Friday, August 7, 2026
Highlights
New online tool tracks progress on the state's five-year strategic plan, as thousands of families, educators and community members sign up to help build the best public schools in the nation
NCDPI Press Release | August 5, 2026
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) marked the one-year anniversary of Achieving Educational Excellence, the state's 2025-2030 strategic plan, with the public launch of a new online dashboard tracking the plan's progress.
The dashboard gives families, educators and community members a direct window into the plan's eight pillars and the 110 actions underway to make North Carolina's public schools the best in the nation by 2030. Visitors can explore each pillar, track measures the state has committed to publicly and see which actions have already launched in classrooms and communities across North Carolina.
The dashboard will be updated on an ongoing basis as additional strategic plan actions launch and new data becomes available. NCDPI encourages educators, families and community members to explore the dashboard and follow the plan's progress.
Read the entire press release here.
Best in the Nation - Our 2030 Plan
Tracking our progress to make North Carolina’s public schools the best in the nation.
EdNC - Molly Steur | August 3, 2026
The Governor’s Teacher Advisory Committee (GTAC) met on July 28 to discuss how educators’ priorities appeared in the recent state budget as well as how to be advocates for themselves and their communities.
Since the committee last met in April, the legislature passed the first state budget since 2023, and Stein signed it into law. The governor’s team provided a legislative update led by Deputy Legislative Director Amber Harris. The update focused on how the budget aligned with educator and state needs.
Here is the full list of committee members. The next committee meeting will be held virtually on Oct. 27, and you can find a livestream here.
WFAE - James Farrell | August 3, 2026
North Carolina has officially enrolled in the federal government's first-ever school choice program — the Education Freedom Tax Credit.
Here's how the program works.
Taxpayers can donate up to $1,700 to a nonprofit "scholarship granting organization" — as the name implies, that’s an organization that will provide these scholarships to students. The government will give donors a dollar-for-dollar matching tax credit.
The scholarship granting organization will then use those donations to fund scholarships for eligible K-12 students. And as that report from the American Federation for Children implies, there are a lot of eligible students. Children in families who are at or below 300% of their area's median income are eligible.
Those scholarships can be used to pay for private school tuition. But they can also be used to pay for a host of other educational items for both private and public school students. That includes things like school supplies, books, technology and even tutoring.
A lot of questions remain, including which organizations will step forward as scholarship-granting organizations, how many people actually claim the credit – and thus, how much money is in the total pot of donations – and what other kinds of rules and regulations might be set up.
The Department of Education says families will be able to start making donations in 2027.
The Carolina Journal - Donna King | August 3, 2026
North Carolina’s public pension fund posted a strong year, earning an estimated $17 billion and returning 12.4% during the year ending June 30.
The report from the North Carolina Investment Authority (NCIA) chaired by State Treasurer Brad Briner was presented in a July 30 joint meeting of the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System and Local Governmental Employees’ Retirement System trustees. The gains strengthen the retirement system serving teachers, state employees and other public workers.
Briner said even a stronger state pension cannot make up for a major reduction in federal Social Security benefits. According to a new report from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, Social Security trustees project that the federal program which pays retirement and survivor benefits, will exhaust its reserves in six years. That would not end benefit payments, but continuing program revenue would cover only about 78% of scheduled benefits, leaving a 22% shortfall unless Congress acts.
From The Superintendent
A new school year brings fresh energy, new opportunities and renewed purpose." In his convocation message kicking off the 2026-27 school year, North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Maurice "Mo" Green greets educators, school and district staff as they prepare to to welcome students and families for a new school year.
Superintendent Green reflects on the promise of public education, thanks the educators and school staff whose work changes lives, and celebrates North Carolina's continued progress in graduation rates, college-level opportunities and industry-recognized credentials. He encourages every member of the public school community to begin the year with optimism, purpose and a shared commitment to student success.
|
2026 North Carolina Regional Principals of the Year
August State Board of Education Meeting
-
Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at 10 a.m.
-
Thursday, August 6, 2026 at 9 a.m.
Government and Community Affairs
-
Geoff Coltrane, Senior Director of Government Affairs and Strategy
NC State Board of Education in the News:
EdNC - Molly Steur | August 6, 2026: The new state budget, which became law on July 7, included 8% average teacher raises, effective on July 1, 2026, the first day of the new fiscal year. You can view the updated salary schedules here, which includes updated salary schedules for teachers, instructional support, school counselors and psychologists, principals and assistant principals, and more.
Access all YouTube recordings of SBE meetings here.
|
Celebrate the Good in Public Education
NCDPI Press Release | August 5, 2026
North Carolina public high school students reported improved outcomes in health and safety related behaviors according to the 2025 North Carolina High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), presented to the State Board of Education.
Notably, the report revealed that North Carolina has returned to and exceeded pre-pandemic levels across nearly all reported measures. The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s (NCDPI) strategic plan, Achieving Educational Excellence, addresses many of the issues identified in the YRBS: enhancing parent, caregiver and community support and ensuring healthy, safe and secure learning environments.
“The 2025 Youth Risk Behavior Survey reflects meaningful progress, particularly in improving student safety and reducing several risky behaviors,” North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Maurice “Mo” Green said. “At the same time, the findings reinforce the need to help every student feel safe, connected and prepared to learn. In order to become the best public schools in the nation by 2030, we must continue to uplift progress while responding to the continued needs of students in our schools.”
The YRBS provides statewide information about student-reported health behaviors, experiences and protective factors. This year was the first administration of the combined YRBS and Youth Tobacco Survey. The anonymous and voluntary survey covers topics including safety, mental health, substance use, tobacco and vaping, sexual behavior, physical activity, nutrition, sleep and school connection.
Progress to sustain - Several student risk indicators improved in 2025, with many now at or below levels reported before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Legislative Lookback: Week of August 3, 2026
The following education related bills had action this week:
-
HB 268 2026 Budget Technical Corrections - II.
- House adopted the Conference Report | Presented to the Governor 8/7/2026
-
HB 562 Budget Technical Corrections Modifications.
- House adopted the Conference Report | Presented to the Governor 8/7/2026
-
HB 958 Election Law Changes.
- Passed the House | Presented to the Governor 8/7/2026
-
SB 445 Regulatory Reform Act of 2026.
- House adopted the Conference Report | Presented to the Governor 8/6/2026
-
SJR 1091 Adjournment Resolution.
-
SB 1092 2026 Senate & House Appointments.
- Passed the House - Ch. SL 2026-55
A Look Ahead: Adjournment until Monday, August 31
Pursuant to SJR 1091, the House and Senate will reconvene on the following dates:
- August 31-September 2
- September 28-30
- October 26-28
- November 16-19
- November 30-December 18
Items eligible for consideration include veto override votes, appointment and confirmation matters, election law issues, litigation-related actions, impeachment proceedings, constitutional amendments, simple resolutions, conference reports, and resolutions to further adjourn the legislative session.
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
-
HB 171 Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI.
-
HB 301 Social Media & AI Safety.
-
HB 832 Education Omnibus.
-
SB 69 Various Local Provisions V.
-
SB 177 Continuing Budget Adjustments.
Reminder: Bills ≠ Laws
Only a few dozen bills typically make it “across the finish line” and become law each legislative session.
|
|
