Public education is everyone’s business, and it’s time for North Carolina business leaders to come together for local public schools.
Right now, North Carolina is ranked as a top state for business. But neighboring states with stronger, better-funded public education systems are pulling ahead, and our future competitiveness depends on the strength of our local public schools.
- North Carolina ranks 50 out of 50 in the nation when it comes to the percent of GDP allocated to funding public education.
- At just over $12,000 per student, North Carolina ranks 50 out of 51 in the nation (including DC) when it comes to per-pupil spending. We also rank last in the South.
We believe all local public schools across the state must be fully funded. When schools are fully funded, they have updated facilities, qualified teachers, better resources, and more innovative programs and curriculum, because school funding directly affects the quality of the education schools can provide. In turn, students have better outcomes, and the better our students do, the more prosperous and innovative our state is, because student outcomes shape the future workforce.
The Forum has a 40-year history of bringing together individuals and institutions from business, education and government to study education issues, develop ideas, seek consensus, and ultimately inform and shape education policy in North Carolina. We envision a future where North Carolina is the uncontested national leader in business and economic opportunity, fueled by excellent, innovative, well-funded local public schools in every single county.
Building A Network of Business Champions
Strong local public schools drive workforce development, support small businesses, attract employers and employees, and sustain the civic fabric that binds communities together. That’s why Public School Forum works to rally business leaders across North Carolina in support of a public education system that:
- strengthens our current and future workforce,
- drives economic competitiveness, and
- creates opportunity in every community.
Join us for two regional convenings in February to learn more about how you can become a business champion for education!