On this episode of Carolina Newsmakers, Brenda Berg, President and CEO of Best North Carolina, discusses transformative initiatives aimed at improving K-12 education across the state. Berg provides insights into the recently released 2024 Facts and Figures report, highlighting trends, challenges, and innovative solutions in North Carolina’s education system.
Berg begins by introducing the Facts and Figures report, a comprehensive resource designed to foster fact-based discussions on education. Now in its 10th year, the report features 75 pages of infographics and data, making it an accessible tool for policymakers, educators, and the public. Berg emphasizes that having a shared understanding of key data points is crucial for meaningful debates on education reform.
A standout finding from the report is the dramatic rise in chronic absenteeism. The percentage of students missing at least 10% of the school year jumped from 15% pre-pandemic to 27% in 2023. Berg attributes this increase to factors such as lingering effects of COVID-19 and mental health challenges among students. She stresses the need for targeted interventions to address this growing issue.
Another significant trend is the rise in English language learners (ELLs), which has grown from 7% to 11% of the student population over the past decade. Berg highlights the unique challenges and opportunities this presents, noting that while many ELL students adapt quickly to English, schools must adjust to meet their early needs effectively.
Berg also explores the evolving landscape of career and technical education (CTE). Once overlooked, CTE programs are now gaining traction, with students earning over 326,000 credentials in 2023, up from 100,000 a decade ago. These programs provide students with skills for high-demand fields such as STEM, positioning them for success in the modern workforce.
Teacher recruitment and retention remain critical issues. Berg points out that high-poverty schools often have the least experienced teachers and fewer National Board-Certified educators, leading to inequitable educational outcomes. To address this, North Carolina has introduced advanced teaching roles, which enable experienced teachers to mentor less-experienced colleagues while earning additional pay. Currently implemented in 20% of schools, the program aims for statewide adoption in the coming years.
Berg highlights the importance of school principals as transformative leaders. She praises North Carolina’s Principal Fellows program, which recruits and trains top teachers for leadership roles, offering a paid residency and state-funded master’s degrees. With over 600 graduates, the program is setting a national benchmark for principal preparation.
The conversation also touches on funding equity. Berg explains that North Carolina’s school funding model, which relies heavily on state allocations, ensures more equitable resources across rural and urban districts. However, adequacy remains a concern, with ongoing debates about increasing investments in teacher pay and classroom resources.
Looking to the future, Berg advocates for a shift from traditional seat-time education to competency-based learning. Programs like Spark NC, which allow students to learn at their own pace and earn credits based on demonstrated skills, are examples of this innovative approach.
Berg closes by discussing the role of parents in education, emphasizing their influence on student outcomes. She encourages schools to engage parents more effectively while also addressing systemic issues such as social media’s impact on mental health and classroom dynamics.
