UPCOMING EVENTS & NEWS
NCED Connect Symposium Feedback
THANK YOU for your participation in the NCED Connect Symposium!
Thank you for ALL that you did to make NCED Connect Symposium 2026 a success! The link to the feedback form is available HERE or by going to go.ncdpi.gov/nced26feedback. Please make sure to submit your feedback before February 27, 2026. Once you complete the overall conference feedback, get a copy of a CEU certificate for you to personalize and submit to your PSU, and you will gain access to ALL the incredible presentations shared throughout the event. We will share all slide decks in the coming weeks with everyone.
|
April Digital Leaders Exchange
Save the Date!
Our April DLE will now be VIRTUAL—April 21st from 8:30am to 12pm. Registration and agenda coming soon!
|
|
 |
NCBOLD Feedback Survey
At NCBOLD, your voice matters.
As we plan our summer programming, we’re gathering feedback on session content—what topics, conversations, or learning opportunities would be most valuable to you?
Please take a moment to share your feedback using the link below by February 27, 2026:
🔗 go.ncdpi.gov/ncbold26survey
Thank you for helping us design a meaningful summer learning experience for YOU!
|
|
 |
Remote Academy Applications and Updates
Superintendents, Chief Academic Officers and Technology Directors,
Pursuant to SL 2022-59, ratified in June 2022, each local education agency (LEA) is authorized to offer remote instruction through the operation of remote academies. All remote academies must be approved by the North Carolina State Board of Education (SBE) for a period of five years and meet the legal requirements outlined in SL 2022-59.
The legislation defines a remote academy as a public school whose instruction is provided primarily online through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous instruction delivered to students in a remote location outside of the school facility. A remote academy may include any combination of grade levels.” (§115C-234(b))
As outlined in the legislation, if your district plans to operate a remote academy during the 2026-2027 school year, an application must be submitted to NCDPI for SBE approval. This includes both existing and newly established remote academies.
Existing Remote Academies (Required for All Existing Programs): All existing remote academies must complete this form, even if no changes are being proposed for the 2026–2027 school year. https://go.ncdpi.gov/RemoteAcademyUpdates
LEAs Proposing a New Remote Academy: LEAs seeking to establish a new remote academy for 2026–2027 must complete this application. https://go.ncdpi.gov/RemoteAcademyApp
We are providing this data collection worksheet to help you organize your details before you officially submit your Remote Academy Application.
Remote Academy Application Data Collection 2026
There will be open office hours to support your application or updates on March 2nd:
All remote academy materials are due Monday, March 16, 2026.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact RemoteAcademySupport@dpi.nc.gov
DTL Signature Events
Be sure to check the DTL Signature Events Calendar* or Eventbrite for upcoming in-person and virtual regional meetings and training sessions. Don’t miss out on valuable opportunities to connect, learn, and stay informed!
DTL Signature Events Calendar
|
|
|
 |
SCHOOLNET
Schoolnet Upcoming Webinars
- Using Schoolnet in the ELA & SS Classroom webinar will be held on Monday, March 9, at 4:00 PM
*All past webinars can be found on the Schoolnet homepage.
- The Navvy Community Forum will be held on Wednesday, March 4, at 1:00 pm.
CANVAS
Accessibility Resources in Canvas
Statewide Call
- The next statewide call will be held on Monday, March 2, at 2:00 pm. Registration can be accessed by the link below.
- A new CSM structure has been implemented by Canvas; all PSUs should have been contacted about any CSM changes.
IgniteAI Announcements
|
 NCSIS for EDUCATORS
 |
|
Campus Learning Monthly Updates
🆕 Check out the new features available in Campus.2551 as well as updates made available in previous versions of Campus.
Campus Learning Feature Updates
|
|
 |
|
Campus Learning (LMS)
Even if you’ve already got an established LMS, Campus Learning can provide tools that your teachers may find helpful. Check out the helpful information and hidden tools that come with enabling the Enhanced Curriculum tool right.
Campus Learning Questions (Enhanced Curriculum)
|
|
 |
|
Transitioning from Canvas to Campus Learning
Are you considering using Campus Learning as your LMS? These resources can help you prepare your teachers for the move from Canvas to Campus Learning.
Transition to Campus Learning
|
|
 EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
Upcoming AI Webinars
-
Monday, March 2, 3:30-4:30—Teaching with the Notebook Open: Designing Student-Ready AI Spaces with NotebookLM with Stacy Lovdahl Registration
What if the notebook became the student’s thinking space? Learn how to design student-ready NotebookLM notebooks aligned to a standard, unit, or learning goal. Turn your teaching materials and clear prompts into an AI space students can use for reading, review, and discussion, making their thinking visible, accessible, and creative.
The rest of the March and April webinars will be announced soon.
Check out our EventBrite Collection & Registrations for upcoming registrations.
Previous webinars may be watched on demand on NC AI Resources & YouTube Channel.
AI Solve-A-Thon Recap
The first-ever NC AI Solve-A-Thon brought together ten finalist teams from across the state: middle and high school students who had spent months identifying real problems in their own communities and designing AI-enabled solutions to address them.
Congratulations to all ten state finalist teams, especially the top 3 teams!
-
1st Place: Future Minds from Cabarrus County Schools
-
The Problem: Residents in rural/low-income communities struggle to access critical help (food, legal aid) due to scattered info.
-
The Solution: A web app with an AI chatbot that detects user needs and anonymously matches them to verified local resources.
-
🎥 Demo Video
-
2nd Place: Pine Lakers from Pine Lake Preparatory
-
The Problem: Inefficiency and long wait times for services at the North Carolina DMV.
-
The Solution: An AI-driven app and on-site booth system that facilitates document scanning, appointments, and check-ins to streamline the process.
-
🎥 Demo Video
- 3rd Place: Byrd Brains from Cumberland County Schools
-
The Problem: The homelessness crisis in Fayetteville and the difficulty unhoused citizens face in finding scattered resources
-
The Solution: An app and website featuring an Al chatbot that connects users to verified local resources using natural language.
-
🎥 Demo Video
For a summary of all the amazing student projects, see this brief video
To preview of the innovative solutions the proposed or built, see this PDF with clickable links
Read my article about the Solve-A-Thon featured in Stefan Bauschard’s Substack Education Disrupted for an overview of the day.
|
District Leaders—Sign up for the AI Innovation Index
PLEASE SHARE with your District Leaders & encourage them to sign up for the AI Innovation Index
The Spring Data Collection Window is March 1- March 31, 2026
- This is a free, low-lift way to gather data on your PSU’s AI readiness & learn from others around the state and nation.
- Learn more about the AI Innovation Index. HERE
|
|
 |
AI Updates January - March 2026
Lots of updates in the AI world, including a new AI Literacy Framework from the US Department of Labor!
|
|
 |
SLMC
 |
|
Interested in being a first reader of the revised IMPACT guidelines?
This spring, we’re inviting librarians, library leaders, and administrators to participate in focus groups supporting the next phase of North Carolina’s statewide school library guidance. Participation includes reviewing the draft guidance and sharing structured feedback, with an estimated time commitment of up to 5 hours total, and the flexibility to select a participation window that works best for you. Please check out this information document & the sign up form if you’re ready to contribute! Registration for the cohorts ends March 7.
If now isn’t the right time to participate but you are interested in supporting this work in the future, there will be additional opportunities to help design and weigh in on resources such as the SLMC Implementation Toolkit, professional development supports, and IMPACT-related communication and advocacy tools.
|
Upcoming SLMC Webinars & On-Demand
February 19 at 3pm | T³ Being a Knowledge Constructor in the Age of Information Overload with Kaye Menjivar from Johnston County | Register
- School librarians are at the center of the Knowledge Constructor standard! From endless tabs to intentional thinking, Johnston County's Kaye Menjivar will help us unpack the ISTE Knowledge Constructor standard and what it looks like when school librarians guide students in navigating, evaluating, and using information responsibly. This webinar is just the beginning—SLMCs can continue the learning through guided, asynchronous applications using NotebookLM as a research and learning resource in the weeks that follow! More on that opportunity will be shared in the webinar and the March NC NEW(s) 101 newsletter.
If you miss this live and/or want to view other on-demand SLMC webinars, they are housed at go.ncdpi.gov/ncslmcplaylist
|
 |
|
ICYMI: The T³ Reads + Resources for Black History Month and Women’s History Month earlier in March was more of a casual chat so while there isn’t a recording, titles and ideas shared are curated here for others to explore & add: padlet.com/ncdpi/t3history
Save the date for March 19 at 12pm. T³ POW! BAM! SMILE! READ!: How Graphic Novels Fuel Readers, Libraries, and Learning with Rebeka Barringer from Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools. Register
|
NCEES
Upcoming NCEES Webinars
Click on the titles below to register.
EOY & Comprehensive Evaluation Monitoring Principal/AP, Central Office Staff Training
Description: This session will provide administrators and principals with a clear understanding of the End-of-Year evaluation process in NCEES. Participants will review the steps for completing the Principal Summary Evaluation, explore expectations around comprehensive monitoring, and learn how to ensure accurate and timely completion of evaluation tasks. The session also includes a brief overview of the End-of-Year processes for Teachers and Support Staff, equipping leaders with the knowledge and tools to support a smooth and successful close to the evaluation cycle.
Target Audience: Site Administrators, Principals
When: March 12, 2026; 9:00 am-10:30 am
End of Year Teacher & Staff Evaluation & PDP Processes
Description: In this session, participants will gain a clear understanding of how to complete the Professional Development Plan (PDP) End-of-Year Review and the End-of-Year Evaluation process in NCEES. Teachers will explore the steps leading up to the Summary Evaluation Conference, including how to complete required signatures, acknowledge the summary evaluation, and submit written responses and supporting artifacts. This session provides practical guidance to help ensure a smooth and successful close to the evaluation cycle.
Target Audience: Teachers and Support staff evaluated in NCEES
When: March 12, 2026; 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
|
NCEES Sessions from the NCED Connect Symposium
The NCED Connect Symposium featured an impressive lineup of presenters covering a diverse range of NCEES-related topics. For those who couldn't join us, the full presentations are available in the document linked below. We extend our sincere gratitude to our speakers for sharing their expertise and making this event a success
Click here for the NCEES sessions, descriptions, and presentations!
|
EBSCO
Upcoming Ebsco Webinars
Personalizing Your EBSCO Research Experience:
Registration Link
- Thursday, March 19, 2026
- Time: 3:00pm
Join us to review the personalization features available in EBSCOhost, including creating a MyEBSCO account to save your research long-term, using Projects to organize your research, and scheduling your own journal and search alerts.
|
BRITANNICA
Upcoming Britannica Webinars
21st Century Skills: Critical Media Literacy in the Age of AI
Registration Link
- Wednesday, March 11, 2026
- Time: 3:00pm
Students today are faced with unprecedented challenges in determining fact from fake, as they are bombarded with misinformation and disinformation through conventional and social media. As artificial intelligence becomes more advanced and prevalent, these challenges grow more difficult and complex. In this session, educators will explore trusted, content-rich resources that support student research, media literacy fundamentals, and action plans to determine fact from fake.
|
ISTE+ASCD and CoSN ANNOUNCEMENTS
 |
|
CoSN Releases 2026 Driving K-12 Innovation Report
CoSN’s Driving K-12 Innovation initiative proudly convenes an international Advisory Board of approximately 130+ education and technology experts to select the most important Hurdles (challenges), Accelerators (mega-trends), and Tech Enablers (tools) Driving K-12 Innovation for the year ahead.
The Advisory Board engages in discussion via CoSN’s online forum and synchronous virtual calls via Zoom and also participates in two surveys to select the top themes in each category that are transforming teaching and learning. This year, the Advisory Board’s work took place over approximately 11 weeks.
You can download the full report here.
|
|
 |
|
February Issue of Educational Leader Magazine: Engaging Struggling Learners
Every student deserves vibrant, challenging instruction that sparks curiosity and builds confidence—even students who are below grade level.
The February 2026 issue of Educational Leadership explores how educators are making learning more engaging, authentic, and challenge-driven for all
Login to your ISTE/ASCD account through NCEDCloud and check out the issue here.
|
|
MICRO-CREDENTIALING
Statewide Professional Learning Micro-Credential Cohorts start March 1.
The NC Department of Public Instruction is now accepting interest applications for our upcoming statewide Professional Learning Micro-Credential Pathways. These job-embedded pathways are designed to help you master high-priority digital skills. Whether you’re looking to dive into AI or strengthen data privacy, these micro-credentials offer the flexible, high-quality learning you need.
Seats are limited, and the application below is intended to gauge interest only; completion does not guarantee enrollment. To ensure equitable access, each Public School Unit (PSU) will be prioritized for one seat per pathway before additional participants from the same PSU are considered, based on availability. Educators will be asked to rank their pathway preferences to support placement if a first-choice pathway reaches capacity.
All cohorts will run from March 1 through May 31.
Available Professional Learning Pathways include:
- Basic AI for Educators: Basic AI for K–2 Classrooms
- Basic AI for 3–5 Classrooms
- Basic AI for 6–8 Classrooms
- Basic AI for 9–12 Classrooms
- Data Privacy for Educators
- Digital Citizenship in the Curriculum
- Student Knowledge Construction in the Curriculum
Please share this opportunity with educators in your PSU who may be interested and encourage them to complete the interest form by February 25th.
Link to Interest Form
Additional details, including selection notifications and next steps, will be shared after interest submissions have been reviewed.
Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting high-quality, flexible professional learning opportunities across North Carolina.
|
|
 |
CYBERSECURITY
 K-12 Cybersecurity NC EdConnect Slides
NCED Connect Symposium 2026 Slides
All slide decks from the conference are listed below:
Thanks to all who presented, supported, and attended!
K-12 Cybersecurity Webinar: North Carolina National Guard Cyber Security Response Force
-
K-12 Cybersecurity Webinar: North Carolina National Guard Cyber Security Response Force
- Join the K–12 Cybersecurity Program webinar series this month to learn more about the North Carolina National Guard (NCNG) Cyber Security Response Force (CSRF). PSUs can leverage the NCNG CSRF for advanced cyber hygiene assessments, penetration testing, threat intelligence, training and outreach, and the Operation Tobacco Road cyber exercise. All of these cybersecurity resources are provided to PSUs at no cost, and the NCNG plays an incredible role as a partner in the prevention, detection, and response efforts of the K–12 Cybersecurity Program!
- Date: March 11, 2026, 10am
- Registration: Register here
I have Cybersecurity questions..
NCTIES NEWS
Early Bird is over but you can still Register for NCTIES 26 “Totally Ties”
📅 March 4–6, 2026
📍 Raleigh Convention Center
Get ready to throw it back to the ‘90s with our “Totally TIES” conference—where innovation meets nostalgia!
Don’t miss your chance to connect, learn, and celebrate with educators from across North Carolina.
Register now: bit.ly/NCTIES26Reg
|
|
|
 |
NCTIES Welcomes Sean Astin as Our Keynote Speaker!
NCTIES is proud to announce our featured speakers for the March Conference. Keynote Speaker: Sean Astin.
|
|
 |
Pre-Conference Speakers, including a few of our own!
North Carolina’s Own
Marsha Sirkin, The Science House
- Saved by the Shift: Totally Science Standards
- Day/Time: Wednesday, 9 AM - 4 PM
- Price: $100
Randy Seldomridge, Caldwell County Schools
Michell McNeil, Johnston County Schools
- Step by Step: Designing Totally Rad Learning Experiences
- Day/Time: Wednesday, 9 AM - 4 PM
- Price: $100
Dr. Catlin Tucker, catlintucker.com
- MTSS: Elevating Tier 1 Instruction
- Day/Time: Wednesday, 9 AM - 12 PM
- Price: $50
And
- Differentiated Small Group Instruction with the Station Rotation Model
- Day/Time: Wednesday, 1 PM - 4 PM
- Price: $50
Also:
Jen Hall, Dee Lanier, and Ken Shelton
Check out the pre-conference sessions.
|
Leadership Pre-Conference
Leadership pre-conference with Joe Sanfilippo—open for aspiring administrators, instructional leaders, and current administrators at the school and district level.
|
|
|
 |
|
