“This is a landmark moment for North Carolina students. By strengthening foundational literacy and math policies, investing in effective teachers and expanding college and career pathways, North Carolina is poised to deliver stronger instruction, increased support for educators and clearer pathways to success for every student.
“The budget also helps students connect classroom learning to what comes next. From earlier career exploration in middle school to improved graduation pathways, smoother credit transfer and expanded work-based learning, students will have clearer, more personalized routes to college and meaningful careers. And as artificial intelligence reshapes the workforce they are entering, North Carolina is preparing students to use AI responsibly while protecting their privacy and safety.
“We are grateful to legislative leaders, including Senate President Phil Berger, House Speaker Destin Hall, Sen. Michael Lee, Sen. Kevin Corbin, Sen. Brad Overcash, Sen. Dana Jones, Rep. Hugh Blackwell, Rep. Brian Biggs and Rep. Dean Arp whose leadership made this session a victory for North Carolina’s students, families and educators.”
About the Budget:
The approved North Carolina budget includes the following investments:
Adolescent Literacy
- Expands required use of universal literacy screeners to K-5.
- Expands required creation of Individual Reading Plans for struggling readers to K-5.
- Requires parental notification of students with reading difficulties in grades 4-5.
- Provides $13.8 million for adolescent literacy professional development for teachers.
Math Instruction and Support
- Sets a minimum requirement of 60 minutes of daily math instruction for grades K-8 in low-performing schools.
- Requires use of universal math screeners in grades K-8 three times per year for low-performing schools.
- Provides individual math improvement plans for students who do not score grade level proficient on the math screener.
- Requires parental notification for students identified as having math difficulties in low-performing schools.
- Requires all districts to use curriculum from a state-approved list of high-quality instructional materials.
- Provides $6 million for universal math screeners, $5 million for adoption of high-quality instructional materials and $10 million for teacher professional development.
College and Career Pathways
- Creates a High School Redesign Commission to recommend changes to graduation requirements and competency-based education.
- Expedites credit transfer between postsecondary institutions.
- Creates a Community College Seamless Skills Initiative to align high school experiences with college competencies with a focus on dual credit and high-demand credentials.
- Creates a pilot program for middle school students to strengthen graduation planning and college and career pathway exploration.
Teacher Recruitment and Retention
- Provides $40.9 million for the Advanced Teaching Roles program, including $30 million for teacher salary increases, which provides enhanced compensation to highly effective teachers who assume mentor teaching and coaching roles.
- Establishes TeachReadyNC, a new statewide registered teacher apprenticeship program.
Safe and Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use
- Requires the creation of AI literacy standards.
- Requires the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to routinely evaluate AI educational products for student privacy, safety, accessibility and instructional alignment.
- Requires DPI to provide guidance to districts on responsible AI use.
Solution Areas:
College & Career Pathways, Digital Access & Equity, Early Literacy, Math Policy, Teachers & Leaders
About the Author
Patricia Levesque is the Executive Director of ExcelinEd in Action.
