Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Every Child NC

Every Child NC @everychildnc.bsky.social · 1d

Thanks to @theassemblync.bsky.social for highlighting our students' long overdue wait for Leandro. The story is well worth reading

Three important points we'd like to add (1/4)

#ncpol

Waiting for Leandro

It’s been 601 days since the state Supreme Court heard arguments over funds for public schools. Can they put off a decision forever?

www.theassemblync.com

1 3 2

Every Child NC @everychildnc.bsky.social · 1d

The tradeoff: Legislators won't fund Leandro because they'd rather give tax cuts to corporations and wealthy North Carolinians. NC ranks dead last in school spending as a share of our GDP. The ongoing violation of our students' constitutional rights is what pays for those tax cuts.

#ncpol (4/4)

Chart showing NC's public school funding effort relative to the national average. NC approached the national average in 2010, but has since fallen to 50th in the nation (dead last)

Every Child NC @everychildnc.bsky.social · 1d

By not funding the plan, state leaders are violating an open court order. When the SC decided to (unethically) rehear the settled case, they just ended the required transfer of funds from *prior* years. They didn't end the state's ongoing *obligation* to fully fund the Leandro Plan

#ncpol (3/4)

1

Every Child NC @everychildnc.bsky.social · 1d

Nepotism/corruption: we're waiting on Supreme Court justice Phil Berger Jr to decide whether his dad, Senate President Phil Berger Sr, can ignore the parts of the constitution he disagrees with

#ncpol (2/4)

1

Every Child NC @everychildnc.bsky.social · 1d

Thanks to @theassemblync.bsky.social for highlighting our students' long overdue wait for Leandro. The story is well worth reading

Three important points we'd like to add (1/4)

#ncpol

Waiting for Leandro

It’s been 601 days since the state Supreme Court heard arguments over funds for public schools. Can they put off a decision forever?

www.theassemblync.com

1 3 2

Every Child NC @everychildnc.bsky.social · 1d

It would truly be great to understand why so many #ncpol reporters continue to ignore Leandro. PLEASE let us understand why you don't think it's important! Understanding this will make us better advocates.

(cc @dawnbvaughan.bsky.social)

Every Child NC @everychildnc.bsky.social · 2d

The biggest consequence is that 1.5 million public school students continue to have their constitutional rights violated because lawmakers are failing to adhere to the court order calling on them to fully fund the Leandro Plan.

It's unclear why @dawnbvaughan.bsky.social forgot this.

#ncpol

Dawn B. Vaughan @dawnbvaughan.bsky.social · 4d

New from me this morning, an explainer on why North Carolina doesn't shut down like the federal government does without a budget deal -- but there are still consequences of lawmakers not getting their job done.

#ncga #ncpol

www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

State law keeps NC from DC-style shutdown, but lack of budget has consequences

Why North Carolina government keeps working when the budget is stalled, unlike the federal government.

www.newsobserver.com

1 2 1

Reposted by Every Child NC

Kris Nordstrom @krisnordstrom.bsky.social · 2d

Thanks to @amyediaz.bsky.social for having me on @885wfdd.bsky.social to talk about my favorite subject: Leandro. The NCGA continues to ignore the court order to fully fund the plan, creating a crisis for our schools and our constitution.

#ncpol #LeadWithLeandro

Carolina Curious: What is the status of Leandro? Could it help WS/FCS amid budget crisis?

Thirty-one years ago, the North Carolina Supreme Court heard a case about education inequities related to school funding, often referred to as “Leandro.” But multiple years and court rulings later, ad...

www.wfdd.org

2 2

Every Child NC @everychildnc.bsky.social · 3d

Under the Leandro Plan, state funding for children with disabilities was supposed to increase by 53% and teacher pay was to be made competitive with other college degree requiring professions

#ncpol #LeadWithLeandro

NC isn’t meeting federal special education requirements. State officials point to the teacher shortage

North Carolina will face more scrutiny from the federal government after failing to meet benchmarks of the federal Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act.

www.wral.com

1 1

Every Child NC @everychildnc.bsky.social · 9d

Under the Leandro Plan, the state was supposed to hire community school coordinators at the 800 highest-poverty schools in the state in order to ensure more students have access to the community supports they deserve

#ncpol #LeadWithLeandro

Perspective | NC Community Schools Coalition: A path to achieving educational excellence in eastern North Carolina

Schools are becoming community hubs to serve a variety of student and community needs through partnerships and a holistic approach.

www.ednc.org

1 3

Every Child NC @everychildnc.bsky.social · 20d

If NCGA leaders did their job and funded the Leandro Plan, we'd have community schools in the 800 highest-poverty schools across the state

#ncpol #LeadWithLeandro

Kris Nordstrom @krisnordstrom.bsky.social · 20d

Community schools are amazing:
- chronic absenteeism ⤵️
- suspension rates ⤵️
- test scores ⤴️

with historically underserved students experiencing the largest gains

Community Schools Impact on Student Outcomes: Evidence From California

Research on California’s historic investment in community schools reveals that schools implementing the strategy have experienced substantial reductions in chronic absenteeism, notable decreases in su...

learningpolicyinstitute.org

1

Every Child NC @everychildnc.bsky.social · Sep 14

Thanks to our partners @publicschoolsfirstnc.org for hosting this fantastic event with @anitaearls.bsky.social spotlighting Leandro

#ncpol #LeadWithLeandro

Leandro revisited as state budget work lingers • NC Newsline

With North Carolina lawmakers still negotiating the state budget, a public forum on highlighted the state’s long-running Leandro case.

ncnewsline.com

3

Every Child NC @everychildnc.bsky.social · Sep 12

A HUGE thank you to @abreezeclayton.bsky.social for clearly laying out what Leandro is all about and why it's so important

#ncpol #LeadWithLeandro

Leandro v. The State of North Carolina | This Week w/ Anderson Clayton

YouTube video by North Carolina Democratic Party

www.youtube.com

3 14 32

Every Child NC @everychildnc.bsky.social · Sep 8

The budget is due 6/30. Democrats missed that deadline far more often than they hit it: sites.ncleg.gov/library/wp-c...

sites.ncleg.gov

2

Every Child NC @everychildnc.bsky.social · Sep 8

That's not true. Late budgets were common when the Democrats controlled both chambers, as well.

2

Every Child NC @everychildnc.bsky.social · Sep 8

A late budget is common. What's not common is to see legislators wantonly violating court orders. It's not common for a legislator's son to be ruling whether his dad is violating the constitutional rights of 1.5 million students. Neither should be overlooked or normalized.

#ncpol #LeadWithLeandro

Is a late state budget unusual for NC? Why and how it’s happened before

Is such a late state budget unusual for North Carolina? What’s happened in past years

www.newsobserver.com

1 3

Every Child NC @everychildnc.bsky.social · Sep 8

Local leaders in WSFCS clearly made some costly budget mistakes. But it's maddening to see no accountability for the state leaders who are denying WSFCS of over $100m in annual funding that the district is owed under Leandro

#ncpol #LeadWithLeandro

State board to launch probe into Forsyth schools' lack of 'internal controls'

“The first finding was the district failed to adjust the full-time equivalent staffing despite a decrease in student population,” Hoegemeyer explained.

journalnow.com

1

Every Child NC @everychildnc.bsky.social · Sep 3

Thank you to WFAE's James Farell for providing his readers with a brief Leandro update. We only wish he had mentioned that state leaders are under an active court order to fund the plan, which they continue to violate.

#ncpol #LeadWithLeandro

ICYMI: CMS signs contract with consultant despite board members' skepticism

mailchi.mp

Every Child NC @everychildnc.bsky.social · Aug 30

The only reason this problem exists is because the NCGA is ignoring an active court order to fully fund the Leandro Plan.

Please let your readers know. It’s unfair to assume that they’re all ed policy experts

#ncpol #LeadWithLeandro

Keung Hui @keunghui.bsky.social · Aug 29

NC teachers spend more than peers in 48 states on classroom supplies, study shows. North Carolina educators will spend an average of $1,632 out-of-pocket on school supplies this year. It’s a 22% increase over 2024. (Via @rebeccanoel.bsky.social) www.newsobserver.com/news/local/a... #nced #ncpol

NC teachers spend more than peers in 48 states on classroom supplies, study shows

While teachers around the country are paying more for school supplies, NC educators spend 60% more than the national average.

www.newsobserver.com

1 1

Every Child NC @everychildnc.bsky.social · Aug 28

It would be great if articles about issues that would be solved by the Leandro Plan would mention that these are issues that would be solved by the Leandro Plan.

Of course, the Plan dramatically increases funding for supplies and teacher pay. Seems relevant!

#ncpol #LeadWithLeandro

NC teachers among biggest spenders on classrooms, despite low pay

Teachers in North Carolina have to find creative ways and support systems to stretch dollars for spending on classrooms and student needs.

carolinapublicpress.org

Every Child NC @everychildnc.bsky.social · Aug 28

Sadly, the New Hanover Co School Board is unwilling to even ask state leaders to fulfill their constitutional obligation to provide constitutional funding for schools. Are they're scared of the NCGA's vindictive leaders or do they not think their students deserve their constitutional rights?

portcitydaily.com

Reposted by Every Child NC

Every Child NC @everychildnc.bsky.social · Jul 29

The N&O's story about the General Assembly's "mini-budget" has a whole section about "What’s not in the mini budget." Somehow, it fails to mention funding for the Leandro Plan.

We'd love to understand why Leandro fails to garner a mention, @dawnbvaughan.bsky.social

#ncpol #LeadWithLeandro

NC budget bill with some teacher raises, DMV funding coming today

Exclusive: North Carolina state lawmakers plan to pass a budget bill, with votes as soon as today.

www.newsobserver.com

1 3

Every Child NC @everychildnc.bsky.social · Aug 27

By ignoring the court order to fund the Leandro Plan and generally failing to do their jobs, legsilators continue to violate the constitutional rights of 1.5 million public school students. It would be great if #ncpol stories would mention this outrage.

#LeadWithLeandro

NC legislature opens session, but won't take action on budget, vetoes

The North Carolina legislature opened a brief session Tuesday. But lawmakers aren't holding any votes, and they still haven't reached agreement on a budget.

www.wunc.org

2 3

Every Child NC @everychildnc.bsky.social · Aug 25

Students are back this week. We'd like to know what's the latest with Leandro?

State officials are under an active court order to fund the Leandro Plan. Are they meeting that obligation? If not, why not? What consequences will they face?

These are weighty questions that NCians deserve answers to

N&O headline: "Lawmakers are back this week. What’s the latest on Gov. Josh Stein’s vetoes?"

2

Every Child NC @everychildnc.bsky.social · Aug 19

The Leandro Plan aligns with this reasearch, calling for expansion of the TAs to Teachers and restoration of teacher assistant funding that was decimated this past decade

#ncpol #LeadWithLeandro

Kris Nordstrom @krisnordstrom.bsky.social · Aug 19

Shout out to @kevincbastian.bsky.social and the team at @epic-unc.bsky.social for consistently producing good, actionable research for NC policymakers

#ncpol

Perspective | Aiding to leading? Pathways and outcomes for early-career teachers with teaching assistant experience

A new research brief examines the contributions, characteristics, and outcomes of beginning teachers with TA experience.

www.ednc.org

1