Legislation backed by State Rep. Cynthia Ball proposes enhancing guidance for beginning public school teachers across North Carolina by boosting coaching and encouraging statewide collaboration, according to the North Carolina State House.
Labeled HB 1209 and filed on April 30 as part of the 2025 regular session, the bill uses the short title: ‘Strengthen Ed by Embedded New Teacher Support.’
Below is our summary, informed by the bill text itself, with clarifying context included.
The legislation allocates $1 million in recurring General Fund appropriations starting with the 2026-27 fiscal year. These funds would go to the UNC Board of Governors for the North Carolina New Teacher Support Program to establish a long-term, statewide embedded support system for novice public school teachers. The resources are meant for activities that extend beyond graduation from educator preparation programs, enhance coaching using proven methods, introduce continuous feedback between school districts and program providers, and smooth transitions from clinical placements to classroom roles. The proposal also focuses on within-district coaching, central staffing to aid low-wealth regions, research-based support strategies, and investments specifically designated for high-need rural areas. Its provisions would become effective July 1, 2026.
Lindsey Prather, one of the bill’s four sponsors, led the 2025 regular session among sponsors by introducing 48 bills.
North Carolina’s legislative process involves several steps before a bill becomes law. Lawmakers begin by filing a bill, which proceeds to a committee. Each chamber must read the bill three times. If amendments arise after passage, both chambers need to reconcile the final version. Once concurrence is reached, the governor receives the measure and has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or allow it to become law without action.
For additional details on other legislative activity, visit this resource.
Ball earned a BA at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and later graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Ball, a Democrat, has served in the North Carolina State House since 2017 as the representative for the 49th House district, succeeding Gary Pendleton.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cynthia Ball, Laura Budd, Lindsey Prather, and Rodney D. Pierce | HB 1209 | 04/30/2026 | Strengthen Ed by Embedded New Teacher Support. |
| Cynthia Ball, Stephen M. Ross, and Vernetta Alston | HB 1157 | 04/30/2026 | Red Wolf Special Registration Plate. |
| Cynthia Ball, Maria Cervania, Mary Belk, and Sarah Crawford | HB 1175 | 04/30/2026 | Affordability in Healthcare Act. |
| Cynthia Ball, Phil Rubin, Rodney D. Pierce, and Tracy Clark | HB 1184 | 04/30/2026 | Voucher School Transparency Act. |
| Cynthia Ball, Julie von Haefen, Lindsey Prather, and Monika Johnson-Hostler | HB 1197 | 04/30/2026 | Revise NC Teaching Fellows Program. |
| Cynthia Ball and Laura Budd | HB 1207 | 04/30/2026 | Keeping NC Open for Business. |
| Cynthia Ball, Donny Lambeth, Erin Paré, and Ray Pickett | HB 1124 | 04/29/2026 | Interstate Compact for School Psychologists. |
| Cynthia Ball, Dante Pittman, Garland E. Pierce, and Gloristine Brown | HB 1138 | 04/29/2026 | Aging With Dignity Act. |
| Cynthia Ball, Julie von Haefen, Lindsey Prather, and Zack Hawkins | HB 1017 | 04/21/2026 | Sound Basic Education for Every Child. |
| Cynthia Ball, Julie von Haefen, Lindsey Prather, and Monika Johnson-Hostler | HB 941 | 04/10/2025 | Expand & Enhance the Teaching Fellows Program. |
| Cynthia Ball, Bryan Cohn, Dante Pittman, and Frances Jackson, PhD | HB 943 | 04/10/2025 | Turning High-Achieving Students into Teachers. |
| Cynthia Ball, Gloristine Brown, Julia Greenfield, and Mike Colvin | HB 979 | 04/10/2025 | Update Volunteer System/LTC Ombudsman Program. |
| Cynthia Ball, Tim Longest, Vernetta Alston, and Zack Hawkins | HB 823 | 04/08/2025 | County Service Districts/Research & URSD. |
| Cynthia Ball, Julie von Haefen, Lindsey Prather, and Phil Rubin | HB 815 | 04/07/2025 | Voucher School Accountability Act. |
| Cynthia Ball, Cecil Brockman, Lindsey Prather, and Phil Rubin | HB 816 | 04/07/2025 | Voucher School Transparency Act. |
| Cynthia Ball, Brandon Lofton, Dante Pittman, and Garland E. Pierce | HB 786 | 04/03/2025 | Working Families Act. |
| Cynthia Ball, Allison A. Dahle, Amber M. Baker, and Phil Rubin | HB 691 | 04/02/2025 | Voter Protection and Reliance Act. |
| Cynthia Ball, Brandon Lofton, Carla D. Cunningham, and Cecil Brockman | HB 715 | 04/02/2025 | Universal Pre-K. |
| Cynthia Ball, Julie von Haefen, Mary Belk, and Pricey Harrison | HB 686 | 04/01/2025 | Safe Cosmetics Act. |
| Cynthia Ball, Amber M. Baker, Donny Lambeth, and Erin Paré | HB 588 | 03/31/2025 | School Psychologist Omnibus. |
| Cynthia Ball, Brandon Lofton, Phil Rubin, and Rodney D. Pierce | HB 608 | 03/31/2025 | Protect Health and Gov’t Personnel Info. |
| Cynthia Ball, Julie von Haefen, Lindsey Prather, and Rodney D. Pierce | HB 531 | 03/26/2025 | Addressing NC’s Teacher Crisis/NTSP. |
| Cynthia Ball, Becky Carney, Carla D. Cunningham, and Mary Belk | HB 495 | 03/24/2025 | Accessing Midwives Act. |
| Cynthia Ball, Carla D. Cunningham, Donna McDowell White, and Donny Lambeth | HB 464 | 03/19/2025 | Healthy Students – A Nurse in Every School. |
| Cynthia Ball, Allison A. Dahle, Maria Cervania, and Monika Johnson-Hostler | HB 429 | 03/18/2025 | Turtle Rescue Team Special Registration Plate. |
| Cynthia Ball, Amos L. Quick, III, Julie von Haefen, and Lindsey Prather | HB 445 | 03/18/2025 | Fairness & Transparency in Education Salaries. |
| Cynthia Ball, Julie von Haefen, Lindsey Prather, and Zack Hawkins | HB 420 | 03/17/2025 | Sound Basic Education for Every Child. |
| Cynthia Ball, Marcia Morey, Mary Belk, and Pricey Harrison | HB 293 | 03/05/2025 | Marine Life Stewardship Act. |
