The Imperative
We have an economic, constitutional and moral imperative for transforming education in North Carolina
The business community has the obligation, opportunity and capacity to increase the college and workforce readiness of all students through an ambitious, comprehensive agenda. BEST NC’s focus is clear: to improve the quality of education for North Carolina’s students and ensure the well-educated workforce that our businesses and economy require.
The Moral Imperative
Every child in North Carolina deserves and is owed the opportunity to obtain an excellent education, regardless of his or her race, family income, or zip code.
The Economic Imperative
North Carolina’s future economy, business environment and quality of life depend on how well we equip today’s students with the knowledge, skills and behaviors they need to succeed in school, work, and life.
The Constitutional Imperative
North Carolina is Facing a Growing Skills Gap
As business leaders, we believe the ultimate goal of education should be to create an educated and skilled citizenry that can be gainfully employed in North Carolina. Unfortunately, that goal is not being realized in North Carolina’s current education system and the state is experiencing a growing skills gap.
In 2020, 67% of jobs in North Carolina required some postsecondary education.
However, by 2020, only 49% of North Carolinians aged 25-44 had a postsecondary degree or high-quality workforce credential.
By 2030, 2 million North Carolinians aged 25-44 need a postsecondary degree or high-quality workforce credential.
Schools from Pre-K to Post-Graduate are Facing a Talent Crisis
As business leaders, we understand how critical talent management is to the success of any organization. Currently, North Carolina lacks a comprehensive plan that will successfully recruit, prepare, and retain excellent educators for all students, pre-k through post-graduate.
7,737 teachers out of the 94,342 teachers employed during the 2020-21 school year are no longer employed in North Carolina public schools, resulting in a statewide attrition rate of 8.2%.
Licensed Teacher Turnover: 8%
6,417 of 80,804
Beginning Teacher Turnover: 10%
1,320 of 13,538
Lateral Entry Teacher Turnover: 13% 468 of 3,599
North Carolina is Struggling to Move from Good to Great
As business leaders, we want North Carolina schools to be the best in the country. We must focus on transformational changes that will take our education system from good to great.