Webinar on Chinese Government – Free for AP Comparative Government Teachers

Thursday, December 4 | 4:45 PM – 5:45 PM ET

The Teaching Asia Network of the Carolinas (TANC), formerly NCTAN, opens the door to East Asia by providing free seminars for K-12 teachers in North Carolina and beyond, who are looking for a way to improve curriculum on Mongolia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam. The office of TANC is located at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, within the Carolina Asia Center.

Join the TANC program and the Carolina Asia Center for a one-hour webinar designed specifically for AP Comparative Government and Politics instructors. This session will offer a clear, accessible overview of the Chinese government, along with practical teaching resources you can immediately use in your classroom.

The webinar will be led by Professor Keren Zhu of Davidson College and is open to all instructors interested in incorporating this content into their courses.

Register Today

Visit go.unc.edu/DEC4TANC or scan the QR code to secure your spot.

Access the Webinar On Chinese Government Flyer.png

NCCSS 2026 Annual NC Social Studies Conference

February 26-27, 2026

Join NC social studies educators in Winston-Salem on February 26–27, 2026, for the North Carolina Council for the Social Studies Annual Conference: Remembering the Past and Inspiring the Future of Social Studies.

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and collaborate with fellow educators from across the state.

Early Bird Registration: $140 (plus $3.65 fee, total $143.65). This special rate is available only through January 31, 2026—register early to lock in the savings!

Click this link to download and share the flyer.

More details available at nccss26.sched.com

Call for Presenters – NCCSS 2026 Annual Conference

NCCSS is now accepting session proposals for all who would like to present at this year’s conference. 

This year’s conference theme is Remembering the Past and Inspiring the Future of Social Studies. 

The conference will be held February 26–27, 2026, in Winston-Salem. 

Proposal Deadline: December 1, 2025

Click to download our flyer and share with those who you would encourage to present.

Submit your proposal at nccss26.sched.com.

Regional Professional Learning Opportunity: Jewish Identity & Antisemitism Today

Acts of antisemitism are rising across the nation, and schools play a critical role in ensuring every student feels safe, respected, and included. This February, NCDPI, in partnership with leading experts, is offering a full-day professional learning experience designed to help K–12 educators better understand Jewish identity, recognize antisemitism in its modern forms, and strengthen schoolwide practices that promote belonging.

During this immersive session, participants will:

• Explore the rich diversity of Jewish identity and culture
• Examine how antisemitism has evolved over time
• Consider how misinformation and current global conflicts shape student experiences and school climates today
• Learn strategies to foster empathy, dialogue, and inclusivity among students of all backgrounds
• Engage in guided discussions and practical activities to support safe, culturally responsive learning environments

This opportunity is ideal for administrators, counselors, district/school leaders, instructional staff, and classroom teachers committed to creating safe and supportive school communities.

Regional Session Dates & Locations 

• West: Feb 3 – Mills River Academy, Mills River
• Northwest: Feb 4 – Olive Hill Resource Center, Morganton
• Northeast: Feb 9 – Taft PD Center, Greenville
• Sandhills: Feb 10 – Sandhills Community College, Pinehurst
• Southeast: Feb 11 – NHC Spencer Boardroom, Wilmington
• North Central: Feb 17 – NCDPI Building, Raleigh
• Piedmont-Triad: Feb 23 – Asheboro City Schools Global Innovation Center, Asheboro
• Southwest: Feb 24 – Wallace Education Forum, Salisbury

Seats are limited.

For questions, please contact Tom Daugherty, NCDPI K-12 Social Studies Consultant.

Flyer: Regional Trainings 2026 Antisemitism and Jewish Identity.pdf

Building Blocks of Inquiry Project

The Building Blocks for Inquiry Project utilizes the Library of Congress Digital Collection to create Inquiry Stacks—short, engaging inquiry exercises (15–45 minutes) centered on compelling questions and formative tasks. These Building Block Inquiries encourage deliberation, collaboration, and production, supporting rich inquiry-based learning. Thanks to generous funding from the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources program, 19 Inquiry Stacks featuring primary sources have been developed, along with a video series for broader dissemination and capacity-building.

The Financial Skills Challenge - A fun way to build financial know-how!

Give your students the gift of financial literacy with the Financial Skills Challenge!

The 2026 session of the Financial Skills Challenge is now open for grades 5-12. In this simulation, your students experience the challenge and reward of successfully managing their finances, first as college students with part-time jobs, then as graduates with their first full-time job.

They’ll learn about sharing rent and bills with roommates, and see what it’s like to have health insurance and student loans to pay! As they navigate the simulation, they’ll learn how to balance their savings goals with their fixed, variable (and unexpected!) expenses, build their emergency savings, set and hit financial goals, build their credit, and live a life! 

The game takes about six hours to play, and your whole class can play over the course of a semester (about half an hour each month). Along the way, they’ll learn valuable real-world lessons that will pay off for the rest of their lives. Players learn to:

• Budget and pay bills on time
• Build savings, an emergency fund, and a credit score
• Manage emergency expenses
• Make sound financial decisions by experiencing real-life benefits and consequences

This fun, gamified tool is offered at no cost to schools, universities, nonprofits, and other organizations.

If you’re interested in finding out more, SIGN UP for an information session by reaching out to financialskillschallenge@bofa.com

America 250 Field Trip Guide

A new America 250 NC Field Trip Guide is NOW available online through the America 250 NC website and the NC Historic Sites website! This free resource is designed primarily for 4th-grade students but can also be adapted for middle school learners.

The America 250 NC Field Trip Guide is flexible for use at any historic site—local or state—and includes engaging activities to enhance students' learning experiences. The first section provides pre-visit classroom activities, while the second half is designed for on-site exploration. Educators can easily print the guide to share.

Bring history to life for your students! Access the guide TODAY!

W!se | NC Financial Literacy Certification 2025-26 School Year Registration

Register your school now for the 2025-26 school year! Once registered, you'll be able to begin using the pretest, practice quizzes, and prepare your students for the certification exam.

The W!se Financial Literacy Program meets North Carolina's financial literacy legislative requirements.

Even more exciting!!! The Program and Certification Exam is FREE and offered at no cost through a grant from Charles Schwab.

Why W!se:

• Easy & Efficient: The W!se Financial Literacy Program is designed to enhance and complement your current curriculum.
• Pretest:- Identify knowledge gaps and refine your curriculum focus.
• Practice Quizzes- Receive grades along with detailed score reports and insightful gap analysis.
• Certificate of Financial Literacy- A graded final exam is provided to help strengthen college and job applications.
• Join over 1.5 million students and 1 million teachers who are already certified!

If you have any questions, please contact Mike Richards.

The National Civics Bee Is Coming to North Carolina!

NC State University is excited to host the 2026 North Carolina State Competition of the National Civics Bee—an initiative designed to spark civic engagement, leadership, and problem-solving in young people.
And the journey begins now with the Middle School Essay Competition, open to all North Carolina middle school students!

What Is the National Civics Bee?

Created and organized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the National Civics Bee is an annual competition that encourages young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities as they compete for prizes, finalists strengthen their civics, writing, and public speaking skills, and form friendships with other young leaders along the way. The message of the Civics Bee is to strengthen our state through civics education! 

National Civics Bee: The Basics

What: The National Civics Bee provides an invaluable opportunity for young learners to deepen their understanding of civics and collaborate with students across the state.

How: Middle School students from across our state can initiate their engagement with the National Civics Bee by submitting an essay. More information here

Who: 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students from public, private, charter, and home schools in North Carolina are eligible to participate

When: The Essay portal is open until Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at 11:59pm Hawaii Standard Time.

The reward! Winners of Regional, State, and National Bee competitions $$$ prizes, and there may even be a donation to your school. 

Resources to Support Participation

• Educator Toolkit: Classroom-ready resources to help teachers introduce the Civics Bee and guide students through the process.
• Student Flyer: Perfect for sharing with students and families to promote the opportunity.
• Essay Application Guide: A step-by-step resource to support students with crafting their essays.
• National Civics Bee Highlights Video  
• 2026 National Civics Bee Contest Rules – Phase 1

Competition Pathway

Students who are selected as finalists will advance to one of North Carolina’s Regional Competitions.
Regional winners will then move on to compete at the State Competition at NC State University in June 2026.

Have Questions?

Connect with the NC State team at NCCivicsBee@ncsu.edu or explore additional resources provided by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

National History Day: 2026 Teacher of the Year – Nominations Open!

Calling all National History Day educators!
Nominations are now open for the 2026 NHD Teacher of the Year Award, and we encourage you to recognize the outstanding educators who inspire historical inquiry and student achievement every day.

What Happens Next?

After the nomination window closes on Monday, January 5, state-level nominees will be selected and invited to submit additional materials for national consideration.

Awards

At the National History Day Awards Ceremony in June 2026, one Junior Division and one Senior Division teacher will each be named 2026 NHD Teacher of the Year—and will each receive a $5,000 stipend.

Let's see North Carolina educators represented and celebrated for their incredible work!

Learning Happens Here Field Trip Fund

The Learning Happens Here Field Trip Fund reimburses public and public charter schools for field trips to 100+ DNCR locations across North Carolina! The fund can cover costs such as:

• Transportation costs (including charter buses when needed)
• Admission or special activity fees (although many DNCR sites are free!)
• Substitute reimbursement (when necessary for the trip to take place)
• Meals for students who can’t afford them.

With an acceptance rate for first-time applicants of 98%, what are you waiting for? Create lasting memories for your students with the Learning Happens Here Field Trip Fund. The staff is available to assist with trip recommendations and the application process.

Need some inspiration? Search #NCLearningHappensHere on Instagram or Facebook to see lots of trips in action!

Apply for the Gilder Lehrman History: Teacher of the Year Award

The  2026 Gilder Lehrman History Teacher of the Year Award honors exceptional elementary and secondary school American history teachers (including state and local history). The national winner receives a $10,000 prize presented at an award ceremony in their honor in New York City. State winners receive a $1,000 prize, an archive of classroom resources, and recognition at a ceremony in their state.

Nominations for the Gilder Lehrman History Teacher of the Year awards are now open. Students, parents, colleagues, and supervisors may nominate K-12 teachers for the award.

Key Deadlines for 2026 Nominations

Deadline for 2026 nominations: April 30, 2026

Become a Teach for Democracy Fellow

Empower your students to be active, informed members of their communities.

Are you a middle or high school teacher (ELA, SS, Science, etc.) passionate about helping students develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to participate in our democracy? Join a national network of educators working together to bring civic learning to life for students by becoming a Democracy Fellow!

North Carolina teachers are invited to become Teach Democracy Fellows and participate in Civic Action Project (CAP). CAP is a proven, student-centered program that guides students to identify real issues they care about, explore policy connections, and take meaningful civic action.

As a Teach Democracy Fellow, you’ll receive:​

• In-person professional development
• Free standards-based lessons that fit easily into your existing curriculum
• Student project planners and project resources​
• Opportunities to join a national community of practice
• Clock Hours for Washington State teachers and CEU credits for North Carolina teachers
• Stipends​ and ongoing support​

What your students will gain:​

• ​Civic knowledge and skills, including critical thinking, communication, and collaboration
• The chance to address real issues through civic action or research projects
• Opportunities to connect with the CAP Youth Board ​
• Opportunity to participate in a CAP Expo to showcase their work

There will be a brief online orientation on December 4th at 4:00 PM Pacific/ 7:00 PM Eastern. If you can’t attend, register anyway, and they will send the recording.

Questions: Laura@teachdemocracy.org or bonnici@unc.edu

Flyer about the Democracy Fellows

K-12 Math Standard Course of Study: Draft of Proposed Revisions 

The NCDPI K-12 Math team is excited to announce the release of the first draft of proposed revisions to the K-12 Math Standard Course of Study. North Carolina State Board of Education policy specifies that the NC Department of Public Instruction will formally collect feedback on the proposed draft standards from educators, administrators, parents, students, institutions of higher education, business/industry representatives, national organizations, and other education agencies. 

The purpose of this survey is to obtain input from all stakeholders regarding the proposed K-12 Math Standards and to inform any additional revisions, which may include changes, clarifications, additions, deletions, or replacements to the draft standards.

This process began with a review phase, which was conducted throughout the 2024-2025 school year. The review phase included gathering relevant research and analyzing data obtained through surveys, interviews, and focus groups. The data obtained was analyzed by the K-12 Math Standards Data Review Committee (DRC). The DRC completed a formal report summarizing the data, trends within the feedback, and any resulting recommendations. The report was provided to the Standards Writing Team (SWT) as the basis for starting the revision process.

This first draft of the proposed 2025 K-12 Math Standards is based on the analysis in the DRC Report. The K-12 Math team requests your thoughtful input and comments on Draft 1 of the proposed K-12 Math academic standards. To help in reviewing the draft standards, the K-12 Math team is sharing several resources to provide additional background information. These include:

• A video introduction providing an overview of the standards revision process and recommendations addressed in Draft 1
• A written script of the video
• A Frequently Asked Questions document
• The AP Precalculus framework and AP Recommended levels of Understanding
• The recommended realignment of the current NC Math 3 and NC Math 4 standards
• Vertical progression of standards by grade span: K-5, 6th-8th, and NC Math 1 & 2

You can choose which grades and courses you wish to provide feedback on. You can choose as many as you would like. Please submit your survey responses by 5:00pm EST on Monday, December 8th, 2025. 

Thank you; your feedback is extremely valuable to the K-12 Math Standards revision process!

Survey for NC ML/Title III Framework

The ML/Title III Team is looking for broader data collection in the ML/Title III Field Survey. This survey will be open until December 1, and we encourage PSUs to share the link with schools, parents, and community members. 

This statewide survey will gather input from educators, administrators, and partners across all regions to better understand current practices, challenges, and priorities in supporting multilingual learners. The insights collected will directly inform the design of a comprehensive framework that strengthens program quality, compliance, and equitable access for MLs across North Carolina.

Subscribe and Connect with each Area in the Office of Teaching and Learning

Do you want to stay up to date on the latest news, opportunities, resources, standards updates, etc., from one or more of the NCDPI Office of Teaching and Learning content areas? 

Sign up today to receive newsletters and announcements from the area(s) or topic(s) of your choice.

IYMI: Check Out Some of the Latest Newsletters 

• Arts Education
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