2023 Newsletter
DECEMBER 20, 2023In this issue: Podcast Episode 23: Capitol Hill Update With AASA; NCASA NEWS - NC Candidate Filing Reveals Key Races To Watch In 2024; STATE NEWS - NC Schools Sue Social Media Companies For Exploiting ‘Addictive Nature’ Of Platforms; NCHSAA Commissioner Que Tucker Selected For N.C. Sports Hall Of Fame Induction; More Than 10% Of NC Lawmakers Won't Return To State Legislature In 2025; FEDERAL NEWS - Lawsuit Over A Transgender School Sports Policy Revived By Federal Appeals Court; Proposed Rule For School-Based Medicaid Billing Draws Support, Opposition; 15 Highlights From National School Transportation Associations; and more…
DECEMBER 14, 2023In this issue: NCASA NEWS - NCASA Executive Committee Approves Draft 2024 Legislative Priorities; STATE NEWS - No-Bid Contracts In State Budget Reveal Divide Between Lawmakers And Education Officials; NC Attorney General Announces Additional $7.8 Million From Agreement With Juul; FEDERAL NEWS - New Ed Dept Deadlines Revealed For Title IX, Section 504 Regulations; AASA Endorses New Bipartisan School Safety Legislation; NCASA HIGHLIGHT ON EDUCATION LEADERSHIP - Is The Surry-Yadkin Works Apprenticeship Program A Model? A New Playbook Shares Lessons Learned; and more…
DECEMBER 7, 2023In this issue: NCASA NEWS - State Board Of Education December Meeting Summary; Senate Announces Appointments To Education Oversight Committee; CAPITOL HILL AASA MONTHLY RECAP - December 7th; STATE NEWS - NC Candidate Filing Begins For 2024 Election Marked By Office Vacancies And Remapping; NC Students Must Study Computer Science To Graduate Under New Law; Treasurer Says Covert Plan Foiled; Agency Says There Was No 'Secret Plan'; FEDERAL NEWS - U.S. Department of Education Announces $277 Million In Grants To Help Address Academic Recovery; NCASA HIGHLIGHT ON EDUCATION LEADERSHIP - Report Ranks Best Schools In North Carolina; and more…
NOVEMBER 30, 2023In this issue: STATE NEWS - Enrollment At Traditional Public Schools Declines For First Time Since Pandemic; Leandro Plaintiffs Seek Berger Jr.’s Recusal From Upcoming Hearing; N.C. Roadmap Of Need Report Reveals Counties Where Youth Need Most Support; FEDERAL NEWS - U.S. Dept. of Education Announces Partnership To Distribute Free COVID-19 Tests To Schools Across Country; and more…
NOVEMBER 16, 2023In this issue: STATE NEWS - What To Know About The State Budget’s Provisions For Principals; Child Care Teacher Pay At Top Of Challenges Ahead Of Next Session, Legislators Say; FEDERAL NEWS - FY2024: Avoiding A Shutdown But Still Not Funded; U.S. Department Of Education Promotes Multilingual Education For A Diverse Workforce; FCC Proposes Adding Wi-Fi Hotspots To E-Rate Program; and more…
NOVEMBER 9, 2023In this issue: NCASA NEWS - November State Board of Education Meeting Summary; State Board Approves Graduation Requirements, Parental Concern Hearings, New Student Information System; STATE NEWS - Foxx: Ed Dept Religious Expression Guidance Could Violate Student Rights; FEDERAL NEWS - Ed Dept Calls On Schools To Address ‘Alarming Rise’ In Islamophobic, Antisemitic Incidents; Biden Administration Announces $334M To Hire Police Officers, Improve Security At Schools; NCASA HIGHLIGHT ON EDUCATION LEADERSHIP - 8 Regional Nominees Compete For 2024 Superintendent Of The Year Award; and more…
NOVEMBER 2, 2023In this issue: STATE NEWS - When Will N.C. School Employees See Pay Raises?; Change Is Coming In How Math Is Taught In NC Schools. But Will It Make Students Care?; FEDERAL NEWS - White House Releases Executive Order On Artificial Intelligence; Final Title IX Rules Delayed Once More As Ed Dept Misses Deadline; White House, Ed Dept Call On Schools To Protect Youth From Fentanyl Dangers; NCASA HIGHLIGHT ON EDUCATION LEADERSHIP - Moments Of Hope From North Carolina’s Regional Principals Of The Year; and more…
OCTOBER 26, 2023In this issue: NCASA NEWS - State Lawmakers Leave Budget Technical Corrections On Table, Recess Till 11/29; STATE NEWS - Governor Cooper Directs $1.4 Million To Expand School Breakfast Programs; Justices Will Revisit Leandro, Order For State To Spend $677M; Dudley Flood Center To Take Up Work Of Governor’s DRIVE Task Force; FEDERAL NEWS - Budgeting For Equity Beyond ESSER: A Guide To Actionable State And District Policy Responses To The Fiscal Cliff; FCC Expands E-rate To Cover School Bus Wi-Fi; and more…
OCTOBER 19, 2023In this issue: NCASA NEWS - NCASA To Offer Conflict Of Interest Training For School Administrators; STATE NEWS - Fewer NC Students Are Expected To Receive Sex Ed. Why That Worries Health Experts; North Carolina Student AP Exam Performance Tops Previous School Year; NC Board Rejects Proposed Wake Charter School, Orders Chatham School To Close; and more…
OCTOBER 12, 2023In this issue: NCASA NEWS - NCASA Pursues Budget Technical Correction On Student Graduation Requirements; State Budget Clarifies Parents’ Bill Of Rights; STATE NEWS - LGBTQ Rights Group Says NC’s New Parents’ Bill Of Rights Violates Federal Law; Schools Can Use These Little-Known, Unlimited Funds To Make Their Buildings Greener; NCASA HIGHLIGHT ON EDUCATION LEADERSHIP - Former Wake Schools Superintendent Lands On State Board Of Education; and more…
OCTOBER 5, 2023In this issue: NCASA NEWS - October State Board of Education Meeting – Oct. 4-5; STATE NEWS - NC State Budget Is Three Months Late, But Raises, Programs Now Can Take Effect; Teacher Misconduct, Computer Science Graduation Requirement Bills Become State Law; NCHSAA Will Govern High School Sports 'For Now,' Senator Believes Association Will Last For Years; State Education Board Says It Won’t Hear Appeals On School Book Challenges.; Leandro Plaintiffs Ask State’s Highest Court To Steer Clear Of Latest Dispute; School Superintendent Turnover Is Rising. A Leader Aims To ‘Keep Down The Noise’ Amid Culture Wars.; FEDERAL NEWS - Budget Deal Averts Education Funding Nightmare; School Districts Are Poised For A $23M Payout In New Opioid Settlement; NCASA HIGHLIGHT ON EDUCATION LEADERSHIP - Supporting ‘Bright Futures’: A Chamber Of Commerce And School District Team Up To Help Make ‘Miracles’ For Students In Need; and more…
SEPTEMBER 28, 2023In this issue: NCASA NEWS - New Graduation Requirement, Student Protections, & Principal Licensure Changes Sent To Governor; STATE NEWS - Commissioner Tells Schools New Legislation Will Be 'Devastating,' Vows To 'Stay In The Storm'; NC Makes Gains On AP Exams, Outpacing The Nation On Several Indicators; FEDERAL NEWS - Biden-Harris Administration Announces New Supports To Increase Reach Of Mental Health Services And Professionals In Schools; The Federal Government Might Shut Down (Yes, Again). Here’s What Schools Need to Know; USDA Final Rule Expands Free Meal Access At High-Poverty Schools; NCASA HIGHLIGHT ON EDUCATION LEADERSHIP - Principal Of The Year Lifts Up Importance Of Leadership Development; and more…
SEPTEMBER 21, 2023In this issue: NCASA NEWS - Lawmakers Unveil And Vote On Delayed State Budget Deal; STATE NEWS - Eight NC Schools Earn National Blue Ribbon Recognition; FEDERAL NEWS - By The Numbers: White House 75% Closer To Placing 250K Tutors, Mentors In Schools; Principals Urge Congress To Preserve Title I Funding; Proposed Section 504 Rule Still Being Drafted; NCASA HIGHLIGHT ON EDUCATION LEADERSHIP - Guilford County Schools Opens Second Newcomers School; and more…
SEPTEMBER 14, 2023In this issue: NCASA NEWS - Senate Approves New Principal Licensure Requirements As State Budget Is Further Delayed; STATE NEWS - NC Teachers And Workers Are ‘Mad And Frustrated’ As GOP’s Casino Fight Delays Raises; Gov. Cooper Releases Federal Dollars To Aid NC Pre-K; New Board Will Make Call About 14 Charter Schools That Want To Open In 2025; FEDERAL NEWS - Senators Debate Congress’ Role In School, Library Book Bans; and more…
SEPTEMBER 7, 2023In this issue: NCASA NEWS - 2023 Enacted Law Summaries; September State Board of Education Meeting – Sept. 6-7; STATE NEWS - NC’s State Budget Is Expected In Days, But It’s Months Late. What Took So Long?; Stripped Of Charter School Approval Power, State Board Of Education Wants Funding Review; Data Released On Back To School Vacancies; NC Students Make Gains In 2022-23, Continuing Recovery From COVID Losses; Ahead Of 2024 ESSER Funding Cliff, Here Are Resources For District And State Leaders To Make Hard Budget Decisions; FEDERAL NEWS - USDA Publishes Child Nutrition Program Integrity Final Rule; WATCH: 5 Key Takeaways On Education From The 1st GOP Presidential Debate; and more…
AUGUST 31, 2023In this issue: STATE NEWS - Public School Forum Lists Six Ways NC Could Hold Non-Public Schools That Get Taxpayer Funds Accountable; Governor Invests $1 Million In School Bus Driver Training, Calls On Legislature To Pass Budget Investing In Public Schools; Statewide Effort To Help Teachers With Licensing Costs Continues; FEDERAL NEWS - Report: School District Spending Of The American Rescue Plan; NCASA HIGHLIGHT ON EDUCATION LEADERSHIP - NC Administrator Featured In “Rising Leaders: 10 Standout Assistant Principals And District Leaders You Should Know In 2023-24;” and more...
AUGUST 24, 2023In this issue: NCASA NEWS – A message from the NCASA Executive Director; STATE NEWS - NC Schools Must Now Follow ‘Parents’ Bill of Rights.’ Here’s How Things Could Change.; NC Districts Taking School Calendars Into Their Own Hands. Virginia Already Changed Its Law; FEDERAL NEWS - Biden Administration Launches School Safety Awareness Campaign; How Are Districts Preparing For The End Of American Rescue Plan Funds?; NCASA HIGHLIGHT ON EDUCATION LEADERSHIP - Every Child, Every Chance, Every Day: A Spotlight On District Leadership; and more…
AUGUST 17, 2023In this issue: NCASA NEWS – Education Bills Become Law After Lawmakers Successfully Override Vetoes; STATE NEWS - NC House Democrats And School Board Members Sound Alarm Over Lack Of State Budget; Report Shows Challenges Of Being Superintendent In A ‘Politicized Education Space’; Who Decides When Kids Start School? Some NC Districts Are In Open Revolt; Are NC legislators OK With Public Schools Setting Their Own Start Dates? We Asked Them; NC Public Schools Follow School Start Law. Why Not Charter, Private Ones?; FEDERAL NEWS - Foxx: U.S. Needs 'To Quash Chinese Influence In Our Nation’s Schools'; Federal Proposal Could Reshape How Districts Accommodate Pregnant Employees; and more…
AUGUST 10, 2023In this issue: NCASA NEWS – Veto Override Attempts For Education Bills Further Postponed Until August 16; STATE NEWS – ‘Zero’ Chance Of NC Budget Before Sept. 1, Speaker Says; Agency Provides Portrait Of A Graduate Classroom-Ready Resources To School Districts; NC Chamber Brings Business Community Together To Talk Education, Workforce, And The Future; FEDERAL NEWS – U.S. Department Of Education Announces Key K-12 Cybersecurity Resilience Efforts; and more…
AUGUST 3, 2023In this issue: NCASA NEWS – State Board of Education August Meeting Summary – Aug. 2; STATE NEWS – NC Budget Is A Month Late, But Republicans Are Closing In On Deal; NC School Safety Summit Touches On Threat Teams, Body Armor And Hoaxes; Facilities, Staffing And Safety: Local Leaders Say Some School Priorities Aren't Reflected In NC Budget Proposals; NC Private School Enrollment Is Soaring And Could Rise Even More; FEDERAL NEWS – Title I, IDEA Would See FY24 Increases Under Senate Appropriations Committee Plan; Education, Labor Departments Issue Guidance For Registered Teacher Apprenticeships; and more…
JULY 27, 2023In this issue: NCASA NEWS – Governor Cooper Vetoes Charter School Bill, Now Scheduled For 8/7 House Override Vote; STATE NEWS – Scale Of Tax Cuts + Underinvestment In Public Education + Expansion Of School Choice = A State Of Emergency; Raises For Teachers Could Come With New School Year, Even If No NC Budget Deal Is Reached; Department of Public Instruction Shares Urgent Retirement Rate Update; FEDERAL NEWS – State Superintendent Catherine Truitt Discusses Learning Loss Before Congressional Committee; $58M In Federal Grants Aim To Help Schools, Day Care Centers Remove Lead From Drinking Water; Ed Dept Updates Guidance On Special Ed Noncompliance; and more…
JULY 20, 2023In this issue: NCASA NEWS – State Budget, Veto Override Votes Officially Delayed Until At Least August 7; STATE NEWS – Controversial New Education Bill Likely Won't Be Heard This Session; PEPSC Votes Against Increasing Cost Of Teacher Licensure Fees; Perspective: State Board Chair, Vice-Chair Share Concerns About Parents’ Bill Of Rights; FEDERAL NEWS – House Republicans Seek 80% Cut To Federal Program For Students From Low-Income Families; Watchdog Finds Systemic Problems With Major School Meals Program; and more…
JULY 13, 2023In this issue: NCASA NEWS – Committee Delays Action On S90 – Affecting Superintendent Jobs & School Operations – Amidst Concerns; House Committee Green Lights Bill On Career Development And Grad. Plans; STATE NEWS – GOP-Backed Bill Would Give NC Parents More Power To Challenge School Leaders; Bill To OK Tax Money For Charter School Construction Clears NC Legislature; No North Carolina Budget Vote Until August, Top House Member Says; NCDPI Office Of Academic Standards Shares Resources For New K-12 Science Standards Taking Effect In 2024-25; FEDERAL NEWS – FCC Chairwoman Announces New Funds To Protect Schools Against Cyber Attacks; Superintendents Report Stress Levels Double That Of Other Working Adults NCASA HIGHLIGHT ON EDUCATION LEADERSHIP – Bertie County Schools Superintendent Selected as 2023 NCSSA Dr. Dwayne Stallings Leadership (NERESA) Award Winner; Polk County Schools Superintendent Selected as 2023 NCSSA Dr. Brad Sneeden Leadership Award Winner; and more…
JULY 6, 2023In this issue: NCASA NEWS – Aside From Vetoes, Bill Action Minimal During Holiday Week; State Board of Education July Meeting Summary – Jul. 6; STATE NEWS – NC Gov. Roy Cooper Vetoes Three GOP Bills Limiting How Schools, Doctors Can Help Transgender Kids; Carolinas Academic Leadership Network Hosts Kickoff Event In Charlotte; FEDERAL NEWS – In Their Words: NC Leaders React To Supreme Court Striking Down Affirmative Action In College Admissions; U.S. Senator Tillis Heads To Raleigh With A Mental Health Care Agenda; and more…