Latest news with #NorthCarolinaAssociationofEducators
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
North Carolina Senate votes to eliminate DEI initiatives in public schools
The North Carolina Senate passed Senate Bill 227 on Tuesday, aiming to eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives in public education to focus on core curriculum and free speech. Senate Bill 227, titled 'Eliminating 'DEI' in Public Education,' seeks to prohibit the promotion of discriminatory policies and practices in public schools. According to the WTVD, the bill's supporters argue it will ensure schools concentrate on essential academic subjects and foster an environment that respects diverse opinions. 'We do see an achievement gap between black and brown boys,' said Christina Spears, president of the Wake County Chapter of the North Carolina Association of Educators, who opposes the bill. 'My focus is, who gets to decide what makes people uncomfortable?' asked Democratic Sen. Val Applewhite during a debate, expressing her opposition to the bill. The bill prohibits schools from having a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) office, division, designated employee, or any similar unit. ALSO READ: Judge blocks ending of government support for DEI programs, citing free-speech rights It is designed to comply with a Trump-era executive order, ensuring the state continues to receive over $3 billion in federal funding. Supporters of the legislation argue that DEI programs require students to judge others based on race, sex, or other immutable factors, which they believe detracts from academic excellence. 'Our children are the ones disadvantaged when DEI policies take precedent over academic excellence,' said Sen. Michael Lee. Opponents of the bill, like Christina Spears, argue that DEI programs have tangible benefits for students, particularly in addressing achievement gaps. Raleigh resident Jessica Strauss expressed concern that banning DEI could harm young adults by pushing a false narrative. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration, where its future remains uncertain. Meanwhile, another bill in the House proposes raising teachers' pay and reinstating education-based salary supplements. VIDEO: Judge blocks ending of government support for DEI programs, citing free-speech rights
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NC teachers could make more money under new bill filed
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Teachers in North Carolina could see a big bump in their pay if a House bill recently introduced becomes law. 'This is really a bill to be competitive, we want to be able to attract and retain the best teachers,' Representative Erin Pare said. She's the primary sponsor of House Bill 192, which would raise base pay for teachers statewide. 'This is a public school bill, so this is for the state portion of a teacher salary,' Representative Pare said. The bill would increase starting pay for teachers statewide to $50,000 a year. Right now, it's $41,000. That does not include district supplements and the bill leaves that open to individual districts. It would take some budget negotiations, but sponsors say it's all about setting priorities. 'This $50,000 starting pay is what a lot of the larger school districts in North Carolina are asking for, and I think it makes a lot of sense, it's where we should be,' Representative Pare said. Sponsors say they haven't heard from the North Carolina Association of Educators on the bill yet and whether they support it. But in the General Assembly, it's getting wide support. 'I think there is a shared interest in doing more with regard to teacher pay among a lot of my colleagues,' Representative Pare said. That's despite debates over funding public or private schools in the state. 'I'm a big supporter of public schools and school choice, you can do both, and you should do both, we should fund both,' Representative Pare said. The bill was just filed this week so it doesn't have a committee hearing yet. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
