North Carolina’s constitution guarantees our students the right to a “sound basic education” and one week from today marks the court mandated deadline for legislators to fulfill their constitutional duty and provide the funds necessary to guarantee this right. Each day this week, we’ll be highlighting the ways that fully funding a sound basic education would transform North Carolina’s education and positively impact every corner of our state — starting with having qualified and well-prepared teachers in every classroom. 

“Throughout the pandemic, our students, educators, and educational staff have faced unprecedented obstacles. Many of these obstacles have highlighted the fault lines that already existed in our underfunded public education system, and we have the opportunity to right these wrongs,” said NCDP Chair Bobbie Richardson. “Teachers impact our kids’ lives every day. We need to invest in them the way they invest in us. As a former educator, I know firsthand that this type of support is long overdue and is vital to attracting and keeping dedicated and highly talented educators in North Carolina schools.” 

According to a report from the National Education Association, North Carolina ranks 33rd in the nation for average teacher pay. Teachers deserve a pay raise that reflects the essential role they  play in building the workforce of tomorrow.