North Carolina has just slipped to 40th in the nation when it comes to public education. Our ranking has been on a continual decline for the past 7 years, ever since we were ranked 19th in the nation back in 2011.
The Tar Heel state received a C- grade and a score of 70.6 out of a possible 100 in the 2018 Quality Counts report that was just released by Education Week. Our score falls below the national average grade of C and score of 74.5.
According to the report, “North Carolina earns a C-plus in the Chance-for-Success category and ranks 31st. The average state earns a C-plus. In School Finance, North Carolina receives a D and ranks 45th. For the K-12 Achievement Index, last updated in the 2016 report, it finishes 33rd with a grade of D-plus. The average state earns grades of C and C-minus in School Finance and K-12 Achievement, respectively.”
South Carolina ranked even lower than North Carolina, coming in 42nd in the nation, with a grade of C- and an overall score of 70.3.
You can find out more about the rankings and methodology here on edweek.org.
What do you think should be done first to improve our schools?