Bestnc facts figures-2018-final-hyperlinks

FACTS & FIGURES
EDUCATION IN NORTH CAROLINA
2018

2 3
BEST NC (Business for
Educational Success and
Transformation) is a nonprofit
organization created by business
leaders who believe the future of
our state’s economy is inseparable
from the quality of our education.
North Carolina’s education system
must keep pace with the rapidly
changing economic landscape of the
21st century. BEST NC supports the
creation of the boldest education
success story in America, one
that nurtures the talents of every
student, from early learning to
post-graduate, by investing in
students, teachers, school leaders,
innovation, and establishing high
standards of success for all.
JANUARY 2018
www.NCEdFacts.org
info@BEST-NC.org
@BESTNC_org
BESTNC
BESTNorthCarolina
@BESTNCorg
This guide is designed to give you quick and easy
access to key data that will support you in your
work to improve North Carolina’s education system.
Children & Students
Who goes to school in North Carolina?
Where do they go to school? How has
this changed over time?Pages 4-15
Educators
Who is teaching in North Carolina,
pre-k through postsecondary? How
do teachers enter the profession? How
are educators compensated?
Pages 16-31
Schools & Programs
How many schools are in North Carolina?
Where do students go to school from
pre-k to postsecondary? What schooling
options do students have?
Pages 32-39
Finance
How is education paid for in North
Carolina? How is funding distributed?
Are there funding inequities?Pages 40-53
Achievement
How are students performing on state
and national assessments? At what rate
do North Carolina students graduate
from high school and postsecondary
programs? How are students performing
in higher education? Are our students
prepared for careers and life?
Pages 54-75
BEST NC’s Vision:
Every student graduates
with the knowledge,
skills and behaviors to
succeed in a competitive
global economy.

4 5
SECTION 1: Children & Students
Source: Annie E. Casey Foundation KIDS COUNT Data Center, Zero to Three 2015 North Carolina State
Baby Facts
0%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
22%
20%
0%
60%
40%
30%
20%
10%
50%
54%
30%
Children Living in
Households with Food
Insecurity (2014)
Children Under Six
Receiving Developmental
Screening (2015)
Children Ages Zero to 18 Living At or Below 200% of the
Federal Poverty Level (2015)
Source: NC Child KIDS COUNT Data Center
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Asian Black Hispanic White
34% 30%
67% 63%
76%
61%
33% 30%
52%
42%
Two or More
Races
SECTION 1: Children & Students
North Carolina National North Carolina National
NC Pathways to
Grade-Level Reading
(Pathways) is an initiative
of the North Carolina Early
Childhood Foundation (NCECF)
in partnership with NC Child, the
North Carolina Partnership for Children, and BEST NC. The Pathways
icon indicates whole-child Measures of Success that put children on a
pathway to grade-level reading. Information on the Pathways initiative
is available at:
www.buildthefoundation.org/pathways.
North Carolina National
Low-Birthweight Babies (2015)
Source: NC Child Kids Count Data Center
0%
5%
10%
15%
American
Indian
Asian Black Hispanic
11%
8%
White Total
8% 8%
14%
13%
7% 7%
8%
7%
9%
8%
In 2017, North Carolina was ranked 33rd overall in child wellbeing,
and 22nd in education in the Annie E. Casey Foundation KIDS
COUNT Project.
Source: Annie E. Casey Foundation 2017 KIDS COUNT Data Book
5

6 7
22% 32%
North Carolina Pre-K (NC Pre-K)
Since it was initiated in 2001, the NC Pre-K
program (formerly More at Four) has served more
than 350,000 children. Students enrolled in NC
Pre-K attend school for 6.5 hours per day, 180
days per year.
NC Pre-K
began in
2001
SECTION 1: Children & StudentsSECTION 1: Children & Students
North Carolina is one of only five states
nationally to meet at least 9 out of the 10 quality
benchmarks set by the National Institute for Early
Education Research.
9 OUT
OF 10
quality
benchmarks met
Children from families at or below 75% of the
state median income are eligible to enroll in NC
Pre-K, along with English language learners,
children with developmental disabilities or
chronic health conditions, and children of active
duty military members.
Families at
or below
75%
of the state
median income
are eligible
Current funding supports approximately 30,700
NC Pre-K seats. Over 36,000 eligible children - or
54% of the eligible four-year-olds are not being
served.
Over
54%
of eligible NC
four-year-olds
are not being
served
Source: Frank Porter Graham 2016 NC Pre-K Evaluation, NIEER 2016 State of Pre School Report, North
Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Source: NIEER 2016 State of Pre School Report
Percent of Four-Year-Olds Enrolled in State Pre-K
Programs (2016)
Source: Frank Porter Graham 2016 NC Pre-K Evaluation, North Carolina General Assembly – 2017
Appropriations Act
NC Pre-K Seats
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
35,000
40,000
33,798
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
34,212 33,747
29,311
32,142
29,346 29,271 28,757 29,017
30,742

8 9
Charter school and home school growth accounted for 94% of total
growth in K-12 student membership over the past five years.
Source: NC DPI Student Accounting Data
Source: NC DPI Statistical Profile
2013 2017
Average Daily K-12 Student Membership by School Type
8
1% 1%
0%
20%
40%
60%
Asian Black Hispanic Two or More
Races
WhiteAmerican
Indian
3% 3%
26% 26%
14% 17%
4% 4%
52% 49%
Demographics of K-12 Public Schools
(Traditional and Charter)
Source: NC DPI Student Accounting Data, NC Home School Statistical Summary
Traditional Public Public Charter Private School Home School
0
4,000,000
8,000,000
1,200,000
1,600,000
2,000,000
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
1,432,5071,434,180 1,433,592 1,428,0511,427,281
100,585
127,847
90,393
Children who are chronically absent in preschool,
kindergarten, and 1st grade are less likely to read at grade
level by the 3rd grade. Students who are chronically absent
from school are far more likely to eventually drop out.
Source: U.S. Department of Education 2015 Chronic Absenteeism Data Story
Source: Attendance Works 2016 Preventing Missed Opportunity Report
*Students are classified as chronically absent if they miss 15 or more days of school in a single year.
Chronic Absenteeism* in K-12 Public Schools (2015)
14%
13%
9
Source: NC DPI 2017 Limited English Proficiency Headcount Report
7%of North Carolina K-12 public school students are English
language learners.

10 11
Enrollment in K-12 Traditional Schools by District (2016-17)
Base geographic mapping files provided by the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation, North Carolina
State University. Visit www.NCEdFacts.org for more interactive data.
Five-Year Percent Change in K-12 Student Enrollment by
School District (2012 to 2017)
While overall average daily membership in traditional K-12 public
schools increased by 0.7% over the past five years, 78 out of 115
districts experienced a decline in student membership.
Charter Enrollment as Percent of Total K-12 Public School
Enrollment by District (2016-17)
11
6% of K-12 public school students attend charter schools, up
from 3% five years ago.
Traditional Public Public Charter
Demographics of K-12 Traditional Public Schools vs. Public
Charter Schools (2016-17)
1% 1%
0%
20%
40%
60%
Races
WhiteAmerican
Indian
3% 3%
26% 26%
17%
9%
4% 4%
49%
56%
10
500
10,000
30,000
75,000+
0%
4%
12%
20%+
-30%
-10%
0%
4+%

12 13
Short-Term Suspension Rate by Race/Ethnicity in North
Carolina K-12 Public Schools (2015-16)
#ofSuspensionsper10Enrolled
3.5 million hoursof instructional time was lost in
the 2015-16 academic year due to short-term suspensions.
In the 2015-16 academic year, 116,467 students received
one or more short-term suspensions. These students were
suspended an average of 1.86 times with an average total
duration of 5.5 school days.
Black students are suspended at more than four times the rate
of white students; American Indian students are suspended at
more than three times the rate of white students.
Source: NC DPI 2015-16 Consolidated Discipline Report
Source: NC DPI 2015-16 Consolidated Discipline Report
Races
WhiteAmerican
Indian
Total
0
0.5
1
1.5
2.5
3
2
3.5
2.49
0.17
3.17
0.89
1.69
0.72
1.42
12
National School Lunch Program
Public school children qualify for free meals if their family’s income is
130% of the federal poverty level or less ($31,980 per year for a family
of four). Students qualify for reduced price meals if family income is
131-185% of the federal poverty level (up to $45,510 per year for a
family of four).
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture National School Lunch Program Fact Sheet, U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services 2017 Federal Poverty Guidelines
Source: National Forum on Education Statistics – Alternative Measures of Socioeconomic Status in
Education Data Systems, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Community Eligibility Fact Sheet
+ The Community Eligibility Provision of the 2010 Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act provides
an alternative to household applications for free- and reduced-price meals for schools and
districts with an eligibility rate at or above 40%. Community eligibility improves the efficiency
and effectiveness of the National School Lunch Program by streamlining meal service, reducing
stigma, and reducing household and administrative burden. However, with the loss of student-level
eligibility data, free and reduced price meal participation after 2014 is becoming a less reliable
proxy for individual economic need.
Source: NC DPI Free & Reduced Meals Application Data, National Center for Education Statistics
Short-Term Suspension Rate by Race/Ethnicity in North
Carolina K-12 Public Schools (2015-16)
2009 20112010 2012 2013 2015+2014 2016+ 2017+
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
2008
48%
43%
50%
45%
54%
48%
54%
48%
56%
50%
56%
51%
58%
52% 53%52% 52%
60%

14 15
Source: UNC System Data Dashboard, North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities -
Quick Facts
In-State Out-of-State
North Carolina Community College System Enrollment
(Fall 2016)
Fall Curriculum Enrollment
Career and Technical Education 105,923
Transfer and General Education 109,009
Special Credit 9,539
Total Curriculum Unduplicated Enrollment 223,651
Fall Continuing Education Enrollment
Basic Skills 44,163
All Other Continuing Education 173,536
Total Continuing Education Unduplicated Enrollment 217,699
Source: North Carolina Community College System – Statistical Reports
UNC System and Independent College/University
Enrollment (2016)
0
50,000
200,000
150,000
100,000
250,000
UNC System North Carolina Independent
Colleges and Universities
194,841 52,062
33,683
37,885
UNC System Enrollment Trends
Source: UNC System Data Dashboard
UNC System Enrollment by Gender (2016)
Female Male
57%
43%
Undergraduate Graduate
2009 20112010 2012 2013 20152014 2016
0
50,000
100,000
200,000
250,000
150,000
2007 2008
170,472
45,220
175,281
46,446
175,760
45,250
177,744
44,224
182,462
46,062
UNC System Enrollment by Race/Ethnicity (2016)
40,00020,000 60,000 80,000 120,000100,000 140,000
Paciﬁc Islander
American Indian
Unknown
Two or More Races
Asian
International
Hispanic
Black
White
0
132,895
46,399
13,491
9,877
9,196
8,124
6,299
2,027
216

17
SECTION 2: EducatorsSECTION 2: Educators
99%
of ECE teachers are women
Source: Child Care Services 2015 North Carolina Early Childhood Education Workforce Report
51%
of ECE centers offer no health
insurance benefits to employees
39%
of ECE teachers received public
assistance within the last three
years
18%
turnover rate of full-time ECE
teachers and teacher assistants
in 2015
Statewide Wages for Early Childhood Education
Teachers (2015)
All Early Childhood Education Teachers $10.46/hour
NC Pre-K Teachers $17.49/hour
Educational Attainment of North Carolina Early
Childhood Education (ECE) Teachers (2015)
37%
26%
36%
1%
Associate’s Degree
Bachelor’s Degree or Higher
High School Only
High School, Plus Any College Courses
Early Childhood Education (ECE) Teacher Preparation
Enrollment In North Carolina Community Colleges
2005
16,000
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
15,000
14,000
13,000
12,000
11,000
10,000
9,000
8,000
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Source: NCCCS 2016 ECE Program Enrollment Counts
Early Childhood Education Teacher Wage Gap (2016)
AverageSalaryof2008-09NCCCSGraduates
(FourYearsAfterGraduation)
$19,632
$30,287
Source: NCCCS 2016 Graduate Wage Data
North Carolina
Community College
System (NCCCS)
Graduates with an
in Early Childhood
Education
All Associate’s
Degree Graduates
16

18 19
Average SAT Scores for Education Majors and Non-
Education Majors in the UNC System (2014-15)
1400
UNC
System
Total
ASU ECU ECSU FSU NCA&T NCCU NCSU UNCA UNCCH UNCC UNCG UNCP UNCW WCU WSSU
700
800
900
1000
1100
1200
1300
Education Majors Non-Education Majors
Source: UNC Educator Quality Dashboard
UNC System Educator Preparation Program Enrollment
Trends
Bachelor's Plus Other Educator Preparation Enrollments Master's
Fall 2010
11,053
7,599
10,000
8,000
6,000
4,000
2,000
0
20,000
18,000
16,000
14,000
12,000
Fall 2011 Fall 2012 Fall 2014Fall 2013 Fall 2016Fall 2015
10,510
6,946
9,998
6,643
9,485
6,058
8,410
5,164
8,062
5,171
8,452
5,525
Source: NC DPI Statistical Profile, National Center for Education Statistics
Both nationally and in North Carolina, 80%of K-12 public
school teachers are white, while the majority of K-12 public
school students are non-white.
19
Teacher and Student Demographics in North Carolina
K-12 Public Schools (2015-16)
Teachers Students
80.1%
White
49.1%
White
<5%
All Other
Racial
and Ethnic
Groups
15.0%
Black
25.5%
Black
<5%
Hispanic
16.8%
Hispanic
8.6%
All Other
Racial
and Ethnic
Groups
Preparation Routes for North Carolina K-12 Teachers
(2014-15)
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
Out-of-State Alternative
Entry
North Carolina
Private
Universities
Visiting
International
Faculty
Teach for
America
UNC System
Beginning Teachers (0-2 Years of Experience) All Teachers

20 2120 Source: NC DPI National Board Certification Data
North Carolina K-12 Public School Teachers (2016-17)
North Carolina Teacher Effectiveness Distributions by
Title I Status (2015-16)
Source: NC DPI National Board Certification Data, NC DPI Free and Reduced Meals Application Data
Percentage of Teachers Rated
“Highly Effective”
Percentage of Teachers Rated
“In Needed of Improvement”
15%
10%
5%
0
20%
Non-Title I Schools Title I Schools
* North Carolina teachers are evaluated on a statewide rubric. Teachers who do not meet the level
of proficiency on the evaluation standards or the Student Growth measure are deemed “In Need
of Improvement.” Teachers who demonstrate greater than proficient ratings on the evaluation
standards and exceed expectations for Student Growth are deemed “Highly Effective.” More
information on teacher and principal evaluations can be found at:
http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/effectiveness-model/data.
Source: NC DPI Consolidated State ESSA Plan
Percentage of National Board Certified Teachers by
School District Free and Reduced Meal Eligibility
Quartile (2016-17)
Highest Poverty
Quartile
Lowest Poverty
Quartile
15%
10%
5%
0
9%
7%
10%
13%
10% of North Carolina educators and other certified
personnel in traditional public schools are National
Board certified. North Carolina has more National Board
Certified Teachers than any other state in the nation.
80% Female
20% Male
100,025 Total
5% All Other Races
15% Black
80% White
North Carolina K-12 Public School Principals (2016-17)
North Carolina K-12 Public School Assistant Principals
(2016-17)
100,025 Total
3% All Other Races
24% Black
73% White
60% Female
40% Male
4% All Other Races
32% Black
65% White
63% Female
37% Male
2,640 Total 2,640 Total
3,114 Total 3,114 Total

22 23
Classroom Teacher Allotments North Carolina Public Schools
In North Carolina, the state allots teaching positions to each school district
based on the number of students in each grade, according to specific ratios
set by the General Assembly. The classroom teacher allotment is by far the
largest single state allotment; salary and benefits for teaching positions
represent approximately 55% of total state support for education. Over the
past seven years, the state changed allotment ratios four times, generally
decreasing student to teacher ratios in the lower grades, and increasing
them in grades 4 through 12.
In 2016, the General Assembly enacted legislation requiring actual average
student to teacher ratios in grades K-3 not to exceed the allotment ratios
starting in the 2018-19 academic year. This has sparked considerable
debate, in part because for the first time since the development of the
state’s Basic Educational Program, districts will be required to use the
state’s full teaching position allotment to fund classroom teachers. Currently,
there is no separate allotment for elementary school art, music, physical
education, and world language teachers.
Source: NC DPI Highlights of the Public School Budget
15-Year Trends in Classroom Teacher Allotment Ratios for
North Carolina Public Schools*
* Expressed as teachers per students in average daily membership
Class Size Decrease Class Size IncreaseNo Change
Source: NC DPI Statistical Profile, NC Division of Public Health
Traditional K-12 Public School Teachers and Teacher
Assistants in North Carolina by Funding Source (2008 to 2017)
In 2016-17, there was one guidance counselor for every 369
students in North Carolina public schools. The American
Counseling Association recommends a maximum of 250
students for every one guidance counselor.
In 2016-17, there was one school nurse for every 1,086
students in North Carolina public schools. The National
Association of School Nurses recommends one school
nurse for every 750 students without special health needs.
State Funded Federally Funded Locally Funded
Teachers Teacher Assistants
2017200820172008
100,000
120,000
80,000
60,000
40,000
20,000
0
85,575 81,932 22,441 15,720
5,878
6,059
4,237
3,971
6,223
6,313
2,899
1,937
* For complete data on 10-year trends in district full-time personnel visit www.NCEdFacts.org.
Grade
2004-05
to
2010-11
2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19
Net Effect from
2005 to 2019
K 1:18 - - 1:19 1:18 - - - - -
1 1:18 1:17 - 1:18 1:17 - 1:16 - - 1:18 to 1:16
2-3 1:18 1:17 - 1:18 1:17 - - - - 1:18 to 1:17
4-6 1:21 - - 1:24 - - - - - 1:22 to 1:24
7-8 1:21 - - 1:23 - - - - - 1:21 to 1:23
9 1:24.5 - - 1:26.5 - - - - - 1:24.5 to 1:26.5
10-12 1:26.64 - - 1:29 - - - - - 1:26.64 to 1:19

24 25
In 2017, North Carolina’s average teacher pay ranked 35th in the
nation. Adjusting for cost-of-living, North Carolina’s average
teacher pay ranked 27th nationally in 2017.
Source: National Education Association Rankings and Estimates, Missouri Economic Research and
Information Center
24
Source: North Carolina General Assembly – 2017 Appropriations Act
Compensation for North Carolina K-12 Public School
Teachers (2017-18)
Total Compensation with National
Board and Average Local Supplement
Total Compensation with National
Board, Master's, and Average Local
Supplement
State Health Insurance Contribution
($5,869)
2017-18 State Base Salary
Average Local Supplement
(8.4% of Base Pay)
State Retirement Contribution
(17.13% of Salary)
32 4 5 6
$0
$10,000
$40,000
$60,000
$20,000
$50,000
$30,000
$70,000
0 1
$80,000
$90,000
98 10 11 127 1514 16 17 1813 2019 21 22 23 24 25+
Average Local Salary Supplement for North Carolina K-12
Teachers by School District (2016-17)
Average K-12 Teacher Salaries, Inflation Adjusted to
2017 Dollars
* 35 states have an average salary below the national average.
Source: National Education Association Rankings and Estimates
Georgia (Highest in the Southeast) National Average*
North Carolina Southeast Average
2007 20112009 2013 2015 2017
$30,000
$35,000
$50,000
$60,000
$40,000
$55,000
$45,000
$65,000
2003 2005
$0
$1,500
$3,500
$6,500+
Visit www.NCEdFacts.org for more interactive data.

27
North Carolina Teachers and State Employee Retirement
System and Health Benefits
All full-time employees in North Carolina public schools participate in
the state’s Teachers and State Employees Retirement System (TSERS).
TSERS provides qualifying employees a guaranteed salary and individual
health benefits upon retirement from state government.
In North Carolina, employees vest in TSERS after five years of service.
Employees may retire with unreduced benefits after 30 years at any age,
after 25 years of service at age 60 or older, or after five years at age 65
or older. Teachers contribute 6% of their pre-tax salary to TSERS, a rate
that has been consistent since 1975.
Nearly all states maintain a defined benefit (pension) plan for teachers
and other state employees; in North Carolina and 29 other states all
teachers also participate in social security.
TSERS is roughly comparable to the national median state plan and
significantly more generous than the private sector average. Retiree
health benefits in North Carolina are significantly more generous than
the national median state plan and the private sector.
Active state employee premiums for individual health care coverage are
more generous than most other state plans and the private sector, but
less generous than average for family plans.
Source: North Carolina TSERS Handbook, NCGA Fiscal Research Division – Comparison of the Value
of Employee Benefits
Compensation Distribution
for North Carolina K-12 Public
School System Employees
Salary
Benefits
Compensation Distribution
for North Carolina Private
Sector Employees
26%
74%
Salary
Benefits
16%
84%
State Retirement Contributions for Teachers and Other
State Employees as a Percentage of Employee Salary
Source: North Carolina General Assembly Fiscal Research Division – History of Budget Legislation
2004 20082006 2010 2012 20162014 2018
0
5%
10%
25%
15%
30%
20%
2000 2002
7.7%
2.0%
6.8%
7.7%
6.3%
11.7%
State Pension and Other Benefits
FICA (Social Security and Medicare Benefits State Retiree Health Benefits
State Health Coverage Contributions for Teachers and
Other State Employees, Inflation Adjusted to 2017 Dollars
Source: North Carolina General Assembly Fiscal Research Division – History of Budget Legislation
2004 20082006 2010 2012 20162014 2018
0
$1,000
$2,000
$5,000
$7,000
$3,000
$6,000
$4,000
2000 2002
$3,165
$6,104
26

29
Teacher Turnover in North Carolina K-12 Schools by District
(2016-17)
13.5% State Average Teacher Turnover in 2016-17
Average EVAAS Scores* of Teachers Who Remained in and
Departed from North Carolina Public Schools (2016-17)
Source: NC DPI 2016-17 State of the Teaching Profession Report
*Teachers with EVAAS scores of zero are considered to be as effective as the hypothetical “average”
North Carolina teacher.
Remained in North Carolina Public Schools
Departed from North Carolina Public Schools
0-4 5-9 10-14 15-19 20-24 25-30
-0.06
0.24 0.23 0.24
0.34 0.36
-0.68
-0.33
-0.49 -0.52 -0.50
-0.32
AverageEVAASScore
Top Reasons for K-12 Teacher Turnover in North Carolina
(2016-17)
To Teach in Another North Carolina
Public School District
0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000
Retired with Full or Reduced Beneﬁts
Family Relocation
Career Change
Teach in Another State
Family Responsibilities/Childcare
4,549
2,043
1,006
865
767
604
North Carolina Hard-to-Staff* K-12 Licensure Areas (2015-16)
Source: NC STEM Center 2014 Scorecard
One-third of middle and high school math and science courses
are taught by teachers without licenses in the discipline they
are teaching.
29
*Hard-to-Staff licensure areas not included in the 2016-17 State of the Teaching Profession report.
% of Districts Reporting Staffing Difficulties
20%10% 30% 40% 60%50% 70%
Special Ed. (Adapted)
6th-8th Grade Science
6th-8th Grade Math
9th-12th Grade Science
K-12 Special Ed.
9th-12th Grade Math
0% 80% 90% 100%
40%
78%
66%
64%
59%
50%
28
5%
10%
16%
25%+

30 31
Principal Pay in North Carolina
In recent years, principal pay in North Carolina ranked last in the Southeast
and near the bottom nationally. In 2017, the North Carolina General Assembly
transformed the state salary schedule for principals with an investment of $24M, or
an average raise of approximately nine percent.
The previous statewide schedule was based on each principals’ years of
experience, level of education, and the number of teachers in the school they led.
Annual state-funded pay ranged from $52,656 to $111,984, with an average of
$64,416 in 2017. The updated schedule is based on the size of the school and the
principal’s growth status (derived from students’ performance on standardized End-
of-Course and End-of-Grade exams).
In the 2016-17 academic year, the average local salary supplement
was $13,616 for principals and $7,027 for assistant principals.
30
2017-18 Principal Salary Schedule
Average Daily Student
Membership
Base
Salary
Met
Growth
Exceeded
Growth
0-400 $61,751 $67,926 $74,101
401-700 $64,839 $71,322 $77,806
701-1,000 $67,926 $74,719 $81,511
1,001-1,300 $71,014 $78,115 $85,216
1,301+ $74,101 $81,511 $88,921
Principals are also eligible for two stackable bonuses based on their school-level growth
scores and school performance grades.
Ranking (Statewide Growth
Percentage)
Bonus
Amount
Top 5% $5,000
5-10% $4,000
10-15% $3,000
15-20% $2,000
20-50% $1,000
Current
Year
Prior
Year
Bonus
Award
Exceeded
Growth
Met/Did Not
Exceed Growth
$5,000
Exceeded
Growth
Met/Did Not
Exceed Growth
& D or F School
$10,000
Average Local Salary Supplement for K-12 Principals in
North Carolina by School District (2016-17)
Source: SREB 2016 State Data Exchange
Higher Education Salaries in North Carolina vs. Southern
Region Education Board (SREB) States
Public Four-Year Institutions
$0
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$20,000
Public Two-Year Institutions
$76,944 $77,662 $47,724 $52,070
North Carolina Average SREB Average
$0
$6,500
$12,500
$25,000+

33
Source: NC DPI Student Accounting Data, NC 2017 Directory of Non-Public Schools
North Carolina K-12 Schools by Type (2017-18)
North Carolina has 6,340 licensed child care programs; 4,561 are child
care centers and 1,779 are family child care homes. North Carolina uses
a range of one to five stars to rate early learning programs. Programs
that meet minimum standards receive one star, while programs
exceeding these requirements may apply to receive up to five stars.
Children in Four- or Five-Star Early Learning Programs
Source: Frank Porter Graham 2016 NC Pre-K Evaluation, Child Care Services Association 2017 State-
wide Facts
Source: Child Care Services Association 2017 Statewide Facts, NC Department of Health and Human
Services NC Pre-K Overview
95%
NC Pre-K
69%
Child Care Centers (Ages 0-5)
SECTION 3: Schools & Programs
Traditional Public 2,461
Public Charter 173
Regional and Lab Schools 3
Statewide: Deaf, Blind, Virtual 5
Private 752
Total K-12 Schools 3,394
73% 22% 5%
Traditional Public
Private
Charter
If homeschooling were a district, it would be the 3rd largest
district in North Carolina. Private schools would be the
4th largest, and charter schools would be the 5th largest.
North Carolina K-12 Public School Districts
6,020 Students
Median District Size
12,457 Students
Average District Size
North Carolina has 115 school districts (otherwise known as Local
Education Agencies or LEAs).
Source: NC DPI Student Accounting Data, NC Private School Statistics, NC Home School Statistical
Summary
Wake and Mecklenburg counties each
enrolled more students than the 53
smallest districts combined.
34%
of students attend the
largest five school districts
32

34 35
SECTION 3: Schools & ProgramsSECTION 3: Schools & Programs
178,000 students are enrolled in gifted education programming. White
students are enrolled at nearly four times the rate of black students.
34
ChildrenwithDisabilitiesinNorthCarolinaK-12PublicSchools
Who Receive Special Education Services by Race (2017)
Children in Academically and Intellectually Gifted Programs
in North Carolina K-12 Public Schools by Race (2017)
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Exceptional Children
Division supports local school districts to develop and implement
individualized education plans for 204,000 students with disabilities in
North Carolina K-12 public schools.
Races
WhiteAmerican
Indian
Total
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
6.9%
24.1%
4.9% 5.5%
11.9%
18.4%
12.5%
Races
WhiteAmerican
Indian
Total
0%
5%
10%
15%
20% 17.8%
6.1%
17.4%
12.4%
14.3% 13.8% 14.3%
North Carolina Cooperative Innovate High Schools
(2016-17)
North Carolina’s College and Career Promise
College and Career Promise offers opportunities for qualified high school
students to enroll tuition-free in community college courses that provide
pathways leading to a certificate, diploma, or degree. In 2017, nearly
22,000 North Carolina high school students participated in the College
and Career Promise program. More than 80% of students enrolled earn a
‘C’ or better in college coursework.
Career and Technical Education (CTE)
Career and Technical Education (CTE) in North Carolina public schools
provides students with academic, technical, and employability skills
along with industry-recognized certifications and licensure that have
value in local, regional, state, and global economies.
More than 99,000 North Carolina public school students earned one or
more CTE credentials in the 2016-17 academic year.
1 in 5North Carolina high school students earned one or more
Career and Technical Education certifications and/or were dually
enrolled in the North Carolina Community College System in the
2016-17 academic year.
35
Source: NC DPI Division of Advanced Learning and Gifted Education
Number of Schools 125
Students Currently Enrolled 21,272
Percentage of CIHS Students Promoted to the Next Grade Level Each Year >95%
Percent of Community College Courses Passed with C or Better (2016) 85%
Source: NC DPI Evaluation of Innovative High School Programs
Source: NC DPI Advanced Learning – College and Career Promise
Source: NC DPI – Career and Technical Education
Source: NC DPI Division of Advanced Learning and Gifted Education
Source: NC DPI Exceptional Children Division

36 37
SECTION 3: Schools & ProgramsSECTION 3: Schools & Programs
North Carolina Teaching Fellows
In 2017 the North Carolina General Assembly established a revised
Teaching Fellows Program focused on recruiting, preparing, and
supporting highly effective public school teachers in the hardest to
staff subject areas: STEM and special education.

The Teaching Fellows Commission will recruit high school seniors,
current college students, and bachelor’s degree holders into the
teaching profession with forgivable loans of up to $8,250 annually
to attend the most effective public and private teacher education
programs. Accelerated loan forgiveness will be provided for Fellows
who teach in a low-performing school. The first cohort of Teaching
Fellows will begin training in the 2018-19 academic year at UNC
Chapel Hill, UNC Charlotte, NC State University, Elon University, and
Meredith College.
Transforming Principal Preparation Program (TP3)
Enacted by the North Carolina General Assembly in 2015, TP3 is
a competitive grant program that makes selection into principal
preparation programs more rigorous and intentional.
The program integrates key components that the nation’s most
successful programs share, including:
School Systems as Employers
Traditional K-12 public school districts are the single largest employer in
68 North Carolina counties, a top-3 employer in 97 counties, and a top-5
employer in all 100 counties.
UNC system universities are the single largest employer in three North
Carolina counties.
Proactive, intentional
recruitment efforts
A high bar for entry
A full-time, paid residency
A focus on authentic
partnerships with and
preparation for service
in high-need schools and
districts
The first two cohorts of approximately 120 principal candidates
recruited and trained under TP3 will be eligible to assume leadership
roles in North Carolina public schools in 2018 and 2019, respectively.
Largest Employers by North Carolina County (2017)
Source: North Carolina Department of Commerce
Health Services Higher Education
K-12 Education
Manufacturing
Other Public Administration
37

39
Access to Technology in K-12 Schools
North Carolina is nationally recognized as a leader in bringing broadband
Internet access to public schools.
Through the School Connectivity Initiative (SCI), every $1 in state funds is
leveraged with at least $3.50 in federal funds to deliver high-speed Internet
to virtually every K-12 public school in North Carolina. More than two-thirds
of school districts have at least one Internet access point per classroom.
In the past five years, Internet bandwidth delivered to K-12 public schools
increased eightfold. According to the North Carolina Department of
Public Instruction’s 2017 SCI report, peak Internet usage in K-12 public
schools is double that of the community college system, UNC system, and
independent colleges and universities combined.
SECTION 3: Schools & Programs
Do Districts and Schools Include Digital Teaching and
Learning in Strategic Plans?
Yes
Yes
No
No
1,831100
68215
LEAs Schools
Digital Access
38
Source: NC DPI School Connectivity Report, NC Digital Learning and Media Inventory One-Pager
% of schools with at
least one access point
per classroom
% of schools w/ at least
one grade participating in
a 1:1 program
% of schools with
at least one grade
participating in BYOD
66 17.06 28.87
Higher Education Institutions in North Carolina (2017)
North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS)
58Community Colleges
UNC System
17Public Campuses
Independent Colleges and Universities
36Institutions

40 41
SECTION 4: FinanceSECTION 4: Finance
North Carolina General Fund Appropriations (2017-18)
Public Schools 9,046,403,622 38.9%
Community Colleges 1,121,815,001 4.8%
UNC System 2,893,775,349 12.4%
Health & Human Services 5,253,299,542 22.6%
HHS: Division of Child Development & Early Education 268,428,501 1.2%
Justice & Public Safety 2,701,955,002 11.6%
General Government 405,374,812 1.7%
Natural & Economic Resources 587,553,659 2.5%
Information Technology 51,500,581 0.2%
Reserves, Capital Improvements, Debt Services 914,092,325 3.9%
Total $23,244,198,394 100%
40 Source: North Carolina General Assembly – 2017 Appropriations Act
57% of North Carolina General Fund Appropriations
support public education.
Public Schools
Community Colleges
UNC System
Health & Human Services
General Government
Natural & Economic Resources
Information Technology
Reserves, Capital
Improvements, Debt Services
Justice & Public Safety
5% of the Health and Human Services
budget ($268M) is invested in Child
Development & Early Education.
38.9%
4.8%
12.4%
22.6%
11.6%
1.7%
2.5%0.2%
3.9%
Source: NIEER 2016 State of Pre School Report
Total Spending per Child Enrolled in State Pre-K
Programs (2016)
Source: NIEER 2016 State of Pre School Report
State Spending per Child Enrolled in NC Pre-K,
Inflation Adjusted to 2016 Dollars
* Pre-K programs may receive additional funds from federal or local sources that are not included in
this figure. To learn more, check out the NC Early Childhood Foundation Cost of NC Pre-K Fact Sheet.
State Federal and Local*
North Carolina National Average
$10,000
$8,000
$6,000
$4,000
$2,000
$0
$5,301 $4,976
$2,554
$720
2009 20112010 2012 2013 20152014 20162007 2008
0
$1,000
$2,000
$4,000
$5,000
$3,000
$6,000
$7,000

43
K-12 Education Finance in North Carolina
In North Carolina and nationwide, public education is financed through
federal, state, and local expenditures. Nearly two-thirds of total K-12 public
education funding in North Carolina comes from the state through position,
dollar, and category allotments (such as allotments for teachers, principals,
teacher assistants, textbooks, classroom materials, and transportation).
Districts receive additional funding from the state based on student learning
needs (such as for children with disabilities, English language learners, and
economically disadvantaged students). The state also provides supplemental
funding to low-wealth counties (68 across the state) and small counties (27).
Combining state funding allotments, a first grade student
with no special learning needs would receive $5,861 in
state education funding; an economically disadvantaged
first grade student with limited English proficiency and
special learning needs in a small, low-wealth county
would receive $17,279 in state education funding.
Roughly 11% of K-12 public education funding in North Carolina comes
from the Federal government. Federal funds mainly support child nutrition,
students with disabilities, and students from low-income households.
Source: NC DPI 2017 Highlights of the Public School
Budget
Distribution of Federal K-12 Funds (2017)
Child Nutrition
Title I
Vocational Education
Other
Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA)
36%
32%
23%
8%
1%
In addition to state and federal funds, local North Carolina counties
provide additional funding to supplement state support for K-12 school
operations; and provide funds to build, furnish, and maintain K-12 school
buildings. Local dollars fund nearly 28,000 positions in K-12 public
schools, including 7,315 service workers, 6,313 teachers, 1,937 teacher
assistants, and 756 assistant principals across the state. Local funds
for school operations range from $849 per pupil in Robeson County
to $6,151 in Chapel-Hill/Carrboro City Schools. See p. 46 for capital
expenditures information.
Source: NC DPI Annual Expenditure Report by LEA
Top-10 Local K-12 Operating Expenditures
$0 $800$400
Transportation
Instruction for Children with Disabilities
Custodial Services
Technology Support
Child Nutrition
Payments to Other Government Units*
School Leadership
Building Maintenance
Public Utilities & Energy
Classroom Instruction
$78
$877
$310
$293
$243
$200
$110
$129
$106
$105
* Predominately transfers to charter schools.
In Millions
These 10
categories
constitute 72%
of total local
expenditures.
42
K-12 Education Finance (Continued)

45
North Carolina K-12 Education Funding Compared to the
National Average (Fiscal Year 2015)
Total Revenue Per Pupil $8,974 $13,246
State % $5,579 (62%) $6,238 (47%)
Federal % $1,085 (12%) $1,099 (8%)
Local % $2,310 (26%) $5,910 (45%)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2017 Public Education Finances Report on Fiscal Year 2015
In 2015, total per pupil revenues ranged from $7,906 in Idaho to $24,116
in New York. The percentage of total revenue provided by the state (as
opposed to local or federal sources) ranged from 30% in South Dakota
to 90% in Vermont.
North Carolina ranked 38th in the country in per pupil spending and 10th for the
percentage of education funding provided by the state in 2017.
35th 36th 37th31st 32nd 33rd 34th 39th
6th 7th 8th 9th 11th 12th 13th 14th
44
Source: NEA 2017 Rankings and Estimates
K-12 Public School Expenditure Distribution by Function
(Fiscal Year 2015)
Source: North Carolina General Assembly Fiscal Research Division – History of
Budget Legislation, North Carolina Office of Budget and Management – 2015-17
Certified Budget
InNorthCarolina,57%ofK-12expendituresfundthesalaryand
benefitsofinstructionalpersonnel,comparedto54%nationally.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2017 report on FY 2015
State Revenue Sources for K-12 Public Education (2016-17)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2017 report on FY 2015
Salaries &
Wages
Employee
Beneﬁts
Salaries &
Wages
Employee
Beneﬁts
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50% 43%
38%
14% 15% 17% 17%
6% 7%
19%
23%
$0 $4,000
Indian Game Funding
Dept. of Revenue Sales Tax Refund
Lottery: School Construction
Civil Penalties
Lottery: Operating
General Fund Appropriations
$8,000
$8,733
$372
$174
$100
$53
$6
In Millions
Instructional Personnel Support Service Personnel All Other
Expenditures
According to Article IX Section 2 of the North Carolina
Constitution: “The General Assembly shall provide by
taxation and otherwise for a general and uniform system
of free public schools, which shall be maintained at
least nine months in every year, and wherein equal
opportunities shall be provided for all students.”

46 47
SECTION 4: Finance
Capital Expenditures for K-12 Public Schools by Source
Source: NC DPI School Planning Section
North Carolina’s 115 local school districts report $8 billion
in capital infrastructure needs over the next five years.
46
Local: 96%
Federal: 1%
State: 3%
Distribution of North Carolina K-12 Public School Capital
Expenditures by Source (2008 to 2017)
$1,600
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
$1,400
$1,200
$1,000
$800
$600
$400
$200
$0
2016 2017
Local State Federal
ExpendituresinMillions
SECTION 4: Finance
North Carolina Education Lottery
The North Carolina Education Lottery was created with the enactment
of House Bill 1023 in 2005. By law, education-directed lottery revenues
were intended to support NC Pre-K, reduce class size, provide financial aid
for low-income students to attend college, and support the public school
building capital fund.
This funding prescription was eliminated in 2013. Currently, the bulk of
education-directed lottery revenues fund non-instructional supports such as
clerical assistants, custodians, and substitute teachers.
North Carolina Education Lottery: Education-Directed
Spending by Category
Source: North Carolina General Assembly Fiscal Research Division – History of
Budget Legislation
$0 $4,000 $8,000
2009-2010
2010-2011
2011-2012
2013-2014
2012-2013
2014-2015
2015-2016
2016-2017
2017-2018
2018-2019
In Millions
Public School Building Capital Fund Needs-Based Public School Building Capital Fund
Classroom Teachers NC Pre-K
Digital Learning
Non-Instructional Support Teacher Assistants
LEA Transportation
Tuition Assistance for Low-Income Students

48 49
SECTION 4: Finance
Per Pupil Expenditures for North Carolina K-12 Public
Schools, Inflation Adjusted to 2017 Dollars
North Carolina is one of just six states nationally that provide at
least 10% more per pupil funding to high poverty districts than low
poverty districts.
48
Source: Ed Build 2016 Resource Inequality Map
School District Quintiles by F&RM Eligibility
State Local Federal
State per Pupil Expenditures by Free & Reduced Meal
Eligibility (2015-16)
Lowest F&RM
Eligibility
$0
$5,364
Highest F&RM
Eligibility
$2,000
$4,000
$6,000
$8,000
$5,711 $5,932 $6,216 $6,645
2007 20112009 2013 2015 2017
$0
$2,000
$8,000
$4,000
$10,000
$6,000
2003 20051999 2001
SECTION 4: Finance
North Carolina earned a “C" for funding equity and an "F" for funding
effort on the Education Law Center's national school funding report
card in 2017.
49Source: Education Law Center 2017 School Funding Fairness Report
State-Funded K-12 per Pupil Spending by District (2016-17)
Average: $5,957
Total K-12 per Pupil Spending by District (2016-17)
Average: $9,172
$5,400
$6,500
$7,500
$11,500+
$8,000
$9,500
$11,500
$14,000+

51
$8,690
SECTION 4: Finance
North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS):
State Spending per Full-Time Student,
Source: NC General Assembly Fiscal Research Historical Education Expenditures, Fiscal Year 2006-07
to Fiscal Year 2014-15
UNC System: State Spending per Full-Time Student,
$6,000
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
$5,500
$5,000
$4,500
$4,000
$3,500
$3,000
$2,500
$2,000
50
Source: NC General Assembly Fiscal Research Historical Education Expenditures, Fiscal Year 2006-07
to Fiscal Year 2014-15
$18,000
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
$10,000
$9,000
$8,000
$11,000
$12,000
$13,000
$14,000
$15,000
$16,000
$17,000
SECTION 4: Finance
North Carolina’s funding for public higher education ranks 9th nationally.
12th 13th 14th7th 8th 10th 11th 15th
Source: College Board – Trends in Higher Education: Institutional Finances
Average tuition in North Carolina’s public four-year universities is the
8th lowest nationally.
12th 13th 14th7th 10th 11th 15th9th
Source: College Board – Trends in College Pricing: Figures & Tables
Funding for Higher Education per Full Time Student
(2015-16)
Average In-State Tuition and Fees at Public Four-Year
Institutions (2017-18)
Source: College Board – Trends in Higher Education: Institutional Finances
$7,120
$9,970
$7,380

52 53
SECTION 4: Finance SECTION 4: Finance
FAFSA Completion Rates by District (2016-17)
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Office of Federal Student Aid – 2017-18 FAFSA Completion Rates
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be filled out by
anyone seeking federal aid to help fund their higher education expenses.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Office of Federal Student Aid – 2017-18 FAFSA Completion Rates
91 out of 115North Carolina public school districts have
a FAFSA completion rate of at least 55%.
52
Source: Institute for College Access & Student Success – Student Debt and the Class of 2016
In 2016, North Carolina graduates had the 8th lowest average
student debt.
12th 13th 14th7th 10th 11th 15th9th
“The General Assembly shall provide that the benefits
of The University of North Carolina and other public
institutions of higher education, as far as practicable, be
extended to the people of the State free of expense.”
– Article IX, Section 9, North Carolina Constitution
Average College Debt and Percentage of College
Graduates with Debt (2016)
Source: Institute for College Access & Student Success – Student Debt and the Class of 2016
Average Debt: Four-Year Public and Private Nonprofit Institution
Percentage with Debt
North Carolina National Median
$10,000
$5,000
$0
$15,000
$20,000
$25,000
$30,000
$35,000
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
$25,562
58%
$28,776
60%
60%35%
50% 70+%

54 55
SECTION 5: AchievementSECTION 5: Achievement
Statewide Assessments for K-12 Students
Test State Federal
Kindergarten Entry Assessment 
K-3 mClass Reading (Various Assessments) 
3rd Grade Beginning-of-Grade Reading 
3rd-8th Grade End-of-Grade Tests in Both Math and
English, also in Science for 5th and 8th Grades

End-of-Course in Biology, Math I, and English II 
ACT Testing Suite, Given in 8th, 10th, and
11th Grades

North Carolina Final Exams, Given in Otherwise
Untested Grades and Subjects

Career and Technical Education (CTE) Assessments in
All CTE Courses

Subgroups of students, such as English Language Learners, Advanced
Placement, and International Baccalaureate students participate in
additional state and federal testing. In addition, local districts often
require multiple additional assessments, such as interim or benchmark
tests, that may provide educators in the district with additional
information about student growth and achievement. A statistical sample
of students in North Carolina and all states nationally also take the
National Assessments for Educational Progress (NAEP) every two years.
Note: All assessments above are given to the majority of students in North Carolina.
Source: NC DPI Accountability Services Division
North Carolina has led the nation in accountability since
the establishment of the ABCs of Public Education in
1995, administering end-of-grade and end-of-course
assessments well before the federal testing mandates of
No Child Left Behind in 2001.
Source: NC DPI ABCs Accountability Model
Performance on North Carolina End-of-Grade (EOG) and
End-of-Course (EOC) Exams
Performance on North Carolina End-of-Grade (EOG) and End-of-Course
(EOC) exams is broken out into five achievement levels.
Achievement
Level
Command of
Grade-Level
Knowledge and
Skills
Indicates
Grade-Level
Proficiency
On Track for
College and
Career Readiness
5 Superior Yes Yes
4 Solid Yes Yes
3* Sufficient Yes No
2 Partial No No
1 Limited No No
* Students performing at this level have a sufficient command of grade-level knowledge and skills,
but may need academic support to engage successfully in the next grade level.
55

56 57
The Read to Achieve Program was established by the North Carolina General Assembly
in 2012. The primary goal of the program is to ensure that every student is reading at
or above grade level by the end of third grade.
Key components of the Read to Achieve Program include:
Kindergarten entry assessment
within the first 30 days of school
Student progress monitoring via
formative and diagnostic assessment
tools in grades K-2
Beginning-of-grade reading
assessment, ongoing formative
and diagnostic assessments, and
portfolios for struggling readers in
third grade
State-provided summer school for
students not proficient in reading by
the end of 1st, 2nd, or 3rd grade
Various 3rd grade promotion and
retention decisions based on
student proficiency
North Carolina Read to Achieve
North Carolina Read to Achieve Program: 3rd Grade Literacy Results
Reading proficiency by the end of 3rd grade is the single greatest predictor of
high school graduation and later success.
56
Source: Annie E. Casey Foundation – Early Warning! Why Reading by the End of Third Grade Matters
Source: NC DPI K-3 Literacy Accountability Measures
Demonstrated Proficiency on the Beginning or End-of-Grade-Reading Exam or Retest
Passed an Alternative Assessment Approved by the State Board of Ed.
Exempt from Mandatory Retention in 3rd Grade for Good Cause
Retained for Not Demonstrating Reading Proficiency on 3rd Grade Standards
Proficient After Attending Reading Camp
2013-14
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
2014-13 2015-16 2016-17
13%
8%
2%
15%
60%
14%
10%
4%
13%
59%
14%
11%
3%
13%
58%
14%
11%
3%
14%
58%
57
54%of 3rd grade students in North Carolina public schools
are not meeting rigorous state standards in reading.
North Carolina K-12 Students On Track for College and
Career by Subject
2014-15 2015-16 2016-17
3rd-8th Grade Math
3rd-8th Grade Reading
5th & 8th Grade Science
Algebra I
High School English II
Biology
NorthCarolinaEnd-of-GradeandEnd-of-CourseExams
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
44%
47%
48%
45%
46%
46%
59%
63%
63%
49%
50%
54%
50%
50%
50%
45%
47%
48%

58 59
Exceeded Expectations Met Expectations Did Not Meet Expectations
School Performance Grades and Value-Added Growth
Status (2016-17)
# of North Carolina K-12 Public Schools
A/A+NG
B
C
F
D
0 400 600 800 1,000 1,200200
97
288
227
52
1
74
344
511
218
37
2
73
290
193
57
SchoolPerformanceGrade
Across North Carolina, school grades and proficiency
rates are strongly correlated with household income.
However, more than 300 schools statewide (13%)
serve higher than average percentages of low-income
students while attaining higher than average student
achievement results.
Source: NC DPI Accountability Services Division, NC DPI Free & Reduced Meal Application Data
School-Level Achievement Results by Free and Reduced
Price Meal Eligibility Rate (2016-17)
Source: NC DPI Accountability Services Division, NC DPI Free & Reduced Meal Application Data
F&RM Eligibility Rate
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
0% 100%90%80%70%60%50%40%30%20%10%
EOC/EOGExamCollege&CareerReadinessRate80% School Achievement Score and 20% Value-Added Growth Score**
School grades are assigned on a 15-point scale:
A = 85-100; B = 70-84; C = 55-69; D = 40-54; F = < 40
Source: EVAAS Statistical Models 2010 White Paper
* A+NG schools earn an A rating and have no significant achievement gaps between student groups.
** The value-added growth model designates a school as having exceeded, met, or not met student
performance expectations. Schools meet performance expectations if students in the school
maintain their relative academic standing compared to students across the state with similar
performance on previous state tests.
School Grade Calculation

60 61
At the current rate of progress, it will take more than 50 years for
80% of students to be on track for college and career in North
Carolina public schools.
60
In the past five years, North Carolina EOG/EOC exam performance
improved for all student groups. However, the achievement gap between
White and Black students increased slightly, as did the achievement gap
between White and American Indian students.
The achievement gap between White and Hispanic students held
constant, while the achievement gap between non-economically
disadvantaged and economically disadvantaged students decreased.
2012-13 2016-17
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
All Students 49%
American Indian 33%
Asian 74%
Black 30%
Hispanic 38%
Two or More Races 49%
White 62%
Economically Disadvantaged Students 34%
Non-Economically Disadvantaged Students 64%
Students with Disabilities 14%
English Language Learners 16%
North Carolina End-of-Course/End-of-Grade (EOG/EOC)
Composite: Percent of Students on Track for College and
Career by Student Group
In 2014, the North Carolina General Assembly
made the AP exam free of charge for any
student enrolled in an AP course.
16%
of North Carolina
public high school
students took at least
one AP exam in 2017
Source: NC DPI SAT Reports
Advanced Placement (AP) Exam Participation
and Pass Rates in North Carolina Public Schools (2017)
2012-13
40,000
20,000
0
60,000
80,000
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
50,434
2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17
54% 54% 54%
59%61%
56,988
67,850
74,196
70,073
Number of Exam Takers Pass Rate
AP Exam Participation and Pass Rates by Gender and
Race/Ethnicity (2017)
20,000
10,000
0
30,000
50,000
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Female
42,552
49%
40,000
Male
31,489
55%
American
Indian
369
30%
Asian
5,379
66%
Black
8,834
26%
Hispanic
7,997
39%
White
45,650
56%
Two or
More Races
3,599
46%
Number of Exam Takers Pass Rate

62 63
National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP)
62
Source: The Nation’s Report Card – 2015 Math and Reading Assessments
67%of North Carolina 8th grade students did not meet
proficiency standards on the 2015 NAEP math assessment.
All states participate in NAEP, making it the most comprehensive measure
of K-12 student achievement, trends, and state rankings. For more detailed
data visit www.nationsreportcard.gov/profiles/stateprofile and
www.NCEdFacts.org.
Source: The Nation’s Report Card – State Profiles
* Statistically significantly higher than the national public average.
% of Students At or
Above Proficient
Grade
Subject
Area
North
Carolina
National
Public
Average
Lowest
Proficiency
Rate
Highest
Proficiency
Rate
4th Reading 38%* 35% 23% (NM) 50% (MA)
4th Math 44%* 39% 26% (AL) 54% (MA)
4th Science 36% 37% 23% (MS) 51% (NH)
8th Reading 30% 33% 20% (MS) 46% (MA)
8th Math 33% 32% 17% (AL) 51% (MA)
8th Science 31% 33% 20% (AL) 50% (UT)
63
Source: The Nation’s Report Card – 2015 Math and Reading Assessments
62%of North Carolina 4th grade students did not meet
proficiency standards on the 2015 NAEP reading assessment.
NAEP 4th Grade Reading Proficiency by Race/Ethnicity
(2015)
22% 19%
0%
20%
40%
80%
Races
WhiteAmerican
Indian
60% 53%
59%
18%
23% 21% 23%
46%
51%
38%
47%
NAEP 4th Grade Reading Proficiency by Free and
Reduced Price Meal Eligibility
National Public: Not EligibleNorth Carolina: Not Eligible
North Carolina: Eligible National Public: Eligible
2005
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
2009 2011 201520132007
41% 41%
50%46%
53%
59%
14% 16% 19%17%
22% 25%

64 65
Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA)
The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is a
triennial international survey of 15-year-old students assessing essential
higher-order knowledge and skills in science, reading, and mathematics.
Worldwide, 73 countries and education systems participated in the
survey, including all Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD) nations, which are most directly comparable with
the United States. North Carolina and Massachusetts were the only two
states to participate in the study at a state level, and can therefore put
student performance in an international context.
North Carolina’s student performance closely mirrored the performance
of the United States as a whole. Benchmarked against all 35 OECD
countries, North Carolina ranks in the middle of the pack in science and
reading, and near the bottom in math.
PISA OECD Country Rankings for Math (2015)
Source: PISA 2015 Excellence
and Equity in Education Report
Japan Korea Switzerland Estonia Canada Netherlands Denmark
Finland Slovenia Belgium Germany Poland Ireland Norway
Austria New Zealand Sweden Australia
North Carolina/U.S.
Israel Greece
Chile Turkey
Mexico
France United Kingdom Czech Republic
Portugal Italy Iceland Spain
Luxemborg Latvia Hungary
Slovak Republic
AboveOECD
Average
OECD
Average
Below
OECD
Average
65
Source: PISA 2015 Excellence and Equity in Education Report
PISA Results: Baseline Proficiency by Subject (2015)
North Carolina outperforms the U.S. and other OECD countries
on measures of educational equity. In North Carolina, 9% of the
variation in science performance can be explained by students’
socioeconomic status, compared to 11% in the U.S. and 13% in
OECD countries as a whole.
Highest Performing OECD CountryOECD Average
Massachusetts*North Carolina National Average
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Math
Science
Reading
* Massachusetts is the highest performing state nationally
29% of North Carolina students lack minimum baseline
proficiency in math, compared to 17% in Massachusetts, and
11% in the highest performing OECD countries.

66 67
73%of high school seniors with a CTE concentration
earned at least a Silver Career Readiness Certificate on
the ACT WorkKeys assessment, indicating readiness for
at least two-thirds of surveyed jobs.
66
41% of North Carolina public school students scored below
17 on the ACT in 2016, the minimum entry score required for
admission into UNC System institutions.
Source: ACT 2017 Condition of College and Career Readiness Report
American College Testing (ACT)
The ACT and ACT WorkKeys assessments are used to measure college
and career preparedness among high school students in North Carolina
public schools. All high school juniors are required to take the ACT. All
seniors with a Career and Technical Education (CTE) concentration also
take the ACT WorkKeys career readiness assessment.
ACT Average Composite Score for States with 100%
Participation (Graduating Class of 2017)
17.8
Nevada
15
16
17
19
18
20
21
22
M
ississippi
South
Carolina
North
CarolinaAlabamaArkansasOklahomaLouisiana
TennesseeKentucky
M
ontana
M
issouri
W
yoming
Utah
W
isconsinColorado
M
innesota
18.6 18.7
19.1 19.2 19.4 19.4 19.5
19.8 20 20.2 20.3 20.3 20.4 20.5
20.8
21.5
67Source: ACT 2017 Condition of College and Career Readiness – North Carolina Key Findings
47%of North Carolina high school graduates met none of
the four ACT college readiness benchmarks in 2017.
ACT-Tested High School Students Meeting College
Readiness Benchmarks (Graduating Class of 2017)
Source: ACT State Profile Report – North Carolina Graduating Class of 2017
North Carolina Median of 17 States with 100% Participation
Average ACT Composite Score by Race/Ethnicity
(Graduating Class of 2017)
Source: ACT State Profile Report – North Carolina Graduating Class of 2017
Races
WhiteAmerican
Indian
14
15
16
19
17
22
20
18
23
21
16.7 17
22.4 22.2
16.6
17.5
18.1
20.9
19
19.9
16.2
20.8
0%
All Four Subjects
Math
Reading
English
Science
10% 20% 30% 40% 70%
30%
60%50%
41%
36%
61%
46%
47%
27%
37%
18%
27%
UNC system
minimum admission
score is 17.
The college readiness
benchmark score is 21.25.

68 69
68 Source: NC DPI School Report Card Datasets
66%of 2013 North Carolina public high school graduates
enrolled in postsecondary education within 18 months of
receiving a regular diploma, down from 68% in 2011.
Four-Year Cohort High School Graduation Rate
North Carolina Public Schools National Average
Source: NC DPI 4-Year Cohort Graduation Rate Report
Graduation Rate by Student Group (2017)
Source: NC DPI 4-Year Cohort Graduation Rate Report, National Center for Education Statistics –
Digest of Education Statistics
2008
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
2010 2011 201420122009
70%
75%
100%
2013 2015 2016 2017
87%
0% 20%
English Language Learners
Non-Economically Disadvantaged Students
Economically Disadvantaged Students
Asian
American Indian
All Students
40%
87%
60% 80% 100%
Hispanic
Two or More Races
Black
White
Students with Disabilities
Male
Female
84%
90%
84%
94%
84%
91%
84%
89%
82%
90%
70%
58%
High School Diploma Integrity
The four-year cohort graduation rate in North Carolina public schools
increased from 70% in 2007 to 87% in 2017. However, data comparing
ACT scores, high school End-of-Course exam proficiency, and graduation
rates suggest a question about diploma integrity – particularly for
underserved groups. The majority of economically disadvantaged
students graduate without achieving college and career ready standards
in math, English, and biology, and without meeting the minimum ACT
score required for admission into UNC System universities.
High School Graduation Rates vs. Postsecondary
Readiness (2017)
All Students
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
ACT Exam: Met UNC System Minimum
Entry Requirement
51%
End-of-Course Exams: Met College & Career
Readiness Benchmark
59%
Four-Year Cohort Graduation Rate 87%
Non-Economically
Disadvantaged Students
Economically Disadvantaged
Students
0% 50% 100%
End-of-Course Exams:
Met College & Career
Readiness Benchmark
71%
ACT Exam: Met UNC
System Minimum
Entry Requirement
65%
Four-Year Cohort
Graduation Rate
90%
0% 50% 100%
End-of-Course Exams:
Met College & Career
Readiness Benchmark
40%
ACT Exam: Met UNC
System Minimum
Entry Requirement
33%
Four-Year Cohort
Graduation Rate
82%

70 71
70%
Source: National Student Clearinghouse Research Center – A State-Level View of Student
Attainment Rates
First Year Progression* Rate in the North Carolina
Community College System (2016)
Source: NCCCS 2017 Performance Measures Report
* Percentage of first-time fall curriculum students attempting at least 12 credit hours who
successfully complete at least 12 hours within their first academic year.
Six-Year Higher Education Completion Rates
(Fall 2010 Cohort)
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
0%
4-Year Private,
Nonproﬁt Institutions
30%
20%
10%
4-Year Public
Institutions
2-Year Public
Institutions
71% 72%
40%
62%
74%
39%
UNC System Enrollment and Six-Year Completion Rates
(2009 First-Time, Full-Time Freshmen)
Enrollment Completion
Appalachian State University 2,773 71%
East Carolina University 3,947 62%
Elizabeth City State University 660 39%
Fayetteville State University 754 32%
NC A&T State University 1,879 44%
NC Central University 1,346 42%
NC State University 4,589 76%
UNC Asheville 639 60%
UNC Chapel Hill 3,958 90%
UNC Charlotte 3,158 53%
UNC Greensboro 2,497 56%
UNC Pembroke 1,202 38%
UNC School of the Arts 157 68%
UNC Wilmington 1,945 71%
Western Carolina University 1,549 57%
Winston-Salem State University 794 47%
83
71
Source: NCCCS 2017 Performance Measures Report
%of North Carolina Community College System
students who complete an associate’s degree and/
or least 30 credit hours before transferring to a four-
year college or university attain a GPA of 2.25 or
better after two consecutive semesters.
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

72 73
SECTION 5: Achievement
72 Source: U.S. Census Bureau – 2016 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates
40%of North Carolina residents ages 25 and older have an
associate’s degree or higher.
Source: NC Department of Commerce 2016 Employer Needs Survey
39% of employers in North Carolina had difficulty filling at least one
position in 2015.
Among employers with hiring difficulty, 62% cited a lack of education,
certification, or training among applicants.
6 OUT OF 10
employers use on-the-job training
exclusively to meet skill needs.
North Carolina Employer Needs Survey (2016)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau – 2016 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates
Less than High School High School Graduate or GED
Bachelor’s Degree Graduate or Professional Degree
Some College, No Degree
Educational Attainment of North Carolina Adults Ages 25
and Older by Race/Ethnicity (2016)
0% 20%
Asian
American Indian
40% 60% 80% 100%
Hispanic
Black
10% 30% 50% 70% 90%
24% 31% 21% 10% 10% 4%
13% 15% 10% 5% 29% 28%
15% 30% 25% 9% 11% 7%
49% 49% 49% 6% 49% 5%
White 11% 25% 21% 10% 21% 12%
Two or More Races 11% 19% 27% 13% 20% 10%
Median Earnings & Unemployment Rate of North
Carolina Adults by Educational Attainment (2016)
Unemployment Rate Median Earnings
73Source: U.S. Census Bureau – 2016 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates
30%of North Carolina residents ages 25 and older have a
bachelor’s degree or higher.
Less Than High
School Graduate
High School
Graduate/GED
Some College or
Bachelor’s Degree
Graduate or
Professional Degree
0%12% $0 $60K6% $30K
9%
7%
5%
3%
3%
$20.7K
$26.9K
$31.7K
$47.1K
$60.4K

75
High School to Postsecondary Pipeline in North Carolina
(2016)
100
9th Grade Students
86
High School Graduates
57High School
Graduates Enrolled
in a Postsecondary
Institution within 16
Months of Graduation
42%
of North Carolina Community
College System students earn a
degree or transfer to a four-year
institution within 6 years
70%
of UNC System students graduate
from college within 6 years
Source: NC DPI 2016 School Report Card Data Sets, North Carolina Community College System 2016
Performance Measures Report, UNC System 2016 Data Dashboard
74
In 1970, just 19% of North Carolina adults ages
25-64 had any postsecondary education.
By 2020, 67% of North Carolina jobs will require
some postsecondary education.
Source: Georgetown University 2014 Report on Job Growth and Education Requirements Through
2020, Carolina Demography
North Carolina Adults with Any Postsecondary Education
by Gender and Race/Ethnicity (2016)
75
61%of North Carolina adults ages 25 and older have some
postsecondary education.
Male Female
40%
49%
0%
20%
40%
80%
Asian Black Hispanic WhiteAmerican
Indian
60%
76%
69%
48%
60%
33%
38%
62%
66%
Two or More
Races
64% 74%
2020
1970

BEST NC’s mission is to unite an engaged and informed business
perspective to build consensus toward dramatically transforming and
improving education in North Carolina.
BEST NC Board
Chair:
Walter McDowell
Members:
Emma Battle
John Belk
Brenda Berg, CEO
Charles Bowman
Ann B. Goodnight
Kathy Higgins
Chuck Purvis
Kelly King
Art Pope
John Replogle
Pat Riley
Thomas Vaidhyan
Paul Wiles
www.NCEdFacts.org
© Copyright 2018. BEST NC I Business for Educational Success and Transformation
January 2018
Our Vision
At BEST NC, we envision a North Carolina in which every student
graduates with the knowledge, skills and behaviors to succeed in a
competitive global economy.

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