10/28/2026

New from EdNC

NC Pre-K in action: Task Force gets a master class on this program with ‘positive outcomes for children and communities’

by Mebane Rash | October 27, 2026

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...

State Health Plan reaches deal with Atrium, discusses open enrollment and financial outlook

by Hannah Vinueza McClellan | October 27, 2026

State Treasurer Brad Briner announced on Tuesday that a new, multiyear contract was signed between the State Health Plan (SHP) and Atrium Health to add all Atrium hospitals and physicians to its in-network “access” tier under the plan’s new tiered-provider...

Asheville City Schools showcases choice available to public school students

by Hannah Vinueza McClellan | October 27, 2026

If you’re standing outside around 7 a.m. during a weekday in Asheville, you might notice something strange — the same yellow district buses crisscrossing back and forth several times on the same roads. That’s because unlike most other school districts,...

Electrical apprentices showcase skilled trades to state leaders at NC State Fair

by Sophia Luna | October 27, 2026

For four hours on a recent Wednesday at the N.C. State Fair, 36 electrical apprentices consulted a blueprint they received that morning to compete for a spot on the podium at ApprenticeshipNC’s 41st annual electrician trades competition. To the untrained...

The Editor’s Notes

This week, state and national philanthropists are meeting in North Carolina on Oct. 28-30, 2026, at a conference held by the Early Childhood Funders Collaborative.

Earlier this week, 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.

Earlier this month, Invest Early NC 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.

Today at the conference, two articles will be presented to the funders. This look back by Amy Rhyne and this look forward by Iheoma U. Iruka.

This is not the first time our state has tried to be brave and bold when it comes to early ed. Please take a few minutes today to learn more about how leaders are coming together to map change, and how you can get involved and make a difference for our youngest kids, readers, learners, and leaders to be.

Need to know

• Expanding Civic Knowledge Among High School Students

  Education Commission of the States | October 27, 2026

• Sign the 2027 School Meals for All Coalition letter by Friday, November 6th at 5:00 p.m. PT.

  School Meals for ALL | October 28, 2026