Jonah Patel
The North Carolina Constitution guarantees its citizens the right to education. Article IX, Section 9 of the North Carolina State Constitution states that the benefits of The University of North Carolina and other public institutions of higher education are to be extended to the people of the state free of expense. The constitution also mandates that the General Assembly provide a general and uniform system of free public schools, maintained for at least nine months every year, with equal opportunities for all students. Despite these constitutional mandates, North Carolina has faced challenges in fulfilling its educational commitments, as seen in the Leandro v. State case in 1994, where the state was found to be failing to meet its constitutional obligation to provide every child with a sound basic education.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Public education | Guaranteed by the North Carolina Constitution |
| Sound basic education | Guaranteed by the North Carolina Constitution |
| Higher education | Maintained by the General Assembly |
| University of North Carolina | Benefits extended to the people of the state free of expense |
| Public schools | Maintained by the General Assembly for nine months every year |
| Attendance | Mandatory for every child of appropriate age and of sufficient mental and physical ability |
| State Board of Education | Consists of the Lieutenant Governor, the Treasurer, and 11 members appointed by the Governor |
| Graduation rates | Increased from 70% in 2008 to 86% in 2018 |
| College completion rates | Low, indicating a lack of preparation for post-secondary education or the workforce |
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What You'll Learn
- The North Carolina Constitution guarantees a free basic education
- The state has struggled to fulfill its educational commitment
- The constitution requires a uniform system of free public schools
- The General Assembly maintains a public system of higher education
- The people of North Carolina have a right to education
The North Carolina Constitution guarantees a free basic education
The state's commitment to providing a sound basic education for every child is also reflected in its 1868 Constitution, which mandates a "general and uniform system of public schools, wherein tuition shall be free of charge to all of the children of the State." The North Carolina Constitution further emphasizes the importance of education by recognizing the right of the people to education and the duty of the state to safeguard this right.
However, despite these constitutional guarantees, North Carolina has faced challenges in fully realizing its educational goals. The Leandro v. State case in 1994 highlighted the state's struggle to fulfill its educational commitment, leading to a 1997 Supreme Court decision affirming the right of every child to "a sound basic education." This decision set out specific requirements, including mastery of core subjects such as English, mathematics, and physical science, as well as knowledge of geography, history, economics, and political systems.
Budget cuts, shifts in the educator workforce, and increasing enrollment have further complicated the state's efforts to meet its constitutional obligations. Despite improvements in graduation rates, college completion rates suggest that students are not adequately prepared for post-secondary education or the workforce. North Carolina continues to face challenges in ensuring that all its students receive the sound basic education guaranteed by its Constitution.
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The state has struggled to fulfill its educational commitment
North Carolina has faced challenges in fulfilling its constitutional commitment to providing a uniform system of free public schools. The state, which was once known for its progressive education policies, has seen a decline in educational standards in recent years. This is partly due to the passage of controversial and partisan measures by lawmakers, including rapidly expanding school choice, cutting school resources, and eliminating job protections for teachers.
One significant issue is the lack of qualified teachers in the state. North Carolina schools are struggling to fill thousands of vacant teaching positions. Low pay, lack of respect, and various other factors have contributed to the challenge of attracting and retaining teachers. The state's starting salary for teachers is ranked 46th in the nation, making it difficult to attract new talent to the profession. This has resulted in a decline in the quality of education, with stagnant student performance and increased achievement gaps for minority and low-income students.
The General Assembly, tasked with overseeing the state's public education system, has been criticized for its lack of effort and abandonment of oversight responsibilities. There has been a decrease in the frequency of meetings, and important discussions regarding K-12 funding issues have been neglected. The Assembly has also been criticized for replicating education initiatives from other states without sufficient research into their effectiveness.
Additionally, there has been a lack of public input from education stakeholders, and important education initiatives have been included in omnibus budget bills rather than being moved through a deliberative committee process. This has resulted in a lack of public debate and input from experts, potentially hindering the development of effective education policies.
North Carolina's decline in educational standards and its struggle to fulfill its constitutional commitment to public education highlight the need for improved policies, increased investment in teacher retention and recruitment, and a more deliberate and inclusive decision-making process.
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The constitution requires a uniform system of free public schools
The North Carolina Constitution guarantees a general and uniform system of free public schools. Article IX, Section 9 of the North Carolina State Constitution states that:
> The General Assembly shall provide that the benefits of The University of North Carolina and other public institutions of higher education, as far as practicable, be extended to the people of the State free of expense.
The constitution further stipulates that the General Assembly shall maintain a public system of higher education, which includes The University of North Carolina and other institutions of higher education as deemed appropriate. The General Assembly is responsible for selecting trustees for these institutions and is authorised to enact laws necessary for their maintenance and management.
The North Carolina Constitution also recognises the importance of education, stating that "schools, libraries, and the means of education shall forever be encouraged". It mandates that the General Assembly provide by taxation and other means for a general and uniform system of free public schools, maintained for at least nine months every year, offering equal opportunities for all students. The General Assembly is also tasked with ensuring that every child of appropriate age and ability attends public schools, unless they are educated by other means.
Despite these constitutional mandates, North Carolina has faced challenges in fulfilling its educational commitments, as seen in the Leandro v. State case in 1994. Judges have concluded that the state needs to improve to meet its constitutional obligation to provide every child with a sound basic education.
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The General Assembly maintains a public system of higher education
The North Carolina Constitution guarantees its citizens the privilege of education and makes it the duty of the state to protect and maintain that right. Article IX, Section 9 of the North Carolina State Constitution states that the General Assembly shall maintain a public system of higher education, including the University of North Carolina and other institutions of higher education as deemed fit by the General Assembly.
The General Assembly is responsible for selecting the trustees of these institutions, who will be entrusted with the privileges, rights, franchises, and endowments granted to them. The General Assembly is also empowered to enact laws necessary for the maintenance and management of these institutions.
The North Carolina Constitution has a long history of prioritising education. Since 1868, the state constitution has required the General Assembly to provide "a general and uniform system of public schools, wherein tuition shall be free of charge to all of the children of the State." This commitment to education was reaffirmed in the 1997 Supreme Court decision, which stated that the North Carolina Constitution guarantees every child the opportunity to receive a sound basic education.
Today, the UNC System and the North Carolina Community College System work together to provide affordable higher education options for the people of North Carolina, fulfilling the state's constitutional mandate. The benefits of these institutions are to be provided to the people of the state free of expense, as far as practicable. This includes not only the University of North Carolina but also other public institutions of higher education. The General Assembly is also responsible for providing financial support to free public schools, with local governments having the autonomy to use local revenues to supplement any public school or post-secondary school program.
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The people of North Carolina have a right to education
The current constitution guarantees that the benefits of public institutions of higher education, such as the University of North Carolina, should be extended to the people of the state as far as practicable, without expense. This is further supported by Article IX, which states that the General Assembly shall maintain a public system of higher education, including the University of North Carolina and other institutions.
The General Assembly is responsible for providing a general and uniform system of free public schools, maintained for at least nine months every year, and offering equal opportunities for all students. This includes the responsibility to ensure that every child of appropriate age and sufficient mental and physical ability attends public schools, unless they are educated by other means.
Despite these constitutional guarantees, North Carolina has faced challenges in fully realizing its educational commitments. The Leandro v. State case in 1994 highlighted these issues, and a 1997 Supreme Court decision affirmed the state's obligation to provide every child with "an opportunity to receive a sound basic education." This includes proficiency in core subjects such as English, mathematics, and physical science, as well as knowledge of geography, history, economics, and political systems to enable informed choices in a democratic society.
Budget cuts, shifts in the educator workforce, and increasing enrollment have further complicated the state's efforts to meet its educational goals and provide a high-quality education to all its citizens.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the North Carolina Constitution guarantees a public education. The state's constitution requires that "the benefits of The University of North Carolina and other public institutions of higher education, as far as practicable, be extended to the people of the State free of expense."
Article IX, Section 9 of the North Carolina State Constitution is the relevant provision that guarantees a public education.
Article IX, Section 9 states that "the General Assembly shall provide that the benefits of The University of North Carolina and other public institutions of higher education, as far as practicable, be extended to the people of the State free of expense."
North Carolina's efforts to provide a sound basic education for every child date back to the 1868 State Constitution. The Constitution required the General Assembly to provide "a general and uniform system of public schools, wherein tuition shall be free of charge to all of the children of the State."
North Carolina has faced challenges in fulfilling its constitutional obligation to provide a sound basic education for all children. Issues include rigorous standards without adequate professional development, a decline in enrollment in teacher education programs, budget cuts leading to a reduction in teachers, and an increase in the number of students with higher needs.
