Friday, May 8, 2026
 Highlights
Office of Governor Josh Stein | May 4, 2026
This week Governor Josh Stein is recognizing Teacher Appreciation Week and thanking North Carolina’s teachers for their commitment to our state’s 1.5 million public school students.
Governor Stein is committed to investing in North Carolina’s public schools. Earlier this month, Governor Stein announced his recommended budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 to keep North Carolina strong that includes investments to help recruit excellent teachers, improve student outcomes, and support student safety and well-being. Click here to view his video message.
Teacher Appreciation Week Video Messages:
NC DPI Press Release | May 7, 2026
Four additional North Carolina middle schools have been selected to join the Personalized, Competency-Based Education (PCBE) Cohort of the Golden LEAF Schools Initiative, expanding the number of schools in the five-year, $25 million initiative made possible by funding from the Golden LEAF Foundation. The expansion brings the total number of participating schools to 19. Golden LEAF Schools is supported by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI), in partnership with the Golden LEAF Foundation and Marzano Resources.
The four newly selected schools are:
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North Davie Middle School, Davie County Schools
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Overhills Middle School, Harnett County Schools
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Rockingham County Middle School, Rockingham County Schools
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West McDowell Middle School, McDowell County Schools
The PCBE Cohort focuses on instructional transformation and assists schools with demonstrated readiness to begin a shift toward Competency-Based Education (CBE). Schools in the cohort receive comprehensive support designed to personalize student learning, deepen mastery of core content and prepare students for the next phase of their education.
The TS Cohort, comprising 10 schools, receives support focused on improving schools through implementation of the Marzano High Reliability Schools (HRS) Framework and the Open Up Resources Problem-Based Math Curriculum.
Read the entire press release here.
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In Other News...
EdNC - Hannah Moon | May 4, 2026: Educator pay raises aren’t about getting rich. No teacher expects that. The over 90,000 public school teachers and over 1.5 million public school kids deserve so much more. They deserve teachers who are paid a wage that reflects their hard work and long hours. The teacher pay conversation is about respect. It’s about stability. It’s about being able to continue doing the work we love without sacrificing our own financial well-being.
For my family, for my friends, and for my students, this isn’t just a budget line. It’s a lifeline.
K-12 Dive - Kara Arundel | May 1, 2026: A long anticipated national study of special education spending by the U.S. Department of Education is taking its first step by asking for clearance from the White House’s Office of Management and Budget to begin its work, according to a notice planned for publication in the Federal Register on Monday, May 4, 2026. The $5.6 million National Study of Special Education Spending, first announced three years ago by the Education Department under the Biden administration, seeks to give policymakers and special education administrators an updated picture of what influences special education spending under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
K-12 Dive - Anna Merod | May 4, 2026: A bill that would ban artificial intelligence companions from interacting with children and teens received unanimous approval from the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee and now awaits Senate floor action. The Guidelines for User Age-verification and Responsible Dialogue Act, or the GUARD Act, would also require age verification for all users to interact with AI chatbots. The GUARD Act also requires an AI chatbot to disclose to all users that it is not a human being.
Celebrate the Good in Public Education
NC Department of Environmental Quality | May 5, 2026
The Kenan Fellows Program has awarded nine North Carolina teachers Kenan Fellowships to help students across the state discover career opportunities in the energy sector, bringing firsthand industry experience into K–12 classrooms. The fellowships, funded by the NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) State Energy Office (SEO), are part of the 2026–27 Kenan Fellows Program for the Teacher Leadership cohort.
Now in its fourth year, the initiative is part of a multi-year program designed to deliver immersive professional development to a total of 32 teachers. The latest awards went to teachers representing school districts in urban and rural communities across North Carolina.
The nine teachers awarded fellowships through the DEQ SEO initiative are:
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Bill Vincent, East Chapel Hill High School, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools | Mentor: Environmental and Natural Resource Technology (EARTh) Center at Central Carolina Community College
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Christine Biela, Stuart W. Cramer High School, Gaston County Schools | Mentor: Siemens Energy
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Julie Overby, Dudley Shoals Elementary School, Caldwell County Schools | Mentor: Caldwell Community College
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Marcia Ferreira, Olive Chapel Elementary School, Wake County Public School System | Mentor: FREEDM Systems Center
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Michele McDuffie, Morehead City Middle School, Carteret County Schools | Mentor: Carteret Community College
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Milton Lima Jr., E.M. Rollins STEAM Academy, Vance County Schools | Mentor: Center for Energy Education
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Patrila Hardy, Lakeforest Elementary School, Pitt County Schools | Mentor: Martin Community College
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Sara Monson, Asheville High School/SILSA, Asheville City Schools | Mentor: Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP)
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Vicie Byrd, Southwest Middle School, Onslow County Schools | Mentor: Craven Community College, Volt Center
The Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership is a statewide force for teacher leadership and growth in North Carolina. Founded in 2000 and based at the Kenan Institute for Engineering, Technology & Science at N.C. State University, the program invests in teachers through immersive industry experiences, professional development, and a strong, enduring community. Every investment returns to classrooms, schools and communities, advancing education and our communities’ future together. Learn more at kenanfellows.org.
The North Carolina Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Center (SMT Center) celebrated excellence in STEM education at its 2026 Awards Gala on April 25 at the Embassy Suites Raleigh-Durham/RTP Hotel.
This year's event brought together educators, policymakers, business leaders, and community partners to honor individuals and organizations that are furthering STEM education across the state in K-12 classrooms, higher education, and informal learning environments. Through these awards, the SMT Center also continues its mission of Strategies That Engage Minds®, which uses hands-on, active learning environments to promote essential cognitive skills for the 21st century.
Congrats to all of this year's award recipients! Learn more about each winner and watch their videos.
NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources | April 28, 2026
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) is proud to announce the 2026 cohort of its Teacher Ambassadors, 20 exceptional K-12 educators from across the state. These ambassadors will partner with DNCR to champion innovative, experiential, and place-based learning that connects classrooms with North Carolina’s rich cultural, historical, and natural resources, while also helping ensure that educators understand and can access the robust support DNCR provides for their critical work.
Through the program, the Teacher Ambassadors will:
- Explore DNCR sites statewide to develop innovative, standards-aligned resources for classroom use.
- Act as liaisons between DNCR and educators in their regions, showcasing enhancing teaching and learning opportunities that will positively impact students all around the state.
- Inspire teachers to use North Carolina’s history, natural resources, and culture as powerful educational tools.
The DNCR Teacher Ambassadors program exemplifies DNCR’s commitment to public education and the value of North Carolina’s state parks, museums, historic sites, and cultural resources as living classrooms. For more information about the DNCR Teacher Ambassador program and the teachers selected, visit the DNCR Teacher Ambassadors page.
May SBE Planning & Work Session Held on May 5-7
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Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at 11:00 AM
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Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 10:00 AM
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Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 9 AM
Value, Balance, and Future of Educational Technology in North Carolina
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Dr. Vanessa Wrenn, Chief Information Officer, NC Department of Public Instruction
The Next Chapter in Early Literacy
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Dr. Cynthia Barber, Director, Early Learning, Office of Early Learning
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Mary Derfel, Assistant Director of Early Literacy, Read to Achieve, Office of Early Learning
Teacher and Principal Working Conditions Surveys
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Dr. Michael Maher, Chief Accountability Officer, NC Department of Public Instruction
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Dr. Shaun Kellogg, Senior Director, Office of Research and Promising Practices
Enhancing Support for NC Beginning Teachers: Progress to Date and Future Work
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Dr. Tom Tomberlin, Senior Director, Office Educator Preparation, Licensure, and Performance
Strategic Plan Quarterly Update
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Geoff Coltrane, Senior Director, Office of Government Affairs and Strategy
Government and Community Affairs Legislative Update
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Geoff Coltrane, Senior Director, Office of Government Affairs and Strategy
NC State Board of Education in the News:
The Carolina Journal - David N. Bass | May 7, 2026: North Carolina teachers say student discipline is their toughest workplace challenge, according to a 2026 statewide survey of more than 102,000 educators presented to the State Board of Education on May 6. The North Carolina Teacher Working Conditions Survey, administered every two years to licensed school-based educators, drew a 90.5% response rate this cycle. The survey’s 11 domains cover school leadership, managing student conduct, teachers’ time and workload, professional development, school safety, facilities, community involvement, and educator retention.
Access all YouTube recordings of SBE meetings here.
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Legislative Lookback: Week of May 4, 2026
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Date: Wednesday, May 6, 2026
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Presiding: Representative Kelly Hastings
The following bills were considered:
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SB 229 College Sports Updates. (Title Change)
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HB 1123 UNC Omnibus & Capital Contracting Law Changes.
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A Look Ahead: Week of May 11, 2026
The NCGA legislative calendar is updated frequently, so be sure to check the NCGA Homepage for the most up-to-date information on committee meetings, voting sessions, press conferences, and more. Current Legislative Calendar
House Calendar | House Chamber Dashboard
Senate Calendar | Senate Chamber Dashboard
Tuesday, May 12
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Time: 2:00 PM
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Location: 643 LOB
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Presiding: Representative Brian Biggs
The committee will hear a presentation from the Department of Public Instruction.
Wednesday, May 13
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Time: 11:00 AM
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Location: 544 LOB
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Presiding: Senator Brad Overcash
The following bills will be considered:
K-12 Education Bills
Education Bills to Watch
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HB 433 SFRF/NCPRO Revisions. (New Title)
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HB 301 Social Media & AI Safety.
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HB 496 Patriotic Youth Group Access.
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HB 1043 CHCCS Act.
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HB 1086 Child Care Initiative Funds/Reform/Study.
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HB 1110 Early Intervention School Attendance Pilot.
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HB 1123 UNC Omnibus & Capital Contracting Law Changes.
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HB 1124 Interstate Compact for School Psychologists.
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HB 1143 Principal Fellows & MSA Intern Stipends.
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HB 1163 Workforce Act of 2026.
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HB 1214 Make E-Verify Great Again.
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SB 229 College Sports Updates. (New Title)
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SB 840 Teacher Licensure Modifications.
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SB 864 Safe and Responsible AI in Schools Act.
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SB 901 CFSS Gun Prsnt. for Grade 7 and 9 Students.
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SB 913 Screen Free Schools.
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SB 971 Statewide Year-Round School Study.
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SB 986 Workforce Act of 2026.
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SB 990 Students First Act.
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SB 1006 K-12 Innovation and Transformation Act.
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SB 1044 Foundational Mathematics Act.
Vetoed Bills on the House Calendar for Reconsideration
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HB 87 Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA).
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HB 171 Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI.
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HB 832 Education Omnibus.
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SB 50 Freedom to Carry NC.
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SB 153 North Carolina Border Protection Act.
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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.
- During the 2025-27 biennium, 2,275+ total bills have been introduced so far.
- Of these, 109 bills have become law.
- Of these 109 new laws, NCGA staff have noted 42 laws relate to education in some way.
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