North Carolina's best teachers and most needy kids rarely mix in state's schools

According to a January, 2007, article on education in North Carolina the most qualified teachers and high-need students are rarely matched up in our education system. Even with aggressive work to build a skilled base of certified teachers, students needing the best teachers don't always have access to them. "Why not make sure that all students have access to these teachers?" said Eddie Davis, president of the N.C. Association of Educators".

The state continues to work hard at providing a highly qualified teaching staff and in fact North Carolina "leads the nation with teachers holding a national credential, considered the gold standard of the profession". The national board announced recently that more than 1,500 NC teachers earned certification this year, the most in the nation, pushing the total number in the state to more than 11,000.

The article further states this has been achieved largely by offering "a pay incentive matched by few other states. North Carolina pays teachers with national certification an extra 12 percent on top of their annual salary, regardless of where they teach", letting them earn upwards of $5,000 per year in additional pay.

For more information see also the 2006 Education Report issued by the North Carolina Progress Board with an overview of the state of education in NC.

News and Observer
January 23, 2007
Todd Silberman and David Raynor, Staff Writers

Highly qualified teachers, high-needs kids rarely mix in North Carolina
N.C. leads in top teachers, but few are in poor, rural schools

Knightdale Elementary School isn't the kind of school that typically attracts many nationally certified teachers.

Teachers with the credential, which enhances pay and reputation, tend to work in richer schools with fewer minorities.

But this year, 11 Knightdale Elementary teachers hold certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. The number has more than tripled since 2002. Six more teachers this year are working toward certification. Read more...