Leandro v. State of North Carolina
Announcing a BIG WIN for children!
On November 4, 2022, the North Carolina Supreme Court once again affirmed the right of every child to a sound basic education and called for funding to be released to support the constitutional standard.
Leandro v. State of North Carolina
The North Carolina Supreme Court decision affirms:
A sound basic education is the constitutional right of every child.
North Carolina has been failing to meet students’ basic needs.
The state constitution guarantees that all North Carolina children have access to a sound, basic education.
However, since the Leandro v. State of North Carolina case was filed in 1994, the courts have consistently found that far too few students are receiving an education that meets the state’s minimum standard.
“THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS
are NOT being prepared for full participation…
in the society in which they will live, work, and engage as citizens.”
Judge W. David Lee, North Carolina Superior Court, Leandro v. State
The plan provides a detailed roadmap of education policy for lawmakers to follow.
The Leandro Comprehensive Remedial Plan (Leandro Plan) was ordered by the court as a resolution for Leandro v. State to ensure every child has access to a sound basic education by 2028.
The Leandro Plan:
“THE [LEANDRO] RECOMMENDATIONS
are not a “menu” of options, but a comprehensive set of fiscal, programmatic, and strategic steps necessary to achieve the outcomes for students required by our State Constitution.”
Judge W. David Lee, 6-7-2021
Provides qualified and diverse teachers and principals in every school who are supported with training and professional development.
Provides a school funding system that’s adequate and equitable, with schools with the greatest need receiving extra support.
Reduces schools’ narrow focus on standardized tests by lowering the stakes and overhauling discriminatory accountability practices.
Invests in high-quality early education (birth to age 5) programs, such as early intervention, prekindergarten, and affordable daycare.
Strengthens pathways from high school to college and career by providing more relevant experience and training.
The North Carolina General Assembly makes the policy and budget decisions for North Carolina public schools.
Our state legislators have taken an oath to uphold the state constitution, which includes providing for free public schools and maintaining the educational standard.
The Leandro Plan is NOT optional.
Schools can’t provide what our children need without fair policy and adequate funding.
Luckily, we can afford it since North Carolina has $ BILLIONS in unused revenue.
Right now, the state has unprecedented resource availability that will allow FULL funding of the Leandro Plan’s initial years.
For the sake of North Carolina’s future, we can’t afford to deny our children their most basic rights.
Overview of the Leandro Plan.
Leandro Plan
Communities for the Education of Every Child NC
Comunidades para la Educación de Cada Niño NC
We are a community-led, statewide coalition of organizations, parents, teachers, and students who advocate for every child’s constitutional right to a sound basic education.