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A new report explores the true cost of educational opportunity for North Carolina students, presenting 12 recommendations for public schools to provide an equitable education for all students.
The N.C. Justice Center, University of Colorado Boulder School of Education’s Place-Based Partnerships and National Education Policy Center’s report is titled, “Pursuing an ‘Every Child Thrives’ Public School System in North Carolina.” The report draws from research and by a panel of state education experts and stakeholders.
Looking at the list of recommendations one by one, it’s difficult to find any fault with it. They are:
- A well-prepared, high-quality and supported teacher in every classroom.
- A well-prepared, high-quality and supported principal in every school.
- A finance system that provides adequate, equitable and efficient resources.
- A reliable and reasonable assessment and accountability system.
- Full support to low-performing schools and districts.
- Equitable and high-quality pre-kindergarten and early childhood learning systems.
- Alignment of high school to postsecondary and career expectations for all students.
- A strong system of supports for special education.
- An empowering system of supports for linguistically diverse learners.
- A strong system of wraparound supports and community partnerships.
- A robust and multifaceted family engagement system.
- A positive school climate and system of behavior supports in every school.
Starting with an analysis of North Carolina’s public schools, the report finds that the cost of true educational opportunity in the state would be $36.6 billion to $43.4 billion annually. This funding would move the per-pupil spending from one of the worst in the United States – about $11,300 – to one of the best at $23,600-$28,000 per pupil, according to a release from the N.C. Justice Center.
That sounds like a fine, if not expensive, plan of action. However, today the time is right to make such bold decisions.
The Office of State Budget Management recently announced that North Carolina likely will have a $1 billion surplus over the initial revenue expected for the second year of the biennium budget (2024-25). This is certainly good news given the many needs across the state.
Alas, rather than direct some of that surplus to public schools, reports indicate that legislative leaders plan to add $300 million to the already significant – already $4.6 billion over the next decade – Opportunity Scholarship Program funding, or private school taxpayer-funded vouchers, according to an analysis by the Public School Forum of North Carolina.
I’m all for school choice, which Cherokee County had once upon a time with The Learning Center charter school and continues today with Tri-County Early College. However, in order to properly gauge educational results, the playing field has to be equal. That’s not true in North Carolina, where most private schools – unlike public schools – have zero baseline accountability measures.
The requirements for private schools eligible to receive taxpayer-funded vouchers are almost non-existent. Private schools do not have to be accredited, have certified teachers, nor have their students take state-mandated achievement tests. They can also deny access to students based upon religion, race, learning differences, achievement or sexuality.
Even worse, there isn’t an income limit with those who can receive the vouchers, which means poor taxpayers are helping send rich kids to private schools.
While recent studies have found little evidence that school vouchers improve test scores, using some of the surplus to attract and retain the best teachers, plus improve aging and outdated facilities, would undoubtedly help students.
But don’t get your hopes up. State legislative leaders have resisted a judge’s order to provide more education funding for more than a decade and are fighting it in the state Supreme Court. Change will not occur unless residents demand it.
David Brown is publisher of the Cherokee Scout. You can reach him by phone, 828-837-5122; email, dbrown@cherokeescout.com; or on X @daviddBstroh.