It's Time to Lead
At BEST NC, we believe that it’s time for North Carolina to once again lead the nation in education. Learn how we can transform our education system to meet our growing economic demands and prepare students for success in school, work and life.
North Carolina has a history of prioritizing education:
1776
North Carolina’s first constitution recognizes education.
1789
University of North Carolina chartered.
1840
First public school in North Carolina.
1868
North Carolina’s second constitution established education as a right.
1907
First kindergarten.
1919
School length to 6 months, and teacher certification established.
1943
Nine-month school year.
1946
Compulsory attendance to age 16.
1977
Kindergarten for all students.
1993
Smart Start established.
2002
First early college high school.
In 2015, North Carolina had the highest graduation rate in state history: 85%! But 45% of employers in North Carolina are reporting job vacancies (many of which are critical vacancies), and we are ranked near the bottom among states with 100% ACT participation. We know that our educators and our students are working hard every day. So why is it that we are failing to keep up?
The fact is, North Carolina’s education system as whole is having to do something it has never had to do before.
In 1970, only 17% of jobs required any education beyond high school. But by 2020, 67% of the workforce will need a post-secondary credential.
We are expecting our teachers and principals to prepare students for a new 21st century economy, but we’re only giving them a 20th century system to work with.
BEST NC believes that we can transform our education system to achieve systemic change from cradle to career.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR THEORY OF CHANGE HERESimply "keeping up" is no longer good enough. It’s time - once again - to lead.