North Carolina Department of Public Instruction on Sept. 2 released its 2025-2026 student performance reports, indicating an overall upward trend statewide and in The Smoky Mountain News coverage area.
Essentially, assessments starting in third grade measure math, reading, and science ability. Students are categorized into one of four levels based on their score. If level 3 (sufficient understanding) is not met, a child does not meet the grade-level proficiency benchmark. Alternatively, a career and college readiness designation requires meeting achievement level 4 (thorough understanding) or achievement level 5 (comprehensive understanding). According to NCDPI, retests were offered first in the 2024-25 school year; grade 3 reading, grade 5 science, and grade 8 science and biology retests were added in 2025-26. The composite ACT score dictating school performance grade calculations for ACT WorkKeys was also lowered from 19 to 17 this past year.