22-23 End of year impact report FINAL - Flipbook - Page 10
Policy Briefs
In December 2022, CREED released our third policy brief: Color-Coded Curriculum - How North Carolina’s Academic Tracking
Regime Creates Micro-Segregation and What Our State Can Do To Remedy It, authored by Trey Ferguson, an Associate Attorney
at Sumrell Sugg, P.A., in New Bern, North Carolina.
This policy brief highlighted the problems associated with academic tracking, the practice of separating students into di昀昀erent classes
based on perceived academic ability or past performance. Students are 昀椀rst tracked in elementary school and typically remain on a track
once assigned. Following an overview of the issue, the brief examines the origins of academic tracking, describes how the practice is
currently used in North Carolina’s public schools, and then outlines ways that academic tracking harms students, particularly students
of color.
The brief concludes by proposing three possible alternatives to the current academic tracking system which deny students of color
access to high-quality education: 1) eliminate the tracking system altogether, 2) alter the teacher-recommendation process to limit the
impact of conscious and unconscious bias on which students are selected for advanced level courses, and 3) allow students to selfselect into honors and advanced level courses.
Reflecting on Education Policy in North Carolina
Dr. Jerry J. Wilson, Director of Policy and Advocacy
The education policy landscape in North Carolina was fraught this year. The state legislature introduced several bills that threatened to
outlaw racial equity e昀昀orts in public schools and prohibit school districts from hiring educators who have advocated for social Justice
in the past (HB187).
Lawmakers also proposed anti LGBTQ+ bills modeled after Florida’s dangerous “Don’t Say Gay” law. The bill passed the legislature, but
Governor Roy Cooper vetoed it, citing the harm it would cause to students, families, and educators. However, the majority party in the
Legislature voted to override the veto after a member of the minority party switched parties shortly after being reelected.
As the legislative session nears an end, many questions remain about the state budget and public education funding. Lawmakers recently
approved unlimited expansion of charter schools despite opposition from the governor, and have proposed a massive expansion of the
state’s private school voucher program that began in 2014. Educators, advocates, and families are at the mercy of elected o昀케cials who
have demonstrated willingness to pass unpopular policies that would harm students while refusing to ful昀椀ll their constitutional obligation
to increase education funding under the Leandro case.
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