North Carolina: College and Career Policies

North Carolina adopted new standards in 2010, but they were not taught until 2012.

North Carolina updated the math standards in 2011. These standards are aligned to the Common Core State Standards.

This includes:
-Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II OR Integrated Math I, II, III; and,
-a 4th Math Course to be aligned with the student’s post high school plans.

A student, in rare instances, may be able to take an alternative math course sequence as outlined under State Board of Education policy. Please see your school counselor for more details.

The North Carolina End-of-Grade Tests are designed to measure student performance on the goals, objectives, and grade-level competencies specified in the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. North Carolina's Standard Course of Study defines the appropriate content standards for each grade level and each high school course to provide a uniform set of learning standards for every public school in North Carolina. North Carolina adopted the Common Core State Standards in K-12 Mathematics released by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and the Council of Chief State School Officers. NCEXTEND2 alternate assessments will no longer be available effective with the 2014-15 school year.

North Carolina has standards in 11 content areas including arts, driver education program standards, English as a second language standards, English language arts, health, technology, math, world languages, science, social studies, and career and technical education.

North Carolina follows the Learning Forward standards of learning communities, leadership, resources, data, learning designs, implementation, and outcomes.

The State Board of Education approved new Extended Content Standards based on the State Common Core Standards and the State Essential Standards in February and March of 2011. These will be operational for the 2012-13 school year. The new extended standards can be found on this webpage.

North Carolina requires 3 credits of science courses for graduation.

The North Carolina End-of-Grade Tests are designed to measure student performance on the goals, objectives, and grade-level competencies specified in the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. North Carolina's Standard Course of Study defines the appropriate content standards for each grade level and each high school course to provide a uniform set of learning standards for every public school in North Carolina.The Essential Standards includes the standards for the newly adopted curriculum in the following areas: English as a Second Language, Science, Social Studies, World Languages, Arts Education and Healthful Living. NCEXTEND2 alternate assessments will no longer be available effective with the 2014-15 school year.

North Carolina updated the social studies standards in 2010.

North Carolina requires 4 credits of social studies to graduate.

The Essential Standards includes the standards for the newly adopted curriculum in the following areas: English as a Second Language, Science, Social Studies, World Languages, Arts Education and Healthful Living. NCEXTEND2 alternate assessments will no longer be available effective with the 2014-15 school year.

The State Board of Education has full authority to adopt standards.

Continuing education credits are required for certificate renewal in North Carolina.

During 2009, Instructional Technology staff members worked with LEA representatives and other DPI staff to create Information and Technology Essential Standards for media and technology. These standards were developed using Bloom's Revised Technology and replace the Computer Skills and Information Literacy Standard Courses of Study. The Information and Technology Essential Standards are posted on the ACRE section of the NC Public Schools web site.

The North Carolina End-of-Grade Tests are designed to measure student performance on the goals, objectives, and grade-level competencies specified in the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. North Carolina's Standard Course of Study defines the appropriate content standards for each grade level and each high school course to provide a uniform set of learning standards for every public school in North Carolina. North Carolina adopted the Common Core State Standards in K-12 Mathematics and K-12 English Language Arts released by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and the Council of Chief State School Officers.