Rep. Willis files bill in North Carolina House to pilot career development plans in schools

A new bill filed by State Rep. David Willis in the North Carolina House seeks to establish a pilot program to help students develop career plans and improve readiness for graduation and postsecondary education, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 971 on April 10 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Career Development Adjustment.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill establishes a pilot program for career development plans in select North Carolina schools, targeting seventh-grade students for the 2025-27 school years. The Superintendent of Public Instruction will choose 12 partnered schools, representative of the state’s high school population, where students will annually update their career development plans. The program aims to evaluate the effectiveness of these plans in aligning students with on-time graduation and college or career readiness. Local boards of education are responsible for providing counselors and planning time for students to revise their plans, with parental involvement encouraged. The bill also mandates providing information on financial aid for postsecondary education starting in tenth grade. The Superintendent will report annually to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee on the program’s progress and any logistical issues, beginning August 15, 2026. The act becomes effective upon becoming law.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Willis proposed the most bills (48) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Willis graduated from Appalachian State University in 1996.

Willis, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2021 to represent the state’s 68th House district, replacing previous state representative D. Craig Horn.