posted on
50,000.
That’s how many low-income students in North Carolina will have access to unprecedented opportunity thanks to the creation of an Achievement School District and a historic expansion of the Opportunity Scholarship program.
It’s also the average amount N.C. teachers will make starting in the 2016-17 school year—the highest average ever in state history.
After weeks of hearings, testimonies and meetings with the students, teachers and parents who are affected most, we’re proud to say we championed the following policies in this year’s legislative budget:
- Creation of an Achievement School District: Creates a program to bring together five of the state’s lowest-performing schools to help serve the nearly 15,000 predominantly minority and low-income students trapped in them.
- Expansion of the N.C. Opportunity Scholarship program: Funds the expansion of N.C.’s scholarship program for students from low-income families, adding 2,000 more spots every year for a decade, and the special education scholarship program for students with learning disabilities.
- Teacher pay increases: Raises teacher pay by 4.7 percent, bringing average teacher pay above $50,000 for the first time in state history, and provides bonuses for teachers based on student academic performance.
We’re grateful to the passionate lawmakers and partners on the ground who worked to ensure these goals were accomplished. Without them—and you—this work wouldn’t be possible. With all your help, more than 50,000 students will be able to attend the best school for them, regardless of race, zip code or income level.
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for more updates throughout the summer, and stay tuned for other ways to get involved as election season heats up. We can’t do this work without you.