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Education
It’s Time to Give NC Test Scores a Good, Long Look, Part Two
A previous brief identified some troubling trends in the most recent North Carolina student test scores. A deeper dive into the data reveals test scores by race. For years, education…
Liberty
Fingers Crossed
I wouldn’t go so far as to say Trump’s proposed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is something to give thanks for. Only time will tell. Still, judging by their recent…
Research Brief
Education
It’s Time to Give NC Test Scores a Good, Long Look
In 2023–24, North Carolina spent about $10.7 billion on K–12 public schools. If you include money from federal and local sources, total spending for K–12 education reached over $18 billion.…
Liberty
Reflections from a Celebration Commemorating the Edenton Tea Party
Post-election season in America seems more contentious than ever before. I naively thought that with the 2024 presidential election behind us, life would fall back into its rhythm, and the…
Elections & Public Integrity
Griffin Campaign Runs Full-Court Press on Election Protests
On the heels of incumbent Allison Riggs’ apparent win in the North Carolina Supreme Court race, challenger Jefferson Griffin’s campaign has challenged about 60,000 ballots they say are plagued by…
Education
House Overrides Gov. Cooper’s Veto of Opportunity Scholarship Expansion
One down; one to go. That’s the expression school choice supporters in North Carolina should be using. Earlier today, the North Carolina House of Representatives overrode Governor Cooper’s veto of…
Elections & Public Integrity
Republicans Make Changes to the Structure of State and Local Boards of Elections in Helene Recovery Bill
As part of the latest hurricane-recovery relief package, the legislature has embedded several policy changes into the bill that change various agencies, appointments, and powers issued to Council of State…
Research Brief
Energy
“Jaw-Dropping”: How Much Wind Capacity Is Needed for Carbon Neutrality Without Nuclear
A new report from the John Locke Foundation’s Center for Food, Power, and Life examines two pathways to achieving carbon neutrality in North Carolina’s electricity generation by 2050: either through…
Education
New Study Ranks North Carolina Last on Public-School Choice
North Carolina finds itself in a four-way tie for last place when it comes to having strong open enrollment policies that improve access to traditional public schools. A new study…
Research Brief
Elections & Public Integrity
The Governor Should Not Be Able to Subvert Voters’ Will Through Appointments
North Carolina Commissioner of Labor Josh Dobson, a Republican, resigned on Nov. 6, one day after Republican Luke Farley was elected to succeed him. The voters of North Carolina have…
Elections & Public Integrity
Not a Good Night but not a bad Night for Either Party: What to take away from NC’s 2024 election
November 18 Update: The North Carolina Supreme Court election has since moved in favor of Justice Allison Riggs who currently leads with 36 votes. With later mail-in ballots and provisional…
Education
Reading and Kids: Some Promising News
For years, North Carolina has been awash in bad news about kids and reading. Too many kids are finding it difficult to read. What’s even worse is that teachers don’t have…