Strong public schools are one of the most important factors in the health of a community. As we head into back-to-school season (for traditional calendar schools) we want to emphasize that public schools are the best choice for communities and should be supported wholeheartedly by our elected leaders. State support for public schools is also required by our state constitution. There is no requirement for taxpayer-funded support for private schools.
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, nearly 1.5 million students attended public schools in 2025-26 (traditional and charter) representing over 83% of the state’s students. Supporting and making them even better is the best investment in our children and communities that we can make.
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 North Carolina is 1st in the number of National Board Certified teachers and above the national average in passing Advanced Placement (AP) exams (scores of 3, 4, or 5) for the second year in a row. 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.
North Carolina’s public schools are making more historic achievements. Last year students achieved the highest graduation rate in state history. Public school students have earned more Career and Technical Education (CTE) credentials than ever before, ranking second in the nation for highest percentage of students participating in CTE. In this year’s national CTE SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference, North Carolina had the second highest medal total of any state in the nation.
These and other results show what is possible when communities invest in public education. If our lawmakers brought the state from last in the nation in funding level to at least the national average, our students’ accomplishments would skyrocket. The state would also be able to start repairing its broken teacher pipeline to recruit and retain even more high-quality educators.
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.
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.
We can all start the new school year with a renewed commitment to making North Carolina’s public schools the best in the nation. The state has a roadmap in place called Achieving Educational Excellence. It includes pathways for all members of our communities to participate in making our schools great.
Let’s make 2026-27 the best school year ever!