(The Center Square) – North Carolina is ranked 35th nationally with a grade of D in the ALEC Index of State Education Freedom released this week.
The report from the American Legislative Exchange Council, which bills itself as America’s “largest nonpartisan, voluntary membership organization of state legislators dedicated to the principles of limited government, free markets and federalism,” used this new analysis to replace the nearly quarter-century old Report Card on American Education. The authors say states are evaluated on “essential policies that change students’ lives by empowering parents and families with choice in education.”
North Carolina tied with California and New Mexico in the overall scoring, all receiving a cumulative grade of D. Florida was first and joined Arkansas and Indiana in receiving the only A grades. Thirteen states got an F, with Rhode Island and Massachusetts tied at the bottom just behind New York.
In the five major categories for scoring, the Old North State earned an A for charter schools; D in homeschooling; D in virtual schooling; F in open enrollment; and F in financing programs.
The Center Square reached out to ALEC to answer questions related to North Carolina’s recently passed state budget that creates universal school choice; and the impact of the three decades-old litigation of the Leandro case. At time of publication, the effort was unsuccessful.
North Carolina is the 10th state in the country to create universal school choice to its more than 1.5 million K-12 students, and the first to do so without benefit of a Republican trifecta in state government.
In the scoring categories:
• Funding and financing programs: North Carolina was 21st, second among those getting an F. Only eight states got an A and two managed a B.
• Charter schools: North Carolina tied for 1st with 10 others, and all were the only states getting an A.
• Homeschooling: North Carolina was tied for 34th and picked up a C. Eleven states got an A and 22 picked up a B.
• Virtual schooling: North Carolina tied for 14th with 15 others, and was one of 26 to earn a C.
• Open enrollment: North Carolina and three others – Alabama, Alaska, Maryland – were the only states not scoring a point and getting an F.
In its overview of methodology and scoring, the authors wrote, “Too many communities around the country utilize a “one-size-fits-all” system of education, assigning children to a public school based on nothing more than a street address. This arcane method neglects the unique and individual needs of each student and fails to recognize that, while many students will succeed and thrive in their local public school, many will also experience more success through various non-public educational options.
“The goal of this publication is to offer a comprehensive look at the educational options available to American families and, most importantly, demonstrate where each state can improve and keep pace with their peers. We hope that this newly reimagined publication serves as a resource to the dedicated policymakers around the country who are looking to expand freedom in education for their constituents.”
