North Carolina Aims for Educational Excellence by 2030
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) and the State Board of Education have embarked on an ambitious journey to elevate the state’s public education system to the best in the nation by 2030. This new strategic plan, titled “Achieving Educational Excellence,” represents the first joint initiative of its kind between the two organizations in over a decade and has been unanimously approved by the State Board of Education.
State Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green recently celebrated the launch of this initiative at events hosted in Wake County public schools. These gatherings included state dignitaries, media, and the public. Green is set to conduct regional events throughout the fall, offering opportunities for community members to engage with and learn about the plan.
The strategic plan was meticulously developed through broad statewide engagement, including Green’s “Mo Wants to Know” listening tour. It outlines eight transformative pillars with defined goals and timelines, addressing crucial areas such as educator pay, student performance, mental health resources, infrastructure updates, and community involvement.
“This is a bold plan that matches North Carolina’s potential to have the best public schools in the country,” said Green. “We created this strategic plan after crossing the state listening to parents, students and educators about their hopes and dreams for education. Now, with the State Board of Education’s unanimous approval, I’m eager to get to work with educators, families, partners and students to make North Carolina’s public schools the best in the nation.”
Key Initiatives
- A $25 million investment from the Golden LEAF Foundation to enhance math instruction in rural middle schools
- NC College Connect initiative, promising college admission for students with a GPA of 2.8 or higher
- Expanded mental health support and Youth Mental Health First Aid training
- A campaign aimed at reading 10 million books annually statewide
- Creation of an endowment for two years of tuition-free postsecondary education
The plan sets ambitious benchmarks, such as achieving a 92% graduation rate, raising average ACT scores to 20, and leading the nation in National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores by 2030. Progress will be tracked through quarterly updates and an Excellence Report Card.
“We will achieve educational excellence — not because it’s easy, but because it is hard,” stated Eric Davis, Chairman of the North Carolina SBE. “We do our best when we do hard things together, and our students deserve nothing less. And with your help, we will make that promise a reality. Now let’s go to work.”
Governor Josh Stein also voiced strong support, emphasizing the collaborative effort required: “North Carolina public schools open doors of opportunity for 1.5 million students. This strategic plan sets a bold and ambitious vision for our schools to be the very best in the nation. It builds upon our successes and reimagines a system where every kid is prepared for success. It will take all of us to work together to deliver on our state’s and our students’ potential.”
Strategic Pillars
- Prepare Each Student for Their Next Phase in Life
- Revere Public School Educators
- Enhance Parent, Caregiver and Community Support
- Ensure Healthy, Safe and Secure Learning Environments
- Optimize Operational Excellence
- Lead Transformative Change
- Celebrate the Excellence in Public Education
- Galvanize Champions to Fully Invest in and Support Public Education
Developed with input from a broad array of stakeholders, the plan involved eight regional listening sessions, over 30 stakeholder meetings, numerous school visits, and contributions from thousands of community members across North Carolina’s 100 counties.
To ensure effective execution, NCDPI will establish an Office of Strategic Planning and a Strategic Plan Monitoring and Accountability Committee. The plan will undergo annual reviews and be adjusted based on data outcomes.
NCDPI is responsible for the education of approximately 1.5 million students in 2,683 public schools, encompassing 84% of the state’s school-aged children. North Carolina is a national leader with nearly 25,000 National Board Certified Teachers and is recognized for its top-tier early college programs.
The full strategic plan can be accessed at go.ncdpi.gov/bestinnation. Community members are encouraged to join as Public School Champions and participate in forthcoming regional forums.
About the North Carolina State Board of Education
The North Carolina State Board of Education, as mandated by the state Constitution, is responsible for establishing policies and general procedures for public schools across the state. This includes decisions regarding teacher pay, qualifications, course content, testing requirements, and management of state education funds.
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