Achieving Educational Excellence

The words "Acheiving Educational Excellence" is displayed with icons for all 8 pillars. Text and descriptions for each pillar is nearby on the page.

Best in Nation: Our Plan for NC Public Schools

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) and the State Board of Education (SBE) developed a bold strategic plan: Achieving Educational Excellence. The five-year plan aims to position North Carolina's public schools as the best in the United States by 2030, and it is the first joint plan between the SBE and the state superintendent. Here is a summary document with the plan highlights.

8 Pillars of Excellence

The "Achieving Educational Excellence" plan establishes eight strategic pillars:

A graduation cap is shown on a blue background.

1: Prepare Each Student for Their Next Phase in Life

Expanding rigorous pathways, dual enrollment and character development

Three sillouettes with a star above them on a purple background.

2: Revere Public School Educators

Competitive compensation and career advancement opportunities

Hands holding a heart with three sillouettes inside on blue background.

3: Enhance Parent, Caregiver and Community Support

Strengthening family engagement and partnerships

A schoolhouse is shown on an orange background.

4: Ensure Healthy, Safe and Secure Learning Environments

Physical and emotional safety with mental health support

5: Optimize Operational Excellence

Modernizing systems and eliminating administrative burdens

Sillouette climbing a rock on a gray background.

6: Lead Transformative Change

Research-driven innovation and accountability reform

7: Celebrate the Excellence in Public Education

Comprehensive messaging to highlight successes

8: Galvanize Champions to Fully Invest in and Support Public Education

Building coalitions for increased investment and pride in our schools

Key Goals by 2030

92% four-year graduation rate (currently 86.9%)
ACT composite score of 20 (currently 18.5)
30% AP participation among 10th-12th graders (currently 21.5%)
41% Career Technical Education (CTE) participation among all K-12 students (currently 36.1%)
89% of school-aged children enrolled in public schools
Lead the Southeast in educator compensation
National leadership in National Association for Educational Preparedness (NAEP) reading and math scores

The plan also emphasizes character development, with goals to significantly increase schools recognized as National Schools of Character and implement service-learning efforts and comprehensive character education programs statewide.

Strategic Plan Dashboard

The NCDPI strategic plan, Achieving Educational Excellence, is driving progress across North Carolina's public schools. To help families, educators and communities follow that progress, NCDPI has launched a new interactive dashboard tracking the plan's eight pillars and the actions already underway toward making North Carolina's public schools the best in the nation by 2030. The dashboard highlights measures, milestones and stories from across the state as they happen. Visit the Strategic Plan Dashboard to explore the plan's progress for yourself.

Visit the Strategic Plan Dashboard

Background

Built on input from thousands of educators, students, parents and community members through Superintendent Green's "Mo Wants to Know" listening tour, the plan is for every North Carolinian. The strategic plan development included eight regional listening sessions, over 30 stakeholder meetings and more than a dozen school visits across North Carolina. The initial draft of the plan was shared at the June 2025 State Board of Education meeting and was approved in a unanimous vote on August 7, 2025.

Get Involved

Every North Carolinian can make a difference in the work ahead. If you are interested in being involved in the implementation of the strategic plan, complete the form at the link below.

Be a Champion!