Number 10

K-12 Math Standards Draft 1 Stakeholder Review and Feedback - Deadline to Provide Feedback Extended to Dec. 17

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.

Provide feedback on the proposed K-12 Math Standards here.

Number 9

*NEW* The Abbreviated Needs Assessment (ANA)

The Abbreviated Needs Assessment (ANA), developed as a streamlined offshoot of NCDPI’s Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA), provides districts and schools with an evidence-based, one-day, third-party review that identifies strengths and prioritizes opportunities for growth.

The ANA centers on two key dimensions that directly influence student outcomes:

• Instructional Excellence & Alignment – the quality, rigor and coherence of core instruction across classrooms.
• Leadership Capacity – the ability of leaders to create and sustain conditions for effective teaching and learning.
  By focusing on these two critical levers, the ANA helps districts and schools establish clear, evidence-based priorities and actionable next steps that accelerate improvement and student success.

Click here to access the ANA one-pager for more information.

Questions can be sent to Dr. Alice Bartley, Director, and Dr. Susan Silver, Diagnostic Services Lead, Department of School Improvement Support, Office of District and School Support Services (ODSSS) at Alice.Bartley@dpi.nc.gov and Susan.Silver@dpi.nc.gov.

Number 8

Nov. 19 TWC Webinar Recording and Slide Deck 

The recording and slide deck of this week's Teacher Working Conditions (TWC) Webinar for Principals and TWC Coordinators are available now at the NC TWC website. 

Number 7

NCVPS to Offer Korean I Starting Spring 2026

North Carolina Virtual Public School (NCVPS) is proud to launch Korean I, a new world language course offering available beginning Spring 2026.

This beginner-level course is designed to help students build real-world communication skills in Korean. Through speaking, listening, reading and writing, students will learn to express themselves and interact with others on everyday topics using both spoken and written Korean. The course emphasizes practical language use and cultural understanding, preparing students to engage confidently in real-life situations.

Korean I is taught by a certified North Carolina teacher and follows the same high-quality, standards-aligned format as all NCVPS language offerings. Schools can register students for the course now in NCVPS' registration system.

Number 6

Feminine Hygiene Products Grant (FY26) Application Now Open

We are excited to announce that the application for the Feminine Hygiene Products Grant Program for the 2025-2026 school year is now available.

The Feminine Hygiene Products Grant Program provides grants of up to $5,000 per PSU to purchase feminine hygiene products. To receive this funding, your PSU will need to complete the grant application in its entirety. Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. PSUs that did not receive a grant in the previous fiscal year will be given preference.

Please review the allotment policy (page 76) for more information.

Find the grant application here. 

Number 5

Register for NCED Connect Symposium - Feb. 2026

Registration is now open for the next NCED Connect Symposium, which will be held in Greensboro in February 2026! This event brings together digital teaching and learning leaders, technology directors, central office leadership, instructional coaches, NCSIS data managers and leads and other innovators for three days of powerful collaboration.

Learn more about the symposium, including the schedule, here. 

Register for NCED Connect here. 

Number 4

District Highlight: Beaufort County Schools - "High School Pet Grooming Class Gives Students Hands-on Experience in Animal Care"

"At Washington High School in Beaufort County, the 'Animal 2' class is giving students a unique opportunity to prepare for careers in agriculture and veterinary fields through a hands-on pet grooming program.

Agriculture teacher Erin Massie explained, 'Teachers actually bring their dogs here for spa days.'

The $40 service allows students to apply their learning in a practical setting.

While there is some book work involved, the real excitement happens in the back room where students take turns bathing, grooming, and bonding with animals ranging from dogs and goats to rabbits and cats."

Read more and watch the news video clip here. 

Number 3

NCDPI Celebrate the Good Blog: "Empowering Futures: Celebrating Career Development Month and North Carolina’s Career Development Coordinator Day"

"Each November, educators, businesses and communities across NC join the nation in celebrating Career Development Month, an initiative led by the National Career Development Association (NCDA) to highlight the importance of career awareness, exploration and readiness.

Governor Josh Stein has proclaimed November 2025 as NC Career Development Month and November 19, 2025, as NC Career Development Coordinator (CDC) Day, a statewide recognition of the professionals who shape students’ futures every day. The proclamation honors the extraordinary impact of CDCs in helping students explore their potential, make informed career decisions and transition successfully to postsecondary education, employment or enlistment in the military."

Read the full blog post here. 

Number 2

Nearly $400 Million Awarded in Needs-Based School Construction Grants

"Ten North Carolina school districts from Transylvania to Tyrrell will share more than $392 million in state lottery-funded grant awards for school construction and renovation projects.

The grants, aimed at districts in economically distressed counties, will fund new or replacement school buildings, including seven elementary schools, two high schools and one Career and Technical Education Center. The projects include complete renovations of two existing schools, and replacement of 14 existing schools.

These awards distributed through the Needs-Based Public School Capital Fund (NBPSCF), represent the largest annual allocation of capital funding from state lottery revenues. The NBPSCF was created by the General Assembly in 2017 to provide application-based grants, supplementing the state’s lottery-supported Public School Building Capital Fund and the Public School Building Repair and Renovation Fund, from which all 115 districts receive annual allocations."

Read the full press release. 

Number 1

Chatham County Educator Surprised with National Milken Educator Award

"Under the guise of a schoolwide assembly at Pittsboro Elementary School, fourth grade teacher Shane Henderson was surprised with being named as the newest Milken Educator Award recipient on Wednesday morning.

The prestigious recognition comes with an unrestricted cash prize of $25,000. Milken Educator Awards Vice President Stephanie Bishop was joined by North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Maurice “Mo” Green to present the Award to Henderson before a gymnasium of cheering students, educators, dignitaries and media.

“'Shane Henderson’s deep passion and commitment to student success exemplify why he makes a great Milken Educator Award recipient,” said Green. “He keeps students at the heart of his work, creating inclusive learning environments to support all students along their educational journey. Mr. Henderson is a wonderful example of why we need to revere educators—his selfless dedication has shaped the future of our state.'”

Read the full press release here. Congratulations, Mr. Henderson!