North Carolina Digital Learning Plan

North Carolina is committed to providing the personalized digital-age education its K-12 students need to be successful in college, in careers, and as productive citizens. The transition to digital learning has already begun in North Carolina at the State, district, and school levels:

Legislative actions during the past two years address preparing educators for digital learning, providing digital resources, and ensuring technology access in all schools;
The School Connectivity, Home Base, and K-12 Cloud Computing initiatives have advanced North Carolina in providing the necessary broadband access, software systems, and digital resources;
The North Carolina Virtual Public School has expanded curriculum offerings through virtual learning for students throughout the State;
First-Hand Experience – Many of the State’s educators have already gained first-hand experience as digital- age learners in virtual and blended professional development programs; and
Innovative Digital Learning Initiatives – Most importantly, districts and schools throughout the State are already deeply engaged in innovative digital learning initiatives.

On behalf of the State Board of Education and Department of Public Instruction, the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation at North Carolina State University has developed the North Carolina Digital Learning Plan to accelerate North Carolina’s progress, working in collaboration with policymakers, education leaders, practitioners, business leaders, and other partners across the State. The charge to the Friday Institute was comprehensive:

The goal of the Digital Learning Plan is to build upon the existing foundation to develop a coherent long-term strategy that sets directions and priorities, supports innovation, and provides resources to enable the State’s educators and students to benefit fully from digital-age teaching and learning. The Plan provides recommendations for State actions that will guide and support K-12 schools in their transitions to digital-age education. This document summarizes the rationale and major recommendations of the Plan.

Partners

North Carolina Department of Public Instruction

Teams

North Carolina Digital-Age Learning Initiative

Selected Resources

Report – North Carolina Digital Learning Plan – Detailed Plan – September 2015

This North Carolina Digital Learning Plan has been developed to provide recommendations for state actions that will support K-12 schools as they become digital-age learning organizations. It was prepared for the North Carolina State Board of Education and Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) by the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation at NC State University, working in collaboration with educators, policymakers, and other stakeholders across the state.

Policy Brief – North Carolina Digital Learning Plan – Policy Brief

North Carolina is committed to providing the personalized digital-age education K-12 students need to be successful in college, in careers, and as productive citizens. North Carolina has already made significant progress with statewide efforts, and many districts have digital learning initiatives well underway. However, much remains to be done to ensure that all students throughout the State have equitable access to high quality digital learning. Recent legislative actions that address preparing educators for digital learning, providing digital resources, and ensuring technology access across all schools, as well as the goals of the new State Board of Education Strategic Plan, are important steps in moving forward.

FI Education Brief – The North Carolina Digital Learning Plan: Policy Recommendations and Action Steps -June 2021

In this Friday Institute Education Brief, the authors break down current recommendations and distinct action steps to continue work on the six key areas of the North Carolina Digital Learning Plan.