Part I.
Appropriates $200,000 in recurring funds from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) for 2026-27 for two additional positions for the Professional Educator Preparation and Standards Commission to increase the Commission’s capacity to coordinate efforts to recruit, prepare, retain, and support the State’s teaching workforce.
Requires the State Board of Education (State Board) to develop a plan for implementing a teacher licensure and compensation reform model designed to meet the specified objectives. Requires the plan to, at least: (1) offer early, inclusive, and clear pathways into the profession; (2) reward excellence and advancement among teachers; and (3) encourage retention in the profession. Requires the State Board to provide plan details and recommended legislative changes to the specified NCGA committee and division and the Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM) by March 15, 2027. Appropriates $50,000 for 2026-27 from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction to develop the plan.
Requires the State Board, in consultation with UNC System Office, to identify the resources and structures that educator preparation programs at UNC constituent institutions need in order to increase capacity in educator preparation programs to recruit, prepare, support, and graduate annually (1) at least 5,000 in-State trained teachers annually; and (2) more educators of color. Requires the State Board to report on the findings to the specified NCGA committee, division, and the OSBM by March 15, 2027. Appropriates $25,000 for 2026-27 from the General Fund to DPI to conduct this study.
Appropriates $5.8 million in recurring funds for 2026-27 from the General Fund to DPI to support the Grow-Your-Own and 2+2 teacher recruitment education programs. Appropriates $1 million in recurring funds for 2026-27 from the General Fund to DPI to establish new Grow-Your-Own and 2+2 teacher recruitment education programs in high-need public school units.
Requires the State Board to develop a plan to implement and fund a statewide system or entity to coordinate, enhance, and evaluate efforts to recruit, place, and retain teacher candidates and beginning teachers between institutions of higher education and local school administrative units. Sets out issues the study is to focus on. Requires the State Board to submit plan details and recommended legislation to the specified NCGA committee and division and the OSBM by March 15, 2027. Appropriates $25,000 for 2026-27 from the General Fund to DPI to support the development of the plan.
Removes the terms qualifying licensure area and STEM from the definitions under GS 116-209.60, which defines terms for use in Part 3 of Article 23 of GS Chapter 116, which governs the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program (Program). No longer limits the Program to providing loans to individuals interested in preparing to teach in the State's public schools in those previously specified qualifying licensure areas, instead opening it more broadly to those preparing to teach in the State's public schools; makes conforming changes to the definition of qualifying teacher. Makes changes throughout the Part by removing references to "STEM" and "qualifying licensure area." Requires Program recruitment efforts to include identifying and encouraging students of color and students who may not otherwise consider a teaching career to enter the program. Requires the recruitment activities to include a strategy that attracts a diverse pool of applicants. Removes the cap on the number of participating institutions and specifies that the diverse selection of participating programs is to include minority-serving institutions. Adds the requirement that the Program provide planning, training, and ongoing support for Program leaders and recipients, including training on culturally responsive teaching, teaching students with disabilities, and trauma-informed teaching. Applies beginning with the 2026-27 academic year. Appropriates $37 million in recurring funds for 2026-27 from the General Fund to the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program Trust Fund to revise and expand the Program in accordance with the above.
Requires the State Board to establish a grant program to assist local school administrative units in providing multiyear recruitment bonuses to certified teachers who commit to teach multiple years in a low-performing or high-need school. Requires bonuses to include at least: (1) awards over multiple years with a requirement that teachers remain in the school over multiple years to receive the bonus; (2) awards to licensed teachers who commit to teach in a school identified as low-performing, a school identified as continually low-performing, or a school where 75% or more of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Requires the State Board annually, by September 1, 2026, to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the grant program. Requires local boards of education to submit their proposals by December 1, 2026. Requires that the RFP require proposals to include specified information, including plans for financial sustainability once grant money is no longer available. Requires the State Board, by February 15, 2027, to review the proposal and select up to 10 local school administrative units for grants. Allows making grant awards for up to three years. Caps the grant amount to a local school administrative unit at $500,000 in a single fiscal year. Allows the State Board to use up to $300,000 to contract with an independent research organization to evaluate the impact of this grant program and then report to the specified NCGA committee and division and the OSBM by September 1, 2029. Requires DPI to report annually on program implementation, beginning March 15, 2027. Appropriates $7.7 million in recurring funds for 2026-27 from the General Fund to DPI for the grant program; allows unexpended funds to remain available for these purposes instead of reverting back to the General Fund.
Requires the State Board to establish a grant program to assist local school administrative units in the development of teacher preparation residency pilot programs. Requires teacher preparation residency programs eligible to receive grant funding through this program to include at least: (1) coursework in the candidate's area of licensure; (2) tuition and stipends; (3) faculty advising; (4) clinical training experiences; and (5) ongoing induction support. Allows programs to include partnerships between local school administrative units, educator preparation programs, local community colleges or universities, and other community organizations. Requires grant funds to be matched by the local school administrative units on the basis of $1 in nongrant funds for every $1 in grant funds. Requires the State Board, by October 1, 2026, to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the grant program and requires local boards of education to submit their proposals by January 15, 2027. Requires the RFP to require that proposals include specified information, including plans for financial sustainability once grant money is no longer available. Requires the State board to review proposals and select up 10 local school administrative units as grant recipients by April 15, 2027. Allows making grant awards for up to three years. Caps the grant amount to a local school administrative unit at $500,000 in a single fiscal year. Allows the State Board to use up to $300,000 to contract with an independent research organization to evaluate the impact of this grant program and then report to the specified NCGA committee and division and the OSBM by September 1, 2030. Requires DPI to report annually on program implementation, beginning March 15, 2027. Appropriates $25 million in recurring funds for 2026-27 from the General Fund to DPI to implement the grant program; allows unexpended funds to remain available for these purposes instead of reverting back to the General Fund.
Appropriates $200,000 in recurring funds for 2026-27 from the General Fund to the UNC Board of Governors (BOG) to expand Partnership Teach to up to two additional hub sites.
Requires the State Board, in consultation with the Office of the Governor, The University of North Carolina System Office, and the Community College System Office, to establish a grant program to support strategic partnerships committed to increasing the pipeline of educators of color across the State. Requires the grants to be provided to local school administrative units, institutions of higher education, and community organizations to implement innovative initiatives that support the recruitment, preparation, support, and retention of racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse educators. Sets out the purpose of the program. Requires grant applicants to demonstrate at least: (1) a partnership between at least two of the following: local school administrative units, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Historically Minority-Serving Institutions, educator preparation programs, alternative certification programs, public and private colleges and universities, community colleges, and community or nonprofit organizations; (2) proposals for strategies that address one or more of the specified components of the educator development continuum as highlighted by the DRIVE Task Force's 2021 Report to the Governor. Allows grant funds to be used for: (1) strengthening existing high school dual enrollment programs to offer education-based college credit or honors courses as streamlined pathways for future careers in education; (2) implementing targeted school system–level and community-based recruitment programs for aspiring educators of color interested in traditional and alternative educator preparation programs; (3) using and leveraging existing financial aid programs that reduce the disproportionate financial burden incurred by aspiring candidates of color; (4) increasing preparation and supporting preservice educators of color through paid clinical learning experiences, with a commitment to teaching in North Carolina public schools; (5) offering support for job placement and licensure for candidates of color after completing their educator preparation program; (6) providing induction and mentoring programs that address the needs of educators of color that include sustaining networking and professional learning communities or affinity groups; and (7) encouraging and financially supporting educators of color interested in joining national professional organizations or attending national conferences. Requires the State Board, by October 1, 2026, to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the grant program and for applicants to submit proposals by December 1, 2026. Requires that the RFP require proposals to include specified information, including plans for financial sustainability once grant money is no longer available. Requires a selection committee, by February 1, 2027, to select up to five grantees. Allows grants to be spent over a five-year period. Requires grant recipients to report annually to the State Board on the implementation of the program. Allows the State Board to use up to $300,000 to contract with an independent research organization to evaluate the impact of this grant program and then report to the specified NCGA committee and division and the OSBM by September 1, 2028. Requires DPI to report annually on program implementation, beginning January 1, 2028. Appropriates $2 million in recurring funds for 2026-27 from the General Fund to the DPI to implement the grant program. Allows unexpended funds to remain available instead of reverting to the General Fund.
Enacts new GS 115C-299.7, providing as follows. Requires education entities (public school units and educator preparation programs) to annually, beginning July 30, 2027, report to DPI on the following regarding diversity of educators and future educators in the entity from the previous school year: (1) total number of educators and future educators; (2) the number of persons who apply to work in or attend the education entity as an educator or future educator;  (3) the number of educators and future educators who are employed by or enrolled in an education entity; (4) retention rates of educators; (5) mobility rates of educators between schools in a public school unit; (6) the number of future educators who complete an educator preparation program, become licensed in North Carolina, and become employed in a public school unit; (7) qualitative data from educators and future educators on the diversity and inclusiveness of the education entity; and (8) recommendations from the entity to improve diversity of educators and future educators. Requires DPI to report annually, beginning October 15, 2027, on the information collected above to the specified NCGA committee, including the specified information. Requires DPI to include the collected information in the statistical profile of public schools on its website. Specifies that this statute does not require an education entity or DPI to report any data that reveals confidential or personally identifiable information about an educator or future educator. Makes conforming changes to GS 115C-12 by requiring the State Board to compile a report on the diversity of educators as provided in GS 115C-299.7; makes conforming changes.
Enacts new Article 6E, Office of Equity Affairs in GS Chapter 115C, providing as follows. Establishes the Office of Equity Affairs (Office) within DPI to provide internal oversight within DPI and the State Board specific to compliance with the State's constitutional role to provide each child the opportunity to receive a sound basic education and to direct the recruitment and retention of a diverse educator workforce. Requires the Office to review educational policies, programs, and initiatives and to provide an independent, objective source of information to be used in evaluating substantial compliance with sound basic education standards and the goal of recruiting and retaining a diverse educator workforce, with special attention and consideration to outcomes for at-risk students. Allows the Office to suggest adjustments to the content and delivery of educational policies, programs, and initiatives. Gives the Office authority to obtain full and unrestricted access to all records, information, and data available to DPI or the State Board. Requires a semi-annual report, beginning no later than January 15, 2027, to the specified NCGA committee on the implementation of the Article, DPI’s and the State Board’s progress in effectively providing each child the opportunity to receive a sound basic education, and the diversity of the educator workforce. Requires giving DPI and the State Board notice before the reporting of deficiencies and an opportunity to correct or improve them; requires reporting any efforts to do so. Creates the Deputy Superintendent of Equity Affairs to serve as the chief officer of the Office. Requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to recommend the individual to be appointed as the Deputy with the recommended appointee appointed upon approval by the State Board. Sets out who the Deputy reports to and provides the process for removal. Appropriates $400,000 in recurring funds for 2026-27 from the General Fund to DPI to permit the Deputy Superintendent of Equity Affairs to appoint up to four full-time staff to assist in the administration of the Deputy Superintendent's duties. Requires one of the positions to be an administrative assistant position and at least one to be an attorney position.
Appropriates $48.5 million in recurring funds for 2026-27 from the General Fund to the UNC BOG for the New Teacher Support Program to provide mentoring and coaching support to beginning teachers employed in low-performing or high-poverty public schools at no cost to the local school administrative units.
Amends GS 115C-310.7 to allow, with the State Board’s approval, Advanced Teaching Roles schools to exceed the maximum class size requirements for grades K-3 (exceeding the limit was previously limited to up to three years in which State funds are awarded to the local school administrative unit where the school is located, with class size flexibility expiring at the conclusion of the term). Effective July 1, 2026, and applies beginning with the 2026-27 school year.
Establishes the Educator Professional Development Allotment in the State Public School Fund, effective July 1, 2026. Requires the State Board to establish the purposes for which the funds may be used, including at least: (1) educator professional development for targeted public school units and school requiring multitiered support for Pre-K through 3rd grade; (2) implementation of literacy training; and (3) mentoring programs for beginning educators. Appropriates $128,450,000 in recurring funds for 2026-27 from the General Fund to DPI to fund the Educator Professional Development Allotment.
Requires DPI to report to the specified NCGA committee and division and OSBM by March 1, 2027, on the findings of its study on alternative teacher compensation models and advanced teaching rules using funds awarded by OSBM for the NC Evaluation Fund.
Sets a monthly teacher salary schedule for "A" teachers for 2026-27 for licensed public school personnel classified as teachers, based on years of experience, ranging from $5,120 for teachers with 0 years of experience to $5.920 for 25 or more years of experience. Provides for a 12% salary supplement for licensed teachers who have National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification; a 10% salary supplement for licensed teachers classified as "M" teachers; a $126 salary supplement for licensed teachers with licensure based on academic preparation at the six-year degree level, in addition to the "M" teachers salary supplement; a $253 salary supplement for licensed teachers with licensure based on academic preparation at the doctoral degree level, in addition to the "M" teachers salary supplement; a 10% salary supplement for certified school nurses; and monthly salary supplement of $100 for school counselors licensed at the master’s degree level or higher. Requires that the first step of the salary schedule for school psychologists, school speech pathologists licensed at the master's degree level or higher, and school audiologists licensed at the master's degree level or higher, must be equivalent to the sixth step of the "A" salary schedule. Provides for a salary supplement of the higher of $500 or 10%. Deems these employees eligible to receive salary supplements equivalent to those of teachers for academic preparation at the six-year degree level or the doctoral degree level. Requires that the twenty-sixth step of the salary schedule for school psychologists, school speech pathologists licensed at the master's degree level or higher, and school audiologists licensed at the master's degree level or higher must be 7.5% higher than the salary received by these same employees on the twenty-fifth step of the salary schedule. Provides that in lieu of the amounts of annual longevity payments to teachers paid on the teacher salary schedule, beginning with the 2014-15 fiscal year, the amounts of those longevity payments are included in the monthly amounts under the teacher salary schedule. Details teacher compensation for the 2026-27 school year based on either (1) the applicable salary schedule; (2) the sum of the salary the teacher received in 2013-14, longevity pay for the 2013-14 school year, and annual bonus provided in SL 2014-100; or (3) the sum of the salary and annual bonus the teacher received in the 2014-15 school year, with the compensation amount determined to be equal to the greater of those amounts. Provides that teacher i