North Carolina Legislature Finalizes Student-Centered Budget

“North Carolina’s budget is a massive investment in students and their education from kindergarten to career readiness. These priority investments—that improve early literacy instruction, expand parental choice, strengthen workforce development and support teacher preparation—will advance education opportunities for students throughout the Tar Heel State.  

“Thank you, Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger, House Speaker Tim Moore and legislative champions for your commitment to students and their lifelong success.” 

About the North Carolina Budget 
The North Carolina budget funds initiatives in early literacy, school choice, workforce development and teacher professional development, including:   

• Eliminating harmful three-cueing methods of reading instruction in preK-3^rd grade curriculum and in K-3 educator preparation program coursework.   
  
• Expanding access to Opportunity Scholarships for all students eligible to attend public school, without income eligibility requirements. Students will receive scholarships on a sliding scale according to their household income.   

• Increasing funding for the state’s Opportunity Scholarship program so that roughly 30,000 additional students will be eligible for some level of K-12 scholarship.  

• Funding will increase by $87 million for FY 2023-24 and by $163 million for FY 2024-25.  

• Creating short-term workforce development grants that provide $750 to students pursuing noncredit industry workforce credentials.   
  
• Providing approximately $10 million in recurring salary supplement funds for teachers serving in Advanced Teaching Roles, which enable highly effective teachers to advance their careers by providing professional support to beginning teachers.