School Vouchers

North Carolina lawmakers are poised to pass nearly a quarter billion dollars in additional funding that would help pay for private school tuition for 55,000 families on a waitlist this year. School choice supporters are praising the move, while public school advocates worry about shifting education priorities.

The state Senate voted Monday to override five of Gov. Roy Cooper's recent vetoes. Three of those bills are now law following the party-line votes.

North Carolina's Republican legislative leaders announced on Friday that they reached a spending deal to fund various programs. One of those programs is the state's Opportunity Scholarship that provides scholarships to families enrolling their children in private schools.

State lawmakers are scheduled to return to Raleigh next week, and Democrats say they’re concerned the session will include new funding for private school vouchers.

Last fall, the North Carolina General Assembly expanded eligibility for Opportunity Scholarships, which are state-funded vouchers to help families pay private school tuition. For the upcoming school year, any family, regardless of income, could apply to get a voucher. With that change, demand tripled, and families still on the waitlist are ramping up their call for funds.

A lower-than-expected revenue surplus could delay extra funding for a private school voucher program.

Two education reporters talk to co-host Jeff Tiberii about the past, present and future of North Carolina's Opportunity Scholarships. Then, education advocates join the conversation to share their perspectives on the pros and cons of the private school voucher program.

The North Carolina Senate has approved legislation to set aside roughly $500 million more for now for programs that provide taxpayer money to help K-12 students attend private schools.

State Senate leaders want to spend $248 million in the coming school year to ensure that private school vouchers are available to every family that applied, regardless of their income level.

About 2,300 more North Carolina families were just notified their kids will get private-school vouchers for 2024. But about 56,000 could be denied Opportunity Scholarships unless the General Assembly approves more money.