|
DPI Press Release | August 20, 2025: The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) and State Board of Education (SBE) launched "Achieving Educational Excellence," a comprehensive strategic plan that sets an ambitious goal: making North Carolina's public schools the best in the nation by 2030. The plan, unanimously approved by the SBE at the August board meeting, marks the first joint strategic initiative between NCDPI and the board in more than ten years.
Key initiatives include:
- A $25 million Golden LEAF Foundation investment to transform mathematics instruction in rural middle schools
-
NC College Connect, guaranteeing college admission for students with a 2.8 GPA or higher
-
Expanded mental health support and Youth Mental Health First Aid training
- A statewide campaign to read 10 million books annually
- Development of an endowment to provide two years of tuition-free postsecondary education
The plan establishes clear benchmarks for success, including achieving a 92% graduation rate, increasing average ACT scores to 20 and leading the nation in National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores by 2030. North Carolina will track progress through quarterly public reports and an Excellence Report Card.
Read the entire Press Release here.
NEW: 2025-2030 Strategic Plan Resources
Mark your calendars to join a Strategic Plan Event near you.
-
Northeast - Thursday, September 25, 2025
-
Southeast - Friday, September 26, 2025
-
Sandhills - Monday, September 29, 2025
-
Piedmont-Triad - Thursday, October 16, 2025
-
Southwest - Monday, October 20, 2025
-
Northwest - Wednesday, October 22, 2025
-
Western -Thursday, October 23, 2025
-
North Central - Wednesday, October 29, 2025
WRAL News - Emily Walkenhorst | August 20, 2025: State Superintendent of Public Instruction Mo Green said North Carolina will have the best schools in the nation in five years. That's at least the premise of his strategic plan-- approved by the State Board of Education earlier this month and developed after months of in-person meetings and virtual feedback sessions with students, teachers, and community members. "When you talk about the fact of saying we want to be the absolute best, it's a big statement," Green said. "We don't want to be Top 10. We want to be the absolute best." The strategic plan received applause from students, educators, elected officials, and community members invited to the launch on Wednesday. They lauded the plan for having specific goals that can be measured and including quarterly progress reports on each goal.
Highlights
The News & Observer - T. Keung Hui | August 21, 2025: Public schools across North Carolina are entering the new school year after eliminating positions and making other budget cuts. Some programs are on hold due to the lack of a final state budget, and there’s the prospect of more federal education cuts from the Trump administration. In July, state lawmakers approved a “mini-budget” that covers items such as student enrollment increases and step pay increases for teachers, The N&O previously reported. But the lack of a comprehensive budget means no new raises for school employees. Legislators are returning to Raleigh on Tuesday. But it’s uncertain if and when they’ll finalize a state budget. If nothing is finalized, schools will operate on last year’s funding levels, plus any adjustments made in mini-budgets.
Press Release | August 20, 2025: On Wednesday, August 20, Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) announced appointments to interim committees for the 2025–26 legislative session. “As we prepare for next year’s legislative session, these committees will get to work examining the most pressing issues facing our state,” Sen. Berger said. “I look forward to seeing what proposals the committees pursue and working with the members to usher their priorities over the finish line.” Entire list available here.
DPI Note: Members appointed to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee (JLEOC), which receives most education reports required by state legislation, are as follows: Brad Overcash (R-Gaston), Co-Chair; Kevin Corbin (R-Macon), Vice Chair; Lisa S. Barnes (R-Nash); Danny Earl Britt, Jr. (R-Robeson); Michael Garrett (D-Guilford); Dana Jones (R-Forsyth); Michael V. Lee (R-New Hanover); Tom McInnis (R-Cumberland); Benton G. Sawrey (R-Johnston); Gladys A. Robinson (D-Guilford); and Joyce Waddell (D-Mecklenburg).
K-12 Dive - Naaz Modan | August 20, 2025: The U.S. Department of Education quietly rescinded Obama-era guidance that called on states and districts to ensure English learners “can participate meaningfully and equally” in school and “have equal access to a high-quality education and the opportunity to achieve their full academic potential.” The longstanding guidance that helped districts and states serve English learners “is not aligned with [Trump] Administration priorities,” a department spokesperson said.
AASA, The School Superintendents Association - Kat Sturdevant | August 20, 2025: SchoolSafety.gov has launched the 2025 Back-to-School Campaign, which provides information and guidance to support K-12 schools and districts in preparing for a safe school year. This annual initiative is designed to empower K-12 communities to learn about and engage with resources, trainings, and tools available through SchoolSafety.gov to create safer learning environments for children and educators. Through the campaign, SchoolSafety.gov is releasing two new resources that can help support K-12 school safety and prevention efforts this school year:
- A Back-to-School Tip Sheet, which outlines eight prevention actions to enhance student and school safety across multiple topic areas.
- A Back-to-School Reading List, which highlights ten prevention-related resources that can inform school safety plans and initiatives.
From The Superintendent
State Board of Education
From The State Board of Education Chair, Eric Davis
North Carolina State Board of Education Chair Eric C. Davis welcomes back educators, administrators, staff, students and families to the 2025-26 school year.
"This school year promises to be one of meaningful learning, unforgettable experiences, and strong connections among students, educators, families and communities." Welcome Back to School Video Message
|
Rulemaking Public Hearings
- Tuesday, August 26 at 10 a.m.
- Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) | 1711 New Hope Church Road, Raleigh, NC 27609
*These rules have been developed and proposed by the Office of Administrative Hearings, not the State Board of Education.
September Board Meeting
- Wednesday, September 3 and Thursday, September 4
About the State Board of Education
YouTube recordings of SBE meetings HERE.
|
Celebrate the Good in Public Education
DPI Press Release | August 18, 2025
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced recipients of the Turnip the Beet Awards for the 2024 Summer Nutrition Programs. Recognized this summer by the USDA, 199 sponsors qualified for either a gold, silver or bronze Turnip the Beet award. Seven North Carolina Summer Nutrition Program sponsors received Turnip the Beet Awards.
- Gold
- Boys and Girls Club of Wake County
- Halifax County Schools
- Silver
- Catawba County Schools
- Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina
- YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina
- Bronze
- Beaufort County Schools
- Elizabeth-City Pasquotank Public Schools
To learn more and view the full list of recipients of the Turnip the Beet Awards, visit the USDA website. Additional information regarding School and Summer Nutrition Programs in North Carolina can be found on the Office of School Nutrition website.
|
K-12 Education Bills
K-12 Education Bills to Watch
The following bills affecting K-12 education are still eligible for additional legislative action this session. Bills with an asterisk* have already been placed on the House Calendar for a potential veto override attempt on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.
-
HB 87 Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA). Vetoed 8.6.2025 | Veto Document
-
HB 171* Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI.
-
SB 50* Freedom to Carry NC.
-
SB 153* North Carolina Border Protection Act.
-
SB 227* Eliminating "DEI" in Public Education.
|
|
