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Friday, July 24, 2026
Highlights
A Message from Superintendent Green | July 20, 2026
On June 24, 2026, Senate Bill 227, Eliminating “DEI” in Public Education became law and took immediate effect. This memorandum provides some preliminary guidance as you continue reviewing policies, practices, programs, and personnel assignments to ensure compliance with the requirements of the new legislation.
To read the full preliminary guidance on Senate Bill 227, click here.
The News & Observer - T. Keung Hui | July 20, 2026
North Carolina’s recently approved state budget includes major changes to teacher licensure laws aimed at making it easier for schools to recruit and retain educators. The changes come as 1 in 10 North Carolina teachers leave the profession annually.
Here are key takeaways:
- The budget eliminates the Praxis Core test and minimum SAT/ACT score requirements for entering educator preparation programs. DPI has said the Praxis test is a barrier to admission.
- The budget eliminates the requirement that beginning teachers had to have attempted their licensure exams in their first year to be eligible for a continuing license.
- Teachers with a limited license can now convert to a continuing license if their students show positive EVAAS growth on state exams for two of the past three years. State board member Olivia Oxendine said officials need to study how to help teachers of subjects like art and music who lack EVAAS growth data.
- Experienced teachers from other states and countries can more easily earn a North Carolina continuing license. The budget drops the previous “substantially similar licensure requirements” standard that forced some out-of-state teachers to retake exams.
- The budget expands elementary licenses to cover grades seven and eight, raising questions about the future of the middle grades license. Coltrane said DPI is still reviewing the impact.
Read the full story here: NC has changed teacher licensure laws. How it could impact your child’s school
EdNC - Emma Braaten | July 23, 2026
The new state budget signed into law earlier this month made meaningful investments in public education, marking continued progress while recognizing there is still more work to do. It also signaled what is possible when state leaders find common ground around improving outcomes for students.
That same spirit of collaboration and commitment is embodied by North Carolina’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Public Education.
Established in March 2026 by Governor Josh Stein, Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, and Speaker of the House Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, the commission is a historic, bipartisan effort to examine the future of public education in North Carolina.
August State Board of Education Meeting
- Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at 10 a.m.
- Thursday, August 6, 2026 at 9 a.m.
Access all YouTube recordings of SBE meetings here.
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Celebrate the Good in Public Education
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WBT - Inside Creative House / Getty
North Carolina’s public high schools continue to set a high bar, and Niche’s 2026 rankings prove the Old North State has plenty to brag about. These schools consistently deliver strong academics, dedicated teachers and standout college readiness.
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A Look Ahead: Week of July 27, 2026
The House and Senate will reconvene on Monday, July 27
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
K-12 Education Bills
Education Bills to Watch
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HB 171 Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI.
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HB 301 Social Media & AI Safety.
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HB 832 Education Omnibus.
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SB 445 Regulatory Reform Act of 2026.
Reminder: Bills ≠ Laws
Only a few dozen bills typically make it “across the finish line” and become law each legislative session.
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Other Legislative Resources
2026 NCGA Candidate Information
State Budget Information & Resources
2026 State Budget Information
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SB 257 2026 Appropriations Act.
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HB 56 2026 Budget Technical Corrections.
2025 Enacted "Mini Budgets"
Other State Budget Resources
K-12 Education Legislation Resources
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Useful Acronyms
DPI = Department of Public Instruction
GS = General Statute
HB/SB = House Bill/Senate Bill
JR = Joint Resolution
LB/LOB = Legislative Building/Legislative Office Building
LEA = Local Education Agency
NCGA = North Carolina General Assembly
PCS = Proposed Committee Substitute
PSU = Public School Unit
SBE = North Carolina State Board of Education
SL = Session Law
For the glossary of education acronyms/terms, click here.
For the glossary of legislative terms, click here.
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In Other News
AP - Annie Ma | July 23, 2026
The Education Department will no longer consider school policies that disproportionately harm one group of students as discriminatory unless the discrimination is intentional, rescinding a decades-long standard for civil rights enforcement.
In a rule change announced Thursday, the department said it would remove a number of disparate impact provisions from its regulations related to the implementation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which bars discrimination on the basis of race or national origin.
The rule was published and took effect immediately without public comment, an unusual step for major regulatory change.
Office of the State Treasurer Press Release | July 10, 2026
The State Health Plan (Plan) Board of Trustees took several landmark actions today aimed at making tangible improvements for the state’s hardworking teachers, state employees and retirees. These steps are aimed at affordability, strengthening access to care and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Plan for its nearly 750,000 members.
The Board voted on the following:
- Approved Preferred Provider contracts with UNC Health and Novant Health effective Jan. 1, 2027.
- Approved 2027 premium rates for all members.
- Approved 2027 benefit changes, including some decreased copays associated with parts of the new tiered provider network.
- Approved the contract awards for Pharmacy Benefits Management and Third-Party Administrative Services to Blue Cross NC, effective Jan. 1, 2028.
Educational Programs and Opportunities
Your Direct Admission Opportunity is Here!
In Fall 2026, every public high school senior on track to graduate with a diploma will be directly admitted to college in North Carolina!
Eligible North Carolina public high school seniors are automatically admitted to participating colleges and universities where they already meet admissions requirements. No essays, test scores, or recommendation letters required.
Current juniors who are on track to graduate can participate. In September of their senior year, eligible students will receive a letter showing which schools have already admitted them. To qualify, students must have a 2.8 GPA or higher, be enrolled in a fourth-level math course, and meet program requirements. Higher GPAs may result in admission to more participating colleges and universities.
Questions? Email nccollegeconnect@dpi.nc.gov.
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NC Political News | June 23, 2026
North Carolina’s annual Governor’s School Supply Drive will collect classroom materials from June 29 through July 31, with donation boxes placed at all 275 State Employees’ Credit Union branches.
The Governor’s Office said the drive is designed to help provide supplies to local classrooms and reduce the amount educators spend out of pocket for basic classroom materials. This is the eighth year the Governor’s Office has held the school supply drive. In addition to SECU branch collection boxes, the Governor’s Office and cabinet agencies will collect donations during the effort.
The drive is being held in partnership with SECU, the North Carolina Parent Teacher Association, Boys & Girls Clubs of North Carolina and Communities in Schools of North Carolina. The Governor’s Office said donated supplies will go to students in need across the state.
Requested items include paper, pens, pencils, crayons, markers, dry erase markers, fidget toys, headphones, spiral notebooks, sanitizing wipes and tissues.
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Click here to subscribe to the weekly legislative update or other NC Department of Public Instruction topics.
To view previous K-12 Education Legislative Updates, click here.
NCDPI Office of Government Affairs
Anne Murtha – Legislative Specialist
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