Hannah Vinueza McClellan

EdNC • 16th February 2026

EdNC’s Hurricane Helene Playbook: The role of faith and faith institutions after disaster

Editor’s note: This article is part of EdNC’s playbook on Hurricane Helene. Other articles in the playbook are available here. Hurricane Helene hit western North Carolina on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. The next day, Denise Teague went to Clyde Central...

EdNC • 5th February 2026

Report shows decrease in crimes and suspensions in NC schools. Here's what else you need to know

Reports of crime and violence in North Carolina public schools decreased during the 2024-25 school year for the second consecutive year, according to an annual report from the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) presented to the State Board of...

EdNC • 8th January 2026

Federal health officials update child immunization schedule, reducing number of recommended vaccines

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated the U.S. childhood immunization schedule this week, reducing the number of routine recommended vaccines for all children from 17 to 11. The move followed an announcement of the...

EdNC • 5th December 2025

State Health Plan on track to see surplus through 2027 following benefit changes and premium increases

During its last meeting of the year, the State Health Plan (SHP) Board of Trustees discussed on Friday data from the open enrollment period, various benefit updates, and a status report on the plan’s financial footing following a series of changes...

EdNC • 20th November 2025

U.S. Department of Education moves many programs to other agencies 'to break up federal bureaucracy'

The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) announced on Tuesday six new interagency agreements (IAAs) with four federal agencies “to break up the federal education bureaucracy, ensure efficient delivery of funded programs, activities, and move closer to...

EdNC • 13th November 2025

As State Board starts task force on school performance grades, a look at reform efforts up to now

At the State Board of Education’s November meeting last week, Chair Eric Davis released the membership for the newly created Task Force on Accountability for Public School Units. “The Task Force will design a next generation school accountability...

EdNC • 30th October 2025

Meet North Carolina's newest community college presidents

Welcome to Awake58 — a weekly newsletter where you’ll find the latest updates on community college related news and events around the state. Plus, a look at what’s trending nationally in higher education. If you’re new to Awake58, welcome! If you were...

EdNC • 23rd October 2025

How religious is North Carolina? Pew Center data gives insight

North Carolina is the seventh most religious state in the country, according to a data visualization tool released by the Pew Research Center last month. Each state’s religious profile, created from Pew’s 2023-24 Religious Landscape Study, includes...

EdNC • 14th October 2025

A look at the Trump administration's changes to education policy for English learners, HSIs, and more

At the start of the school year, the U.S. Department of Justice said that it won’t defend Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) from a recent lawsuit filed by the State of Tennessee and the group Students for Fair Admissions. The suit says HSIs — which...

EdNC • 9th October 2025

Person County’s Rodney Peterson named North Carolina’s 2026 Superintendent of the Year

Person County Schools Superintendent Dr. Rodney Peterson — who has served in public education for more than two decades — was named the Burroughs Wellcome Fund 2026 A. Craig Phillips North Carolina Superintendent of the Year at a ceremony in...

EdNC • 26th September 2025

EdNC wins public service award from NC Press Association for Helene coverage

The North Carolina Press Association (NCPA) recently awarded EdNC its public service award for our coverage and strategic support of western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene. Since Helene hit North Carolina at the end of September 2024, EdNC...

EdNC • 22nd September 2025

With kick off of new strategic planning process, momentum builds for the NC community college system

North Carolina’s 58 community colleges have a $19 billion annual impact on the state’s economy, supporting 320,000 jobs in North Carolina, according to a 2021 economic impact study conducted with support from the N.C. General Assembly. Last week,...

EdNC • 4th September 2025

North Carolina releases school performance grades, testing data for 2024-25

North Carolina public schools showed progress on school and student performance during the 2024-25 school year, according to new data released by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction (DPI) on Wednesday. According to DPI, “North Carolina...

EdNC • 20th August 2025

Hurricane Erin: Updates on storm, preparation, and closures of schools and community colleges

Editor’s note: This article will be updated twice a day — around 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. — or more frequently as needed. School district and community college closures are determined based on the latest information found on district and community college...

EdNC • 15th August 2025

State Health Plan Board of Trustees approves salary-based premium increases for state employees

The State Health Plan Board of Trustees approved increases to health care coverage premiums for members at its meeting on Friday, effective starting in January 2026. While premiums will increase for most members, the new premiums will be salary-based,...

EdNC • 31st July 2025

NC lawmakers aim to participate in new federal school choice tax credit program

Editor’s note: This article was updated on Aug. 6 with additional information about the tax credit, comments from North Carolina organizations, and a statement from Gov. Josh Stein regarding his veto of House Bill 87. Both chambers of the state...

EdNC • 21st July 2025

How church-based literacy camps are filling a gap in summer learning for rural students statewide

In 2012, The Duke Endowment partnered with one rural church to test a program to combat summer learning loss. Thirteen years later, the initiative that has grown from that investment includes several funders who work together with statewide...

EdNC • 2nd July 2025

Secretary McMahon tours apprenticeship programs at Wake Technical Community College

U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon toured two of Wake Technical Community College’s campuses on Wednesday, June 25, to learn about how the college’s apprenticeship programs are preparing students for emerging biotechnology sectors. “Wake Tech...

EdNC • 27th June 2025

General Assembly passes next Hurricane Helene relief bill, with more aid for public schools

Update, June 27 at 3:30 p.m. — Gov. Josh Stein signed House Bill 1012 into law on Friday afternoon. “Nine months ago, Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina’s economy. Let’s make sure our neighbors know we haven’t forgotten them,” Stein...

EdNC • 25th June 2025

Gov. Josh Stein sends letter to Congress calling for SNAP protections, with 22 other governors

Gov. Josh Stein recently led an effort to send a letter signed by 23 governors to congressional leadership, calling for continued support of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The letter, sent on Tuesday, follows the federal...