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November 15, 2025

[1]www.publicschoolsfirstnc.org
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NC Public Schools Make State History

During its monthly meeting in November, State Board of Education members
found out that public schools [7]made state history this year. Record gains
in Advanced Placement (AP) access and achievement are evidence that years
of state investment are paying off.

Participation in AP courses, exam completion and number of qualifying score
rates of 3, 4, or 5 reached an all-time high in 2025.

A qualifying score on an AP exam provides college credit for the course at
most colleges and universities, so these participation and qualifying score
gains translate to substantial post-secondary cost savings for students and
families.

[8]NCDPI reported that in the 2024-25 school year, more than 97,000
students took at least one AP exam, a 7.3% increase from the previous year.
Many students take more than one AP exam, and the number of total exams
taken increased by 9.8% from last year.

North Carolina’s students also beat the national average for percentage of
qualifying scores for the second year in a row. Of all the tests taken in
North Carolina, 72.1% received a 3, 4, or 5 compared to 70.1% for the
nation. This represents a 21% increase from 2024.

All racial and ethnic groups and genders contributed to the growth,
highlighting the importance of North Carolina’s effort to expand
opportunities and instructional quality. Growth was strongest among Black,
Hispanic/Latino, and American Indian students. For example, participation
in AP courses increased 7.5% for Black students and the number of
qualifying scores increased 33.5%.

Hispanic/Latino student participation and passing scores also increased
dramatically, but American Indian students grew the most. Their
participation went up 15.8 % and passing scores increased 49.7%

All regions of the state have reason to celebrate. Every region showed
significant growth in the number of tests taken and the number of
qualifying scores. The Western region led in growth in the number of exams
taken with a 17.5% increase while the Northeast region had the largest
increase in number of qualifying scores, growing 28% over 2024.

These gains didn’t happen by chance. The state has provided purposeful,
dedicated funding for advance course participation since 2015. [9]General
Statute 115C-174.26 requires the state to “enhance accessibility and
encourage students to enroll in and successfully complete more rigorous
advanced courses to enable success in postsecondary education for all.”
These courses include AP and International Baccalaureate (IB) and other
advanced courses. The statute also establishes reporting procedures to
document progress and encourages the state to exempt students from paying
exam fees.

To help build instructional capacity, lawmakers required the State Board of
Education to develop a partnership with an organization such as the College
Board to form the North Carolina Advanced Placement Partnership.
This partnership provides technical assistance and professional
development, summer training and AP mentoring programs.

The historic gains in achievement and access represent excellent ROI.

Unfortunately, some lawmakers are no longer interested in promoting
advanced courses in public schools. The Senate budget proposal cuts the
budget for exam fees and professional development by $17.9 million,
effectively making advanced coursework and exam participation inaccessible
for thousands of students.

The House budget keeps the AP/advanced coursework funding intact. With no
budget yet in place, we don’t know whether the Senate or House version will
prevail; funding for the programs is still uncertain.

As a point of comparison, FOUR PRIVATE SCHOOLS together received more
funding through the [10]Opportunity Scholarship voucher program in one year
than the total proposed cuts to the AP/advanced course program. The four
schools received a total of $17,992,130 from the state in 2024-25:
1. Grace Christian School, Sanford ($5,130,642)
2. Metrolina Christian Academy, Indian Trail ($4,731,790)
3. North Raleigh Christian Academy, Raleigh ($4,319,985)
4. Concord Academy, Raleigh ($3,809,713)

These taxpayer dollars spent on private school tuition for students in just
four schools have no public documentation of any academic benefit. In
contrast, the AP funding has shown clear documented benefits for public
school students and families throughout the state, including college
tuition savings for students who achieve qualifying scores.

Which is the better use of public funds?

Contact the budget negotiators (budget conferees) to encourage support for
keeping full funding of advanced coursework and professional
development. You can email all members at once by using our
[11]customizable email template.

Our [12]Contact Elected Officials page also has letter templates for
vouchers, teacher pay, and a "write your own from scratch" option. Let the
budget conferees know your budget priorities!

More Reasons to Celebrate NC Public Schools!

[13]North Carolina public school educator Valencia Abbott was named Gilder
Lehrman Institute National History Teacher of the Year. Ms. Abbott is
currently the Social Studies Department chair and a civics educator at
Rockingham Early College in Wentworth. Started in 2024, the highly
competitive Gilder Lehrman Institute award recognizes excellence in K-12
teaching.

NC public schools continue to be the heart of our communities. Karley
Wells, the 2025 Wells Fargo Western Regional Principal of the Year and
Haywood County Schools’ elementary supervisor shares the many ways
[14]public schools stepped up to help the community during hurricane
recovery. She writes, “One of the most touching moments was when a school
team delivered food to a hard-hit neighborhood. As they pulled in, a
student standing in the street with friends shouted with joy, “It’s my
school! I told you they would come!” That simple statement captured so
much! It demonstrated the trust our students place in us and the deep
connection between schools and the communities we serve.”

NC is home to the best high school in the nation. [15]According to Niche
rankings, the best high school in the nation—public or private—is the
[16]North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics in Durham. The
rankings include more than 93,000 public schools and 30,000 private schools
and are based on a wide range of factors including academics, teachers,
culture, resources, diversity, and facilities. The North Carolina School of
Science and Mathematics was created through legislation in 1978 to provide
students from across the state access to challenging educational
opportunities in science and mathematics.

Four NC schools received [17]State Blue Ribbon Recognition. After the
federal Blue Ribbon program was cut this year, North Carolina created its
own program, naming the first winners this fall: Apex Friendship Middle
School (Wake County), Henderson County Early College (Henderson County),
Mills Park Middle School (Wake County), and Pinehurst Elementary (Moore
County). There were two categories of schools for the award: Exemplary High
Performing and Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing. Three of the four
awardees were identified in both categories.

Four NC schools were named [18]America's Healthiest Schools by the Alliance
for a Healthier Generation. Schools are evaluated in nine categories that
range from improving nutrition and food access, cultivating staff
well-being, and bolstering physical education and activity to increasing
family and community engagement. North Carolina’s winners were Bertie Early
College High School (Bertie County), Washington Elementary (Guilford
County), South Elementary School (Person County), and Williamsburg
Elementary School (Rockingham County).

Public schools across the state also stepped up to help fill the gaps left
by federal cuts for food support. For example, [19]Holly Ridge and Oak View
Elementary Schools battled for which school could raise the most and
collectively donated 2,959 pounds of food to the Holly Springs Food
Cupboard.

Email us at [email protected] to share more reasons to
celebrate!

Legislative and SBE Updates

The House and Senate reconvene on Monday. Governor Stein has called a
special session to address the budget and lapses in Medicaid funding, but
legislative leaders refuse to meet. It is unlikely that there will be
movement on the budget next week.

In addition, the [20]House calendar for Monday includes reconsideration of
six bills vetoed by Governor Stein. Four directly affect public education
and/or student safety. The Senate has already voted to override Stein’s
veto, so if the House also succeeds in getting the two-thirds majority
needed to override the veto, the bills will become law.
* HB 87 Educational Choice for Children Act (Federal Voucher Program)
* SB 50 Freedom to Carry NC (removes restrictions on purchasing handguns
and lowers purchase age to 18)
* SB 227 Eliminating Diversity Equity and Inclusion in Public Education
* SB 558 Eliminating Diversity Equity and Inclusion in Public Higher
Education

Check the [21]legislative calendars page for updates throughout the week.
Meetings often change times, are cancelled, or are added.

Fed. policies risk worsening already dire rural teacher shortage

Along with massive cuts to the US Department of Education, which eliminated
teacher residency and training grants for rural schools, the Trump
administration has announced a $100,000 fee for all new H-1B visa
applications.

The H-1B visa is primarily used by employers seeking applicants for jobs in
the technical industry, engineers, and researchers. However, they are also
used by hundreds of schools, many in rural areas, to fill teaching
positions that would remain unfilled if not for international applicants.
The new fee went into effect in September 2025.

In Halifax County, 101 of 156 teachers are international. The new fee on
H-1B visas will devastate the teaching force.

[22]READ MORE

Contact your US Congressional representatives to urge a school exemption
for H-1B visa fees!

Addressing the Mental Health Crisis of NC Youth:

A Plea to the NC General Assembly

By Mallory Matthys BSN, RN, CPN, NC pediatric nurse and PhD student at the
University of Texas, Tyler

From mental health crises to suicide attempts, pediatric nurses are seeing
their hospitals being flooded with patients newly diagnosed with mental
health conditions. Often, parents are confused and have limited resources
to help their child. As a pediatric nurse, I have witnessed first-hand the
declining mental health of children and the lack of resources for families.

North Carolina is experiencing a worsening mental health crisis among its
school-aged children. According to the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, in 2021,
43.4% of high schoolers in North Carolina reported feeling sad or hopeless
almost every day for more than 2 weeks. In 2019, 36.3% of high schoolers
indicated that they felt sad or hopeless for more than 2 weeks. Suicide
rates are also increasing, with 11 more teenagers aged 15 to 17 dying by
suicide in 2023 as compared to 2018 in the state.

While there are resources for mental health concerns in North Carolina, the
system is overrun with patients having to wait months for even an initial
appointment. Schools are in a unique position to aid the mental health of
their students.

[23]READ MORE

Hear from NC Superintendent of the Year 2026

A new episode in North Association of School Administrators' Public School
Matters podcast series features Dr. Rodney Peterson, Superintendent of
Person County Schools and the 2026 Superintendent of the Year.

Dr. Peterson shares experience and wisdom as he discusses challenges he and
other superintendents are facing in leading public schools.

[24]LISTEN HERE

In Case You Missed It

[25]A pay cut for teachers

[26]Lagging enrollment for new North Carolina charter schools raises
questions about expansion

[27]Why NC's 2 low-performing virtual charter schools say they should be
renewed

[28]How the abrupt closure of an NC charter school may lead to changes in
state rules

[29]The longest government shutdown in US history comes to a close

[30]Ed. Dept. Layoffs Are Reversed, But Staff Fear Things Won't Return to
Normal

Purple Star Award

Since 2019, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction has awarded
the Purple Star Award to schools that demonstrate military-friendly
practices and a commitment to military students and families. The award
recognizes the state’s strong military presence and the importance of
supporting its military families.

Applications for 2025-26 are open until February 1, 2026.

[31]LEARN MORE

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.

[32]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.
* January 22, 2026
* February 26, 2026
* March 26, 2026

Request A Speaker!

Need a speaker for your next event or group meeting? PSFNC welcomes the
opportunity to speak to your group or organization on public
education-related topics.

We offer our programs virtually to improve accessibility and attendance and
therefore extend your reach. Our services are free of charge but may
require travel-related expenses if the program is in-person.

Email us at [email protected] for more information.

Words to Remember

"Public schools are an essential element of our democracy. If we relinquish
them to private interests for private purposes, education will become a
consumer good, not a CIVIC responsibility.”

— Diane Ravitch, An Education: How I Changed My Mind About Schools and
Almost Everything Else

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.

[33]DONATE HERE

[34]www.publicschoolsfirstnc.org

Questions? Contact us today at [email protected]

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