North Carolina Launches Ambitious Plan to Make Public Schools Best in Nation by 2030

RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) and State Board of Education (SBE) unveiled a bold strategic plan, "Achieving Educational Excellence," aiming to make the state’s public schools the best in the nation by 2030. The plan, unanimously approved by the SBE in August, was celebrated Thursday with events at Wake County public schools attended by state dignitaries, educators, and community members.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Maurice “Mo” Green, who spearheaded the initiative, described the plan as a transformative vision shaped by extensive statewide engagement. “We created this strategic plan after crossing the state listening to parents, students, and educators about their hopes and dreams for education,” Green said. “Now, with the State Board of Education’s unanimous approval, I’m eager to get to work with educators, families, partners, and students to make North Carolina’s public schools the best in the nation.”

The plan, the first joint initiative between NCDPI and the SBE in over a decade, is built on eight pillars: preparing students for their next life phase, supporting educators, enhancing community engagement, ensuring safe learning environments, optimizing operations, leading transformative change, celebrating excellence, and galvanizing public support for education.

Key initiatives include a $25 million investment from the Golden LEAF Foundation to improve mathematics instruction in rural middle schools, the NC College Connect program guaranteeing college admission for students with a 2.8 GPA or higher, expanded mental health support with Youth Mental Health First Aid training, a campaign to read 10 million books annually, and an endowment for two years of tuition-free postsecondary education.

The plan sets measurable goals, including a 92% graduation rate, an average ACT score of 20, and leading the nation in National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores by 2030. Progress will be tracked through quarterly public reports and an Excellence Report Card. An Office of Strategic Planning and a Monitoring and Accountability Committee will oversee implementation, with annual reviews to adjust based on data.

“This is a bold plan that matches North Carolina’s potential,” Green said. SBE Chairman Eric Davis echoed the sentiment, stating, “We will achieve educational excellence — not because it’s easy, but because it is hard. We do our best when we do hard things together, and our students deserve nothing less.”

Gov. Josh Stein praised the initiative, emphasizing collaboration. “This strategic plan sets a bold and ambitious vision for our schools to be the very best in the nation,” Stein said. “It will take all of us to work together to deliver on our state’s and our students’ potential.”

Developed through eight regional listening sessions, over 30 stakeholder meetings, school visits, and input from thousands across all 100 counties, the plan reflects diverse perspectives. NCDPI serves 1.5 million students in 2,683 public schools, representing 84% of the state’s school-aged children. North Carolina leads the nation with nearly 25,000 National Board Certified Teachers and is recognized for its top early college programs.

Green will host regional forums this fall to share details and encourage community involvement. The full plan is available at go.ncdpi.gov/bestinnation, where residents can sign up as Public School Champions.