Friday, May 1, 2026
Highlights
WUNC News - Liz Schlemmer | April 27, 2026
In a new national report on average teacher pay, North Carolina dropped three spots to 46th in the nation. The state also ranked 46th in per-student spending, down seven spots from last year. Those rankings from the National Education Association are based on estimates for the current 2025-2026 school year.
National rankings for average teacher pay, based on the 2026 Educator Pay Report by NEA.
North Carolina is estimated to spend about $5,000 less per child than the national average in 2026, spending about $13,680 per student. As other states have increased their public school funding, North Carolina has fallen nine spots in this ranking in just two years.
The loss of teachers' buying power is a common refrain across the country. NPR reported that teachers' salaries — although rising nationally — are falling in spending power due to inflation. NEA researchers estimate that when adjusting for inflation, teachers' earnings have declined nationally by nearly 5% over the last ten years. This is especially pronounced in North Carolina, where the average teacher salary also declined in real dollars, even before being adjusted for inflation.
Additional Headline Education News:
K-12 Dive - Anna Merod | April 28, 2026: Though the average national teacher salary continues to rise, educators’ pay still can’t keep up with inflation, according to a report released Monday by the National Education Association.
EdNC - Hannah Vinueza McClellan | April 28, 2026: There are a lot of variables likely to impact this year’s short session and budget process — and with them, which priorities get passed and funded concerning public education.
EdNC - Chantal Brown | April 29, 2026: At a quarterly meeting on Tuesday, members of the Governor’s Teacher Advisory Committee discussed efforts to study teacher retention and provided updates on their advocacy priorities this short session.
EducationWeek - Mark Lieberman | April 28, 2026: More than a year after signaling major changes to federal programs for students with disabilities, the Trump administration continues to weigh shifting pieces of the U.S. Department of Education’s special education office to the departments of Labor or Health and Human Services.
Celebrate the Good in Public Education
NC DPI Press Release | April 28, 2026
North Carolina has long been home to a large population of active duty, guard, reserve and veteran armed service members. In recognition of the state’s rich military history, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) is pleased to recognize hundreds of schools as part of its Purple Star Award Designation initiative which first launched in the 2019-20 school year.
For the 2025-26 school year, 598 schools, including 15 charter schools, received Purple Star recognition, an increase of 143 schools over last year’s total awardees. In all, 34 districts across North Carolina are represented and 145 schools are first time awardees.
NCDPI is proud to continue this initiative as a way to honor schools that demonstrate military-friendly practices and show commitment to military students and families. Schools across the state applied for the special designation, and those deemed Purple Star Schools completed several required activities plus an optional activity aimed at ensuring strong support for students of military families.
Read the entire press release here.
|
NC Association of School Administrators (NCASA) Video:
"A Golden Celebration: Five Decades of Service to Public Education"
The North Carolina Association of School Administrators (NCASA) produced a documentary outlining the evolution of public education in North Carolina from 1976 through 2026. From desegregation to the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, this documentary highlights the major issues that have shaped the state’s public schools the past 50 years. Watch the video here.
EdNC - Chantal Brown | April 26, 2026
In Asheboro, the school district is preparing for the future by teaching it. Over the past three years, TEACH has provided dual-enrollment coursework, advising, and early field-based learning experiences to Asheboro City Schools (ACS) high school juniors and seniors. On April 21, the district held a celebration for the graduating students in their first cohort.
From The Superintendent
Our top priority in North Carolina public schools is our students. Our educators know that the most important place they can be on any school day is with the students who depend on them. Those educators also deserve to be paid appropriately for their incredible work that is leading to historic academic achievements for our state. When they are not receiving adequate compensation, it is important that their voices be heard.
The concerns being raised by educators are concerns I share: low pay, inadequate funding, the need for more support staff and resources. The Education Law Center's most recent Making the Grade report ranks North Carolina 50th on key measures of school funding, behind our neighbors and behind the national average. That ranking is consistent with a growing body of evidence from independent researchers and education organizations across the country. That ranking is not where North Carolina should be, given our economic strength, our talent and our potential.
I am hopeful that there is a path forward. Governor Stein's budget proposal, the State Board of Education's and my legislative request, and the early signals from the North Carolina House budget leaders all point toward substantial investment in teacher pay and public education. I believe that the educators marching on May 1, as well as the educators in schools that day, are part of why those proposals are gaining momentum, I am grateful to all of them.
|
May SBE Planning & Work Session on May 5-7
The May 5 planning & work session meeting will be held at The Celtic Court on the second floor of the Mad Boar Restaurant, 111 River Village Place, Wallace, NC. The May 6 planning & work session and the May 7 monthly meeting will take place at The Clubhouse at River Landing, 120 Clubhouse Drive, Wallace, NC.
-
Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at 11:00 AM
-
Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 10:00 AM
-
Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 9 AM
Access all YouTube recordings of SBE meetings here.
|
Education Committee Meetings
Throughout 2026, the Commission will study the structure and implementation of public education in the State, examining critical areas for improvement, including:
- Teacher training and student advancement
- Administrative operations
- Educational leadership
- Accountability
Future meetings dates are scheduled as follows:
- May 18, 2026
- June 22, 2026
- July 27, 2026 (virtual)
- August 31, 2026
- September 28, 2026
- October 19, 2026 (virtual)
- November 19, 2026
- December 14, 2026
- January 25, 2027
- February 22, 2027
|
-
Date: Wednesday, April 29, 2026
-
Presiding: Senator Kevin Corbin
Bills in Committee
-
HB 301 Social Media & AI Safety. (Title Change)
- Sponsors: Reps. Zenger, N. Jackson, Almond, Willis
-
Proposed Committee Substitute (PCS) - Adopted
- HB 301 as amended passed - Re-referred to the House Judiciary Committee
-
SB 840 Teacher Licensure Modifications.
- Sponsors: Senators McInnis, Lee, Burgin
-
Proposed Committee Substitute (PCS) - Adopted
- SB 840 as amended passed - Re-referred to House Appropriations/Base Budget Cmte
Bills in the News:
The Carolina Journal - David N. Bass | April 30, 2026
A North Carolina Senate committee on April 29 approved legislation that would remove or loosen four barriers in the teacher licensure pipeline, including scrapping a basic-skills exam currently required to enter teacher preparation programs. The Senate Education/Higher Education Committee voted to move forward Senate Bill 840, Teacher Licensure Modifications, sending it next to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
EdNC - Ben Humphries | April 30, 2026
A bill to require age verification for social media platforms and a bill to remove some testing requirements for teacher licensure were both moved forward with bipartisan support in the Senate Education/Higher Education Committee on Wednesday. Ultimately, HB 301 was moved forward, after the addition of an amendment that introduces artificial intelligence (AI) instruction standards into North Carolina’s computer science curriculum, starting in the 2028-29 school year. Sen. Michael Lee, R-New Hanover, said “I think the policy is great, I think the appropriation will likely follow.”
The following are highlights of AI resources, guidance, and training opportunities offered by DPI:
|
Scheduled Education Committee Meeting
-
Date: Wednesday, May 6, 2026
-
Time: 10:00 AM
-
Location: 643 LOB
-
Presiding: Representative Kelly Hastings
The following bill will be considered:
- SB 229 Authorize NIL Agency Contracts. PCS - To Be Considered
|
K-12 Education Bills
Education Bills Filed or with Action This Week
These bills have been added or updated in the bill tracking list.
-
HB 433 SFRF/NCPRO Revisions. (New Title)
-
HB 1043 CHCCS Act.
-
HB 1053 Additional Funding for School Supplies.
-
HB 1054 Gov't Employee Raises & Retiree COLA.
-
HB 1061 Plyler Educational Protections Act.
-
HB 1073 Fair Share for Public Schools Act.
-
HB 1076 The Innovations Waitlist Reduction Act.
-
HB 1110 Early Intervention School Attendance Pilot.
-
HB 1124 Interstate Compact for School Psychologists.
-
HB 1130 Re-Professionalizing the Teaching Profession.
-
HB 1139 Learning & Enrichment in Afterschool Programs.
-
SB 229 Authorize NIL Agency Contracts.
-
SB 840 Teacher Licensure Modifications.
-
SB 842 CARDINAL Act.
-
SB 864 Safe and Responsible AI in Schools Act.
-
SB 865 Restore Benefits to Educators/State Employees.
-
SB 899 School Mental Health Support Act.
-
SB 901 CFSS Gun Prsnt. for Grade 7 and 9 Students.
-
SB 913 Screen Free Schools.
-
SB 948 Screen Free Schools Act.
-
SB 949 Fully Fund School Psychologists & Counselors.
-
SB 950 School Meals for Every Child.
-
SB 954 Learning & Enrichment in Afterschool Programs.
-
SB 960 Modernized Children with Disabilities Funding.
-
SB 971 Statewide Year-Round School Study.
-
SB 981 AI in Ed Task Force and Standards.
-
SB 990 Students First Act.
Vetoed Bills on the House Calendar for Reconsideration
-
HB 87 Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA).
-
HB 171 Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI.
-
HB 832 Education Omnibus.
-
SB 50 Freedom to Carry NC.
-
SB 153 North Carolina Border Protection Act.
-
SB 227 Eliminating "DEI" in Public Education.
Reminder: Bills ≠ Laws
Only a few dozen bills typically make it “across the finish line” and become law each legislative session.
- In the 2025 legislative long session, 1,800+ total bills were introduced.
- Of these, 108 bills have become law.
- Of these 108 new laws, NCGA staff have noted 42 laws relate to education in some way.
|
Eligible to file in 2026 Short Session (no deadline)
- Bills amending the North Carolina Constitution, to implement proposed amendments, or both
- Appointments by one or both chambers of the General Assembly
- Bills providing for action on gubernatorial nominations or appointments
- Resolutions not prohibited by Senate Rules
- Resolutions not prohibited by House Rules.
- Joint resolutions authorizing other bills and those bills authorized if resolution passes by two-thirds vote in each chamber
- Bills relating to election laws, including redistricting
- Bills responding to litigation related to the legality of legislative enactments
- Bills providing for impeachment of State officers
- Bills to disapprove Administrative Rules
- Adjournment resolutions and amendments to adjournment resolutions
Otherwise eligible for consideration:
- Bills that made cross-over and bills not subject to cross-over.
- Veto overrides.
|
