North Carolina is laying out a blueprint for the future of its public education with the mission to climb to the top of the national ladder. "Achieving Educational Excellence" is the banner under which the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) and the State Board of Education (SBE) have unveiled a strategic plan aiming to propel the region's schools to the forefront by the year 2030. The announcement, as reported by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, included details of an initiative developed with statewide input and a vision of bolstering various aspects of education.
At two celebratory events in Wake County public schools, state Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green, outlined the initiative’s priorities, including enhanced educator compensation and a focus on student achievement. Regional events this fall are scheduled for further public engagement, Green announced. Amid the festivities, bells and whistles welcomed, the plan's components, such as support for mental health and infrastructure modernization, aiming to pivot North Carolina to the head of the educational pack.
One notable investment highlighted in the plan is a $25 million contribution from the Golden LEAF Foundation to improve mathematics instruction in rural middle schools. Another cornerstone is the NC College Connect program which, according to State Superintendent Green, guarantees "college admission for students with a 2.8 GPA or higher." These initiatives, along with plans for expanded mental health support and a statewide reading campaign, represent key steps in North Carolina's educational evolution, as per the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
The benchmarks for success under the new plan are ambitious. They include attaining a 92% graduation rate and leading the nation in National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores. Aiming to charter an unprecedented course in education, this initiative, backed by such key figures as Governor Josh Stein, hopes to benefit the 1.5 million students and 2,683 public schools in the state. However, their journey is rooted in accountability, with progress tracked through quarterly public reports and an annual “Excellence Report Card” as described by Chairman of the North Carolina SBE Eric Davis who asserted, "We will achieve educational excellence — not because it’s easy, but because it is hard," the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction noted.
To solidify the commitment to these goals, NCDPI is creating an Office of Strategic Planning, as well as a Strategic Plan Monitoring and Accountability Committee to oversee the implementation and monitor outcomes.
