Public Schools are the BEST Choice!

Strong public schools are one of the most important factors in the health of a community. They are the best choice for families and should be supported wholeheartedly by our elected leaders. Public schools welcome and provide a free education to all students regardless of income, race, ethnicity, religion, language ability, or other characteristics such as learning needs or physical challenges, so it is in everyone’s best interest to make sure they have the resources needed to thrive. In North Carolina, the overwhelming majority of students attend public schools; supporting and making them even better is the best investment in our children and communities that we can make.

Throughout this year, NCPTA and Public Schools First NC are continuing to team up to celebrate the valuable contributions and achievements of educators and education advocates in our public schools and the communities they serve.

Recent polling shows that the general public strongly supports public education, with 88% agreeing or strongly agreeing that “We should all support our neighborhood public schools, be on the side of our teachers, and make things better for all our kids” and 86% that “Investing in our children is not a political choice, it is a moral choice, it is the right choice, and it is a smart choice.”

Further, research has shown the vital role educators play in preparing children for success and how the best possible investment of tax dollars for our children’s education is in public schools. Polling found that 93% of respondents (representing all political groups) believed that hiring high quality teachers was important and 92% believed that investing in teacher training and retention was important.

Approximately 70% of North Carolinians do not have children in school, but they are still affected by the wellbeing of their local school district. Strong local public schools are an important factor for real estate prices, which affect every current and future homeowner. Fortunately, it is widely known that thriving public schools elevate real estate values and enhance the likelihood of business investments.

Also, because public schools are governed by elected leaders, all members of the community have a voice in the future of their schools. Unlike private schools, public schools are also fully accountable for how public dollars are spent, conduct criminal background checks on staff, publish student achievement data, and follow curriculum content standards.

In addition to being the only school choice accountable to the public, public schools also provide the most choices for families and students. Public schools have an unmatched array of choices with offerings that range from early-college, international baccalaureate, dual language/immersion, STEM/STEAM, arts, career tech, leadership, world studies, gifted/talented programs, and a wide variety of athletic programs and clubs.

Despite being profoundly under supported, our public schools continue to perform far above the level of support they receive. North Carolina now ranks 50th in education funding level, 50th in education funding effort, and 43rd in average teacher pay. But we are 1st in the number of National Board Certified teachers and above the national average in qualifying Advanced Placement exam scores (scores of 3, 4, or 5). North Carolina students are statistically tied with the national average scores on National Assessment of Educational Progress tests, and scores on statewide end-of-grade and end-of-course exams continued to rise this year in nearly every grade and subject. Our four-year graduation rate reached a record high of 87.7% this year.

If our lawmakers were truly interested in smart investment in our state’s future, they would fully support public education. When public schools are supported, public schools shine.

During the year, we will continue to highlight the value and successes of our public schools. We will also share information and advocate for the resources needed to meet current funding and staffing challenges. We will call on lawmakers, business leaders, community members, educators, and parents/guardians to work together to support and strengthen our public schools and contribute the work needed for the ongoing improvement of K-12 education.

We invite you to join us in celebrating our public schools! Please send us information about the amazing work happening in your public school district. Tell us about the wonderful program choices your school district provides and the marvelous educators who are making these programs work!

Help us lift up the stories that show North Carolinians why Public Schools Are the Best Choice! Email us at [email protected] to share your news.

Press Conference to Celebrate Choice in Public Schools

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) is recognizing National School Choice Week with a press conference on Wednesday January 28 at 1:00 to launch "Find Your Fit, Build Your Future," a six-week initiative showcasing the exceptional educational choices available in North Carolina's public schools.

North Carolina public schools offer more choices than ever — magnet programs, charter schools, early colleges, virtual options, career pathways and specialized programs like dual language immersion and STEM courses — all tuition-free.

Speakers:

NC Superintendent of Public Instruction Maurice "Mo” Green
Ashley Logue, Executive Director of the Office of Charter Schools
Sneha Shah-Coltrane, Senior Director of Advanced Learning & Gifted Education
Trey Michael, Senior Director of Career and Technical Education

Attend the press conference at NCDPI, 301 N. Wilmington St., Raleigh, NC. 7th Floor Boardroom or access the press conference via Zoom.

North Carolina’s 100 county boards of elections have started sending absentee-by-mail ballots to registered voters who requested a ballot for the 2026 primary election.

This marks the start of voting for our March 3 primary election. Voters who have already requested absentee-by-mail ballots should receive them in the coming days. In North Carolina, any eligible voter can request, receive, and vote an absentee ballot by mail.

The absentee ballot request deadline is Tuesday, Feb. 17. Election officials urge voters who wish to vote by mail to request their ballot as early as possible to ensure there is time to receive it and then send it back to their county board of elections so that it is received no later than 7:30 p.m. on Election Day – March 3.

Find more information at NCSBE.GOV or VOTE411.org.

Thursday, February 5, 2026 3:00 p.m.

The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” created a federal tax credit voucher program that lets taxpayers contribute up to $1,700 annually to a Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) in exchange for a dollar-for-dollar tax credit. The voucher scheme carries tremendous risk for public education, which may be compounded by forthcoming regulations from the federal Treasury. This webinar will explain the voucher program’s framework, indications that states will only have a rubber stamp role if they opt into the program, and the potential impact on students and communities.

Speakers include NC Representative Julie von Haefen!

This is an excellent program through the North Carolina Network of Grantmakers. Please share the information widely!

The Nonprofit Internship Program (NPIP) pairs college students with NC nonprofits for paid summer internships. This program is designed for Pell Grant-eligible students, recognizing that unpaid internships are often not feasible.

Applicants have the opportunity to be matched with a nonprofit host organization where they spend eight weeks interning over the summer. Internships offer a range of exposure and skill-building opportunities in areas including research, community outreach, public policy, communication, fundraising and social media.

LEARN MORE

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) is seeking schools and fiscally responsible community organizations to serve as sponsors for NC Summer Nutrition Programs in 2026 to help ensure children who have limited access to food at home get the educational enrichment and nutritious meals they need for optimal growth, development and overall well-being.

Of particular need are schools and community organizations in rural areas, Indian Tribal Territories and areas with a concentration of migrant farm workers, where access to summer meal sites or transportation has been an issue.

Sponsor applications for NC Summer Nutrition Programs are due March 1, 2026. For more information, please visit the NCDPI Summer Nutrition Program website or contact the NCDPI Summer Nutrition Program team.

Do you want to participate in a research study?

Jennifer Jones, doctoral student, is conducting a research study to learn how experienced elementary teachers stay strong and keep teaching, even when the job is hard. This study looks at two main things: getting support from other people (social teams) and having a clear purpose in life. By sharing their own stories, teachers will show how resilience helps them continue making a difference for their students.

If you have at least 5 years of full-time teaching experience and teach at the elementary level in a rural school in North Carolina, you may qualify to participate.

Participation includes completing a demographic survey and taking part in a 60-90 minute Zoom interview and follow up meeting. Participants will receive a $75 Amazon gift card.

See more details here.

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.

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, 2026
March 26, 2026

Public Schools are the BEST Choice!

Press Conference to Celebrate Choice in Public Schools

New Resource: County Profile Data

NC Primary Voting Has Started!

Webinar: All Risk, No Reward for Public Ed: What's Ahead for the Federal Voucher Program

Check Out Our New Report!

In Case You Missed It

Summer Internship Opportunity - Deadline Jan. 30

Sponsors Needed to Help Provide Summer Meals

Calling on NC Rural Elementary Educators

Mark Your Calendar!

Words to Remember

Help us support public schools!