New from EdNC

EdNC’s Hurricane Helene Playbook: Lessons learned in leadership, trauma, wellness, and ‘facing forward’

by Mebane Rash | January 29, 2026

Editor’s note: This article is part of EdNC’s playbook on Hurricane Helene. Other articles in the playbook are available here. Whether it was the pandemic, the closing of the mill in Canton, or Hurricane Helene, we’ve learned leaders need a strategy,...

A middle school will open on a community college campus in 2026. Why Haywood Innovative matters

by Mebane Rash | January 29, 2026

Innovation doesn’t happen without leadership, and often innovation is prompted by disruption. Just west of Asheville, Haywood County has been through it: a pandemic, historic flooding, wildfires, the closing of Canton’s beloved paper mill, and Hurricane Helene. It also has...

‘Together We Learn’: Codesigning a brighter future for North Carolina’s alternative schools and programs

by Chantal Brown | January 29, 2026

A new statewide initiative plans to invite alternative schools in North Carolina to connect, share resources, and give their students more opportunities.  The Together We Learn (TWL) initiative is a multiyear project that strives to improve outcomes for students in...

Perspective | Can North Carolina meet the growing demand for more educational options?

by Robert Luebke | January 29, 2026

Enrollment in private schools in North Carolina is up 40% in the last 10 years. Today one in four students is educated in a private, charter, or homeschool. Important questions derive from these developments: Can private schools continue to meet...

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The Editor’s Notes

I am loving the additions to the playlist this week courtesy of Jeff McDaris. Enjoy.

The priority application period for new students for both the 2026-27 Opportunity Scholarships (also known as vouchers) and ESA+ Scholarships opens on Monday, February 2, 2026 and runs through the 5:00 p.m. deadline on Monday, March 2, 2026.

Tom Sorrells, our resident meteorologist, will update our weather article today, and Ben will continue to update school and community college closures next week. Bookmark this article for updates.

Need to know

• New nonprofit on teaching and learning outcomes

  Learnvia | January 30, 2026

• U.S. Department of Education issues aimed to simplify federal student loan repayment,

  U.S. Department of Education | January 29, 2026

• State Health Plan Board Approves 1st Phase Of Preferred Provider Strategy

  NC Treasurer | January 29, 2026

• North Carolinians Call on State Supreme Court to Fund Education

  ProgressNC | January 29, 2026

• CJ Poll: NC voter support for school choice remains strong

  The Carolina Journal | January 30, 2026

• North Carolina’s first lady takes on rehabilitation and reentry

  NC Health News | January 29, 2026

• Making Room for What Matters: Innovative School Leaders Want Accountability, but With a Lighter Footprint

  Transcend | October 31, 2025

• Want better student outcomes? Invest in student experiences

  New Schools | November 5, 2025

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