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!
