RALEIGH, NC (March 17, 2026)- This year’s annual NC Legislators in Schools Week will be held the week of April 13-17. During the week, members of the North Carolina General Assembly will visit local public schools in the communities which they represent and engage in conversations with superintendents, educators and students.
“Legislators in Schools Week is about connection. It opens our doors so policymakers can see the real stories, challenges, and successes happening in our classrooms while students have the opportunity to meet leaders from their own communities,” said 2025 Burroughs Wellcome NC Teacher of the year Rachel Candaso, “When lawmakers sit beside students and educators, they see how public schools prepare young people for life and careers. This is an amazing opportunity to build trust between legislators and their community to ensure their decisions truly reflect the students they serve.”
This event was originally launched in 2023 as Bring Your Legislator to School Day to create an opportunity for legislators to experience the day-to-day reality of North Carolina’s elementary and secondary schools. After two successful years, it was expanded to be a week-long event, giving schools and policymakers even more time to connect. Organizers hope that through these visits legislators will gain a first-hand look at the exciting things happening in local public schools as well as a better understanding of the challenges students and educators face.
“Legislators in Schools Week is coming up, and I am excited about this important opportunity. I encourage all lawmakers to visit a school, and I encourage all schools to be welcoming and open. This is an excellent opportunity for legislators to see firsthand the incredible work happening in our classrooms thanks to their support. It also gives educators the opportunity to share successes and areas where we can continue working together to strengthen public education,” said 2025 Wells Fargo NC Principal of the Year Jason Johnson. “When policymakers and practitioners engage directly, it leads to better understanding and better outcomes for students. Together, we can ensure continued success for all students across North Carolina.”
This event is organized by current and former members of the North Carolina Teachers and Principals of the Year cohorts with support from the Public School Forum of North Carolina.
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About The Public School Forum of North Carolina
Since our founding in 1986 as a nonpartisan “think and do tank,” the Public School Forum of North Carolina has been a champion of better schools and one of the most trusted sources in the state for research and analysis on vital education issues. In order to provide meaningful action on our state’s most important public education issues, we bring together leaders from business, education and government to study education issues, develop ideas, and ultimately inform and shape education policy. We do this through research, policy work, innovative programs, advocacy, and continuing education for educators and policymakers. Follow us on social media at @theNCForum and visit our website at http://www.ncforum.org/
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