Concurrent 45 min

One State’s Journey Toward Expanding Excellence

Friday, November 14, 2025

11:15 AM - 12:00 PM ET

Location: Convention Center, 407

Grade Level: Pre-K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Postsecondary, Professionals

Sneha Shah-Coltrane

Senior Director, Advanced Learning & Gifted Education and Academic Policy
NC Department of Public Instruction
Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
Elizabeth G. Cross, MEd

Assistant Director
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
MM

Matt Makel

Professor
University of Calgary
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
SC

Stephanie R. Cyrus, MSA (she/her/hers)

State Consultant
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
Crissy P. Brown (she/her/hers)

State Consultant
North Carolina DPI
Raleigh, North Carolina, United States

Short Description: Come learn about one state’s approach to changing mindsets, policies, and practices to expand excellence. This session covers the educational context, a broad initiative, challenges and solutions, and initial results. We hope this can serve as a blueprint for others that seek similar goals of schools helping all students reach their full potential.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will better understand NC’s Call to Action that has led its journey for expanding excellence in gifted education
Participants will better understand the challenges and solutions NC implemented to help districts move towards equity and excellence, including initial data outcomes.
Participants will better understand the resources publicly available to support their efforts to expand excellence.