February 22, 2025

[1]www.publicschoolsfirstnc.org
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Celebrate Public Schools Week!

February 24 to February 28 is Public Schools Week 2025! In NC, the vast
majority of our K-12 students are enrolled in public schools. Throughout
our state, there are about 2700 public schools and more than 1.5 million
students!

Public Schools ARE Important! Public schools unite us – they bring students
together from diverse backgrounds, welcome all students, and give them an
opportunity to receive a quality education. They provide a strong economic
foundation for our local communities by preparing citizens who are equipped
to fully participate in society and in our nation’s democracy. High-quality
public schools bolster real-estate values and help businesses thrive.
Public schools are a HUGE PART of our communities.

Public Schools Week is a time when our students, parents, educators,
business and community leaders can work together to highlight the strength
and potential of our state's public schools and our students' futures.

WE ARE PROUD OF OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS! In 1868, our legislative leaders
affirmed that a free, sound, basic education is so important to the
well-being of our state’s social, cultural and economic well-being that
they included this right to education in our state constitution. North
Carolina gives its children a right to an education through both the state
constitution and state laws.

The North Carolina Constitution addresses a right to education in [7]two
places.

[8]Article 1, Section 15 says, “The people have a right to the privilege of
education, and it is the duty of the State to guard and maintain that
right.”

[9]Article IX: Education has ten sections. Several about primary/secondary
education are critical: Section 1 says “… the means of education shall be
forever encouraged,” Section 2 addresses the duty of the state and local
government to provide a uniform system of free public schools “…wherein
equal opportunities shall be provided for all students,” and Sections 5, 6
and 7 reference “free public” schools.”

State laws also make education a right in North Carolina. For example,
[10]N.C.G.S. 115C-1 states that “A general and uniform system of free
public schools shall be provided throughout the State, wherein equal
opportunities shall be provided for all students, in accordance with the
provisions of Article IX of the Constitution of North Carolina. Tuition
shall be free of charge to all children of the State, and to every person
of the State less than 21 years old, who has not completed a standard high
school course of study.”

In 1997, the North Carolina Supreme Court determined that all children in
North Carolina are entitled to a “sound basic education,” which means there
is a qualitative component to the North Carolina’s system of public
schools. The State is obligated to meet a quality standard and not simply
provide buildings and teachers. In Leandro v. State, [11]346 N.C. 336
(1997), the Court defined “sound basic education” as that which provides
children and youth with all the opportunities necessary to become an adult
possessing:
* Sufficient ability to read, write, speak English and sufficient
knowledge of fundamental math and physical science to enable students to
function in a complex and rapidly changing society
* Sufficient fundamental knowledge of geography, history, basic economic
and political systems to enable students to make informed choices about
issues that affect the student personally, or affect the student’s
community, state, and nation
* Sufficient academic and vocational skills to enable the student to
successfully engage in post-secondary education or vocational training and
to compete with others in further formal education or gainful
employment.”

In summary, North Carolina’s early leaders made public education an
essential part of North Carolina’s duty to prepare students for responsible
citizenship. No child should be denied access to learning based on their
socioeconomic status, race, ability, disability, income, zip code or other
factors. They recognized hundreds of years ago that public schooling was a
way to promote cohesion across social classes and improve social outcomes
for all students.

Over 150 years later, North Carolina has more highly qualified teachers in
the nation, with the most National Board Certified teachers and more in the
National Board certification process than any other state. At the same
time, due to [12]record high attrition rates, North Carolina is relying
more and more on teachers coming to the profession through alternative
pathways that allow teachers to “learn on the job” as they work on becoming
fully licensed.

North Carolina public schools are working hard to prepare students for
college AND careers. There are [13]134 early college high schools in North
Carolina that allow students to earn college credit while in high school
and [14]every district in the state has a career tech program that connects
students with real-world job experiences and career pathways.

Join Us In Celebrating Our Public Schools Together! NCPTA and Public
Schools First NC have teamed up to celebrate the valuable contributions of
educators and education advocates in our public schools and the communities
they serve throughout our state. We invite you to share stories about the
great things happening at your school - lift up the successes of your
educators, your volunteers, your students, and administrators. Help us
celebrate the fabulous programs going on in your schools. Tell us why your
public school is AWESOME!

Email us at [15][email protected] so we can share your pride!

Feds Cut Teacher Ed. Program Grants

The North Carolina teacher pipeline took a hit last week as teacher
education programs across the state got the news that their federal
Teaching Quality Partnership grants had been cut. Across the nation,
[16]more than $600 million, in TQP grants were cut.

These programs support developing teachers who work in high-needs schools
and are seen as an important tool to address critical teacher shortages.

For example, [17]Winston Salem's TEACH program, “was created to address
teacher shortages, especially in Title I schools where turnover rates are
significantly higher. Allman said Winston-Salem’s Title I schools have a
17% teacher turnover rate. That’s double the state average and nearly twice
that of non-Title I schools in the city.” Without the federal dollars,
which make up about 80% of the program’s funding, administrators are
looking to other sources of funding.

[18]East Carolina's grant began in 2022 and was scheduled to run through
2027. Their edPIRATE program is “a partnership between ECU and Greene
County, Lenoir County, Elizabeth City-Pasquotank, Tyrrell County,
Perquimans County and Washington County school districts. In exchange for a
$41,000 living stipend while enrolled, the new teachers agree to serve as
an educator in one of the partner districts for three years after
completion..."

[19]Charlotte-area schools that partnered with local universities are also
facing cuts due to the cancelled grants. “Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
lost three grants totaling over $5 million in 2025 and 2026, including one
grant partially funding an advanced teacher training program. As part of
the Teacher-Leader Pathway program, the district sought to attract a
diverse range of highly effective teachers to work at high-need schools.”

The grant program had awarded [20]funds to universities across the state:
* East Carolina University
* High Point University
* NC A&T
* Pfeiffer University
* UNC Chapel Hill
* UNC Charlotte
* UNC Greensboro
* Winston Salem State University

Many recipient schools serve historically underrepresented students, so the
loss of the funds is a serious blow to the students as well as their
communities.

More [21]cuts to training and retention programs have been announced, with
Wake County standing to lose $12 million. The decisions can be appealed to
the U.S. Department of Education.

Another Failing Voucher Program Gets Expanded

In what is becoming a familiar story, voucher proponents remain undeterred
by stark evidence that students who use vouchers to attend private school
actually do worse academically. Recent [22]reporting on Louisiana's voucher
program is the latest in a growing body of evidence that vouchers hurt
student achievement.

While Louisiana’s public school results are admittedly much too low, the
voucher results are deep, deep down in the basement. Only 14% of the
voucher students achieved mastery on state tests compared to 24% of
low-income public school students and 32% of all public school students.

Louisiana’s voucher program has been showing worse academic results for
students since its inception in 2012. Yet despite the documented failures,
a new, expanded program ([23]LA GATOR) was signed into law June 2024 and
goes into effect next year.

Unlike North Carolina’s voucher programs, Louisiana’s program requires
private schools to accept all voucher students and administer the same
state test as public school students. If the NCGA were serious about
student learning, legislators would pass similar legislation in North
Carolina.

Louisiana also rates its private schools if they enroll enough voucher
students. In the previous school year, nearly 80% of the private schools
rated received a D or F. Currently, North Carolina has no rating system for
private schools even though all public schools receive a publicly available
[24]school report card that includes multiple data points including test
score results.

Since the programs launched, North Carolina has spent nearly [25]$1.5
billion on vouchers. It’s time for taxpayers to get a hard look at how that
money is being spent and what students are learning. It’s time for real
accountability!

Legislative and SBE Updates

Snow halted most of the scheduled action in the NCGA this week.

Next week is going to be a busy week, so keep your eye on the
[26]legislative calendar.

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 8:30 a.m. the [27]House Appropriations,
Education and [28]Senate Joint Appropriations on Education/Higher Education
are scheduled to meet ([29]livestream)

Check our [30]Week in Review for highlights of legislative actions and the
status of bills.

Public Schools Matter for Everyone!

Whether You Have a Child in School or Not, Public Schools Matter! Here's
Why.

By Sandra Simpson, freelance writer, CPA, and commercial real estate broker
in Raleigh, NC

Public school districts significantly influence property values across
North Carolina. As noted by the [31]National Association of Realtors (NAR),
"School quality is a major consideration for homebuyers and can
dramatically affect property prices."

Recently, as I transitioned into an "empty-nester" phase and decided to
downsize, my real estate agent strongly recommended buying in an area with
top-tier public schools. Here's why this advice is invaluable:

Strong Public Schools Increase Real-Estate Value and Investment Potential

The quality of a public school district plays a pivotal role in maintaining
or boosting a property’s resale value. Homes in highly-rated districts tend
to attract more prospective buyers, resulting in sustained demand and
higher resale prices. A solid school reputation ensures long-term value. A
study done by the [32]National Bureau of Economic Research found that home
values increased $20.00 for every $1.00 spent on public schools in a
community. It’s hard to beat that return on investment!

Properties in top-rated school districts typically experience faster
appreciation and are more likely to retain value over time when the schools
maintain their quality. This trend appeals to both residential buyers and
commercial developers looking for prime investment opportunities.

[33]READ MORE

Did You Know?

The latest data out on voucher demographics shows that the percentage of
white recipients continues to grow while the percentage of all other
demographic groups is shrinking.

White recipients have grown from 27% in the first year of the OS voucher
program to 74% so far this year. In contrast, Black recipients have fallen
from 51% to just 11% this year.

Access our fact sheet[34] here.

In Case You Missed It

[35]Superintendent Green, State Board of Education Unveil Joint Legislative
Priorities

[36]NC State Senate bill would okay students attending off-campus Bible
classes during school hours

[37]NC Teacher of the Year Finalists Announced

[38]Myth: vouchers won't hurt traditional schools or rural NC counties

[39]Voters Reject Vouchers - Again!

[40]Let's fully fund public schools. Not give handouts to Texas' wealthiest
families

One Year Anniversary for Leandro Oral Arguments Ed. 4

On February 22, 2024, the North Carolina Supreme Court heard oral arguments
in the Leandro Case—again. At stake are millions in state dollars the
Supreme Court's 2022 ruling had ordered to be turned over to districts to
fulfill the legislature's constitutional obligation to fund public schools.

NCGA leaders Rep. Tim Moore and Senator Phil Berger refused and appealed
the 2022 ruling, which let to the 2024 round of oral arguments

Now, one year later, the Court has not yet released a ruling.

Read our [41]fact sheet on Leandro

Watch a [42]webinar with NC legal experts on Leandro.

Don't Miss Our Webinar!

February 27, 7:00 p.m. A Conversation with Mo Green, NC Superintendent of
Public Instruction

Join NC PTA and Public Schools First NC for the first in our series of
interviews with new public education leaders. Green was elected in
November, 2024 to serve as NC Superintendent of Public Instruction.

We will talk to Superintendent Green about his vision for the Department of
Public Instruction and public schooling in North Carolina. Q & A with the
audience if time allows.

[43]REGISTER HERE

Event at Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill

Thursday, March 13. You won't want to miss meeting Derek Black and hearing
him talk about his newest book, Dangerous Learning: The South's Long War on
Black Literacy.

Join Public Schools First at Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill (752 MLK Jr.
Blvd.) for a book signing and talk.

Book signing begins at 5:30 and the talk begins at 6:00

Mark Your Calendar!

Multiple Dates, 7:00-8:30 pm: Resilience and ACES. Learn about Adverse
Childhood Experiences (ACES) and resilience. Join us for this
award-winning, 60-minute film, Resilience: The Biology of Stress & The
Science of Hope. This documentary examines how abuse, neglect, and other
adverse childhood experiences affect children’s development & health
outcomes in adulthood. This powerful movie is a conversation starter and a
perspective changer.

[44]REGISTER HERE

All screenings are on Thursday and include time for discussion. Invite a
friend and contact us about setting up a private screening for your school
staff, PTA, civic group, church, or synagogue.
* February 26
* March 26
* April 24

Words to Remember

"In the years leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic, some of the largest
academic declines ever apparent in the education research record, on any
topic, have been attributable to school vouchers."

— Josh Cowan, The Privateers

Help us support public schools!

Public Schools First NC is a statewide nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) nonprofit
focused solely

on pre-K to 12 public education issues. We collaborate with parents,
teachers, business and civic leaders, and communities across North Carolina
to advocate for one unified system of public education that prepares each
child for productive citizenship.

[45]DONATE HERE

[46]www.publicschoolsfirstnc.org

Questions? Contact us today at [email protected]

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