Number 10

Applications Now Open for 2026-27 NC Business Committee for Education (NCBCE) AI Fellows

Middle and High School Educators: Applications for the 2026-27 cohort of NCBCE AI Fellows are now open! Twenty outstanding middle and high school educators will be selected to serve as AI leaders and mentors in their school communities.

Selected Fellows will receive AI-related virtual and in-person trainings throughout the academic year, ongoing leadership support, a technology mini-grant and be among a strong community of like-minded educators.

Applicants may teach in any subject area. Learn more and apply here. The application closes May 15.

Number 9

Carolina Journal: "New NC Schools Data Shows Success Sequence at Work"

"North Carolina has reason to celebrate. According to data from the NC Department of Public Instruction, 54% of public school graduates last year completed college-level coursework through Advanced Placement, College and Career Promise, International Baccalaureate, and dual enrollment programs. That’s a milestone worth noticing, but the story behind the numbers is even more important than the numbers themselves.

DPI Superintendent Maurice 'Mo' Green’s presented the data recently to the State Board of Education, along with a 'historically high'” 88% graduation rate. Green emphasized system-level leadership and institutional support as the key to this growth.

While coordination matters, the real engine behind these gains isn’t policy, it’s choice.

Students and families are the ones stepping up to participate in programs like Career and College Promise (CCP) and Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways. These innovative programs are voluntary and outside of the traditional public-school model. They require initiative, effort, and planning. Every extra course, every credential earned reflects a conscious decision and extraordinary effort by a student, along with the support of their family."

Read the full article here. 

Number 8

NCDPI’s Global Languages Endorsement (GLE) Team Seeking Student Spotlight Submissions 🌎

NCDPI’s GLE team is seeking Student Spotlight submissions from all public school units to recognize students who have satisfied the requirements of the GLE, North Carolina’s Seal of Biliteracy!
Help us celebrate and elevate student language achievements!

Submit a student spotlight here.

Number 7

NC Museum of Art (NCMA) Summer Teacher Institute Accepting Applications

The North Carolina Museum of Art is now recruiting educators to join its Summer Teacher Institute, "Out of Many, One: Perspectives on American History through Art and Objects." During this two‑day workshop, participants will engage in rich conversations around NCMA artworks, the Knowing the West exhibition and hands-on art-making, while learning alongside artists, scholars and Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) partners. Educators will also explore ways to integrate art across the curriculum and discover opportunities to collaborate on future programs and resources.

Accepted applicants receive a $100/day stipend, and travel costs are reimbursed. Participation is based on an application process that considers geographic diversity, grade levels and interest in joining a community of practice, with priority given to first-time attendees. 

The NCMA Summer Teacher Institute takes place July 27-28 at the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh. 

Learn more and apply here. The application closes on April 20. 

Number 6

UNC System Receives $450,000 Grant to Enhance NC College Connect 🎓

The below was originally posted on the UNC System's LinkedIn page. 

"Great news for students who want an easier, more predictable path to college in North Carolina!

The UNC System has received a $450,000 grant from Lumina Foundation as part of a national effort to make college admissions simpler and more transparent.

The Lumina Foundation funding will be used to enhance NC College Connect, which offers thousands of high school students streamlined admission to participating schools, including 11 UNC System universities, 29 private colleges and universities, and all 58 community colleges in the state. The grant will support the integration of need-based financial aid estimates for students who receive admission offers through the program.

'Students shouldn’t have to navigate a complicated, multi-step process to take advantage of higher education,' said Dr. Shun Robertson, senior vice president for strategy and policy at the UNC System. 'We want North Carolina students to see a clear path to their future. Lumina is helping us expand access and support success for North Carolina students.'

The UNC System is one of 10 recipients of Lumina’s Great Admissions Redesign initiative, which is investing more than $3.5 million to remove barriers and reduce complexity in the college-going experience across the country. By connecting admissions, financial aid, and enrollment, universities can create seamless and coordinated pathways for students."

Learn more about the grant here. Learn more about NC College Connect here. 

Number 5

Last Chance: Statewide Survey on Support for Low-Performing Schools Closes April 10 

This is a final reminder for superintendents, principals and district leaders to complete the EPIC statewide survey. 

The survey (approximately 15 minutes) is designed to gather your feedback on:

• The effectiveness of current state-provided supports
• District needs and priorities
• Barriers to successful school improvement
• What is needed to sustain progress

Your feedback is critical. Responses will directly inform how DPI refines its support model—including the Regional Support Services model—to better meet the needs of districts and schools across North Carolina.

If you have not yet completed the survey, please do so as soon as possible and encourage your principals and instructional leaders to participate. Your voice will help shape future support for schools and students statewide.

Take the survey here. The survey closes April 10.

Number 4

2026 Student Advisory Council Accepting Applications

Calling all rising juniors (current 10th graders) in high school! Apply today to serve as a Student Advisor on State Superintendent Mo Green's Student Advisory Council. If you are interested in state K-12 education issues, advocating on behalf of peers and serving as an advisor to decision-makers in K-12 education, this opportunity is for you!

Learn more about the Student Advisory Council and apply here. The application closes on May 1.

Number 3

Webinar: Building Schools of Character Panel Discussion

Do you want to strengthen your school’s climate and culture? Are you looking for proven strategies to enhance character development?

Join an engaging conversation with State and National Schools of Character. Participants will hear directly from schools that are implementing the 11 Principles of Effective Character Education to build strong relationships, foster respect and responsibility and create positive, thriving learning environments.

Featured schools include:

• Person Early College for Innovation and Leadership
• Haynes-Inman Educational Center
• North Shelby School
• Patriot STEM Elementary
• Union Academy

Participants will walk away with practical strategies and fresh inspiration to begin transforming their school culture—one principle at a time.

The webinar will be held on May 13, 3-4 p.m. Learn more and register here. 

Number 2

April is the Month of the Military Child and Purple Up Day is April 17

Did you know that more than 110,000 military-connected children call North Carolina home?

Show your support for our state's military-connected students on April 17 by wearing purple to celebrate Purple Up Day. The color purple represents all branches of the military, combining Army green, Coast Guard blue, Air Force blue, Marine red and Navy blue.

Number 1

NCDPI Announces 2026 Digital Learning Initiative Instructional Innovation Grant RFP

"Last week, the State Board of Education approved the Instructional Innovation Grant which will benefit North Carolina public schools’ Digital Learning Initiative (DLI). This competitive grant opportunity is designed to support North Carolina Public School Units (PSUs) in advancing innovative digital teaching and learning through high quality professional learning and purposeful instructional technology integration.

Up to $1.2 million in grants funded by the General Assembly through the state’s Digital Learning Initiative will be available to school districts, charter schools, lab schools and regional schools during the 2026-27 school year. Over the past nine years, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s (NCDPI) Digital Teaching and Learning Division has committed more than $10 million dollars in similar grants to help schools and districts develop and strengthen digital-age learning initiatives."

Read the full press release and find additional information, key dates and grant support session information here.