CTE has contracted with Pam Taylor to serve as CTE Regional Coordinator for Charter Schools. Any Charter questions on CTE can be directed to her.
Her email is Pam.Taylor@dpi.nc.gov
information regarding #SELday
As North Carolina gears up for SEL Week, we wanted to share an overview of SEL4NC North Carolina events and invite your support in amplifying our reach and impact. We have a strong slate of offerings planned that highlight SEL across our state and align with our shared mission and vision.
To help us make the most of SEL Week, please take a few important steps:
Sign up for SEL Day
Please ensure you are personally registered for SEL Day so your participation is counted in the national totals and NC continues to show strong engagement.
Sign up here: https://selday.org/sign-up/
Register for NC SEL Week Events
We encourage you to register for and attend our NC-hosted events during SEL Week, and invite your teams and partners to join as well. These sessions are designed to showcase best practices, elevate local voices, and strengthen our statewide SEL ecosystem.
Access Flyer: SEL4NC SEL Week 2026 Events
Share the Flyer with Your Networks
Please help us spread the word by sharing the SEL Week flyer with your:
District and school contacts
Organizational and community partners
Professional networks and social media channels
Access Flyer: SEL4NC SEL Week 2026 Events. Your outreach will be critical in increasing visibility, registration, and impact across NC. Register for the SEL Day Summit
SEL4NC and North Carolina will be featured in the 10:00 and 11:00 sessions at the SEL Day Summit. Please register and encourage your networks to join so we have strong representation and engagement during those sessions.
Register here: https://selday.org/summit/
Founder's Fellowship for leaders with an idea for opening a new school
Startup Grant for leaders with an approved application from CSRB
The application closes on March 1st. You can find more information about each opportunity and the application process on our website.
School Safety Grants Update
School Resource Officer Year 2 awards have been issued. If you received funding for the 2024-2025 fiscal year for SROs, then you received the Year 2 award via paper check or electronic deposit. This is designated for the hiring and training of SROs for middle and elementary schools.
The School Safety Grant carry-forward money has also been issued but was mislabeled on the check as SRO grant funding. This funding is available for use until June 2027. Please keep in mind that there is not a School Safety Grant application open at this time.
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CFSS Training Calendar
Public Comment is Now Open for Proposed Changes to NC English Learner Program Rules
Public Comment Period is Now Open
The North Carolina State Board of Education is proposing significant updates to the rules governing Limited English Proficiency Programs (16 NCAC 06D.0106). These changes would modernize how our public schools identify, serve, and support students who are learning English.
What's Changing? The proposed rule updates terminology and processes throughout, replacing "Limited English Proficient" with "English Learner" and streamlining requirements. Here are the key changes:
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Updates the use of WIDA Assessments to identify and monitor English learners
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Includes the scoring thresholds established for program entry
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Reflects current ESSA guidelines
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Ensures English learners can access special education, gifted programs, and other services
Why This Matters: These changes would affect how schools across North Carolina serve thousands of English learner students and communicate with their families. The updated rules aim to create more consistent, transparent practices statewide while ensuring students receive appropriate support.
Who Should Comment?
This affects many stakeholders, including
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Parents and families of English learners
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Teachers and school administrators
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ESL/ML specialists and program coordinators
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Special education professionals
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Community organizations serving immigrant families
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Anyone interested in educational equity
The State Board of Education will accept written comments on the proposed rules via mail and email until April 6, 2026. You can email Dr. Stacy Daniel, Section Chief for ELA & Languages
English Language Arts and Languages at stacy.daniel@dpi.nc.gov. Mail can be sent to:
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
6301 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-6301
Updated Computer Science Course Lists for SY26-27
Pursuant to G.S. 115C-12(9d), the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction has published updated Computer Science Middle School Elective Offering and High School Graduation Requirement course lists. The updated high school course list adds ten new course options, and the updated middle school course list adds three new middle school elective options along with four additional high school courses that can be taught in middle school. Completion of any course identified on the approved High School Courses Eligible for Middle School list will satisfy both the CS middle school course elective offering and high school graduation requirement.
Pursuant to G.S. 115C-12(9d), Local Implementation Delay Waiver Requests were available only for 2024–2025 and 2025–2026; no waivers are permitted for full implementation beginning in 2026–2027.
Link: NCDPI Computer Science Graduation Requirement
Spring 2026 Medicaid in Education [MiE] Cohort
Developing efficient, effective Medicaid cost recovery programs requires foundational knowledge and collaborative effort. These cohorts will support PSU efforts to develop or improve their Medicaid cost recovery efforts. Best results are achieved when a full PSU team participates! Recognizing we all have competing priorities, PSU teams can ensure all content is received, adapted, and applied to local circumstances, procedures, and organizational structure.
This flexible, inclusive, virtual cohort will complete the on-demand Medicaid in Education course with a focus on FFS; however, all Medicaid programs are covered.
Participants will:
- Complete the assigned module and profile rating
- Meet virtually to clarify concepts, answer questions, and
- Collaborate for implementation, establishing PSU practices, and procedures
The Spring 2026 Medicaid in Education [MiE] Cohort will run from March 24th through May 7th on Thursday afternoons.
- 'Just Getting Started in Medicaid' sessions will be offered on March 24th or 26th.
- MiE Cohort orientation sessions will be provided March 31st or April 2nd. Please follow this link to the schedule for the Spring 2026 Cohort
- All (individuals, dyads, small groups) are welcome to participate in MiE cohorts but most effective change occurs with collaborative teams and full PSU Medicaid teams are strongly encouraged
- Suggested PSU (district or charter) team members:
- EC Administrators- Directors, Coordinators
- School Business or Finance officers
- Administrators who will be a point of contact the Medicaid program (central office, finance, EC)
- Related service providers
- Personnel involved with MAC or RMTS
- Any interested parties or personnel assigned to Medicaid program management
- Participants can and should vary from module to module, the schedule includes suggested team participants for each meeting
- Time will be allocated for questions and implementation work
You/Your PSU (district, state, or charter school) team can register here- https://go.ncdpi.gov/Spring26MiECohort for:
- Just Getting Started in Medicaid sessions
- MiE Spring26 Cohort
- Both or
- Indicate need for follow up technical assistance for Medicaid cost recovery
If you have any questions or would like to set up time with me for your PSU, team, or personnel, give me a call at 919) 636-1827.
Thank you for your interest!
Wishing you a peaceful and healthy 2026,
Laurie Ray
Consultant for Physical Therapy & Medicaid
Supporting Teaching and Related Services
Office of Exceptional Children
NC Department of Public Instruction
M: (919) 636-1827
laurie.ray@dpi.nc.gov
 Call for Proposals
2026 Growing Success for Multilingual Learners Summer Conference
Our 2026 Summer conference Theme: Leading Together for MLs: Collaboration, Commitment, and Community. The NCDPI Multilingual Learner (ML)/Title III Team is seeking proposals from educators who are enthusiastic about sharing effective, research-based instructional and administrative practices that support multilingual learners across North Carolina.
The call for proposals is open to all K–20 educators, regardless of content area. We welcome submissions from classroom teachers, administrators, instructional coaches, specialists, and community partners. Proposals may include, but are not limited to, the following strands:
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Improving Language and Literacy Instruction for MLs
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Harnessing AI to Support Language Acquisition
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Instructional Collaboration
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ML Leadership
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Family and Community Engagement
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Assessment and Data
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Newcomers and Specialized Populations
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Dual Language/Immersion
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Advocacy for MLs within the School System
Anyone interested in presenting at the conference, please complete the application and submit it by March 1, 2026. If you have any questions, please email susan.walz@dpi.nc.gov. We truly appreciate your willingness to share your expertise with colleagues across the state and look forward to your participation!
RISE 2026 Registration
Registration is now open for the 2026 RISE Back to School Safety Summit! The Center for Safer Schools' largest event will be held from Tuesday, August 4 to Thursday, August 6 at the Greenville Convention Center in Greenville, N.C.
Join us for sessions including bullying prevention, suicide prevention, critical incidents and threat assessment. We will use the Whova app for scheduling and to engage with attendees leading up to RISE.
Check the Center for Safer Schools newsletter and social media for more details over the coming months. If you have questions, send an email to CFSS@cfssnc.gov. 
Important DHHS Resources for Charter Schools
Please click on each link and read thoroughly.
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