RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - North Carolina’s largest teacher lobbying group and Democratic legislators say lots of work must be done by elected officials to restore respect to the education profession.
North Carolina Association of Educators President Rodney Ellis and Democratic legislators spoke at a news conference Tuesday on how it should be done through things like teacher pay, education spending and evaluating schools.
Ellis said raising average teacher pay and per-pupil spending could help as teachers leave the profession and fewer students enroll in education majors.
The news conference comes as state House members evaluate Gov. Pat McCrory’s budget proposal. It includes pay raises that he says will raise the average statewide teacher salary above $50,000. McCrory’s re-election campaign unveiled Tuesday an online petition seeking support for his plan.
Tuesday is National Teachers’ Day.
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