Throughout the year, we talk much on these “pages” about education in North Carolina, our schools, and raising kids.
We haven’t talked much about being grateful, but we should. Gratitude is something we all need to live a healthy and happy life. It’s a virtue that benefits both the individual and society. It’s a positive trait we should seek to cultivate in our children.
Thanksgiving, the great American holiday, offers the perfect time to practice what we preach and count our many blessings. So, here are 10 things that make me grateful to write about education in North Carolina.
1. Living in the United States
Despite its flaws, we still live in a great country. It is still a land where our voice counts and a land of great opportunity for native-born Americans and immigrants alike. G.K. Chesterton once said that our nation “has the soul of a church.” The moral and religious character of its people has infused our nation with virtue and generosity, which has strengthened us to meet the challenges of history and honor our conviction to help the less fortunate among us.
2. Living in North Carolina
I’ve called the Tar Heel State home for nearly 20 years. I enjoy the beauty of both the mountains and the coast. I also feed off the dynamism and opportunity that you can find here but not in other places in the United States. Whether it’s starting a new business or starting a new school, North Carolina is still a place where you can envision an idea and see it come to fruition.
3. Seeing how many people care deeply about kids
We may not always agree on the best way to raise or educate kids, but I do know that nearly everyone in this discussion cares deeply about kids in North Carolina and what’s best for them. Sadly, that’s not the case in all places.
4. Having access to key data
That might seem an odd thing to be thankful for, but I’m grateful for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NC DPI) and its commitment to making available lots of data on education, academic outcomes, and the costs of administering schools. NC DPI’s commitment to distributing accurate and timely information makes my job easier, and I’m very grateful for the work the department does.
5. Witnessing North Carolina’s can-do attitude
If we don’t like something, we fix it. America is still one of the few countries in the world where citizens can impact outcomes. Alexis de Tocqueville saw that, and that spirit is still alive today. Are you bothered by plans for a new highway that will bisect your neighborhood? Organize your community and fight to oppose it. Don’t like how your kids are being educated at a local school? Start a new one. We are a problem-solving people, and I hope we will always be.
6. Having choices in education
People are different. Kids are different. Is there any reason why our schools shouldn’t be different too? It’s time we finally started to recognize the value of having different types of schools for different types of students. We should welcome the emergence of magnet schools, charter schools, private schools, microschools, and home schools.
7. Celebrating the Opportunity Scholarship program’s success
The program has exploded in recent years to meet growing demand. Over 100,000 students now receive Opportunity Scholarships. The program is available to all students in North Carolina and offers eligible students between $3,500 and $7,700 for tuition to attend a private school. Size of the award is based on household income, with low-income families receiving the largest awards. The Opportunity Scholarship helps parents pick the school that’s best for their child.
Dave Boliek has expressed an interest in ensuring public schools spend state dollars wisely. His desire to shine a light on school budgeting is welcome and much needed. His recent efforts in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools helped the district pay back nearly $46 million dollars to the state and get back on track. Well done.
9. Celebrating thousands of excellent teachers
North Carolina has about 100,000 teachers who teach in the state’s traditional public and charter schools along with about another 10,000 who teach in the state’s private schools. Although there are isolated incidents showing teachers who hate this county and are trying to radicalize students, they represent only a small minority of teachers. A national survey found that 62 percent of teachers still thought that teachers should teach that the U.S. is “a fundamentally good country.”
10. Realizing that not all fixes for education cost money
Parents are still one of the biggest influences on a child’s academic development. Want to get your kids off to a good start in school? Read to them. It will improve their ability to read, their vocabulary, and listening skills. And it costs only your time.
For all these things I am very grateful.
Have a happy Thanksgiving!
