The NC Department of Public Instruction (DPI) is tasked with implementing North Carolina’s public school laws and the State Board of Education’s policies and procedures governing pre-kindergarten through 12th grade public education. The State Superintendent, June Atkinson, leads the department and operates under the policy direction of the State Board of Education. The department provides resources and guidance to 115 local public school districts and more than 2,500 traditional public schools, 148 charter schools, and three residential schools for students with hearing and visual impairments. These resources include curriculum and instruction, accountability, finance, teacher and administrator preparation and licensing, professional development and school business support and operations. DPI also controls application of the state’s $400 million Race to the Top federal grant. The Department’s main offices are in Raleigh, with four regional alternative licensing centers in Concord, Fayetteville, Elm City, and Catawba.
Editor’s Note: EdNC will be posting leadership profiles on the policymakers influencing education in North Carolina. Recently, I met with a member of our General Assembly. He noted that upon becoming a legislator people started treating him like an object. I come from a family that values public service, period. You know our policymakers as politicians. I hope our profiles help you know them better as people. EdNC wants you to be comfortable walking into the legislature, interacting with the legislators, and participating in state government – it is your government after all.
Check back tomorrow for another leadership profile on the N.C. State Board of Education.
