North Carolina Launches Historic Plan to Become Nation’s Top Public School System by 2030
North Carolina has made educational history by becoming the first state to publicly commit to achieving national leadership in public education, launching a bold five-year plan that directly impacts 1.5 million students and their families. The “Achieving Educational Excellence” initiative promises measurable improvements in graduation rates, ACT scores, and student learning outcomes by 2030, with transparent quarterly progress reports to ensure accountability. According to child development expert Laura Lurns, this systematic approach to excellence creates the type of “academic optimism” that rewires student brains for higher achievement and long-term success.
Unprecedented State Commitment to Educational Excellence
North Carolina has set an unprecedented goal to transform its public schools into the nation’s best within five years, marking the first time a state has publicly committed to achieving national educational leadership through a comprehensive, measurable strategic plan. State Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green launched “Achieving Educational Excellence” on August 20, 2025, following unanimous approval by the State Board of Education. The ambitious five-year initiative represents the first collaborative strategic plan between the state’s education department and board in over a decade, directly addressing North Carolina’s current ranking of 45th-48th nationally in per-student spending. “This is a bold plan that matches North Carolina’s potential to have the best public schools in the country,” Green said during the plan’s launch at Centennial Campus Magnet Middle School in Raleigh. “We don’t want to be Top 10. We want to be the absolute best.”
Neuroplasticity Benefits and Measurable Goals
According to child development expert Laura Lurns, this type of systematic, high-expectation approach can create profound neuroplasticity benefits for students. “When entire educational systems communicate growth mindset thinking and excellence expectations consistently, it creates what researchers call ‘academic optimism’ – a psychological environment where student brains actually develop stronger learning pathways,” Lurns explained. “North Carolina is essentially rewiring not just their schools, but the cognitive development possibilities for 1.5 million children.” The strategic plan establishes eight comprehensive pillars and includes specific, measurable goals by 2030: increasing the four-year graduation rate from 86.9% to 92%, raising the average ACT composite score from 18.4 to 20, and achieving national leadership in NAEP reading and mathematics assessments. Most significantly, the plan aims to increase public school enrollment from 84% to 89% of school-aged children, demonstrating confidence in public education’s ability to compete with expanding private and charter options.
Author Quote
“When entire educational systems communicate growth mindset thinking and excellence expectations consistently, it creates what researchers call ‘academic optimism’ – a psychological environment where student brains actually develop stronger learning pathways.
” Community-Driven Development and Immediate Implementation
“The neuroplasticity implications here are extraordinary,” notes Lurns. “By addressing mental health, nutrition access, technology equity, and educator compensation simultaneously, North Carolina is tackling multiple factors that impact cognitive development. Research shows that when these foundational needs are met concurrently, the effects on learning outcomes are exponential rather than additive.” Several initiatives are already underway, including a $25 million Golden LEAF Foundation investment targeting mathematics instruction in rural middle schools, the NC College Connect program guaranteeing college admission for students with a 2.8+ GPA, and expansion of Mental Health First Aid training to K-12 students during Suicide Prevention Week. The plan emerges from extensive community engagement through Green’s “Mo Wants to Know” listening tour, which gathered input from educators, parents, and students across all 100 North Carolina counties through eight regional listening sessions, over 30 stakeholder meetings, and dozens of school visits.
Key Takeaways:
1Unprecedented State Commitment: North Carolina becomes the first state to publicly declare a goal of achieving national educational leadership with measurable targets including raising graduation rates from 86.9% to 92% and ACT scores from 18.4 to 20 by 2030.
2Immediate Impact Initiatives Already Launched: $25 million Golden LEAF Foundation investment is targeting mathematics improvement in rural middle schools while NC College Connect guarantees college admission for students with 2.8+ GPA, providing immediate pathways for student success.
3Comprehensive Brain-Based Support System: The strategic plan simultaneously addresses mental health services, universal nutrition access, technology equity, and educator compensation - creating exponential rather than additive effects on student cognitive development and learning outcomes.
Accountability Structure and Transformational Impact
The implementation includes quarterly public progress reports and an annual Excellence Report Card to ensure transparency and accountability. A new Office of Strategic Planning will coordinate efforts alongside a Strategic Plan Monitoring and Accountability Committee. According to Lurns, the accountability structure itself represents sophisticated understanding of how systemic change occurs. “The quarterly reporting and transparent goal-tracking create what educational neuroscience shows is essential for sustained improvement – consistent feedback loops that allow for rapid course correction while maintaining long-term vision,” she said. Green acknowledged that the plan will require “strategic financial investments” and mentioned ongoing discussions with lawmakers about necessary funding support. “What North Carolina is doing represents exactly the type of comprehensive, brain-based approach that creates transformational rather than incremental change,” Lurns concluded. “By publicly committing to excellence and backing it with measurable goals, transparent accountability, and systematic support for all the factors that impact student cognitive development, they’re creating conditions for educational breakthrough.” To help develop your child’s growth mindset and resilience, consider our free course that teaches both parents and children how to embrace challenges and view setbacks as learning opportunities. Explore growth mindset strategies.
Author Quote
“By addressing mental health, nutrition access, technology equity, and educator compensation simultaneously, North Carolina is tackling multiple factors that impact cognitive development – research shows that when these foundational needs are met concurrently, the effects on learning outcomes are exponential rather than additive.
” North Carolina’s historic commitment to educational excellence represents exactly the type of systematic, brain-based approach that creates transformational change for children. By publicly declaring measurable goals and backing them with comprehensive support for mental health, nutrition, technology access, and educator compensation, the state is creating optimal conditions for student cognitive development. As parents navigate an increasingly complex educational landscape, they need expert guidance to understand how these systemic changes impact their children’s learning and development. The Learning Success All Access Program provides parents with the neuroscience-based strategies and tools to complement their state’s ambitious vision, ensuring every child can thrive academically and emotionally. Start your free trial at https://learningsuccess.ai/membership/all-access/ and discover how to maximize your child’s learning potential during this transformational time in North Carolina education.
