The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) is inviting public feedback on its revised updates to the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) State Plan, with a deadline for comments set for February 12, 2026. This initiative aims to align the plan’s language with current procedures approved by the State Board of Education, while preserving the overall structure of the ESSA framework.
The NCDPI’s proposed changes focus on refining technical and procedural aspects of the existing plan. These revisions include aligning the document’s language with “current implementation and accountability processes.” Although the department asserts that the redline changes are not substantive, they introduce significant updates, particularly regarding the entrance and exit criteria for English Language Learners (ELs). The revisions also propose new tools and transparency mechanisms to enhance stakeholder engagement.
Under the new guidelines, all Public School Units (PSUs) will be required to “submit annual assurances that all students who may be English Learners (ELs) are assessed for such status within 30 days of enrollment.” This update emphasizes the importance of timely assessments for students who may need language support.
Key Revisions to English Language Proficiency Assessment
One notable addition is the introduction of the Multiple Measure Tool (MMT), designed to provide an equitable option for students nearing proficiency to demonstrate their readiness to exit EL status. This approach aims to fulfill both federal requirements and research-based best practices.
Changes also extend to school accountability measures, particularly the “Progress in Achieving English Language Proficiency” indicator. Students may now exit EL status by either achieving a score between 4.2 and 4.4 on the WIDA ACCESS assessment, followed by proficiency on the MMT, or by scoring a 2.0 composite score on the WIDA Alternate ACCESS assessment.
These updates reflect NCDPI’s commitment to maintaining compliance with ESSA §1111(b)(2)(G) while enhancing the methods used for measuring English language progress.
Stakeholders and interested parties are encouraged to submit their written comments by the February 12 deadline. The NCDPI anticipates that this feedback will play a crucial role in the final approval process for the proposed amendments. For further details on the changes and submission instructions, individuals can refer to the official NCDPI press release.
