Friday, September 18, 2026
Highlights
NCDPI Press Release | September 15, 2026
NC College Connect delivers direct admission offers to more than 105,000 seniors; 64 percent admitted to dozens of two- and four-year colleges without an application
NC College Connect, now in its third year, directly admits North Carolina public high school seniors to participating colleges and universities based on their academic record at the start of senior year. Every senior on track to graduate is admitted to their local community college, regardless of grade point average. Seniors who begin their senior year with a weighted grade point average of at least 2.8 and are enrolled in a fourth-level math course receive offers from participating UNC System universities and independent colleges as well. The higher a student's GPA, the more offers they receive.
Participating institutions include 11 UNC System universities, all 58 North Carolina community colleges and 29 North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities. A full list is below.
Next steps for families
-
Check the offer online. Starting today, seniors can log in to their College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) student account at NCCollegeConnect.org to see where they have been admitted.
-
Watch the mail. An official NC College Connect letter will arrive in the coming weeks with the same information.
-
Talk with a school counselor or advisor. Counselors and advisors can help students research opportunities, compare offers, understand next steps and plan for financial aid.
-
Accept an offer or apply early. Students review their offers and submit a short form indicating their interest. Those who accept an offer during College Application Week, Oct. 19-25, avoid most application fees, and fee waivers are available for most other applications.
-
Complete the FAFSA. Filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step toward financial aid at any college.
-
Decide where to enroll and complete enrollment. Weigh academic programs, campus location and environment, family and individual needs, and financial aid packages.
|
NCDPI Press Release | September 14, 2026
Federal grant will expand Skills for the Future to 6,000 more students and 250 more teachers, giving families a fuller picture of what their children can do
Thousands more North Carolina students will soon be able to show colleges, employers and the military not just what they scored on standardized tests, but the personal and collaborative skills they bring to these settings. The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) has been awarded nearly $4 million from the U.S. Department of Education to expand Skills for the Future, a statewide initiative that helps students demonstrate durable skills like critical thinking, collaboration and communication through real classroom work.
"The award advances Pillar 1 of Achieving Educational Excellence, the State Board of Education and North Carolina Department of Public Instruction's strategic plan: preparing each student for their next phase in life," said North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Maurice "Mo" Green. "North Carolina's Portrait of a Graduate names the skills that phase requires. Skills for the Future is a way we help students build those skills, prove they have them and carry that proof with them when they leave us. This award means we can bring that work to more classrooms, more teachers and more students across the state."
Read the entire press release HERE.
Office of Governor Josh Stein Press Release | September 14, 2026
Governor Stein and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced $1.25 million in federal funding through the North Carolina Rural Health Transformation Program to expand preventive and acute health care, provide nutrition support, and address behavioral health needs. Five organizations will receive funding: the Appalachian District Health Department, Blue Ridge Community Health Services, First Health of the Carolinas, Mountain Community Health Partnership, and Wilson County Health Department.
“This investment will bring critical health care directly to students in rural North Carolina,” said Governor Josh Stein. “For many young people struggling with their mental health, having these resources at school can make all the difference.”
When mental health services are available at schools, nearly 20% of public school students use those services. Approximately 30,000 children and youth receive health care from about 90 school-based health centers in North Carolina. This investment will expand access in rural areas by providing services in new locations, utilizing telehealth and mobile units, and increasing capacity in current rural locations.
This school-based health funding is a key part of the NC Rural Health Transformation Program’s behavioral health expansion initiative aimed at ensuring access to care is available for rural communities. NCDHHS is ensuring the awardees receive funding quickly as they work to increase or expand current school-based health centers, offer mobile care at rural schools, or increase the numbers of health care personnel responding to their communities’ mental health needs.
Read the entire press release HERE.
 This special forum brought together current State Superintendent Mo Green and former State Superintendents June Atkinson, and Bob Etheridge for a thoughtful, fact-based discussion on the key issues shaping our education system—and the opportunities ahead to ensure every child in every county receives the high-quality education they deserve. Moderated by Doug Shackelford, Public Ed Works board member and former Dean of the Kenan-Flagler Business School.
“Let’s use these challenges to energize us to figure out how we can do better for the students of North Carolina,” Superintendent Mo Green.
Listen to the panel discussion HERE.
 Celebrate Arts in Education Week with Marching Band Performances at NCDPI
NCDPI celebrated Arts in Education Week with two marching band performances on the Halifax Mall lawn.
The 2025-26 High School OT Marching Band of the Year, Grimsley’s band program emphasizes musical excellence, community and discipline.
Thursday, Sept. 17: Scotland High School (Scotland County Schools)
With roots dating to the 1950s, the Scotland Band proudly celebrates its Scottish heritage and has performed at prominent parades and competitions across the country.
Planning & Work Session on Sept. 29 - Oct. 1
- Tuesday, September 29, 2026 at 11:00 AM
-
Wednesday, September 30, 2026 at 10:00 AM
- Thursday, October 1, 2026 at 9:00 AM
NC State Board of Education in the News:
WRAL News - Emily Walkenhorst | September 13, 2026
North Carolina education leaders are looking at changing how they calculate one of the two main measures of school quality — the latest effort to reevaluate the system that determines how a school is perceived publicly and whether a school receives extra oversight or assistance.
Superintendent of Public Instruction Mo Green and the State Board of Education have started a task force to again examine school accountability.
Now, education leaders are rethinking the popular growth metric — the only metric used alongside the proficiency rates to calculate the performance letter grades — entirely, though they could need General Assembly help to make any major changes.
Access all YouTube recordings of SBE meetings here.
|
General Assembly may reconvene on Monday, September 28
Pursuant to SJR 1091, the House and Senate may reconvene on the following dates:
- 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.
|
|
