TREAT PUBLIC SCHOOLS EQUALLY
JLF research shows how traditional public schools would fare under standards imposed on public charter schools

New research from the John Locke Foundation, North Carolina's leading think tank, shows that Under the new "Revocation of Charter for Lack of Academic Performance" policy, only low-performing charter schools are subject to closure by the NC State Board of Education. There is no equivalent policy for district schools. This study asks how many public schools would close if the state instituted that policy three years ago and applied to charter and district schools alike. The study found that, according to state testing results for the last three years, the State Board of Education would be forced to close 164 public schools. Of those closed schools, 155 would be district schools, three would be alternative district schools, and six would be charter schools. Overall, the state would close 6.5 percent of the total district and district alternative schools in North Carolina and 6.2 percent of the state’s charter schools. The argument is not that the state should close all those schools, however; it is that State Board of Education regard all regular public schools as equals. Substantive policies should apply to all of them or none of them.

More than 150 traditional N.C. schools would close under new charter school restrictions

RALEIGH -- School districts across North Carolina would be forced to close more than 150 traditional schools, if the State Board of Education extended new charter school performance standards to all public schools. That's the conclusion the John Locke Foundation's top education expert reaches in a new Spotlight report.

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Triad would lose 37 district schools under stricter state scrutiny

RALEIGH -- School districts across North Carolina would be forced to close more than 150 traditional schools, if the State Board of Education extended new charter school performance standards to all public schools. That's the conclusion the John Locke Foundation's top education expert reaches in a new Spotlight report.

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Sandhills region would lose 28 district schools under stricter state scrutiny

RALEIGH -- School districts across North Carolina would be forced to close more than 150 traditional schools, if the State Board of Education extended new charter school performance standards to all public schools. That's the conclusion the John Locke Foundation's top education expert reaches in a new Spotlight report.

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A down economy needs responsible government

New unemployment peak should prompt policy changes

RALEIGH -- North Carolina's latest record-breaking unemployment numbers and recent projections of slow economic growth should prompt the state's elected leaders to rethink their tax and spending policies. That's the recommendation of the John Locke Foundation's chief budget analyst.

President wants to double down on bad ideas as economy struggles

RALEIGH -- North Carolina's 10th straight month of double-digit unemployment should raise doubts about the president's latest promise of economic stimulus. That's the reaction from the John Locke Foundation's top budget analyst as the state releases its latest unemployment figures.

For open, transparent government

More open, accountable government would build voter trust

RALEIGH -- Government agencies that shine light on their work use resources more wisely, find potential budget savings more easily, and give taxpayers more reasons to trust them. The John Locke Foundation's top budget analyst reaches that conclusion in a new Policy Report.

New Web site helps taxpayers track government transparency

RALEIGH -- Taxpayers throughout North Carolina will have an easier time keeping tabs on their state and local governments, thanks to NCTransparency.com, a new Web site produced by the John Locke Foundation.