Public education advocates across the US and North Carolina are angry and so are we. There can be no other response than outrage at the reckless and unnecessary withholding of federal funds, already appropriated by Congress, for our nation’s public schools. Anger is the appropriate response when we know children will be harmed. So what […]| Public Schools First NC
Public Schools First NC has released a new report: NC School Vouchers—Using Tax Dollars to Discriminate Against Students & Families! As recent reporting highlights, “North Carolina now subsidizes the tuition cost for the majority of private students.” In the 2024-25 school year, the state private K-12 tuition subsidy topped $432 million. Current appropriations earmark $731 million […]| Public Schools First NC
North Carolina’s rural schools are being hit with another blow as the U.S. Department of Education failed to distribute to public school districts more than $165 million in federal grants that had been allocated by Congress. New reporting by Kris Nordstrom of the North Carolina Justice Center shows which school districts in North Carolina stand […]| Public Schools First NC
On June 4, staff at the Department of Public Instruction presented their report on Opportunity Scholarship voucher use for 2024-25 to the State Board of Education. According to data they shared from the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (administrators of the Opportunity Scholarship voucher program), only 6,710 of the 80,325 students who received taxpayer […]| Public Schools First NC
The 2024-25 school year was the first year that North Carolina’s Opportunity Scholarship taxpayer-funded private school voucher program became universally available. For the first time, all families could apply to receive a tuition subsidy regardless of income or whether their child had ever attended a public school. This policy change marked a striking shift in […]| Public Schools First NC
On May 17, 1954 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education that state-sanctioned segregation of public schools was a violation of the 14th Amendment and was therefore unconstitutional. While the ruling did catalyze massive changes throughout the nation, including helping to propel the civil rights movement, the full potential […]| Public Schools First NC
In another blow to public schools, a majority of House members voted on May 7 to lower the high school mathematics graduation requirements for all public schools. Because the new, lower standards fall below the minimum admissions requirements for UNC system schools, the bill also directs the UNC Board of Governors to lower its standards […]| Public Schools First NC
Public school districts across the state are working through their budget planning for next year facing threats of looming budget shortfalls expected from the loss of federal funds and the revenue shortfalls predicted at the state level. Some, like Wake County, which announced a hiring freeze earlier this month, are already taking measures to cut costs. Wake […]| Public Schools First NC
The 2024-25 school year is the first time North Carolina’s taxpayer-funded private school voucher program (i.e., Opportunity Scholarship voucher program) has no income limits on who can apply. Even the wealthiest families—with incomes greater than $260,000/year—can now receive a $3,360 voucher (per child) to help offset tuition at a private school. Families with lower incomes […]| Public Schools First NC
The flurry of executive orders from the White House continued this week along with news of an order being drafted to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education (ED). Although the White House doesn’t have authority to dismantle the ED outright, it could take steps to roll back/freeze current initiatives and enforcement efforts while disrupting/firing employees […]| Public Schools First NC