North Carolina Public Schools Get Another 'F' in School Financing

Statement from NCAE President Sheri Strickland on the "Quality Counts" report published by Education Week on January 14, 2010

RALEIGH, N.C., Feb. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- North Carolina sits at the bottom with the lowest grade possible, an F, in a recently released report by Education Week. The state has earned this low score for its lack of investment in public education. The report, "Quality Counts," points to low per-pupil expenditures and a low percentage of total taxable resources being spent on education in North Carolina. This is the second consecutive year that North Carolina has earned an "F" for education spending from Education Week.

With the North Carolina General Assembly slated to convene in May to take action on a budget, NCAE wants to see major steps taken to improve this grade and, more importantly, improve the effort the state is making to provide a strong educational beginning for all our children.  North Carolina garnered only 66.6 points out of 100 in school financing. I know we can do better -- we have to for all students in public education and for the future of our state.

The Quality Counts report points to the mere 2.8 percent of total taxable resources spent on K-12 education (2007). Only two other states spend a smaller percentage of taxable resources on public schools. North Carolina also languishes near the bottom on per-pupil expenditures with only $8,345 spent on each student – 41 other states and Washington, D.C. spend more per pupil, up to a whopping $16,386. Certainly the General Assembly would agree that this paltry level of investment in our children is unacceptable. Just last year, legislators slashed the pre-K-12 budget by nearly 10 percent. NCAE will simply not accept a 2010-2011 budget that makes further cuts in public education -- and neither should any of the citizens of this state.

In fact, the percentage of the general funding dedicated to pre-K-12 education has declined 15 points since 1970, while other areas of state spending have increased -- including post-secondary education. Overall, North Carolina earned a D+ for School Finance, for which "Quality Counts" factors in Equity and Spending.

NCAE members across the state report that public education has been strained because of the severely and drastically reduced budget for 2009-10. K-12 education lost experienced classroom teachers, suffered the demotion of certified teachers to the role of teacher assistants, and the elimination of teacher assistant positions in grades K-3.

The Association's message to the General Assembly is simple and straightforward:

• Make pre-K-12 public education a priority.

• Public schools cannot take another round of drastic cuts. It puts the future of North Carolina at risk.

• Reform the tax structure by closing corporate tax loop holes and providing more revenue through smart tax increases on alcohol and cigarettes.

As educators, it is part of our responsibility to speak out so that our children receive the best education that our state can provide. We must invest wisely in education or face the undesirable consequences of poorly funded public schools. Our urgent message to the General Assembly is "courage not cuts."

The full Quality Counts report is available at www.edweek.org.

NCAE is North Carolina's largest education association representing nearly 60,000 active, retired and student members.

SOURCE North Carolina Association of Educators