It's time to 'get cracking' and work on public schools

AI-assisted summary

North Carolina's student test scores have slightly increased but remain below pre-pandemic levels.

Significant performance gaps persist between students of different racial and economic backgrounds.

Third-grade reading proficiency has declined, despite new statewide reading strategies being implemented.

The author advocates for a multi-faceted approach to school improvement, including teacher pay, school choice, and curriculum reform.

RALEIGH — Test scores are up for North Carolina’s public-school students — a welcome development, although the news isn’t all good.

On average, 55% of students in grades three or higher tested proficient on last year’s state exams. For the 2023-24 school year, that figure was 54.2%. In 2018-19, the last full academic year before COVI