Number 10

Public School Forum of NC Education Policy Fellowship (EPFP) Accepting Applications

The North Carolina Education Policy Fellowship (EPFP) is a nationally-recognized fellowship program that engages a diverse and collaborative community of strategic leaders to promote equitable education policy.

Fellows come from public schools, higher education, state agencies and a wide range of education organizations across North Carolina.

Over the course of this program, fellows will dive deep into education policy issues– both on the state and federal level– as well as perspectives that they don’t typically encounter in their daily work. By the end of the year, fellows can expect to be more informed, well-rounded contributors to the critical debates that shape education in NC and beyond. Fellows increase their awareness of how public policy is made, learn who the key players are and become more confident and involved in advocacy and the policymaking process.

Find additional details on the program and the application here. The deadline to apply is June 30. 

Number 9

New Resource: Guidance for Purposeful Screen Use in Schools

NCDPI's Office of Digital Learning & School Connectivity has released new guidance for purposeful screen use in schools to support educators, school leaders and families in fostering healthy digital habits among students.

As technology continues to play an important role in teaching and learning, this guidance encourages schools to move beyond one-size-fits-all approaches to screen time and focus instead on intentional, developmentally appropriate and purpose-driven use of digital tools.

The resource provides research-informed considerations and practical strategies that support learning, student well-being and self-regulation.
The goal is not to eliminate screens, but to help students use technology in meaningful ways that enhance learning and prepare them for a digitally connected world.

Find the resource on purposeful screen use in schools here. 

Number 8

Office of Exceptional Children 2025-2026 Parent Survey - Special Education

NCDPI's Office of Exceptional Children, invites families of students receiving special education services to complete the 2025–26 Indicator 8 Parent Survey. This two-minute anonymous survey — available in multiple languages — helps guide improvements for students and families.

Take the survey here. Responses will be accepted through June 30.

Number 7

NC Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Secondary Updates and Release of Resources

NCDPI's Integrated Academic & Behavior Systems (IABS) team spent three years researching and working alongside district and school teams to provide a comprehensive view of MTSS installation and practices in secondary settings across North Carolina.

The IABS team would like to thank the following PSUs for their contribution to this project: Davie, Rockingham, Cabarrus, Chatham, Pitt and Pamlico; and extend sincere gratitude to each educator that participated in the NC Secondary MTSS Support and Research Project! We are pleased to share the release of the complete series of six NC MTSS Secondary Implementation Summaries.

The NC MTSS Secondary Updates and Release of Resources document includes an overview of the secondary project, newly released MTSS secondary resources and how to access additional secondary content through the NC MTSS Professional Learning Library.

Please direct questions about secondary MTSS implementation or the secondary resources available through the NC MTSS Professional Learning Center to your IABS Regional Support Consultant.

To provide feedback or for inquiries specifically regarding the NC MTSS Secondary Support and Research Project, please contact: Dr. Holly Williamson (Holly.Williamson@dpi.nc.gov), Mr. Jade Tornatore (Jade.Tornatore@dpi.nc.gov) or Mrs. Angel Goodwine Batts (Angel.Batts@dpi.nc.gov).

Number 6

"North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) Announces 2025-2026 State Award Recipients"

"The North Carolina High School Athletic Association recognized some of the state's most outstanding contributors to education-based athletics during its annual awards ceremony this morning at Piedmont Hall, honoring excellence in coaching, athletic administration, school leadership, media coverage and student-athlete achievement."

• Dvdaya Swimmer, Cherokee High School (Cherokee Central Schools) - Pat Best Female Athlete of the Year
• Dionte Neal, Reidsville High School (Rockingham County Schools) - Pat Best Male Athlete of the Year
• Donald Davis, Cummings High School (Alamance-Burlington School System) - Harvey Reid Male Coach of the Year
• Jennifer Baker, North Mecklenburg High School (Mecklenburg County Schools) - Doris Howard Female Coach of the Year
• Alexis McCoy, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools - Dave Harris Athletic Director of the Year
• Eric Yarbrough, Southeast Alamance High School (Alamance-Burlington School System) - Bob Deaton Principal of the Year
• Dr. Stephen Gainey, Randolph County Schools - Bob McRae Superintendent of the Year

Congratulations to all awardees! Learn more about the awards and awardees here. 

Number 5

NC CTE Excellence on Display at SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference Achievements

"Over 530 North Carolina Career & Technical Education (CTE) students, instructors, administrators, parents and other participants from 42 high schools, 5 middle schools and 26 community colleges participated in the 61st annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta June 1-5, 2026.

North Carolina was very well represented with 312 students engaging in the SkillsUSA Championships, earning a total of 79 medallions (2nd highest in the nation!). North Carolina student-contestants earned 25 gold, 23 silver and 31 bronze medals."

An additional highlight of North Carolina's appearance at the SkillsUSA conference includes Brody Pettipas of West Carteret High School (Carteret County Schools) being elected as SkillsUSA National Region 2 Vice President for the 2026-27 year!

Read more about North Carolina's results at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference here.

Number 4

District Highlight - Durham Public Schools (DPS): "Mr. Mack, The Man You Can Count On - At 91 Years Old, John Mack Continues Serving Students with Faith, Consistency and Pride"

"By the time I found John Mack inside the cafeteria at Forest View Elementary School, lunch was coming to a close.

The last few classes were moving through the lunch line. The room had started to quiet down. But near the back of the kitchen, Mr. Mack was still working.

At nearly 91 years old, he stood over a rack of baking sheets, drying them one by one with careful attention. He wore black hard-bottom shoes, dark slacks, a purple button-down shirt beneath a black vest, and a St. Louis Cardinals baseball cap pulled low over his head. Around his neck rested a silver chain that caught the cafeteria lights when he turned to greet me. He smiled immediately.

'Hey, sir! I’m John Mack,' he said, extending his hand. His grip was firm.

The cafeteria manager welcomed us into her office to talk. Mr. Mack leaned back comfortably in a rolling office chair while I settled onto a stool across from him. Then, slowly, the conversation began to unfold into something much bigger than a story about a man turning 91.

It became a story about faith. About discipline. About service.

About growing up Black in the rural South during segregation and carrying those lessons through nearly a century of American life.

And somehow, through all of it, still finding joy."

Read the full story from Tony Cunningham, communications specialist at DPS, here.

Number 3

Four District Administrators Awarded 2026 Dr. Samuel Houston Jr. Leadership Award by North Carolina School Superintendents' Association and the North Carolina Alliance for School Leadership Development (NCSSA/NCASLD)

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2026 Dr. Samuel Houston Jr. Leadership Award, presented by the North Carolina School Superintendents' Association and the North Carolina Alliance for School Leadership Development (NCSSA/NCASLD).

This prestigious award recognizes graduates of the NCSSA/NCASLD Aspiring Superintendent Program who demonstrate exceptional leadership and a commitment to advancing public education across North Carolina.

The 2026 recipients include:
🎉 Jessica Anderson, executive director of Exceptional Children and Student Services, Alexander County Schools
🎉 Dr. Bryan Denton, executive director for Secondary Education, Gaston County Schools
🎉 Lisa Gahagan, assistant superintendent, Madison County Schools
🎉 Dr. Jayme McPhatter, instructional program facilitator, Chatham County Schools

Named in honor of Dr. Samuel Houston Jr., the award celebrates a legacy of visionary leadership, innovation and dedication to student success in North Carolina public schools.

Number 2

District Highlight - Wayne County Public Schools (WCPS): "WCPS recognized as 'District on the Rise'”

"Wayne County Public Schools (WCPS) has been recognized by the Education Scorecard as a 2026 “District on the Rise.” The Education Scorecard is a collaboration between two of the nation’s leading education research centers, the Center for Education Policy Research (CEPR) at Harvard University and the Educational Opportunity Project (EOP) at Stanford University.

'Our district is committed to high standards, strong instruction, and continuous improvement,' said Dr. Marc A. Whichard, WCPS Superintendent. 'To be recognized by two highly respected research institutions as a "District on the Rise" is more than just an honor. It is an affirmation that the hard work taking place behind the scenes and in our classrooms is making a measurable impact that is visible to both our stakeholders and to those analyzing school performance data from state to state.'

The Education Scorecard provides a real-time, publicly accessible window into how students in local school districts across the United States are learning and growing. This year, 26 school districts nationwide earned the 'District on the Rise' distinction for academic performance improving, or 'rising,' faster than similar districts in the areas of Mathematics, Reading, or both. WCPS was one of just 16 districts in the nation - and the only district in North Carolina - recognized for outperforming similar districts in both Math and Reading.

To be designated as a 'District on the Rise,' school districts must meet several criteria, including enrollment of more than 1,200 students in grades 3-8, valid achievement estimates available for 2019, 2022, and 2025, and a comparison group of at least four similar districts with valid achievement estimates for the same years."

Congratulations to Superintendent Dr. Marc A. Whichard and the WCPS team! Read the full press release here. 

Number 1

Perspective Piece from Superintendent Green: "A Message of Gratitude and Congratulations for the Class of 2026"

"Dear parents and families of the class of 2026,

Graduation season is when North Carolina’s public schools come into their fullest light. From the small auditoriums to large arenas across our state, families are gathering to watch their graduate stride across a stage and into a future they have spent 13 years building. There is no moment quite like it.

Thank you for allowing North Carolina public schools to help educate your child. It has been our honor to be part of you and your child’s educational journey, from the first time your child climbed onto a yellow school bus or was dropped off at school by you, through the times your child made you proud, worried you sick and surprised you in ways you could not have imagined.

Thank you for doing your part in this journey, from packing lunches, signing permission slips, staying up late to help with projects, reviewing homework, reading with your child, being sure they caught the bus, attending parent-teacher conferences, applauding at ball games and band concerts and on and on."

Read the full op-ed from Superintendent Green here. Congratulations, Class of 2026!