New from EdNC

NC Collaboratory invites research proposals from institutions of higher education

by Mebane Rash | May 19, 2026

The NC Collaboratory released an at least $1 million RFP on May 13, inviting research proposals from institutions of higher education (IHE) in North Carolina — including community colleges — to study high-priority topics in K-12 education affecting students, teachers,...

Current events, the Constitution, and critical thinking: How one educator brings civics into the classroom

by Caroline Parker | May 19, 2026

‘Surprising, interesting, or troubling’ One Wednesday in late April at Rockingham Early College High, students in Valencia Abbott’s 10th grade civics class read an article involving Medicare, the Affordable Care Act, and other real-world examples of rising health care costs....

NC’s math scores are increasing post-COVID, but reading growth trails behind, report shows

by Sergio Osnaya-Prieto | May 19, 2026

Editor’s note: This story was produced in collaboration with the Associated Press’ Education Reporting Network. North Carolina students have experienced one of the fastest post-pandemic recoveries in math scores nationwide since 2022. Reading scores, however, have dropped since 2022 —...

Perspective | Student population growth and the limits of district capacity in North Carolina

by Keith Livesay | May 19, 2026

Over the past few years, student population changes in my district have become increasingly difficult to ignore. What might look like gradual growth on paper often feels very different in practice. From where I sit, even steady changes in enrollment can quickly...

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The Editor’s Notes

The NC Collaboratory released an at least $1 million RFP on May 13, inviting research proposals from institutions of higher education in North Carolina — including community colleges — to study high-priority topics in K-12 education impacting our students, teachers, and communities.

This article includes what you need to know about the Collaboratory, the proposals that will be prioritized, and how to apply.

Jeni Corn — who many in the ed ecosystem know from her leadership at the Friday Institute and DPI — says you can think of the Collaboratory as the “research and grantmaking arm of the General Assembly,”

“We’re really trying to make sure that the research that we’re funding is directly connected to what is going on in schools,” said Corn on a webinar yesterday. Please share this important opportunity.

Need to know

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• N.C. community colleges face growing demand as leaders push for more funding

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