![]() Administer and publicly report data on state assessments of student achievement and performance as required by the State Board of Education.Be accredited by the state Board of Education or another accreditation agency from an approved list to assure there is tuition and fee transparency, a clearly stated admissions policy and a non-discrimination policy.Additionally, parents must have access to accurate and reliable information when making school choice decisions, and state leaders must have the data needed to effectively evaluate how private schools receiving public funds are performing and to ensure that all children are receiving a sound basic education,” is the common-sense imperative for the Forum’s report and recommendations. “Similar to public schools and public charter schools, private schools that receive public dollars must be held accountable to the taxpayers who fund them. In a detailed and thoughtful review of the latest plans for private school voucher expansion, the Public School Forum of North Carolina has come up with six common sense recommendations – not the least bit onerous on private schools – to demonstrate accountability and provide transparency. Private school vouchers DO NOT address or remedy this continued failure to meet the state constitutional obligation to North Carolina’s children. While courts have ordered implementation of a consensus plan to rectify this tragic situation, the legislature has been obstinate in its refusal to implement it. Further, it has been repeatedly adjudicated over the last 25 years that the state has failed to meet this obligation. It is not unreasonable to expect those who accept public funds – including private school vouchers – demonstrate to taxpayers their money is being used as expected and is having the intended impact.īefore we go on, we must make note that it is the obligation of the legislature – as set out in North Carolina’s Constitution – to support a system of public schools that provides EVERY child with access to a quality education. They are not about diversionary slogans like “parental choice.” They are about being responsible, accountable and transparent with the use of taxpayer dollars. These concerns are not about support or opposition to private school vouchers. How is the voucher money being used? Is it spent to educate students in the classroom?ĭo all students have the opportunity to attend schools of their choice with vouchers? Some facts taxpayers should know - but don’t because legislative leaders refuse to require the data and accountability from private schools that receive vouchers. Such expansive spending should be similarly enshrined with the kind of accountability to help parents and taxpayers know the money is used for educating children in quality schools, focused on classroom education resources and that students are achieving. The leaders of the General Assembly are poised to more than double the money available for private school vouchers to nearly half-a-billion dollars – and enshrine that increased expansion every year through the 2031-32 school year. Last year $44.6 million education dollars gathered dust in the state treasury while public school teachers were spending their own money for basic classroom supplies for their students, poorly paid school bus drivers were quitting in droves and school facility renovations and upgrades were left unaddressed. Actual allocations have gone from $4.6 million to $133.9 million. Funding for private school vouchers has increased from $10.8 million to $176.5million.The portion of vouchers going to white students has increased every year over that same period from 27% to 61%.The portion of “Opportunity Scholarship” vouchers going to Black students has decreased every year since the program was initiated in the 2014-15 school year – from 51% then to 20% for the 2022-23 school year. It is a program that has largely helped white students and not minorities.Some facts about North Carolina’s taxpayer funding of private school vouchers.
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