting the PSUs to complete this survey.

All PSUs with allotments for PRC 181 should complete the survey. This survey is similar to the ESSER annual reporting forms but focused solely on PRC 181 Learning Loss. To complete, you will need data on expenditures for PRC 181, categorized by activities/interventions to address Learning Loss, from March 2020 to March 2025. (See Instructions document for list of activities/interventions.) It may also be helpful to have the approved budget/plan for PRC 181.

The survey and the Instructions document can also be downloaded from the What’s New webpage (scroll down the page to the section titled “PRC 181 Learning Loss”).

We recommend following these steps:

1. Download the form by right clicking on the links and select “Save link as.” Save the file in a folder of your choosing.
2. After downloading, double click to open the form.
3. After opening the form, click on the “Enable Editing” button at the top of the page.
4. Go to column A and row 3, then click on the down arrow button to select your PSU ID number. This should bring up the pre-populated data for your school district, in columns A to K.
5. Columns A through I, and column K are locked. Enter or modify data only in the columns that are not locked.

Please read the “Instructions” document as it will provide step by step directions as well definitions to terms.

All completed forms are due by May 31, 2025, and can be submitted online.

If there are questions about completing the PRC 181 Learning Loss report, please contact SchoolFinancialReporting@dpi.nc.gov. 

From the Office of Enterprise Data and Reporting

Legislative Class Size SIS Report

The Legislative Class Size (LCS) report itself is reporting correctly. PSUs may use this report to verify their class size data to ensure accuracy while the issues with the Class Size Average report are being addressed.

DPI is investigating the following issues with the Legislative Class Size Average Report:

• While the student count per class is accurate, the average class size is being calculated based on an incorrect section count, which may result in misleading averages.
• Additionally, there is a known issue regarding the calculation of sections with combo classes in the summary report. The lead teacher is counting in both grade levels in the teacher count.
• The Individual and PSU Class Size Average overage violation reports seem to have a calculation error.
  • Over the Individual Class Size Maximum
  • Over the PSU-wide Maximum Average

Our team is actively working with the vendor to address these issues and will provide updates once a resolution is in place.

Please be reminded that the Legislative Class Size (LCS) report itself is reporting correctly and can be used to verify the class size data to ensure accuracy.

If you have concerns related to the required attestation or reporting, please submit your concerns, steps you’ve actively taken to ensure class size requirements, and other pertinent information with that attestation, etc. That can be submitted to Studentaccounting@dpi.nc.gov. Please be specific related to school, class, etc.

Thank you for your understanding and continued partnership.

Questions? Contact SBS

Deadline Reminders

ALL PSUs

SECTION III: RESOURCES + EVENTS

English Learner Data in Infinite Campus

Charter schools now have a dedicated SIS professional contact!

Charter School SIS Trainings (including Data Manager Academy)

• May 27 from 830am to 330pm in Charlotte Register Here

  Charter School Data Manager Academy - May 2025 - Eventbrite Eventbrite - NCDPI Office of Digital Teaching & Learning presents Charter School Data Manager Academy - May 2025 - Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at TMSA Charlotte Elementary School - The Math and Science Academy of Charlotte, Charlotte, NC. Find event and ticket information. www.eventbrite.com
• June 17 from 830am to 330pm in Apex Register Here

  Charter School Data Manager Academy - June 2025 - Eventbrite Eventbrite - NCDPI Office of Digital Teaching & Learning presents Charter School Data Manager Academy - June 2025 - Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at TMSA Apex - The Math and Science Academy of Apex (K-7), Apex, NC. Find event and ticket information. www.eventbrite.com

• May 20 from 9am to 12pm in Cary
• Register in Eventbrite. 

• 2nd and 4th Friday of each month from 9am to 10am
• Register in Eventbrite 

• May 14 1pm to 4pm in Greensboro
• Register in Eventbrite

• June 16 1pm to 4pm in Greensboro
• Register in Eventbrite

NCCTM Outstanding Math Teacher

It is that time of the year to nominate an Outstanding 6-12 Math teacher from your school!

This memo from Kristy Day, the Director of the Office of Teaching and Learning, contains further information about the partnership between the North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCCTM) and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction for the purpose of this award.

The memo also contains a link to the form to submit the 6-12 teacher from your school to receive this award.

The chosen teacher will receive:

• Recognition at the awards ceremony during the NCCTM State Math Conference on Thursday, November 13, 2025, in Winston-Salem,
• One-year free membership to NCCTM, and 
• Will have their names published on NCCTM website and publication, the Centroid.

The deadline for submission is June 16, 2025.

Please contact Jennifer Parker (jennifer.parker@dpi.nc.gov), K-5 Math Consultant, with any questions.

Applications for K-12 Math Standards Writing Team Now Available!

The NC Department of Public Instruction K-12 Math Team is excited to announce the NC State Board of Education has approved to transition from the review phase of the N.C. K-12 Math Standard Course of Study to the revision phase. The process is guided by the North Carolina Standard Course of Study (NCSCOS) Procedures Manual, adopted by the Board of Education in February 2022. 

The first step is establishing the Standards Writing Team (SWT). Working in grade-level/content area groups, the SWT considers possible revisions to K-12 Math when and where applicable. This may involve slight modifications, major modifications, deletions, additions, or no changes to current standards. The SWT Scope of Work provides a full explanation of the requirements for the SWT.

All SWT members will be asked to participate in an in-person kick-off event July 29th - 31st in Asheboro, NC. NCDPI will reimburse for any travel costs associated with the training. 

SWT applications are due by 8:00am EST, Monday, May 12th, 2025.  Applicants will be notified of their selection status between Monday, June 16th, 2025, and Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025.

Please contact Dr. Charles Aiken (charles.aiken@dpi.nc.gov), Section Chief for Math, Science, and STEM, with any questions. 

Click here to apply: Math Standards Writing Team Application

Applications Open for North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE) AI Fellows Program

Attention NC middle and high school educators! The North Carolina Business Committee for Education, in partnership with Google.org, is launching its AI Fellows initiative. The program will equip 20 exceptional teachers with the tools and resources to be AI leaders and mentors in their school community. 

Learn more and apply here. Applications are open now until May 16

Now Open - PRC079 Innovation and Grade Expansion Grant Applications

The Education and Workforce Innovation Commission Grants (both under PRC079), the Innovation Grant and the CTE Grade Expansion Grant, applications for the 2025-26 grant year are now open. The applications will close on Friday, May 16, 2025 at 5:00 pm. There will be no deadline extensions for any circumstances.

There are two notable changes to the applications and programs this year:

1.      The applications will be housed in Google Forms. The applications are not in NCCCIP this year. The link to the applications is forthcoming.

2.      The funding amounts available to each applicant for both grants has increased; folks may apply for up to $65,000 for the CTE Grade Expansion Grant and $100,000 for the Innovation Grant. Please remember the Innovation Grant requires a 50% match.

Disclaimer: These applications are being released prior to the official passing of the 2025 budget from the North Carolina General Assembly. With that, grant funding is subject to the final state budget allowances. Awards will not be distributed until after budget certification.

Application links:

1.      Innovation Grant Application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc1gn3x3m-96lY3gBjBzyumJEEri5B-AlaGR5Ns7lad6_I3pw/viewform?usp=dialog

2.      Grade Expansion Application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSesRiaLaLtTL3O0HKCWiubdp9R71Th2GYbVrn4KCouqmLYNtA/viewform?usp=dialog

Open Office Hours: (for applicants to drop in to ask Jacqueline Wyatt questions about the applications, grants, etc.) May 2, 2025 – 10:00 am to 11:00 am

Attached to this announcement is the document you will need to understand the new application process.

If you have any questions about these two grants, please contact Jacqueline Wyatt at Jacqueline.Wyatt@dpi.nc.gov.

Summer Honors Planning/PD Opportunity

Driver Education and Driver Eligibility Certificate (DEC) Info

• Driver Eligibility Certificates (DEC)

• There is no state prerequisite for the student to show a driver education certificate to receive a DEC from the school of attendance.  
• However, schools may require the student to be finished with DE before they issue the DEC being that it’s only good for 30 days.
• Students need both at the license office.

• Driver Education Completion Certificates –

• No need for charter schools to have these.
• There are three acceptable forms at the license offices.

1. The new streamlined form (combined all three)
2. Old PSU form
3. Old DMV 611 form

Other Resources from DPI and beyond

• School Business – Website
• Weekly Top Ten - May 1, 2025
• First Friday: Standards Update, Summer Conferences, and Other Opportunities!
• NCDPI ML/Title III Opportunities 4/30/25
• Social Studies Update: May 2025
• World Languages Installation News for April - May 2025
• K-12 Education Legislative Update - Friday, May 2, 2025
• Credit Monitoring and Identity Protection: PowerSchool Data Breach Update
• New Streamlined Driver’s Education Completion Form
• NC SHAPE Call for State Convention Presentations & Awards

NCVPS Live, Certified Instruction Now Available for Middle Schools

North Carolina Virtual Public School launched In-Real-Time (IRT) with tremendous success. This live, synchronous instruction program is designed specifically for middle school students. IRT brings certified NC teachers directly into your middle school classrooms—supporting schools that are facing vacancies, working with substitutes, or simply seeking stronger instructional options. With flexible scheduling and real-time lessons in core subjects, IRT is already helping districts deliver the teaching their students need—right when they need it.

👉 Learn more and register for our upcoming informational webinars: https://conta.cc/44jtmRW 

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NCVPS 2025-2026 Enrollment Now Open!
NCVPS has opened registration early to support schools and districts as they prepare for the transition to the new statewide student information system. Schools and students can now explore our updated course catalog and plan for summer, fall, and spring enrollment. We recently added Honors 1 and 2 options for French, Latin, and Spanish, and we have a new filtering feature in our registration system to make finding courses easier. As you register, consider Early Start vs. Standard Start options to align with your school’s academic calendar. Don’t wait—secure your enrollments today! See all the details in our latest NCVPS E-lert.

SECTION IV: OCS + CHARTER HAPPENINGS

State Employees' Credit Union People Helping People Scholarship Recipient Recognition:

Ten students were recognized at the May CSRB meeting for receiving the SECU PHP scholarship. They are as follows:

Cheyenne Efird - Graystone Day School who will be attending Western Carolina University.

Owen Hamilton - Community School of Davidson who will be attending The University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Zachary Harper - North Carolina Leadership Academy who will be attending North Carolina State University.

Josie Huffines - Clover Garden High School who will be attending The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

Sydney Matisoff - Neuse Charter School who will be attending The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

Colson McDonald - Northeast Academy for Aerospace and Advanced Technologies who will be attending East Carolina University. 

Alegria Mino - American Leadership Academy Johnston who will be attending Appalachian State University. 

Alizah O'Quinn - Central Carolina Academy who will be attending The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

Bo Sampson - Northeast Regional School of Biotechnology and Agriscience who will be attending Appalachian State University. 

Marleigh Swanner - Oxford Preparatory School who will be attending The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

Share excellence in education! Post exceptional student work or exciting happenings at your NC Charter School. Then tag or mention OCS on Social Media for others to see! Remember when you share on social media to use #WeAreNCCharters or @NCCharterOffice

2024 Standards of Professional Conduct

Please download and distribute this OCS guidance document.

School Attendance and Student Accounting (SASA) Manual

This is a MUST HAVE resource for all charter school administrators. 

2024 Updated SASA-Manual

Charter School Job Postings

Job postings will include the posted date and will be deleted after two months. Schools may request early removal or extension. Contact Joseph.Letterio@dpi.nc.gov with a posting link.

• FernLeaf Community Charter - Multiple opportunities available (3/25)
• Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy- Multiple opportunities available (4/15)
• Movement School Charlotte - Director of Compliance (4/23)
• Paul R. Brown Leadership Academy - Child Nutrition Director (4/1)
• Raleigh Charter High School - Multiple opportunities available (4/15)
• Socrates Academy - Assistant Principal for Middle School(4/15)

• Sterling Montessori - Elementary Director and K-8 Guidance Counselor (4/23)

• The Hawbridge School - Lower School Specialist (5/6)
• The Mountain Community School- Executive Director (4/23)
• Warren Young Explorers School - Head of School (4/23)

Ashley Baquero  • Director, Office of Charter Schools
Please send general inquires to ocs@dpi.nc.gov

Contact information for area specialists can be found on the Office of Charter Schools Directory.