NEWS RELEASES
2000-01
NEWS RELEASES
2000-011998-2000 BIENNIAL REPORT REACHING FOR THE GOAL: FIRST IN AMERICA
State Public School Fund Expansion Budget Request
State Board of Education members reaffirmed their commitment to the ABCs of Public Education by supporting a 2001 expansion budget focused on the strategic priority areas defined in the ABCs Plus initiative. The Board's expansion budget request to Gov. Jim Hunt totals $474.6 million for 2001 and $470.6 million for 2002.
Funding requests are identified by the Board's five strategic priority areas: High Student Performance; Safe, Orderly, and Caring Schools; Strong Family, Community, and Business Support; Quality Teachers, Administrators, and Staff; and Effective and Efficient Operations. Eleven expansion initiatives, including continued support for the Excellent Schools Act, have been developed to help achieve these five priorities.
The budget request for the 2001-2003 biennium reflects the most important needs of North Carolina's public schools and the education priorities of its citizens. Approval of these funding requests will give North Carolina important and necessary resources to continue the momentum for school improvement in coming years.
| HIGH STUDENT PERFORMANCE | 2001-2002 | 2002-2003 |
|---|---|---|
| Improving Student Accountability: Closing the Achievement Gap improve performance for all students not performing at grade level, reduce student/staff ratios in elementary grades, maintain assistance team funding, support foreign language immersion pilot programs, provide Technology Facilitators for low-performing schools |
$147,370,879 | $147,370,879 |
| Ready for School Ready for School Inventory for primary and elementary schools, K-2 staff development, upgrade kindergarten classroom equipment and supplies, continue kindergarten breakfast funds |
$26,500,000 | $25,500,000 |
| School Technology provide a Technology Facilitator for all schools with an 8th grade in 2001-02 (aligns with computer skills testing requirements) |
$28,743,925 | $28,743,925 |
| Special Populations improve the quality of education for children with special needs, including those with limited English skills and gifted students, implement Occupational Course of Study |
$139,700,695 | $139,700,695 |
| Academic Content Standards and Assessments provide a testing coordinator at each LEA, revise curriculum content standards and corresponding assessments, develops new assessments, provide Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) test funds to students |
$23,480,697 | $20,364,162 |
| SAFE, ORDERLY, AND CARING SCHOOLS | 2001-2002 | 2002-2003 |
| At-Risk Student Services/Alternative Schools expand alternative school programs, increase school resource officers and other support personnel, add counselor services and counselor office support for middle and high schools |
$63,709,200 | $63,709,200 |
| STRONG FAMILY, COMMUNITY, & BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS | 2001-2002 | 2002-2003 |
| Community Support for Students coordinate efforts of the schools, parents, and communities to increase involvement to improve student achievement through training, model programs, and better communication |
$8,096,753 | $8,165,001 |
| QUALITY TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATION, AND STAFF | 2001-2002 | 2002-2003 |
| Excellent Schools Act continue support of the Excellent Schools Act to maintain teacher salaries at the national average, provide additional months of employment for assistant principals |
$9,650,000 | $9,650,000 |
| Professional Development increase staff development funds for LEAs, provide mentors and stipends, Quality Teacher Task Force, Tuition-to-Teach scholarships, professional development package to increase student achievement |
$27,574,204 | $27,574,204 |
| Teacher Retention and Recruitment develop and implement initiatives for the retention and recruitment of quality teachers |
$5,342,500 | $5,342,500 |
| EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT OPERATIONS | 2001-2002 | 2002-2003 |
| Grants Provide a grant-writing consultant for each region |
$280,000 | $280,000 |
| Total State Public School Fund Expansion Request | $480,448,853 | $476,400,566 |
About the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction:
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction provides leadership to 115 local public school districts and 107 charter schools serving over 1.4 million students in kindergarten through high school graduation. The agency is responsible for all aspects of the state's public school system and works under the direction of the North Carolina State Board of Education.
For more information:
NCDPI Communications and Information, 919.807.3450.