On May 3, 2025, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper signed a highly anticipated education reform bill into law that aims to overhaul the state’s K-12 public school system. The bill, which has been a focal point of debate throughout the legislative session, includes provisions for increasing teacher pay, expanding school choice options, and introducing new accountability measures for public schools. This reform is designed to address issues such as underperformance in low-income districts, and aims to give parents more control over their children’s education, particularly through charter schools and voucher programs.
Governor Cooper, a Democrat, stated that the legislation was a step forward in ensuring all students in North Carolina have access to a quality education, particularly those in underserved areas. “This bill will invest in our teachers and ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed,” Cooper said during the signing ceremony. The reform bill includes a substantial increase in funding for teacher salaries, which has long been a priority for educators, aiming to make North Carolina’s teachers more competitive with neighboring states. The bill also expands the state’s voucher program, allowing more families to use public funding for private school tuition.
However, the bill has not been without its detractors. Conservative lawmakers, including State Senator Deanna Ballard, who introduced the bill, argue that it is a necessary step to improve education by increasing competition and providing parents with more choices. “We want to ensure that every child has access to the best education possible, and this bill allows us to do that by expanding options and ensuring accountability,” Ballard said in her remarks.
On the other side of the aisle, critics, primarily from the state’s Democratic Party, argue that the expansion of school choice programs will undermine public schools and siphon off necessary funding. “This bill puts private interests over the needs of our public schools,” said State Representative Terry Brown, who opposed the measure. “Instead of investing more in public schools, we are diverting resources to private institutions, which disproportionately benefits wealthier families.”
Polling data from the North Carolina Policy Institute indicates strong support for increased teacher pay, with 71% of respondents in favor of the pay increase for educators. However, the school choice provisions are more divisive. While 55% of Republican voters support the expansion of charter schools and voucher programs, only 35% of Democratic voters agree, with 63% opposing such measures. Independent voters remain largely split, with 47% in favor and 48% opposed.
The debate over school reform is set to continue as the state navigates the implementation of these changes. While proponents argue that these reforms will improve outcomes for students, particularly in struggling districts, opponents fear that they could lead to further destabilization of public schools and increased inequality in access to quality education.
