In Other News
NC Collaboratory Press Release | November 4, 2026
In the 2025-27 state budget, the North Carolina General Assembly directed the North Carolina Collaboratory’s Office of Learning Research to convene a group of public education finance experts to study North Carolina’s potential transition to a weighted student funding formula.
North Carolina currently funds K-12 schools through a mix of position-based, categorical and program-specific allotments. A weighted student funding model would instead set a base amount for each student. Additional funding “weights” would then account for differences in student needs, educational costs and district circumstances.
To carry out this work, the NC Collaboratory funded a research study led by Basis Policy Research to examine evidence-based options for transitioning from North Carolina’s current school funding system to a weighted student funding model. Staff from the NC Collaboratory, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and BEST NC will serve in advisory roles, as part of the legislatively established Work Group, to support the research team. Educators, administrators and other stakeholders across the state will also contribute through advisory groups, technical consultations and interviews.
The study will look at how North Carolina’s funding system could evolve while continuing to support and hold accountable students, educators and districts. The Collaboratory’s role is to help policymakers understand both the opportunities and the challenges of a transition.
The Work Group held its first meeting on October 21 and has posted a summary outlining the study’s guiding questions and planned approach. It expects to meet six times over the course of the study and will publish a written summary after each meeting. The Collaboratory is committed to a transparent, research-driven process and will share these summaries so policymakers, education stakeholders and the public can follow along.
EdNC - Simi Modey | November 2, 2026
Update: Nov. 6 at 1:00 p.m. — On Nov. 6, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools announced Luka Bozovic, a junior from Ballantyne Ridge High School, as the 2027 student adviser to the district’s board of education.
“The students of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools have entrusted me with their voices, and I am committed to listening, learning, and advocating for their needs,” Bozovic said. “I look forward to working with Board members, district leaders, and students across our community to help ensure every student feels heard, supported, and represented.”
 The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools student adviser finalists met at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Chamber to discuss their platforms. Courtesy of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education | EdNC
Nine high school student finalists running to become the 2027 student adviser to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education gathered at the Charlotte Government Center on Wednesday, Oct. 21 for the annual student advisor forum.
Created through a partnership between Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) and GenerationNation, a nonprofit organization that promotes civic engagement for K-12 students, the adviser position places one high school student on the CMS Board of Education during official meetings to represent the district’s nearly 140,000 students.
Moderator Charles Jeter, executive director of government affairs and policy, as well as current student adviser Inchara Gopinath presided over the forum. Candidates debated critical policy issues present across CMS, including campus safety, mental health funding, educational technology, and access to resources.
Official voting for students opened on Oct. 20 and will be open through Nov. 3.
The student adviser finalists are:
Content:
- Mental health resources
- Campus safety
- Educational technology and AI
- Expanding resources for Title I, small schools, and special programs
- District outreach and feedback gathering
- On working with the board
- Student election details
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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