State Sen. Dana Jones has introduced a measure in the North Carolina Senate designed to transform K-12 education by fostering innovative approaches and strengthening connections between schools and future careers, the North Carolina State Senate reports.
Labeled SB 1006 and officially filed on April 30 for the 2025 regular session, the proposed legislation carries the short title: ‘K-12 Innovation and Transformation Act.’
Below is an overview, developed from the relevant bill language, that aims to clarify its features.
The bill seeks to overhaul K-12 education by allocating funds and launching pilot programs that highlight competency-based learning, STEM and high-technology tracks, and expanded pathways connecting education to employment and higher education. It proposes the establishment of a High School Redesign Commission, broader automatic enrollment in advanced math and English courses, and allocations for Learning Accelerators, SparkNC, manufacturing pilots inspired by SME PRIME, grants for extended learning, the TeachReadyNC teacher apprenticeship, and advanced teaching roles. New teacher assessment tools, revised health education guidelines adding mental health and substance abuse, AI resources including Khanmigo, the promotion of schools in commercial districts, and the creation of new community college–high school partnerships are included, all with regular review by the Office of Learning Research. The majority of measures are scheduled to take effect July 1, 2026.
Among the bill’s three sponsors, Michael V. Lee introduced the highest number of bills—54—during the 2025 regular session.
North Carolina legislation moves through a multi-step process before becoming law. Legislation starts with a lawmaker filing a bill, followed by committee review. Each chamber must read the bill three times. If a chamber amends a bill following passage by the other, both must ultimately agree on the final edition. Once consensus in both chambers is reached, the bill goes to the governor, who has 10 days—or 30 days if the legislature is not in session—to sign, veto, or allow it to become law without signing.
Find additional information about legislative measures and their progress here.
Jones earned a bachelor’s degree from High Point University in 1993.
Elected in 2025, Republican Jones now represents North Carolina’s 31st Senate district, having succeeded former Sen. Joyce Krawiec.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dana Jones, Kevin Corbin, and Michael V. Lee | SB 1006 | 04/30/2026 | K-12 Innovation and Transformation Act. |
| Dana Jones, Benton G. Sawrey, and Lisa S. Barnes | SB 1004 | 04/30/2026 | Family Support for Those Who Serve Act. |
| Dana Jones and Benton G. Sawrey | SB 1013 | 04/30/2026 | 2026 Office of the State Auditor Agency Bill.-AB |
| Dana Jones, Sophia Chitlik, and Todd Johnson | SB 983 | 04/30/2026 | TIPs Tax Deduction. |
| Dana Jones and Vickie Sawyer | SB 905 | 04/29/2026 | Foster Care Motor Vehicle Insurance. |
| Dana Jones | SB 864 | 04/28/2026 | Safe and Responsible AI in Schools Act. |
| Dana Jones and Eddie D. Settle | SB 845 | 04/27/2026 | Luggage for Children Placed in Foster Care. |
| Dana Jones, Michael V. Lee, and Tom McInnis | SB 508 | 03/25/2025 | LL to CPL/Apprenticeship Program. |
| Dana Jones and Michael V. Lee | SB 580 | 03/25/2025 | Competency-Based Education Grant Program. |
| Dana Jones, David W. Craven, Jr., and Steve Jarvis | SB 690 | 03/25/2025 | Modify Licensing Real Est. Appraisers. |
| Dana Jones and Timothy D. Moffitt | SB 759 | 03/25/2025 | Minors Health Protection Act. |
| Dana Jones, Carl Ford, and Timothy D. Moffitt | SB 414 | 03/24/2025 | Pharmacists/Test and Treat. |
| Dana Jones, Bobby Hanig, and Timothy D. Moffitt | SB 415 | 03/24/2025 | Patient Safety/Med. Imaging/Radiation Therapy. |
| Dana Jones, Benton G. Sawrey, and Michael A. Lazzara | SB 346 | 03/19/2025 | Good Samaritan Law/Immunity. |
| Dana Jones, Benton G. Sawrey, and Michael A. Lazzara | SB 328 | 03/18/2025 | Underground Safety Revisions. |
| Dana Jones, Bobby Hanig, and Ralph Hise | SB 302 | 03/17/2025 | The Sergeant Mickey Hutchens Act. |
| Dana Jones, Danny Earl Britt, Jr., and David W. Craven, Jr. | SB 312 | 03/17/2025 | The Stars and Stripes Commitment Act. |
| Dana Jones and Paul A. Lowe, Jr. | SB 241 | 03/05/2025 | Funds for Smith Reynolds Airport MRO Hangar. |
| Dana Jones and Bobby Hanig | SB 162 | 02/25/2025 | Shared Parenting. |
| Dana Jones, Kevin Corbin, and Michael V. Lee | SB 125 | 02/21/2025 | Various Education Changes. |
| Dana Jones, Michael V. Lee, and Paul Newton | SB 101 | 02/13/2025 | Protect Tax-Advantaged Accts. & Living Donors. |
| Dana Jones, Amy S. Galey, and Brent Jackson | SB 59 | 02/05/2025 | Revise Voluntary Ag. District Laws. |
| Dana Jones, Bob Brinson, and Jim Burgin | SB 31 | 01/30/2025 | The Wells Act. |
| Dana Jones and Amy S. Galey | SB 39 | 01/30/2025 | GSC Add Member from High Point Law School. |
| Dana Jones | SB 6 | 01/29/2025 | 31st Senatorial District Local Act-1. |
