What is Dual Ascent?
EdNC's news and research on early childcare and early literacy
Hello, Early Bird readers! This is Mebane, EdNC’s CEO and Editor-in-Chief. I am taking the lead on Early Bird, which is expanding to include literacy. This year, Amy Rhyne, the former senior director of the Office of Early Learning at the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, will be writing for EdNC. You can get to know Amy and read her articles here.
It was a real joy this week to publish the article about the work and leadership of the Belk Center, which I think shows all that is possible when we work together. For me, the story behind the story of Dual Ascent starts with Cyndi Soter O’Neil, a philanthropist, who reached out to Cecilia Holden at myFutureNC about doing some research on student parents at community colleges. One of the most incredible things about Cecilia’s leadership is just how inclusive — truly inclusive — she is. She reached out to me and said why don’t you all run with this. And so we did.
Our research since 2025 went beyond student parents to look at the nexus of early childhood and community colleges, including child provided on campuses. At the conclusion of our research, EdNC’s Analisa Archer put together a memo outlining where progress was possible fast. With a ton of help and support from the team at The Leon Levine Foundation, her memo shaped a convening of stakeholders we supported in June. Since then, in just a couple of months, there have been $1.2 million in investments in the N.C. Community College System and the Belk Center to really push forward on Dual Ascent. My gratitude to all of you.
Toward the end of October, the Governor’s Task Force met to learn more about investments in NC Pre-K. Here is EdNC’s article and coverage of the leadership of the task force.
State and national philanthropists met in North Carolina on Oct. 28-30, 2026, at a conference held by the Early Childhood Funders Collaborative. Here is Amy Rhyne’s article leading up to the event.
And ICYMI, Invest Early NC recently shared the first public overview of Invest Early, Build Together: A 10-Year Plan for North Carolina’s Youngest Children, along with a new public home, a website at InvestEarlyNC.org. Here is EdNC’s article about the leadership of Invest Early NC, including ways you can get involved.
More from EdNC on early childhood
Belk Center to lead research and evaluation for North Carolina Dual Ascent
This week, the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research (Belk Center) announced it will be serving as the research and evaluation partner for North Carolina Dual Ascent. What is North Carolina Dual Ascent? In 2025-26, EdNC conducted research...NC Pre-K in action: Task Force gets a master class on this program with 'positive outcomes for children and communities'
The bipartisan North Carolina Task Force on Child Care and Early Education met Monday at Vandora Springs Elementary School in Garner. Ahead of its meeting in the school’s media center, task force members visited a preschool classroom led by Jocelyn...Onslow County childcare task force outlines challenges and potential solutions to shortages
The Jacksonville Onslow Chamber of Commerce and One Place, the local Smart Start partnership, recently released an interim report examining the childcare shortage in Onslow County and its effects on local families and the economy. A local Community Child Care...The big picture for little kids
Legislative Updates
Headlines in The New York Times called election night a “rout,” a “stunning rebuke to Trump,” and a “red wipeout” — all stronger than the predictions of a “blue wave” leading up to the election.
Democrats will control Congress. In an exclusive interview with The New York Times, “President Trump said on Tuesday night that he was ‘absolutely willing’ to accept the results of the midterm elections, and was prepared to work with Democrats.”
From the NC Tribune, “If the unofficial results from Tuesday night hold up through next week’s canvass and any subsequent reviews, Democrats will hold a 71-48-1 majority in the N.C. House while Republicans hold the N.C. Senate 26-24.”
Democrats flipped the N.C. House, and Speaker Destin Hall conceded the loss.
NC Insider is reporting that “When House Minority Leader Robert Reives went on stage at the Democratic Party’s election night watch party about two hours after statewide results began coming in, he was introduced as the next speaker of the House.”
But everyone is watching Senate District 24 where Republican Danny Britt holds just a 268 vote lead — that one seat could mean a split chamber.
Regardless, the election broke the Republican supermajority in the N.C. Senate.
In big news especially for those interested in early ed, assuming Republicans hold on to the majority of seats, Sen. Jim Burgin, a Republican who co-chairs the Governor’s Task Force on Child Care and Early Education, announced he is running for President Pro Tem of the N.C. Senate. “Relationships matter,” says his letter, “and they are what I would bring to this role.”
Justice Anita Earls, a Democrat, kept her seat on the N.C. Supreme Court.
All three amendments to the N.C. Constitution passed.
Here is all of EdNC’s election coverage.
The legislature convenes for a lame duck session on Monday, Nov. 16 at noon.
News & Research
- More than just play: How Richmond County kindergarten teachers are building strong readers - From EdNC
- From training to transformation: What Carteret County is learning about lasting literacy change - From EdNC
- A Big Winner in the 2026 Elections? Early Childhood Funding - From The 74
- Tidal Tots Childcare Center in Frisco names director, targets January 2027 opening - From Island Free Press
- DCDEE is pleased to announce the release of the Request for Applications for “Family Child Care Home Direct Support Pilot Program" - From NCDHHS
- DCDEE is pleased to announce the release of the Request for Applications for “Child Care Academies” open to the North Carolina Community Colleges and universities included in the UNC System ONLY. - From NCDHHS
Taking flight! Opportunities to spread your wings
DCDEE Director Candace Witherspoon describes the 2026 state budget changes that raise childcare subsidy rates and establish a subsidy reimbursement floor. Early educators share what this landmark childcare funding means for their communities.
“Early childhood educators are unsung heroes, and their work is absolutely vital to the economic recovery of western North Carolina,” said Stein.
The Hunt Institute is hosting a webinar on “The ABCs of Play-Based Learning in Early Childhood Education” featuring Dr. Iheoma U. Iruka on Nov. 19 at 2 p.m. Spread the word and register here.
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