The Power of Policy in Transforming Education in North Carolina
In my time working to promote educational equity and improve student outcomes, one truth stands out: policy is the engine that drives systemic change. Nowhere is this more evident than in education. In North Carolina, a state with both extraordinary potential and persistent challenges in its education system, policy must be our primary lever to ensure that all children—regardless of race, income, or geography—have the opportunity to thrive.
The State of Education in North Carolina
North Carolina’s public schools educate over 1.4 million students across 115 districts. Yet, despite the dedication of countless educators and advocates, the system continues to face significant inequities. Nearly 60% of the state’s third graders are not reading at grade level—a troubling statistic given the overwhelming evidence that third-grade reading proficiency is a critical predictor of long-term academic and life success.
Early disparities in learning often follow children throughout their academic journeys. According to the NC Department of Public Instruction, students who do not read proficiently by the end of third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school. These gaps are often rooted in systemic inequities: nearly half of North Carolina's children under the age of five live in low-income families, and many face barriers such as limited access to high-quality childcare, preschool, and early intervention services.
Why Early Childhood and Literacy Policy Matter
The path to third-grade reading proficiency begins long before a child enters kindergarten. Neuroscience tells us that 90% of a child’s brain develops by age five, making the early years a window of unparalleled opportunity to shape cognitive, social, and emotional skills. Investments in early childhood education are not only beneficial but essential.
Research shows that high-quality early education programs—like NC Pre-K—yield significant returns on investment. Children who attend high-quality preschools are more likely to enter kindergarten ready to learn, develop stronger literacy and math skills, and graduate high school prepared for college or the workforce. Yet, access to such programs in North Carolina remains uneven, with fewer than 50% of eligible children enrolled in NC Pre-K due to funding constraints and logistical barriers.
Policy solutions, such as increasing funding for NC Pre-K, expanding early literacy programs, and supporting home-based early learning initiatives, can help close these gaps. Programs like Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and Book Harvest, along with Helping Education’s evidence-based reading programs—including Motheread/Fatheread, StoryExploring, and BABY (Birth and Beyond Years)—exemplify how community-driven literacy efforts can supplement public policy. These initiatives work to ensure that more children enter kindergarten with the foundational literacy skills they need to succeed, empowering families to take an active role in their child’s learning journey. We believe our new campaign to support 50,000 Students in 5 Years across the State of North Carolina underscores Helping Education’s commitment to changing the education landscape, particularly through reading.
Addressing Systemic Barriers Through Policy
Educational equity is about more than providing resources—it’s about ensuring that every child, regardless of their zip code, has access to opportunity. In North Carolina, this requires confronting systemic barriers head-on. Policies that address issues like teacher pay disparities, rural school funding, and culturally responsive teaching practices are critical to achieving long-term equity.
For instance, rural counties in North Carolina often struggle to recruit and retain high-quality teachers due to lower pay and fewer resources compared to urban districts. The state’s Leandro case has highlighted these inequities for decades, and while progress has been made, there is still a long way to go in fully funding a sound basic education for every child.
Additionally, we must recognize the intersection of early childhood development and K-12 education. Programs that bridge the gap between early learning and elementary school—such as evidence-based literacy interventions and family engagement initiatives—are vital. These policies ensure continuity of learning and support, particularly for students from historically marginalized communities.
A Call to Action
Education is the foundation of a thriving society, and every child in North Carolina deserves the chance to reach their full potential. As leaders, advocates, and community members, we must champion policies that prioritize early childhood development and literacy as cornerstones of educational equity.
Third-grade reading proficiency is not merely a milestone; it is a mirror reflecting the health of our entire education system. By investing in policies that support early learning, address systemic inequities, and promote evidence-based interventions, we can create a brighter future for all of North Carolina’s children.
Policy is more than a tool—it is a commitment to our values.