Highlights
NCDPI Press Release | Nov. 5, 2025: For the fourth year in a row, North Carolina students increased their scores and participation in Advanced Placement exams, outpacing the national average and setting a new record for the state. According to data presented to the State Board of Education on Wednesday, more than 90,000 students took over 171,000 AP tests during the 2024-25 school year. That represents a 7.3% increase in test takers and a 9.8% increase in total tests taken over the prior year. Of all tests taken, 72.1% were scored a 3, 4 or 5 – demonstrating that a student is qualified to receive college-level credit for that subject. Since 2021, the number of exams with qualifying scores has roughly doubled to an all-time high of 123,394 qualifying scores in 2024-25. Additionally, all racial and ethnic groups and genders contributed to the growth, as did every region in the state.
EdTech Innovation Hub - Emma Thompson | Nov. 4, 2025: The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) recently hosted a workshop in partnership with OpenAI, focusing on practical applications of ChatGPT across the state’s public schools. OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT and other generative AI models, worked with NCDPI to deliver a hands-on session designed to explore classroom use cases and promote safe and effective AI adoption. Joe Casson, Solutions Engineering Leader at OpenAI, said in a LinkedIn post that collaboration and direct engagement were key to the event’s success. “Hands on keyboard. Working alongside your colleagues. Brainstorming use cases. Digging in,” he wrote. Casson noted that he and his colleague Sam were “extremely lucky to partner with Dr. Vanessa Wrenn and Vera Cubero from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction,” explaining that the day brought together “many of the brightest minds in NC's public schools for a day long workshop in ChatGPT.”
North State Journal - A.P. Dillion | Nov. 7, 2025: North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein issued a proclamation Thursday calling for the General Assembly to hold a special extra session specifically to deal with Medicaid rebase funding. Stein’s proclamation notes the General Assembly does not plan to take any more votes this session and that he sought the advice of the 10-member Council of State, which currently has a 5-5 partisan split between Democrats and Republicans. On his official X account, Stein shared video of a press conference featuring citizens from around the state who shared their Medicaid stories. He also issued a press release highlighting those testimonies.
November is National Veterans and Military Families Month
This is a perfect time for schools and districts to apply for the Purple Star Award to show their commitment to military-connected students and their families. Learn more about the Purple Star Award | NC DPI
For questions on the application, please email Howard Lattimore.
Deadline to apply is February 1, 2026
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November Planning & Work Sessions
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Keynote Speaker: Dr. Dudley E. Flood - Education Pioneer, Champion of Education, Consultant and Namesake, Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity and Opportunity
November State Board Meeting
Access all YouTube recordings of SBE meetings here.
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Strategic Plan Regional Tours
The 2025 Strategic Plan Regional Tour concluded with a virtual session on Monday, November 3. Thank you to everyone who attended a Regional Tour event and please stay tuned for further updates!
✔️ Northeast - Greenville, Pitt County: Thursday, September 25 - Northeast Tour Photo Gallery
✔️ Southeast - Jacksonville, Onslow County: Friday, September 26 - Southeast Tour Photo Gallery
✔️ Piedmont-Triad - Greensboro, Guilford County: Thursday, October 16 - Piedmont-Triad Photo Gallery
✔️ Southwest - Charlotte, Mecklenburg County: Monday, October 20 - Southwest Photo Gallery
✔️ Northwest - Morganton, Burke County: Wednesday, October 22 - Northwest Photo Gallery
✔️ Western - Bryson City, Swain County: Thursday, October 23 - Western Photo Gallery
✔️ Sandhills - Lumberton, Robeson County: Monday, October 27
✔️ North Central - Chapel Hill, Orange County: Wednesday, October 29
✔️ Virtual Tour via Zoom - Monday, November 3
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More information about the strategic plan is available here: go.ncdpi.gov/bestinnation
Celebrate the Good in Public Education
Stories from 86 school districts are currently aggregated in this system. See this link to access and filter stories from across North Carolina that Celebrate the Good in Public Education.
BONUS - Access EdNC’s featured stories here.
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DPI Press Release | November 3, 2025
Four North Carolina public schools were announced on November 3 as inaugural statewide Blue Ribbon Schools award winners, a program created by North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) to continue the tradition of recognizing and highlighting schools that are excelling in academic success.
“This recognition reflects the hard work of educators, students, families and communities working together to ensure every child has access to high-quality learning,” said State Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green. “We celebrate these schools for their growth, achievement and commitment to student success as North Carolina’s inaugural Blue Ribbon Schools award recipients.”
North Carolina’s inaugural recipients were nominated based on 2023-24 accountability results. There were two categories of schools for this award: Exemplary High Performing and Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing. Three of North Carolina’s four schools earning the North Carolina Blue Ribbon School Award were identified in both categories.
The honorees include:
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Apex Friendship Middle School (Wake County Public Schools): Known for its inclusive school culture and dedication to academic excellence, Apex Friendship Middle provides diverse learning opportunities and emphasizes social-emotional growth alongside academics. (Exemplary High Performing and Achievement Gap Closing)
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Henderson County Early College (Henderson County Public Schools): Located on the campus of Blue Ridge Community College, Henderson County Early College offers students the opportunity to earn both a high school diploma and college credit. The school is recognized for its strong academic outcomes and its culture of high expectations and support. (Exemplary High Performing)
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Mills Park Middle School (Wake County Public Schools): One of the largest middle schools in the state, Mills Park is recognized for its outstanding academic performance, collaborative teaching practices, and focus on preparing students for future success. (Exemplary High Performing and Achievement Gap Closing)
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Pinehurst Elementary (Moore County Schools): Serving students in pre-K through fifth grade, Pinehurst Elementary is noted for its innovative instructional practices, commitment to the whole child, and strong community partnerships that enhance student learning. (Exemplary High Performing and Achievement Gap Closing)
This new agency-led recognition program was created due to the termination of the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED) National Blue Ribbon Program which had previously honored and celebrated the top performing schools across the nation. Each of this year’s award recipients were nominated by NCDPI and met all final criteria earlier this year for the national award before the ED announced that the program was being discontinued.
NCDPI will recognize these awardees at the December State Board of Education meeting.
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A Q&A with Ian House, student advisor to the State Board of Education
 Ian House is one of two student advisors to the State Board of Education. His term began in August 2024 and will conclude in June 2026.
NCDPI: What are your responsibilities as a student advisor to the State Board of Education? How did you become interested in this role?
House: As a student advisor to the North Carolina State Board of Education, my responsibility, as prescribed in North Carolina General Statute 115C-11, is to “participate in State Board deliberations in an advisory capacity.” In pursuing this mission, I attend all of the State Board meetings and raise my voice when I observe an issue requiring a student perspective. Outside of the board table, I strive to listen to the concerns of other public school students so my perspective can be as representative as possible to the diverse needs of North Carolina schools. I had the privilege to be appointed by former North Carolina State Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt to the role in the spring of 2024.
Why do you think it’s important to have student voices at the table?
Every decision that is made in education policy fundamentally affects students, so allowing student voices at the table ensures that choices made by policymakers provide for quality instruction for all. During my service to the State Board, I have spoken on many issues, including the components of high school transcripts. In one board meeting, I used the experiences of my peers to shed light on how community college classes are not always the same rigor as other advanced coursework opportunities, yet these opportunities are still counted for the same weight on a student’s grade point average. My point echoed a need to reexamine how different classes are weighted.
Another issue with transcripts is class rank. On multiple occasions, using input from my peers, I spoke on the dangers of class rank and the need for it to be eliminated from the use of high school transcripts. As long as the use of rankage is required in statute though, there is little the State Board can do. Thus, I presented an alternative solution in which students are weighted in a decile or quintile scale.
What has been the most rewarding part of being a board member so far? What has been challenging?
From the start of my tenure as an advisor on the State Board, I felt welcomed by my fellow board members and advisors, along with the dedicated staff at the NC Department of Public Instruction. Interacting and getting to know these outstanding public servants is the most rewarding part of being an advisor to the board. The position I serve in is a true honor, but it does come with a commitment. Learning how to balance my scholastic and extracurricular obligations has been challenging at times. However, through the support of my school’s administration and teachers, I am able to effectively manage my schedule.
How has this experience shaped your future plans and/or your thoughts about education?
Before my service on the board, I had a vague understanding of NCDPI and the State Board, along with school districts. However, like many others, I simply went to school each day and did not think much about what made schools in North Carolina function. However, my tenure on the State Board has led me to come to understand the important role past and current leaders, dedicated staff at a state and district level, educators and well-crafted policies play in the role of safeguarding the right of every North Carolina child to a sound, basic education. My passion for North Carolina’s government, politics and history is further lit from this experience, and I am more motivated to stay involved in state government.
While there are only two student advisors on the board, there are myriad ways students across the state can use their voice to make a difference. What would you say to your fellow North Carolina students to inspire them to get involved? What are some easy ways that students can share their thoughts and advocate for change?
Former Governor Terry Sanford once told students that the benefits of an education are immense, but can only be achieved if students “provide the ‘get-up and go.’” This rings true to today, and for students to enjoy the full benefits of an education they must voice and advocate their needs to those who govern our instruction. There are many ways students can advocate, including speaking up at their local school meetings, writing to their state legislators, contacting school building leaders, serving on district superintendent student advisory councils and organizing clubs at their schools formed around addressing a particular issue.
You’re a senior - congratulations! What’s next for you?
After high school I look forward to pursuing higher education and continuing to learn more about North Carolina’s government, politics and history through participating in meaningful internships, community service and other opportunities that come along.
Is there anything else you want to share?
I am excited for the “Achieving Educational Excellence” plan and cannot wait to see all the good work to come from striving to make North Carolina schools the best in the nation.
K-12 Education Bills
Bills To Watch
The following bills affecting K-12 education are still eligible for additional legislative action this session. All of the bills below have been placed on the House Calendar for Monday, November 17, 2025, although it is currently unlikely that any votes will be taken during this reconvening.
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HB 87 Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA).
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HB 171 Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI.
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SB 50 Freedom to Carry NC.
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SB 153 North Carolina Border Protection Act.
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SB 227 Eliminating "DEI" in Public Education.
Reminder: Bills ≠ Laws
Only a few dozen bills typically make it “across the finish line” and become law each legislative session.
- For the current 2025 legislative session, 1,800+ total bills were introduced.
- Of these, 108 bills have become law so far.
- Of these 108 new laws, NCGA staff have noted 42 laws relate to education in some way.
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