The North Carolina General Assembly has released its proposed $20.6 billion budget agreement by the Senate and House of Representatives. Here are some highlights from the K-12 education budget:
- Provides funding for additional school resource officers and funding for installation and maintenance of panic alarms ($9 million in recurring funds)
- Reduces funding for teacher assistants by 21% (reduction of $120 million in 2013-2014 and $110 million in 2014-2015)
- Provides funding for a new private school voucher program for families that meet the income requirements ($10 million)
- Provides funding to support the North Carolina Excellent Public Schools Act, an initiative that focuses on improving students’ literacy skills ($5 million in recurring funds and $13 million in nonrecurring funds)
- Eliminates salary supplement for teachers who earn masters degrees (does not impact teachers who currently get the supplement and does not impact positions where a masters degree is required)
- Reduces funding for Limited English Proficiency programs (reduction of $6 million)
- Provides funding for Educator Effectiveness and Compensation Task Force ($62,000)
- Provides funding to encourage Advance Placement participation and to defray student fees for AP/IB participation and to create the NC Advanced Placement Partnership ($1.5 million in 2013-2014 and $12 million in 2014-2015)
- Provides funding for Education Innovation Grants ($2 million)
- Provides funding to expand Teach for America efforts in NC ($5.1 million in 2013-2014 and $5.1 million in $2014-2015)