Editorial: Legislators need to put comprehensive education plan in the budget

CBC Editorial: Friday, June 16, 2023; editorial #8853

The following is the opinion of Capitol Broadcasting Company

“Just throwing a lot of money at a particular problem.” It has become perhaps the most disingenuous cliché the leaders of North Carolina’s General Assembly spout when something worthy is proposed that conflicts with their ideological biases.

When it comes to their own hyper-partisan agendas – particularly when it comes to opportunities to weaken public education (despite the fact that a quality public education is a right granted in the State Constitution) – throwing money around is just fine.

But the fact is that there is a comprehensive, consensus program to address the needs of our public schools, the students, faculty and very necessary support services.

It is bipartisan with deeply rooted Republican origins. It has broad support from nearly all credible education advocates. It is ready to implement. Nothing stands in the way of the General Assembly to put it in the budget it will send to Gov. Roy Cooper.

It took more than a quarter decade of wrangling, negotiations and expert research to come up with a detailed program that WILL EFFECTIVELY address the needs of our schools and move significantly toward, over time, fulfilling our State Constitution’s promise that EVERY child will have access to a quality education.

Astonishingly absent now from the budgets passed by the state House of Representatives and state Senate, missing from the issues to be taken up and delt with in depth by legislative committees, is the Comprehensive Remedial Plan.

This comprehensive plan isn’t one that gives Democrats or Republicans a partisan victory. Significantly, it doesn’t prevent legislators from pursuing other education initiatives they want to embrace.

It is a plan (you can read it here) designed for multi-year implementation, to address critical areas needed so every child has access to a quality education by making sure:

• There’s a qualified and well-prepared teacher in every classroom. This is a situation where the problems have become even more dire in the last couple of years as floods of teachers – many of them the most experienced – are fleeing classrooms.
• There’s a quality and effective system of teacher development and recruitment that ensures there are quality teachers for every classroom.
• Every school has nurses, counselors, social workers and psychologists available to assist in fostering students’ physical and mental well-being.
• Every school has a qualified and well-prepared principal.
• There’s high quality early childhood education available.
• There’s adequate support for high-poverty schools.
• High schools effectively align their courses of study to postsecondary and career expectations so students are prepared for, and open to, advanced learning or workforce opportunities.
• All schools have effective systems for assessing the education students receive and accountability for student performance.

State Board of Education Chair Eric Davis isn’t engaging in hyperbole when he says implementation of these objectives “are critical investments for the well-being of our State that secures our future.” https://www.ednc.org/perspective-state-board-chair-asks-legislators-to-invest-in-public-education-expresses-concerns-about-legislation-that-would-impact-schools-communities/

Implementing the Comprehensive Remedial Plan is significant. It represents the much-needed culmination of years of difficult give-and-take, ultimately making sure the guarantees that every child’s right to a quality education is reality, not a mere sentiment or aspiration.

If legislative leaders truly believe in prudent investment and not simply “throwing money” at a problem the budget bill they send to Cooper must include full funding for the Comprehensive Remedial Plan.

If the legislature fails, the governor should direct his budget office, the State Board of Education and other related agencies to implement it.

Capitol Broadcasting Company's Opinion Section seeks a broad range of comments and letters to the editor. Our Comments beside each opinion column offer the opportunity to engage in a dialogue about this article.

In addition, we invite you to write a letter to the editor about this or any other opinion articles. Here are some tips on submissions >> SUBMIT A LETTER TO THE EDITOR