North Carolinians want real education reform. That’s one of the main findings of the May Civitas Poll. The poll explored public sentiment on education issues and specifically some of the provisions included in The Excellent Public Schools Act (SB 795). May poll highlights show of 600 general voter respondents:
- 28 percent gave public schools across the state a grade of B or better; 53 percent graded public schools C or less (19 percent didn’t know)
- 51 percent graded the private schools in their local area B, or better.
- 65 percent support changing the current public school rating school to one which would rate schools on an A to F scale.
- 74 percent support ending the tenure system and replacing it with a system of multi-year contracts.
- 63 percent support the legislature’s action to add five instructional days to the 180 day school calendar.
- 64 percent support proposals to require that end-of-grade tests be given during the last ten days of the school year.
- 80 percent support provisions to allow local school districts to develop merit pay systems.
- 88 percent support a proposal to create an intensive reading and literacy program for students who complete 3rd grade but are not reading at a 3rd grade level.
Yesterday the Senate passed SB 795 on a party line vote. The bill now goes to the House where a compressed legislative schedule makes the bill’s future uncertain. Let’s hope the House can find the time to give SB 795 the full consideration it deserves.
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