BEST NC

New from BEST NC! Teacher Pay in North Carolina: A Smart Investment in Student Achievement. Includes new analyses of how increased and transformed teacher salary structures can make North Carolina a national leader in teacher pay! bestnc.org/policybriefs/ #NCEd

From 2014–15 to 2023–24, school psychologist ratios shifted from 1:1,896 to 1:1,730, school nurse ratios from 1:1,112 to 1:834, and school counselor ratios from 1:372 to 1:317. #NCEd

Take a look at the national and North Carolina-specific percentages of four-year-olds enrolled in state Pre-K programs. #NCEd

Take a look at 2023-24 traditional public school enrollment in North Carolina vs UNC System enrollment in Fall 2023, by gender. #NCEd

EVAAS scores of 0 represent the state average teacher. In 2023–24, teachers who remained in NC public schools ranged from -0.43 to 0.57, while those who departed ranged from -0.78 to 0.12, depending on years of experience. #NCEd

In 2023, 71% of homeless students were doubled-up with another family, 19% stayed in hotels or motels, 7% were in shelters or transitional housing, and 4% were unsheltered. #NCEd

In 2024–25, teacher compensation included an average $7,028 local supplement and $2,210 state supplement, plus a $8,095 state health insurance contribution and a 24.04% retirement contribution, with National Board certification adding 12% of salary.

Teachers not fully licensed, by district (2023–24) The share of teachers without a Continuing Professional License varied widely across North Carolina districts, ranging from about 7% to over 60%. #NCEd

Folks interested in education stats should check out @BESTNCorg, which recently dropped a new report on K-5 math and how to improve it. This was a topic former NC State Supt. Catherine Truitt had hoped to tackle if she won a second term. #nced #ncga bestnc.org/policybriefs/

In 2023–24, enrollment demographics differed between North Carolina’s K–12 public schools and the UNC System, with K–12 serving higher shares of Hispanic (19% vs. 9%) and Black students (25% vs. 21%), while the UNC System enrolled a larger share of White students (53% vs. 46%).

In 2023–24, salary made up 71% of total compensation for K–12 public school teachers in North Carolina, with 29% provided through benefits. By comparison, private-sector compensation in the U.S. South Atlantic region averaged 83% salary and 17% benefits. #NCEd

Average local salary supplements for teachers in K-12 traditional public schools varied widely across North Carolina districts in 2024-25. #NCEd

In 2023–24, 13% of K–12 students statewide were identified for Academically and Intellectually Gifted (AIG) programs, with participation rates varying across student groups. #NCEd

The share of children living in food-insecure households was 27% in 2012 and 20% in 2022. #NCEd

Through December 2024, FAFSA completion rates ranged from 37% to 72% across North Carolina school districts. #NCEd

Examine short-term suspension rates in K–12 public schools during the 2023–24 school year across student subgroups. #NCEd

See the 2014–15 to 2024–25 average inflation-adjusted (2024 dollars) total principal salary in North Carolina. #NCEd

From 2009 to 2024, average 4th grade reading scores in North Carolina ranged from 200→215 for EDS students and 225→242 for non-EDS students, closely paralleling national public trends over the same period. #NCEd

In 2023–24, 25% of K–12 students were chronically absent, with meaningful variation across student groups. #NCEd

In 2023–24, North Carolina averaged $90,130 for instructional staff at public four-year institutions — above the national average of $77,858 — and $57,126 at public two-year institutions, roughly in line with the national average of $56,049. #NCEd

In 2024–25, the average local supplement for K–12 principals statewide was $16,341, but support differed dramatically by district — ranging from $0 in five counties to over $40,000 in others. #NCEd