North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper is making education headlines again, this time for a visit to Claxton Elementary School in Greensboro, where he and State Superintendent-Elect Mo Green celebrated the strides in public education under Cooper's leadership. The governor acknowledges education as the keystone for a stronger community and state, proclaiming 2024 as "The Year of Public Schools." His campaign for improved educational resources and funding is geared to fully support North Carolina public schools, Cooper expressed during school tours across the state. "Strong public schools build strong communities and a strong North Carolina. Our state's future depends on ensuring every child has the opportunity to receive a high-quality education in our public schools," Cooper told the gathered crowd during his visit, as per the Office of the Governor.
A significant achievement highlighted by Cooper's tenure was the 19% rise in average teacher pay. He has persistently proposed state budgets that seek to increase funding for public schools and wage increments for educators. "Teachers deserve to be paid like the professionals they are, and Governor Cooper has fought tirelessly to raise teacher pay," the Office of the Governor stated. Coinciding with the pay hike, North Carolina also dedicated resources to address teacher shortages, including a $3 million investment intending to routinely help aspiring teachers become fully licensed.
Guilford County Schools Teacher of the Year Jeffrey Silverthorne lauded Cooper's efforts stating, "Governor Cooper's investment in public education means giving every student, regardless of their background, the opportunity to build a meaningful future." This sentiment of inclusivity and support for educators and students alike is echoed throughout the governor's various initiatives, ranging from expanded pre-K programs to substantial child care center investments that reportedly total over $1 billion, as obtained by the Office of the Governor.
The state has also invested heavily in early childhood education, viewing it as a critical component of sound basic education. Cooper directed significant funds to improve pre-K access and enhance child care facilities with the expressed purpose to also aid parents and businesses in need of a stable workforce. In parallel, efforts to diversify the educator workforce were emphasized with the governor's DRIVE Task Force and expanded educator programs including at two HBCUs. The state's efforts seem to systematically address various dimensions of education from infrastructure to teacher support to student services. Governor Cooper remarked, "Investing in child care is a triple play – it helps children learn and grow, so parents can go back to work and employers can have a stable workforce," detailed by the Office of the Governor.
Moreover, in a direct move to combat food insecurity among students, Cooper has overseen the allocation of over $1.3 million to expand access to healthy school breakfasts in North Carolina public schools. Additionally, community college students struggling to stay in school due to unforeseen financial emergencies have been thrown a lifeline through the Finish Line Grants program, which has dispersed more than $7.5 million to support over 16,000 students, as per reports provided by the Office of the Governor.
Gov. Cooper's initiatives reflect an ongoing commitment to fortify the educational landscape of North Carolina, touching on everything from the mental health of the students to making higher education more accessible. The cumulative impact of these efforts paints a portrait of a state determined to bridge gaps and elevate its citizens through the power of public education.
