School vouchers Coverage

DRAUGHON DRAWS: Millions of taxpayer dollars for private schools, but not so much for quality public education

Thursday, April 25, 2024 -- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist.

MARY ANN WOLF: N.C. legislators will soon spend $1 billion surplus. Public schools must be a priority

Wednesday, April 24, 2024 -- Public schools matter to each and every community across North Carolina. With meaningful investments, they can continue to thrive and serve our state.

DRAUGHON DRAWS: The "core" of N.C. public education

Tuesday, April 16, 2024 -- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist.

NC Republicans look to spend more on private school vouchers, after wealthier families left out

Adding money to the voucher program will be a top priority when the North Carolina General Assembly comes back into session, House Speaker Tim Moore said Wednesday.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

Editorial: Dramatic private school voucher expansion still lacks accountability

Wednesday, April 3, 2024 -- North Carolina taxpayers should be able to see how their money is being used, whether it is being used as intended and in an effective manner. Schools that accept vouchers should be required to adhere to the same performance standards, accountability for student performance and hiring of faculty as public schools.

Limited number of private school vouchers will go to current voucher holders, lowest income applicants

But more than 13,000 new low-income families might, if they accept their Opportunity Scholarship offers by April 19.

Emily Walkenhorst, WRAL education reporter

State teacher group calls for accountability after pastor linked to school gives sermon justifying rape

Gov. Roy Cooper and the leader of the state's largest teacher group are calling for more accountability in the school voucher program after a pastor linked to a school gave a sermon justifying rape.

NC governor, advocates call for more school voucher accountability after controversial sermon

North Carolina's governor and the leader of the state's largest teacher group are calling for more accountability in the school voucher program after a pastor connected to a Union Co. school that receives taxpayer money gave a sermon justifying rape.

Laura Leslie, WRAL Capitol Bureau Chief

DRAUGHON DRAWS: The sands time, the cost of neglect

Saturday, March 2, 2024 -- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist.

Some applicants affected by overnight crash of NC's school voucher website

The application period opened Thursday for the expanded voucher program likely to draw tens of thousands of applicants.

Emily Walkenhorst, WRAL education reporter

NC's new universal school voucher program reignites funding debate

Private school advocates gathered in Raleigh Wednesday to celebrate a historic expansion of the state's school voucher program, But public school advocates worry about what it will cost public schools.

Laura Leslie, WRAL capitol bureau chief

Parents, students from NC private schools celebrate School Choice Week

Parents and students from private schools gathered Wednesday in Raleigh to celebrate National School Choice week.

Public schools advocates call on N.C. schools chief for more support

About 50 teachers, parents and retired educators gathered in Raleigh to urge state Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt to support public schools in North Carolina after what advocates say was a punishing year for public education.

Laura Leslie, WRAL capitol bureau chief

Fact check: Ad claims Roy Cooper is 'blocking' school choice bill

A television ad by the conservative Unleash Prosperity Now group claims North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper is "blocking" a school choice bill granting funding to "thousands of low-income parents."

Paul Specht, PolitiFact reporter

More NC families would qualify for private school vouchers under massive program in state budget

The expansion to hundreds of millions of dollars would make it one of the largest education line items in the state's budget.

Emily Walkenhorst, WRAL education reporter

Editorial: Transform NC's private school vouchers from boondoggle to responsible, transparent, accountable

Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023 -- Six recommendations will help assure parents, educators and taxpayers that public money granted to private schools is being used as intended and that students are in classrooms where they receive a quality education - as should EVERY North Carolina child.

DRAUGHON DRAWS: It's a rough ride for N.C. public schools

Friday, Aug. 25, 2023 -- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist.

DRAUGHON DRAWS: North Carolina's state seal needs an update

Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023 -- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist.

SBI investigating fraud allegations against director of Selma private school

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation started an investigation this week into fraud allegations against the director of Mitchener University Academy in Selma.

Ali Ingersoll, WRAL investigative data reporter

Private school asked to repay scholarship money

In this legislative session, state lawmakers are looking to increase spending on school vouchers by hundreds of millions of dollars in just two years. For the first time in the program's nine-year history, a school has been asked to return some of its funding.

NC removes Johnston County private school from voucher program, refers to SBI for investigation

The school has been ordered to pay back some of the $316,725 it received in public dollars.

Emily Walkenhorst, WRAL education reporter

School voucher expansion raises church and state debate

An age-old debate over whether public money should fund religious education is being rekindled as Republican lawmakers consider a massive expansion of North Carolina's private school voucher program.

NC plan to expand private school vouchers rekindles debate over separation of church and state

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled a handful of times on whether limits must be placed on public money that goes to private schools.

Emily Walkenhorst, WRAL education reporter

GOP's school voucher plan stokes debate over private school accountability

Proposed legislation has divided state lawmakers over their vastly differing education priorities. Democratic lawmakers want more help for struggling public schools, while Republican lawmakers are prioritizing funding access to private schools.

Emily Walkenhorst, WRAL education reporter

SHEMIKA DAVIS: Will Black people be respected among their professional peers?

Friday, June 9, 2023 -- No other race is questioned about the validity of their degree based on how they were admitted into a school. So why should state Rep. Jones, D-Wake, have to defend his degree?