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Some Upcoming Dates of Note
- September 22nd- Homeless Data Collection Training for Charters
- September 29th- NCED Symposium
- October 8th- OCS Office Hour; 10 Million Book Challenge
- October 13th- OCS & OEL; BOG, RtA, DiBeLs
- October 15th- OCS Office Hour with the Exceptional Children’s Division
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Homeless Data Collection Training for Charters
McKinney-Vento homeless liaisons are responsible for the collection of accurate homeless education data on students identified within their Local Education Agency (LEA) [42 U.S.C. § 11432(g)(6)(A)(I)]. To ensure compliance, NCHEP will hold the annual Data Collection Training for charter and lab school homeless liaisons on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at 2:00 PM. This virtual training is required for new homeless liaisons and is highly recommended for all homeless liaisons to attend. Register for the Data Collection Training HERE.
October Office Hours
Stay tuned for details on our upcoming topics:
10/8-10 Million Book Challenge
10/13- OEL; BOG, RtA, DiBeLs
10/15- Exceptional Children’s Division
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Updated School Attendance and Student Accounting (SASA) Manual
This is a MUST HAVE resource for all charter school administrators.
2026-2027 SASA Manual
Register for 2026 NCED Connect Symposium
Registration is now open for the 2026 NCED Connect Symposium, Sept. 29 through Oct. 1 at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro.
Educators, technology leaders, school library media coordinators, student information systems professionals and education partners from across North Carolina will explore digital learning, artificial intelligence, instructional technology, leadership and more. Attendees will discover new ideas, connect with colleagues and expand their professional networks.
Whether the focus is digital learning, AI, instructional technology, school library media, student information systems (NCSIS) for school and central office leadership, Cybersecurity, NCEES, Schoolnet/Instructional Improvement System, or other educational initiatives, there's something at this symposium for everyone in the field for school and district based leadership. It's a great opportunity to connect with educators and leaders from across North Carolina, pick up ideas and strategies to bring back to your schools and districts, and grow professional networks. We will also have our first AI Student Showcase where you can learn straight from students across the state along with implementation from our PSUs.
NCDPI will host an AI Implementation Expo and Student Showcase during the NCEDConnect Symposium. Full details are available in this document, but here is a quick overview:
When: September 30, during Day 2 of the NCEDConnect Symposium
Where: Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, NC
What: Student AI Design Challenge and Showcase
About the event: During the morning, students will work together to solve real-world problems using AI (no prior AI experience is required). That afternoon, they will showcase their ideas and creations.
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Charter School POY
We’re excited to begin preparations for the 2027 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year and the 2027 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year selection processes!
To help ensure a smooth and connected nomination cycle, we ask that each charter school update their district point of contact information for both programs using the Google Form linked below.
2026 Update - NC TOY/POY Coordinators
As the TOY and/or POY Coordinator for your charter school, you are responsible for following your local selection guidelines. Please note the following eligibility requirements:
Principal of the Year (POY) nominees must:
- Have at least four years of experience as an administrator
- Hold a valid principal's license
- Be a practicing school administrator for the full duration of the recognition year
If you have any questions or need support at any point in the process, please feel free to reach out to the program coordinator directly:
Elizabeth Santamour
elizabeth.santamour@dpi.nc.gov
Thank you for your continued partnership in celebrating and elevating excellence in education!
Nominations Open- NCCAT 2027 Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC Beginning Teacher of the Year
Dear Superintendents and BT Coordinators,
Nominations for the NCCAT 2027 Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC Beginning Teacher of the Year are now open. Please submit your district or charter school’s nominee to this link by Friday, October 2nd. Details regarding eligibility and awards can be found at the BTOY webpage- www.nccat.org/btoy. Should you have any questions, please contact emily.langdon@nccat.org
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September 17, 2026
The FBS website continues to be updated with information related to School Business and our ongoing operations. Please check the FBS homepage regularly for updates. Please review the upcoming deadlines for due dates.
SS-200 Full-Time Personnel Report – All PSUs
The SS-200 Full-Time Personnel Report collects race/ethnicity, gender, and funding source information for full-time personnel employed as of October 1, 2026. For purposes of this report, a full-time employee is an individual employed to fill a vacancy whose regular workweek meets the number of hours established as full-time for the assigned class of work but is not less than 30 hours per week. Information collected through the SS-200 supports statewide reporting and is published in the Highlights of the North Carolina Public Schools Budget and the North Carolina Public Schools Statistical Profile.
All Public School Units (PSUs) and Independent Public Schools (Charter, Regional, and Lab Schools) with enrollment are required to complete the SS-200 report by Friday, October 30, 2026. Prior year reports are available within the site if needed.
Access to the SS-200 reporting system requires an annual subscription (request for access), and the individual submitting the report must have an active North Carolina Identity Management (NCID) account. If an NCID account is needed or has expired, please contact your NCID administrator for assistance. Directories of LEA and IPS/Charter NCID administrators are available on the NCDIT website. Please note that DPI cannot create NCID accounts or reset NCID passwords. Please share this information with any staff who may be responsible for collecting or reporting SS-200 data.
Questions regarding the SS-200 Full-Time Personnel Report may be directed to David.Cauthorn@dpi.nc.gov.
Prior Year Refunds Update - All PSUs
All FY2026 State refunds owed to NCDPI have been loaded into the PSU Cash App, with the exception of overspent salaries (PYS), which will be posted later this fall. Please note that overspent days used (PYD) refunds have replaced overspent months used (PYM) refund types from FY26 onward to reflect the transition from months to days in LicSal. PYM refunds will remain in the Cash App for FY25.
The amounts owed have been updated in the 702. Prior Year State Overages report in DART in the PSU folder. This report includes all refunds owed, including overspent salaries (PYS). Although overspent salaries are not available for payment yet in the Cash App, please review these amounts and contract the Salary Section for any amount you believe to be in error. Note that this report is static as of September 1st and will not be updated after that date. To review your updated balances, please refer to the refunds module in the Cash App.
All LEAs have until September 30th to clear any overspent days used that are generating amounts owed in LicSal. If you believe that section is accurate, you are welcome to submit repayment in the Cash App. If you are working with our Salary Section to resolve errors in LicSal that are leading to amounts owed, please be sure that you have sent all supporting documentation to Salary@dpi.nc.gov. DO NOT pay refunds in the Cash App unless you agree your PSU owes those funds. Once you make a payment for salary-related overages (PYD or PYS), we will not be able to provide a refund.
FY2026-27 Allotments - All PSUs
The following items are scheduled for allotment by end of week:
- PRC 0029 - Behavioral Support
- Approvals as of September 11, 2026
- PRC 0069 - At-Risk Student Services/Alternative Schools per expenditures as of August 31, 2026
- PRC 0086 - Just Right Reader Pilot Program Allotment
Allotment Reminder: Federal Immediate Reversions – All PSUs
PRC 0082 No Cost Extension
In September, North Carolina received a no cost extension (extension of the period of performance) on its Special Education State Personnel Development (SPD) grant (PRC 0082). This grant is a five-year competitive grant offered by the U.S. Department of Education that was originally scheduled to expire on September 30, 2026; the no cost extension extends the availability of the funds through September 30, 2027. Any questions about the new timelines and any potential requirements for expending these funds should be directed to the Project Director, Ginger Cash at Ginger.Cash@dpi.nc.gov in the EC Division.
For the latest updates regarding immediate reversion of federal funds ending September 30, 2026, please see the 8/20/26 or 8/27/26 newsletters.
If you have general questions, please email allotments@dpi.nc.gov.
LicSal Maintenance
LicSal will be unavailable on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, for scheduled maintenance. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Independent Public Schools Q&A - IPSs Only
The monthly Q&A for charters, labs, and regional schools will take place on September 23rd at 1:00 p.m.
Please use the Submission Form to enter questions in advance to help us better prepare for the meeting.
- Meeting Link
- Meeting ID: 275 773 607 694 630
- Password: 6GS6kv7m
Reminder: Annual Audit Engagement Questionnaire - All PSUs
Several PSUs did not submit their response to the Auditor Questionnaire by the deadline and are now overdue. If your PSU hasn't completed the survey, please do so as soon as possible.
This mandatory questionnaire verifies that each PSU has engaged, or is in the process of engaging, an independent certified public accountant for the annual financial audit covering the period July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026, per state financial oversight requirements and audit timelines. All PSUs are required to submit, with the exception of new Charter Schools opening in the 2026-27 school year.
If you need additional information, please contact the Monitoring and Compliance team
at Monitoring@dpi.nc.gov.
New EDDIE Title Available - All PSUs
A new Drivers Education Program Manager title is now available in EDDIE. Districts will have the ability to enter a staff member at the district level, and at each of their high schools. Independent public schools can enter one staff member at their PSU level.
Please enter these contacts as soon as possible. Contact Karl.Logan@dpi.nc.gov if you have questions about the Drivers Ed program contact. If you have questions about how to enter the contact in EDDIE, contact EDDIE@dpi.nc.gov.
From the Office of Exceptional Children
Reimbursement: 2025-2026 PSU Private School Evaluations (ESA+)
The OEC has received reimbursement from the NC State Education Assistance Authority on behalf of public school units conducting evaluations for parents seeking eligibility or continued eligibility for ESA+ scholarship funds and documented in ECATS. Please note the reimbursement rate increase from $1,112 to $1,750 per evaluation. This reflects increases associated with market value research.
The Office of School Business Services has received the following memo and workbook in order to authorize payment to eligible public school units. Please note that these funds are state dollars that should be placed in a local non-reverting account to be used on behalf of students with disabilities.
This message will be duplicated in listservs for EC Administrators and Superintendents.
Memo: NCSEAA Reimbursements 9.11.26
Workbook: 2025-2026 Private School Evaluations Reimbursements 9.11.26
Deadline Reminders
ALL PSUs
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DUE DATE
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TOPIC
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NEWSLETTER
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09/30/2026
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Encumbrances for Ending Federal Grants |
08/30/2026
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09/30/2026
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Prior Year Refunds - September Processing |
09/03/2026
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10/31/2026
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School Nutrition Annual Financial Report (FC1-A) |
09/10/2026
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Khan Academic Support Program: ACTION NEEDED
The General Assembly established the Khan Academic Support Program to provide public school units (PSUs) with the opportunity to use Khanmigo, an academic support service developed by Khan Academy, Inc., for students and educators in grades 6–12.
Khanmigo uses artificial intelligence to support teachers with lesson planning and instructional preparation and students with lesson comprehension and learning.
Participation in the Khan Academic Support Program is optional and available to PSUs that choose to participate.
Interested in Participating:
If your PSU is interested in receiving access to the Khan Academic Support Program, please complete the form below by 5:00 p.m. ET on October 4, 2026. If your PSU is not interested in participating, no response is required.
For questions, please contact Dr. Kristi Day at kristi.day@dpi.nc.gov.
From the Center for Safer Schools
School Safety Grants
The Center for Safer Schools School Safety Grant application period closes Wednesday, Sept. 30 at 11:59 p.m. This grant provides funding for Safety Equipment, Services for Students in Crisis and Training to Increase School Safety. As you prepare and submit your application, please carefully review the applicable legislation, grant requirements and program guidelines. It is important that all applications and grant expenditures comply with the requirements established by the General Assembly and outlined in the School Safety Grant guidelines.
To ensure you receive the most accurate and timely assistance, all questions regarding the School Safety Grant should be submitted to SchoolSafetyGrants@cfssnc.gov. You may also ask questions during our weekly SRO/School Safety Grant Office Hours. Dates and links for the virtual sessions are posted on the CFSS Training Calendar. School Tours
The Center for Safer Schools has completed a full school year as a division of the State Bureau of Investigation. As the 2026-2027 school year begins, CFSS Executive Director Karen W. Fairley plans to resume her school tours. If your public school unit has already requested a tour, CFSS staff will reach out to you first. If your PSU would like to host a tour, please complete our online Tour Request Form. If you have questions, send an email to cfss@cfssnc.gov. ASIST Training
The Center for Safer Schools will host ASIST training in September and October. Participants in LivingWorks ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) learn how to engage directly with a person thinking about suicide, reduce immediate risk and co-create a personalized Safety Plan that promotes hope, safety and connection. Check the CFSS Training Calendar for registration links. National Bullying Prevention Month
September marks the launch of National Bullying Prevention Month preparation across North Carolina! The Center for Safer Schools invites schools to join the Choose Kindness. Take Action. Create Change. campaign beginning in October.
Classroom Contest: Register in September and participate in the Kindness Connection Bingo throughout October for a chance to win a set of new Chromebooks for your classroom!
Registered schools will receive a separate email with the contest Bingo card, guidelines and additional bullying prevention activities.
Webinar: Your School’s Character Journey
A Step-by-Step Guide to Schools of Character Recognition
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm EDT
Join the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) for a webinar on how to apply for recognition as a State or National School of Character, a prestigious distinction awarded to schools that exemplify excellence in character education.
During this session, you will learn how to:
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Navigate the application process and craft compelling narratives: Gain practical tips for writing powerful, authentic narratives that reflect your school’s unique character journey.
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Select meaningful evidence aligned to the 11 Principles Framework: Learn how to identify and organize artifacts that best illustrate your school’s commitment to character development and whole-child success.
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Leading With Character Summit
December 9, 2026 | 9 am - 4 pm
The Friday Institute: 1890 Main Campus Dr, Raleigh, NC 27606
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Gain insight into the 11 Principles of Character Education and practical ways to apply them in your school.
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Be inspired by success stories from State and National Schools of Character and learn how they revitalized their school communities.
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Connect with experts and fellow school leaders to deepen your understanding of Character Education.
Free Course from NC Department of Insurance
The North Carolina Department of Insurance is excited to introduce Protecting Yourself and Others: Teen Driving, a new, free educational resource designed for high school classrooms and driver education programs. This interactive program helps young drivers build a better understanding of automobile insurance, including how it works, why it matters, what affects insurance costs, and common insurance terminology. The program also supports financial literacy standards, helping students connect insurance concepts to real-world financial decisions they will face as new drivers. Educators can request an in-person presentation, virtual presentation, or classroom materials to facilitate the lesson themselves.
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Legislative Change for Driver's Ed
After October 1, 2026
SL2026-46 eliminates driving eligibility certificate requirements for the issuance of learner’s permits and provisional driver's licenses.
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After Oct. 1st, 2026, teen drivers will no longer be required to show an eligibility certification to apply for a license.
Take Your Co-Teaching Partnership Statewide!
Applications are open for the 2026–27 Multilingual Learner Teacher Network (MLTN)!
Great co-teaching brings together the expertise of ML and content teachers to create stronger learning opportunities for multilingual learners. The NCDPI ML/Title III Team invites current ML–content co-teaching pairs to apply together for this statewide community of practice.
Approximately 10 selected pairs will study evidence-based guidance, strengthen their collaborative teaching practices, and develop classroom-ready resources to share with educators across North Carolina. Individual applicants are also welcome and may be matched with compatible participants.
From November 2026 through June 2027, members will attend three MLTN meetings and the Summer Conference and devote approximately one hour per week to required readings, partner collaboration, and resource development. Selected participants will receive sponsorship for approved costs associated with the required in-person convenings.
Why Apply?
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Collaborate with educators from across North Carolina.
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Strengthen your co-teaching practices using evidence-based strategies.
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Develop classroom-ready resources to share statewide.
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Grow as a teacher leader while making a lasting impact on multilingual learner instruction.
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Receive sponsorship for approved costs related to required in-person meetings.
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Join a statewide community dedicated to improving outcomes for multilingual learners.
First meeting: One day during the week of November 16–20, 2026.
Apply by Thursday, October 15, 2026
26-27 Webinar Series
The CTE Data and Impact team is pleased to share their upcoming webinar series for 2026-2027!
Please click the link below for the flyer and the Zoom link.
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Sign Up for NCDPI Newsletters
Did you know NCDPI produces a variety of newsletters on various topics across North Carolina K-12 education? Whether you’re looking for news on school counseling, digital teaching & learning resources, middle school science or K-12 education legislation updates, there is something for everyone.
A few examples of subscription offerings are:
- K-12 Education Legislative Update
- News Releases
- Digital Accessibility Newsletter
- Exceptional Children Information for Parents
Click here and enter your email address to see all the subscription lists and newsletters available to receive
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NOTE- To sign up for the Office of Federal Programs listserv, please contact your assigned Consolidated Program Administrator. Contacts can be found by clicking this link and selecting your region at the bottom of the page.
Other Resources from DPI and beyond
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NCVPS Helps Students Explore What Comes Next with iWork@NCVPS
The iWork@NCVPS Speaker Series connects students with professionals and organizations that can help them better understand career pathways, college options, and the opportunities available after high school. Through live virtual sessions, students gain firsthand insight, hear practical advice, and have the opportunity to ask questions as they consider their next steps.
This fall, iWork@NCVPS is featuring a special College Choice series throughout September. Students can hear directly from representatives of NC’s Public Colleges and Universities, NC’s HBCUs, NC’s Community Colleges, and NC’s Private Colleges and Universities to learn more about the different paths available to them.
In October, the series will feature Student Development Coordinator–Fraternity and Sorority Life, giving students another look at the people and roles that shape the college experience. School leaders and counselors are encouraged to share these free virtual opportunities with students and families at ncvps.org/iworkncvirtual/.
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Share excellence in education!
Post exceptional student work or exciting happenings at your NC Charter School. Then tag or mention OCS on Social Media for others to see!
Remember when you share on social media to use #WeAreNCCharters or @NCCharterOffice
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Charter School Job Postings
Job postings will include the posted date and will be removed after two months. Schools may request early removal or extension. Contact Joseph.Letterio@dpi.nc.gov with a posting link.
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Ashley Logue • Director, Office of Charter Schools
Please send general inquires to ocs@dpi.nc.gov
Contact information for area specialists can be found on the Office of Charter Schools Directory.
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