Fact Check: North Carolina's teacher pay ranks 43rd in the nation.

Fact Check: "North Carolina's teacher pay ranks 43rd in the nation."

What We Know

Recent reports indicate that North Carolina's average public school teacher salary has indeed dropped to 43rd in the nation. According to the National Education Association (NEA), North Carolina's ranking fell five spots from 38th to 43rd in their annual report comparing teacher salaries across states for the 2023-2024 school year. The average salary for teachers in North Carolina is reported to be $58,292, which is significantly lower than the national average of $72,030, placing North Carolina behind all of its neighboring states and only ahead of four other states in the South (WUNC, NCAE).

Analysis

The NEA's annual report is a credible source for evaluating teacher salaries, as it is the largest labor union representing public school employees in the United States. The data used in their rankings is derived from official state education department figures, which adds to its reliability (NCAE). The report highlights that North Carolina's teacher pay has been declining relative to other states, which aligns with statements from educational leaders in the state expressing concern over the implications of low teacher salaries on the quality of education (WUNC, News Observer).

Critics of North Carolina's educational funding policies, such as Bryan Proffitt from the North Carolina Association of Educators, emphasize that this decline in ranking is indicative of broader issues within the state's commitment to public education. Proffitt noted that when he began teaching in 2004, North Carolina's teacher pay was near the national average, suggesting a concerning trend of stagnation or decline in teacher compensation (WUNC).

While the NEA report is widely cited and respected, it is important to consider that rankings can vary slightly depending on the methodology used by different organizations. However, in this case, the consistency of the NEA's findings with other reports on teacher salaries in North Carolina strengthens the claim's validity (WRAL, NC Spin).

Conclusion

The claim that "North Carolina's teacher pay ranks 43rd in the nation" is True. The evidence from the NEA's annual report confirms this ranking, and the data reflects a significant gap between North Carolina's teacher salaries and the national average. The consistent reporting from multiple credible sources further supports this conclusion.