Cooper stresses workforce preparation, diverse educators in national group address

When Cooper speaks with chief executive officers of companies about their top three issues, they list, “workforce, workforce, workforce,” he said. “So education is going to be key for success in business.” Businesses should be classroom regulars and involved early, Cooper said.

Cooper discussed some of his top education priorities Wednesday at the fifth annual Reagan Institute Summit on Education, held virtually before an in-person meeting to take place Thursday in Washington, D.C. 

Cooper and six other governors spoke individual via video on the condition of education in their states.

Javaid Siddiqui, chief executive of The Hunt Institute, asked Cooper questions on a handful of topics: Increasing educator diversity, expanding Broadband Internet access, the connection between schools and business growth, and addressing student health needs.

Cooper said an expansion of Medicaid could further deliver services for students — including mental health services — that may take place at school. Medicaid spending has fast increased in the state’s schools, topping more than $100 million in recent years and is likely to continue increasing as charter schools are now eligible to become Medicaid providers.

Schools should staff more nurses, counselors and psychologists to help provide the support students need to focus on learning and ensure students obtain a “sound basic education,” said Cooper, one of two Democratic governors to address attendees.

Research shows students’ learning improves when they have at least some teachers of the same race, Cooper said. But Cooper noted pressures faced by some non-white teachers, especially when they are the only non-white teacher at their school. “Things like everybody expecting you to carry the ball with certain students or expecting you to set a certain example,” he said.

About 76% of the state’s teachers last year were white, though most students — just 45.1% — were not.

Wednesday’s event occurred just weeks before most public schools begin the next school year and just days before many teachers return to work to prepare their classrooms.

“It’s never been a tougher time to be an educator, student or parent,” Cooper said.

He and lawmakers have made some headway, compromising on higher employee pay and an expanded Teaching Fellows program. General Assembly leaders now favor expanding Medicaid in the state — as North Carolina is one of few that have not yet done so — but have not yet agreed on a package to do so.