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AI in Schools / State report

North Carolina sets separate AI policy and training deadlines

The enacted schedule sets separate dates for the state model, local policies and teacher training. The linked amendment source is a legislative summary.

By Formative Spaces Research

Published
Research as of · Sources & Notes

Enacted law · future deadline

State law and guidance

North Carolina's enacted section 7.39 of SL2026-41, amended by SL2026-61, puts policy drafting on a schedule: a state model by December 31, 2026, distribution by January 15, 2027, public-school-unit policies by June 30, 2027, and specified teacher professional development by June 30, 2028. The provisions also concern AI-related curriculum and vetting. Families and students should locate the applicable school unit's eventual policy rather than assume that a not-yet-issued model itself controls assignments; educators should plan for the training; leaders should calendar each distinct milestone. House Bill 301 remained at conference-committee stage in the cited history and is not the source of these enacted dates. [39][43][32]

Which North Carolina deadline applies to which action?

North Carolina sets four distinct milestones

The approved research cites enacted section 7.39 and its amendment. Reference 43 is a legislative summary, rather than full amendment text.

North Carolina sets four distinct milestones. The approved research cites enacted section 7.39 and its amendment. Reference 43 is a legislative summary, rather than full amendment text. State model. Deadline: December 31, 2026. Required action: Prepare the state model. Scope: State model development. Evidence state: enacted future deadline. Distribution. Deadline: January 15, 2027. Required action: Distribute the model. Scope: Separate distribution milestone. Evidence state: enacted future deadline. Local policies. Deadline: June 30, 2027. Required action: Public school units adopt policies. Scope: Local implementation. Evidence state: enacted future deadline. Teacher training. Deadline: June 30, 2028. Required action: Complete specified professional development. Scope: Specified teacher training. Evidence state: enacted future deadline.

  1. State model

    Enacted law · future deadline

    Deadline
    December 31, 2026
    Required action
    Prepare the state model.
    Scope
    State model development
    Source notes

    Source notes [39][43]

  2. Distribution

    Enacted law · future deadline

    Deadline
    January 15, 2027
    Required action
    Distribute the model.
    Scope
    Separate distribution milestone
    Source notes

    Source notes [39][43]

  3. Local policies

    Enacted law · future deadline

    Deadline
    June 30, 2027
    Required action
    Public school units adopt policies.
    Scope
    Local implementation
    Source notes

    Source notes [39][43]

  4. Teacher training

    Enacted law · future deadline

    Deadline
    June 30, 2028
    Required action
    Complete specified professional development.
    Scope
    Specified teacher training
    Source notes

    Source notes [39][43]

Formative Spaces

AI in Schools research · As of
Sources [39][43]

View data and source notes
North Carolina sets four distinct milestones: underlying values
ItemDeadlineRequired actionScopeStatusSources
State modelDecember 31, 2026Prepare the state model.State model developmentenacted_future_deadline[39][43]
DistributionJanuary 15, 2027Distribute the model.Separate distribution milestoneenacted_future_deadline[39][43]
Local policiesJune 30, 2027Public school units adopt policies.Local implementationenacted_future_deadline[39][43]
Teacher trainingJune 30, 2028Complete specified professional development.Specified teacher trainingenacted_future_deadline[39][43]

Sources & Notes

This report reflects research as of October 6, 2026. Reference numbers link to the cited publications.

The August tracker counts describe its historical snapshot. The reviewed policy database has a separate scope and release date. Neither is a census of classroom AI use.

Limits and source differences

  • Reference 43 is a legislative summary. The approved text identifies SL2026-61 as an amendment. The package has no separate full-text amendment link. [39][43]
  1. House Bill 301 (2025-2026 Session) - North Carolina General Assemblyncleg.gov
  2. SL 2026-41 (SB 257)www.ncleg.gov
  3. 2026 Appropriations Act.dashboard.ncleg.gov

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