Number 10

District Highlight - Buncombe County Schools: "BCS Sets Sights on 'New Heights'"

Each year, Buncombe County Schools (BCS) has a new theme for the school district - this year, it's "New Heights!"

Hear BCS students share what the message means to them in this video.

Number 9

Register for the Alternative Learning Programs and Schools (ALPS) Convening

The Power of Possibility starts with investing in students, strengthening communities and redefining success.

NCDPI is partnering with the UNC Greensboro SERVE Center, Region 5 of the Comprehensive Center Network, RTI International and the North Carolina Association of Alternative Educators to renew and strengthen support for Alternative Learning Programs and Schools (ALPS) across the state.

Join the ALPS Fall Convening on Friday, Sept. 25, from 10 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) in downtown Raleigh to explore promising practices and strategies around funding and return on investment, workforce development, whole-child supports and partnerships.

Learn more and register here. 

Number 8

EdNC Perspective Piece: "A Growing, Diverse Student Population Needs to be Reflected in the Teaching Workforce"

"Think back to your kindergarten through 12th grade years. Imagine the playground in elementary school, the cafeteria in middle school, and your favorite class in high school. Now I want you to imagine all of the teachers you’ve had. Every single one. Now I am going to take it one step further. Think about those teachers and think if those teachers shared the same racial or ethnic background as you.

Unfortunately — like me — many students in the United States go through school not seeing their race or ethnicity ever reflected in their teachers.

Although this was my experience as a Japanese and Korean American in public school in North Carolina, as I am becoming a teacher, my experience has been different. Having recently graduated with my undergraduate degree in elementary education and finishing my master’s, the job search began.

When looking for a job, I knew I wanted to be at a school that prioritized culturally responsive teaching and saw assets in a culturally and ethnically diverse student population and in the staff population as well."

Read the full perspective piece from Caity Lenthall, third grade teacher in North Carolina and a graduate student in reading and literacy, here. 

Number 7

NC Virtual Public School (NCVPS) Expands Computer Science Options for Spring 2027

NCVPS is expanding computer science offerings with two new courses for spring 2027. These additions give students more opportunities to build knowledge and skills in growing areas of technology while giving schools additional options for meeting North Carolina’s computer science graduation requirement.

New for spring 2027:

• CA10 – Artificial Intelligence (High and Middle School)
• CI30 – Cybersecurity I Honors (High School)

Current computer science course offerings:

• CP10 – Python Programming I Honors
• 2A02 – AP Computer Science A
• 0A02 – AP Computer Science Principles
• CS31 – SAS Base Programming Honors
• CS10 – Introduction to Computer Science
• CS30 – Introduction to Data Science

See the full course catalog here. 

Number 6

NC Department of Transportation: "High School Students Among Hundreds Benefitting from Laptop Distribution"

"A group of high school students are among 700 North Carolinians who are receiving new laptops for free as part of a state initiative to improve access to technology in underserved areas.

Fifteen students from Southern School of Energy and Sustainability in Durham and McDowell High School​ in Marion received their Hewlett-Packard laptops after a ceremony Thursday in the Raleigh headquarters of the N.C. Department of Transportation.

'These individuals – most of whom live or work in rural or underserved communities – will gain the tools they need to pursue workforce opportunities and continue their career journeys,' State Transportation Secretary Daniel Johnson said. 'By expanding access to virtual learning, digital services and online resources, we’re helping reduce barriers and create more pathways to success.'

The initiative underscores Governor Josh Stein’s priorities to bolster workforce development and increase access to technology.

Each laptop comes with a hotspot for high-speed internet access, Microsoft Office software, and carrying cases. About 200 people have received laptops and NCDOT officials plan to distribute another 500 laptops later this year."

Read the full press release here. 

Number 5

New NC College Connect Resources

The NC College Connect Toolkit includes ready-to-use and practical information to help students navigate the NC College Connect process.

Explore the below resources and use them as helpful tools throughout the year:

• FAQs for School Personnel - this is for YOU!
• NC College Connect Walk Through Video: NC College Connect Walkthrough
• Data Pull Guidance: NC College Connect Data Pull and
• Scheduling Guidance
• User Guide
• Social Post Copy
• One Pager
• Social Graphics
• Explainer Slides
• Student Flyer
• Email Language (Student & General)

Find the toolkit here. 

Number 4

EdNC: "$1 Million Statewide Math Instructional Partnership Launches in Three NC Districts"

"The Innovation Project (TIP) and Modern Classrooms Project (MCP) have launched the first cohort of their statewide partnership, which aims to 'accelerate student-centered learning aligned with high-quality math curriculum in North Carolina.' According to a recent press release, three districts will participate in MCP’s two-year Math Mentorship Program: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS), Rowan-Salisbury Schools, and Lexington City Schools.

TIP is 'collaborative of forward thinking public education leaders,' the release says, which supports innovation in workforce systems and personalized learning across North Carolina. MCP is a 'nationally-recognized nonprofit pioneering blended, self-paced, mastery-based instructional models' that has committed $1 million to support their partnership with TIP school districts.

The superintendent of Rowan-Salisbury Schools, Dr. Kelly Withers, described how the program can help prevent burnout among teachers. The program is designed to provide 'differentiated learning,' she said in the release, meeting students where they are while giving educators the support they need to build a rigorous curriculum.

According to survey data from MCP, which is pictured in the graph below, teachers felt that their curriculum improved after receiving the training resources."

Read the full story here. 

Number 3

Asheville City Schools Educator Named 2026 North Carolina History Teacher of the Year

Asheville High's (Asheville City Schools) history teacher, Tracey Barrett, is considered one of the best history teachers in the U.S. according to The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, which selected her as the 2026 North Carolina History Teacher of the Year! Barrett teaches U.S. History, Civics and AP African American Studies at the same high school where she attended and graduated!

The award, presented annually since 2004, highlights the importance of history education by honoring exceptional K-12 American history teachers.

Learn more about the program here. Congratulations Ms. Barrett!

Number 2

Needs-Based Public School Capital Fund (NBPSCF) FY26-27 Grant Program Applications Now Open

The application period for new FY26-27 NBPSCF Capital Grants is now open.

Program guidance and application materials are available on the Capital Funding page of the School Planning website. The deadline for submitting applications and supporting materials is Oct. 2.

Questions about the NBPSCF Grant program should be directed to SchoolPlanning-NBPSCF@dpi.nc.gov.

Number 1

Video: A Back to School Message from State Board of Education Chair Davis

A new school year brings new opportunities to learn, grow and discover what’s possible. State Board of Education Chair Eric Davis encourages students to stay curious and make the most of every opportunity throughout the 2026-27 school year.

Chair Davis also thanks North Carolina’s educators for their dedication, compassion and expertise they bring to schools each day. Their work inspires students and helps them reach their potential.

Watch the video here. Welcome back, we hope you have a great year!