1. Education Briefings for Candidates for Office
Teacher Quality

2. State Supreme Court has ruled that NC’s Constitution guarantees the right to an equal opportunity to obtain a sound basic education :
First, that every classroom be staffed with a competent, certified, well-trained teacher;
Second, that every school be led by a well-trained competent principal;
Third, that every school be provided... the resources necessary to support the effective instructional program within that school so that the educational needs of all children…can be met.
Judge Howard E. Manning, Jr.
April 4, 2002

3. Supply & Demand…a Crisis Looms
Teacher & instructional support personnel in NC grew from 56,000 in to 109,108 in
Student enrollment is increasing over 20,000 new students each year and will continue to increase for next 10 years; NC will need 100,000 new teachers over the next decade.
2,106 teachers retired in (86% full benefits, 14% reduced benefits)….represents 16.5% of those that left teaching.
The turnover rate in was 12.58%
Employment data from DPI, Statistical Profile; turnover data from DPI, Teacher Turnover report (

4. Data from DPI teacher turnover reports (http://www. ncpublicschools

5. Five Year Teacher Turnover Average*
Greater Than 15.0% Turnover (30)
12.5 – 14.9% Turnover (28)
10.0 – 12.4% Turnover (34)
Less Than 10.0% Turnover (23)
State average of 12.58%
Data from DPI teacher turnover report

6. Data from NEA

7. Data from CTQ, Lateral Entry Brief (http://www. teachingquality

10. Teacher Preparation at NC Colleges & Universities
48 colleges and universities have approved teacher preparation programs
,446 student teachers
,909 student teachers
BUT….
Only about two-thirds of student teachers
were employed in NC schools the year
after they graduated.
cohort – only 92% licensed
only 68% employed
cohort – only 94% licensed

12. Teaching Qualifications of Current Force
52% are K-8 teachers
48% secondary & instructional support personnel
36% have a master’s degree or higher
12,770 have National Board Certification

13. “Average NC Teacher”: white (83%) female (80%) age 42
NC Teacher Profile
“Average NC Teacher”:
white (83%)
female (80%)
age 42
with approximately 13 years of experience
Break in service due to child-care

14. DPI, 2007 Budget Highlights
Source: DPI (FY )

15. 1/5th Take Nontraditional Routes to Teaching
The Quality Issue…
1/5th Take Nontraditional Routes to Teaching

16. In the past 3 years, salaries have increased nearly 18%.
Teacher Salaries in NC
In the past 3 years, salaries have increased nearly 18%.
Starting Salary $30,000
($29,750 plus lump sum sign on bonus of $250)
With 5 yrs. experience $34,910
With 10 yrs. experience $38,710
With 31+ yrs. experience $52,080
Master’s Degree +10% at each step
Natl. Bd. Cert. +12% for ten yrs.
Local Salary $1,993 average
supplement

17. Teacher Salaries in NC Raise Salaries for Teachers
& Instructional Support 1%=$40.1m
NC’s average salary $43,992
27th in the Nation, down from 22nd in
National Average $49,026
NC is 93% of national average

18. Source: Public School Forum based upon NEA data (FY 2006-07)

19. Mississippi - $30,900 North Carolina - $30,000 Tennessee - $29,215
Source: Public School Forum based upon NEA data (FY )
Comparison Data
Alabama - $36, Georgia - $32,609
Mississippi - $30,900 North Carolina - $30,000
Tennessee - $29,215

20. Time or Lack of It….. The Ultimate Achilles Heel of Teacher Quality
“What Do Teachers Need to Succeed?”
Quotes from the N&O, August 8, 2004
“Time is a critical factor for all questions of professional development.”
“One of our biggest focuses needs to be time for professional development and planning for the school day. One of the most beneficial things we can do for teachers is to give them time during the day”
“Nearly half the respondents to a new survey of state teachers on working conditions said they lacked the time needed to collaborate productively. More than half said they had fewer than three hours a week for planning.”

21. Jo Ann Norris jnorris@ncforum.org 919-781-6833 www.ncforum.org