Welcome Letter

Dear North Carolina Families, Educators and Community Members,

Thank you to our parents and caregivers for allowing North Carolina public schools to educate your children, to our community members who support our schools and to our educators who teach our students. As we work to have the best public education system in the country by 2030 as outlined in our strategic plan, Achieving Educational Excellence, it is my honor that you have chosen to join us on the journey to reach this goal.

Annual school report cards provide information about how our schools are serving students. North Carolina's current school grading system is based on both state and federal requirements. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires states to have accountability systems. State legislation (G.S. 115C-83.15) outlines how schools are measured through a single letter grade based on performance (80%) and growth (20%) on end-of-grade and end-of-course exams. High schools have some additional measures.

While current law requires the reporting of these grades, I am confident that many believe, as I do, that our schools are far more than a single letter grade can capture. Every day, schools transform lives through college-level courses, career and technical education programs, arts instruction, social-emotional support and countless opportunities that prepare students for success but aren't reflected in this formula. A school that helps a student grow two grade levels in reading in a single year may still receive a low grade if that student hasn't yet reached proficiency. This doesn't tell the full story of that school's impact. Indeed, while there is certainly room for improvement, please know that our educators and students are achieving remarkable things every day — from our historically high graduation rates, to record participation and performance on college-level Advanced Placement exams, to record numbers of industry credentials earned and other outstanding results. 

That's why our strategic plan calls for developing a more comprehensive accountability system. In November 2025, the State Board of Education established a task force to consider how to provide a more comprehensive picture of what is going on in our schools.

Until the task force completes its work and potential changes can be implemented, I encourage you to look beyond the letter grade. Visit your schools. Talk with teachers and principals. Ask about student academic growth, not just proficiency. Learn about the programs and supports available and how our schools have the most National Board Certified Teachers in the entire country. See how your school serves as a community hub and center of care for children.

Thanks again.

Sincerely,

Maurice "Mo" Green 

North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction