2026 ELA Standard Course of Study Initial Statewide Implementation Session Registration Open
Registration Closes May 15, 2026
Statewide, in-person professional development sessions will be offered during Summer 2026 to introduce the new 2026 English Language Arts Standard Course of Study, scheduled for implementation in the 2027-28 school year. Registration for these regional sessions opened on March 6 and is being coordinated at the PSU level, with each district submitting a single registration for a team of up to four participants.
Teacher leaders who are interested in attending--those who are likely to lead professional learning, facilitate implementation efforts, and assist with developing/adapting aligned resources within their districts or schools--should contact their school or district leadership to express interest and inquire about local selection processes. Sessions will be held across all 8 State Board of Education Regions and will provide an overview of the standards, supporting resources, and guidance for local implementation planning.
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2026 ELA SCOS Installation Resource Spotlight
2026 ELA Standard Course of Study Unpacking Documents
To support successful implementation of the 2026 ELA Standard Course of Study (SCOS), the NCDPI ELA Team has created Unpacking Documents to deepen the understanding of the SCOS and its Fundamental Principles: 1) Grade-Level Complex Texts at the Center, 2) Integrated Model of Literacy & Spiraling, and 3) Variety of Texts.
The Unpacking Documents are located on the Adopted 2026 ELA SCOS page in the Virtual Implementation Kit (VIK) and include the following to support standards-aligned instruction:
- the ELA Standards and Objectives,
- relevant glossary terms for each standard,
- clarifications of what students should be able to know and do at each grade-level/grade-band,
- standards-based question stems and sentence frames,
- classroom considerations, and
- additional supplemental resources.
Note: These unpacking documents are not meant to be exhaustive. Because North Carolina is a local-control state, all curricular decisions (e.g., texts, tasks, activities, etc.) are approved at the local level. Prior to implementing any of the materials in this resource, teachers should follow appropriate policies and procedures to have their curriculum vetted and approved by their school and district leaders.
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Highlighted Vertical Progression
The Highlighted Standards Progression Tool provides a vertical view of the NC Standard Course of Study for English Language Arts, K-12 (2026). This resource allows educators to see how each standard and objective changes and builds from grade-to-grade as they progress towards career and college readiness. Educators can use the vertical progression to align and differentiate curriculum and instruction, develop scaffolds and supports, and coordinate curriculum and instruction across grades.
2026 ELA Standard Course of Study Glossary
The glossary for the North Carolina Standard Course of Study (NCSCOS) for English Language Arts, K–12 (2026) provides definitions of key terms used throughout the standards and objectives in both a tabbed/interactive digital format, as well as a printer-friendly format. While these terms also appear within the forthcoming grade-level unpacking documents, this resource is also offered as a standalone reference to support quick access across grade-levels.
The glossary supports a shared understanding of the ELA standards by helping educators interpret their intent, clarify key terminology, and implement expectations consistently across grade levels and instructional contexts. Because student learning develops across grades, some terms may reflect developmental nuances, and their application may vary slightly by grade-level.
Note: The 2026 ELA SCOS will be implemented in all North Carolina schools beginning in the 2027-28 school year.
Consider encouraging colleagues to subscribe to the ELA Team listserv and follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay up-to-date on released resources, training opportunities, etc.
ELA Standards Update Webinar Series
Join the NCDPI ELA Team for the final webinar in the ELA Standards Update series to learn more about the newly adopted 2026 English Language Arts Standard Course of Study.
Webinars will allow participants to:
- Gain a greater understanding of the adopted 2026 standards
- Explore revisions to the 2017 SCOS
- Dive deeper into the adopted 2026 SCOS organization and structure
- Receive updates on the installation timeline and supporting resources
- Final Webinar Registration
Register today for the remaining standards update webinar, which will take place on June 11, 2026 from 3:45 - 4:45!
Growing Success for MLs and Standards Academy
2026 Summer Conference
Don't miss this outstanding professional development experience! NCDPI’s Office of Teaching and Learning is once again joining the Growing Success for Multilingual Learners (MLs) and The Standards Academy for one spectacular summer conference!
What Makes This Special?
- Dual Conference Access – attend sessions from both conferences at one location, at no cost. Consider bringing a team to maximize learning and collaboration. Participants choose their own sessions!
- Flexible Attendance Options – Choose from the in person locations or attend virtually to fit your schedule and preferences.
- Expert-Led Sessions – Engage with best practices, collaboration strategies, and proven methods for elevating multilingual learner success.
- Professional Networking – Connect with fellow educators, exchange ideas, and build lasting professional relationships.
View the updated conference brochure and register today to invest in your professional growth and your student’s success!
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