BEST NC

A non-profit, non-partisan coalition of business leaders committed to improving North Carolina's education system through policy & advocacy.

[BEST NC @BESTNCorg]

New from BEST NC! Teacher Pay in North Carolina: A Smart Investment in Student Achievement. Includes new analyses of how increased and transformed teacher salary structures can make North Carolina a national leader in teacher pay! https://t.co/Ir6UJL4goa #NCEd

[BEST NC @BESTNCorg]

In 2024, 57% of North Carolina children ages 3–4 were not enrolled in school, higher than the 51% national average. #NCEd

[BEST NC @BESTNCorg]

Visit https://t.co/Hnh4xcIZj2 to see this year's North Carolina Education Facts and Figures data! #NCEd

[BEST NC @BESTNCorg]

Early childhood educators by occupation, 2014–2024:

• Child-care workers: 24,190 → 19,780 → 12,200
• Preschool teachers: 9,080 → 15,350 → 16,820
• Preschool/child-care center directors: 1,290 → 1,690 → 2,290
• Kindergarten teachers: 5,120 → 3,890 → 2,240

[BEST NC @BESTNCorg]

NC's youngest residents (ages 0–4) are: 48% White, 19% Black, 19% Hispanic, 10% Two+ Races, 3% Asian, and 1% American Indian/Alaskan Native. Explore the full data: https://t.co/TCGbBBgUvq #NCEd

[BEST NC @BESTNCorg]

The 2026 edition of Facts and Figures is now available online! Check out the latest education data at https://t.co/38IC7gNcsB!

[BEST NC @BESTNCorg]

Be on the lookout for BEST NC's new edition of Facts & Figures this week! Updated data! #NCEd

[BEST NC @BESTNCorg]

@ExcelinEd Thanks to @ExcelinEd and Dr. Chrisy Hovanetz for an excellent presentation!

[ExcelinEd @ExcelinEd]

ExcelinEd in the field ➡️ Senior Policy Fellow Chrisy Hovanetz, Ph.D., presented at BEST NC's Education Innovation Lab Policymaker Session earlier this week! This event provides policymakers and advocates with an opportunity to take a deeper dive into actionable perspectives on the importance of assessment and accountability, evidence that accountability systems are critical for understanding the academic needs of students and the professional capacities of educators.

[BEST NC @BESTNCorg]

Thanks to everyone who joined us yesterday for our annual Education Innovation Lab! This year's topic was Tailored Learning: Defining and Identifying Personalized Success for North Carolina's Students. Read more here: https://t.co/21PBn2IMfC

[BEST NC @BESTNCorg]

Thank you for joining us at our annual Education Innovation Lab today, Governor Stein! #NCEd

[Governor Josh Stein @NC_Governor]

There is so much to do to implement ideas proven to improve public education. When we work together, we can open doors of opportunity for every child in North Carolina.

[BEST NC @BESTNCorg]

From 2014–15 to 2023–24, school psychologist ratios shifted from 1:1,896 to 1:1,730, school nurse ratios from 1:1,112 to 1:834, and school counselor ratios from 1:372 to 1:317. #NCEd

[BEST NC @BESTNCorg]

Take a look at the national and North Carolina-specific percentages of four-year-olds enrolled in state Pre-K programs. #NCEd

[BEST NC @BESTNCorg]

Take a look at 2023-24 traditional public school enrollment in North Carolina vs UNC System enrollment in Fall 2023, by gender. #NCEd

[BEST NC @BESTNCorg]

EVAAS scores of 0 represent the state average teacher. In 2023��24, teachers who remained in NC public schools ranged from -0.43 to 0.57, while those who departed ranged from -0.78 to 0.12, depending on years of experience. #NCEd

[BEST NC @BESTNCorg]

In 2023, 71% of homeless students were doubled-up with another family, 19% stayed in hotels or motels, 7% were in shelters or transitional housing, and 4% were unsheltered. #NCEd

[BEST NC @BESTNCorg]

In 2024–25, teacher compensation included an average $7,028 local supplement and $2,210 state supplement, plus a $8,095 state health insurance contribution and a 24.04% retirement contribution, with National Board certification adding 12% of salary.

[BEST NC @BESTNCorg]

Teachers not fully licensed, by district (2023–24)

The share of teachers without a Continuing Professional License varied widely across North Carolina districts, ranging from about 7% to over 60%. #NCEd

[A.P. Dillon @APDillon_]

Folks interested in education stats should check out @BESTNCorg, which recently dropped a new report on K-5 math and how to improve it.
This was a topic former NC State Supt. Catherine Truitt had hoped to tackle if she won a second term. #nced #ncga
https://t.co/nUJNT4g3j4

[BEST NC @BESTNCorg]

In 2023–24, enrollment demographics differed between North Carolina’s K–12 public schools and the UNC System, with K–12 serving higher shares of Hispanic (19% vs. 9%) and Black students (25% vs. 21%), while the UNC System enrolled a larger share of White students (53% vs. 46%).

[BEST NC @BESTNCorg]

In 2023–24, salary made up 71% of total compensation for K–12 public school teachers in North Carolina, with 29% provided through benefits. By comparison, private-sector compensation in the U.S. South Atlantic region averaged 83% salary and 17% benefits. #NCEd