In Other News
K-12 Dive - Naaz Modan | October 20, 2026
A new report suggests policymakers should consult with students before imposing restrictions, which should have clear emergency protocols and accommodations.
Despite supporting cellphone limitations to some extent during the school day and saying such policies limit distractions, a majority of high school students still oppose bell-to-bell bans — overwhelmingly due to safety concerns in case of emergencies.
The results come as part of a larger survey of nearly 1,500 youth ages 13 to 24 from Hopelab and Data for Progress.
According to Hopelab’s joint survey findings, 80% of high school students attend a school with a cellphone ban, and 42% have full-day bans. While 64% of students supported an in-class ban on cellphones, 80% opposed all-day bans.
The Carolina Journal - Theresa Opeka | October 27, 2026
The North Carolina State Health Plan Board of Trustees took action Tuesday to keep the plan financially afloat after a new financial outlook showed the State Health Plan (SHP) could run out of cash by the end of 2026 or the beginning of 2027.
At its Tuesday meeting, the board voted unanimously to temporarily increase the monthly contribution the plan receives from the Retiree Health Benefit Fund (RHBF) from $300 to $600 per retiree. The increase applies retroactively from July through December 2026 and applies only to premiums paid by the retirement system; it will not affect member-paid premiums. The plan is to repay the additional amount, with interest, as soon as possible.
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EdNC - Ryan Thorne | October 26, 2026
This series of EdExplainers will serve as a guide for families with children in North Carolina public schools, from pre-Kindergarten through 22 years of age, navigating Exceptional Children services. The goal is to start a dialogue and answer questions about a topic that can be challenging and complex for students, families, and educators.
The state of North Carolina does not usually use the term “special education” in official paperwork. Instead, the state calls it Exceptional Children (EC) services.
Every district in North Carolina has an EC department with a director. The state agency is the Office of Exceptional Children at the Department of Public Instruction. EC is simply North Carolina’s name for the services that federal law requires every state to provide.
- The law and what it guarantees
- EC by the numbers
- Special education versus intervention
Educational Programs and Opportunities
Calling All Student Artists!
The North Carolina Office of the State Auditor (OSA) is seeking original artwork from students across North Carolina for its 2026 Holiday Card Art Competition. Selected artwork will be featured on the agency's official holiday card and shared statewide.
- Open to any North Carolina student in grades K-12
- Deadline - November 12, 2026
- Winners will be announced on November 16, 2026
Be sure to review the competition guidelines before submitting your artwork.
To enter, email your artwork to constituentservices@ncauditor.gov with the subject line: Holiday Card Art Submission – [Student Name]
Include the following with your submission:
Don't miss this opportunity to have your artwork featured and help spread holiday cheer across North Carolina!
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Three Professions. One Mission.
December 8-9, 2026 | Concord Convention Center & Embassy Suites
Attention ALL school counselors, school psychologists, school social workers, and school-based mental health clinicians: You are invited to register for the inaugural NCDPI Better Together: School Mental Health Summit — Three Professions, One Mission, taking place on December 8–9, 2026, at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Charlotte Concord Golf Resort & Spa and the Concord Convention Center.
This groundbreaking statewide gathering will unite school counselors, school psychologists, school social workers, school-based mental health clinicians, supervisors, and directors for:
- Inspiring keynote presentations, including April Simpkins
- Engaging breakout sessions focused on school mental health
- Cross-disciplinary learning and practical strategies
- Opportunities to connect with colleagues and exhibitors from across North Carolina
Attendance is limited, and registration is subject to approval. Please review all registration agreements prior to completing your registration.
We look forward to coming together to learn, connect, and strengthen school mental health supports across North Carolina.
Presenters: Please do not register through this invitation. You will receive a separate email containing your presenter registration code and instructions.
Image: Operation Homefront
Nominations are now open for Operation Homefront’s 2027 Military Child of the Year® Awards.
The annual awards recognize outstanding young people ages 13 to 18. Recipients will represent a branch of the armed forces — the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Guard, and Space Force — for their scholarship, volunteerism, leadership, extracurricular involvement, and other criteria while facing the challenges of military family life.
All Operation Homefront Military Child of the Year Award recipients will be flown with a parent or guardian to Washington, D.C., and recognized at the April 2027 gala, during which senior leaders of each branch of service will present the awards. They also will receive $10,000 each, a laptop computer, and other donated gifts. The gala is usually held in April, the month of the military child, as a way to recognize the support and appreciation we provide to military families.
Anyone can nominate an eligible military child through December 1, 2026
Applications are now open for the 2026-27 Purple Star Award, which recognizes North Carolina schools that demonstrate military-friendly practices and a strong commitment to military-connected students and families.
For a full list of awarded schools, please visit this link.
Application
- November 17 at 4 p.m.
- December 10 at 9 a.m.
- January 7 at noon
- January 26 at 4 p.m.
For questions on the application, please email Howard Lattimore.
Applications close February 1, 2027
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The Legislative Services Office of the N.C. General Assembly is accepting applications for the Youth Legislative Assembly (YLA), which will be held March 5-7, 2027, in Raleigh. Applications will be accepted through December 15, 2026.
Open to North Carolina high school students in good standing who attend a public, private, charter, or home school, YLA provides a hands-on opportunity to learn about North Carolina government and the legislative process. Participants draft, debate, and vote on mock legislative bills while developing skills in research, interviewing, group facilitation, public speaking, and policy writing.
Through the program, students gain firsthand experience communicating ideas, opinions, and experiences while working collaboratively in a team-based environment.
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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
Your moment is coming! Get ready! - With NC College Connect, you will be directly admitted to participating colleges and universities where you already meet admissions requirements. No essays, test scores, or recommendation letters needed. Yes, it’s that simple.
NC College Connect is a program that directly admits North Carolina public high school seniors who are on track to graduate, have a 2.8 GPA or higher, are enrolled in a fourth-level math and meet program requirements to participating UNC System universities, North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities, and their local North Carolina community college. The higher your GPA, the more schools to which you’ll be directly admitted!
Don’t have a 2.8 GPA? If you are on track to graduate, you’ll be directly admitted to your local community college.
Participating institutions include 11 UNC System universities, all 58 North Carolina community colleges and 29 North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities.
Next steps for families
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Check the offer online. Seniors can log in to their College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) student account at NCCollegeConnect.org to see where they have been admitted.
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Watch the mail. An official NC College Connect letter will arrive in the coming weeks with the same information.
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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.
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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.
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Complete the FAFSA. Filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step toward financial aid at any college.
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Decide where to enroll and complete enrollment. Weigh academic programs, campus location and environment, family and individual needs, and financial aid packages.
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EdNC - Molly Steur | September 23, 2026
The FAFSA form provides real-time results, allowing students to view their federal Pell Grant and other federal financial aid eligibility immediately after completing the form. The form also includes earning indicators for colleges students are applying to.
- How to apply
- Eligibility, citizenship, and parents’ information
- Why does the FAFSA matter?
- FAFSA completion rates
- Resources for the FAFSA application
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The Department of Education administers grant funding programs to fulfill the Department's mission to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness, to foster educational excellence, and to ensure equal access. Search for open and upcoming grant opportunities available from ED in the list at this link. The definitive list of U.S. federal government grants is located at Grants.gov.
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Partner with the Governor's Council on Workforce & Apprenticeships
Businesses across North Carolina are coming together to strengthen the state’s talent pipeline—and Your Company is invited to join in! By partnering with the Governor’s Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships (and through it, the NCWorks system), employers gain access to talent connections, workforce training resources, and support designed to help companies recruit, train, and retain the skilled employees they need to grow.
The Council’s Goal: Engage 50,000 employers across the state.
Visit commerce.nc.gov/employers to learn more and complete the interest form.
Add your voice. Share your workforce needs. Help shape the future of North Carolina’s workforce...and ensure your business stays competitive.
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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