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Last Action

Ref to the Com on Appropriations, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House2025-04-03

Vote Breakdown

No floor votes recorded.

Plain Language Summary

This bill creates a pilot grant program that provides funding to 16 public schools (one traditional school and one charter school from each of North Carolina's eight educational districts) to hire additional teacher assistants in kindergarten through third grade classrooms. The program allocates $14.8 million per year for the 2025-2027 fiscal years, with funding based on statewide average salaries and a standard class size of 21 students.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue that additional teacher assistants in early grades improve reading instruction and student literacy outcomes, which is critical since early literacy skills predict later academic success.
• •They contend that smaller student-to-assistant ratios allow for more individualized attention, better classroom management, and support for students who are struggling readers.
• •The pilot program format allows the state to test the approach's effectiveness before potential statewide expansion.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents may argue that a pilot program affecting only 16 schools statewide provides limited benefit when thousands of North Carolina schools have high student-teacher ratios.
• •They may question whether $14.8 million annually is sufficient to address literacy gaps across the state, and whether the funding should instead go to teacher salaries to attract and retain qualified educators.
• •Some may also be concerned about the long-term fiscal commitment if the pilot expands, since the bill designates these as nonrecurring funds.