What’s in this issue
✅ Test scores explained
✅ North Meck highlights
✅ Where we still struggle
✅ Teacher retention and recruitment
✅ The state budget fight
A Note from Melissa
Thank you for taking the time to read this month’s Chalk Talk. My apologies for getting this out later than usual — I was trying to wait until all of the data had been officially released. But I didn’t want to wait any longer because this information is too important for our community to understand and celebrate.
At a Glance
- CMS made historic gains in reading (+5.2%), math (+4.6%), and high school Math III (+8.2%).
- 89% of schools met or exceeded growth — highest in district history.
- North Meck schools are leading the way — Bailey Middle (**), North Meck High (*), Croft & Mallard Creek Elementary among top performers.
- Teacher turnover is down (18% → 14.1%), but state budget delays are stalling raises while over $1 billion in taxpayer dollars is redirected to private schools with no accountability.
Board Meeting Highlights (Sept 9)
The September 9th Board of Education meeting was filled with moments of pride and celebration:
- Student Spotlight
- The pledge was led by Liana Patel, a 4th grader from Tuckaseegee Elementary, who shared a moving essay on Hope.
- The Board celebrated 34 students in grades 3–5 who raised their reading scores — proof that our Student Outcomes Focused Governance (SOFG) model is making an impact in classrooms.
- Data Celebrations
- CMS outperformed North Carolina overall in grade-level proficiency:
- Reading (grades 3–8): +5.2%
- Math (grades 3–8): +4.6%
- Math III (high school): +8.2%
- 156 schools (89.1%) met or exceeded growth — the most in CMS history.
- 115 schools (65.7%) exceeded growth — also a record high.
- CMS ranked #10 out of 115 NC districts for growth — our highest rank ever.
- 123 schools (70%) earned A, B, or C grades, up 21 schools from last year.
- 55 schools improved letter grades — largest single-year increase in district history.
- 31 schools removed from the “low-performing” list, the biggest decrease ever.
- CMS outperformed the state in English Learner progress.
- CMS outperformed North Carolina overall in grade-level proficiency:
What this shows: Our strategies are working, our teachers and leaders are incredible, and our students — no matter their zip code — are excelling.
How Testing Works in North Carolina
What Tests Are Given?
- Grades 3–8: End-of-Grade (EOG) tests in Reading and Math; Science in grades 5 and 8.
- High School: End-of-Course (EOC) exams in Math I, Math III, English II, and Biology.
- English Learners: Additional testing to measure language progress.
What Do the Scores Mean?
- Level 1–2: Below grade level
- Level 3: Proficient → on grade level
- Level 4–5: College & Career Ready (CCR) → on grade level and ready for what comes next
Think of it like a ladder: Level 3 means you’re standing on the rung; Levels 4–5 mean you’re climbing higher and preparing for the future.
What is “Growth”?
- Measures progress compared to last year, not just where a student is today.
- A student can be below grade level but still meet growth if they made more than a year’s progress.
Growth = how far you’ve come. Proficiency = where you are now.
How Are School Grades Calculated?
- 80% = proficiency
- 20% = growth
This means a school serving struggling students can still get credit for helping kids move forward.
SOFG & Board Goals
Our aim is not just to “pass” but to prepare students for graduation, college, and the workforce.
Under SOFG, the Board sets goals based on CCR (Levels 4–5), not just proficiency.
The Good News (CMS + North Meck 2024–25)
CMS made historic gains this year:
- Reading (3–8): +5.2% proficiency → thousands more readers on grade level.
- Math (3–8): +4.6% proficiency → strong recovery from pandemic setbacks.
- Math III: +8.2% proficiency → more students on track for graduation and college.
- 89.1% of schools met or exceeded growth — highest in history.
- 65.7% of schools exceeded growth — ranking CMS #10 out of 115 NC districts.
Plain language: More kids are learning more, faster than ever before. CMS is catching up and climbing ahead statewide.
North Mecklenburg Schools Shine
Elementary
- Croft Community – Exceeded Growth
- Mallard Creek Elementary – Exceeded Growth
- Barnette, Cornelius, Grand Oak, Highland Creek, Huntersville, Long Creek, Parkside – Met Growth
Middle / K–8
- Bailey Middle – Top Growth Tier
- North Academy of WL – Exceeded Growth
- Davidson K–8 – Met Growth
High Schools
- North Mecklenburg High – High Growth
- Mallard Creek High – Met Growth
North Meck schools are leading the way — from Bailey Middle’s top-tier recognition to North Meck High’s strong growth.
Where We Still Struggle
- Reading: Fewer than half of some grades are reading on grade level. Early literacy (K–3) is still a key focus.
- Math: Middle school math is one of the toughest areas; proficiency lags behind reading.
- Achievement Gaps: Students from low-income families, English Learners, students with disabilities, and students of color are making gains, but gaps remain.
- School Grades: 30% of CMS schools are still rated D or F under the state’s A–F system, which heavily weights proficiency over growth.
What We’re Doing About It
- Reading: Fewer than half of some grades are reading on grade level. Early literacy (K–3) is still a key focus.
- Math: Middle school math is one of the toughest areas; proficiency lags behind reading.
- Achievement Gaps: Students from low-income families, English Learners, students with disabilities, and students of color are making gains, but gaps remain.
- School Grades: 30% of CMS schools are still rated D or F under the state’s A–F system, which heavily weights proficiency over growth.
Teacher Retention, Recruitment & the State Budget
Statewide Picture
- Teacher turnover dropped from 11.5% → 9.9%, but still higher than the 7-year average.
- Early-career teachers (0–3 years) leave at higher rates — nearly 1 in 5 last year.
- Vacancies remain high: 7,000+ open positions statewide.
CMS Progress
- Vacancies reduced from 516 → 276.
- 97% of positions are filled.
- Turnover fell from 18% → 14.1%.
- Beginning teacher attrition dropped from 23% → 8%.
- Residency program expanded: 180 completions this year, 300+ new candidates next year.
Teacher Insight Survey
- 88% plan to continue teaching in NC.
- 91% say their school is a good place to work & learn.
State Budget Update
- The NCGA has not passed a full budget. Mini-budgets cover enrollment growth and step increases, but raises and investments are frozen.
- Meanwhile, over $1 billion in recurring funds is being directed to Opportunity Scholarships (private school vouchers) through 2033–34.
- Private schools receiving voucher money face none of the accountability requirements that public schools must meet, such as:
- Building safety inspections
- Employee & volunteer background checks
- Licensed principals and certified teachers
- State-set salaries and pay ranges
- Transportation services
- Free and reduced lunch programs
- Exceptional Children’s services (special education)
- State curriculum and standards
- Graduation requirements
- Procurement rules & open public records
- Class size limits
- End-of-Grade (EOG) tests & School Performance Grades
- Oversight and interventions for low-performing schools
Private schools receiving vouchers have none of these requirements — yet they are receiving over $1 billion in taxpayer funds.
My Role as a Board Member — and Why I Need Your Help
As a 19-year teacher, I know what it takes to stay in the classroom — and why so many leave. As your Board representative, I’ve pushed for:
- Protected planning time
- Mentoring and coaching for new teachers
- Pipeline programs like the Teaching Residency to recruit and keep educators here
But here’s the truth: I cannot win the fight for resources alone.
I will keep fighting here in CMS for teacher planning time, mentoring, and pipelines to bring new educators into our classrooms. But I need your help. Use your voice, share this story, and join me in pushing our state leaders to prioritize public schools and the teachers who serve every child, every day.
Three Ways You Can Help
- Contact your representatives — Tell them you expect a budget that funds public schools fairly and supports teachers.
- Stay informed and share — Forward this Chalk Talk, talk to neighbors, and spread the facts about what’s at stake.
- Show up for our schools — Attend school events, volunteer, and thank our teachers — your support makes a difference.
League of Women Voters
Last spring the League of Women Voters (Non -partisan) —along with 20 other local and state groups—conducted a well-attended event: The Public School Funding Crisis: What’s at Stake for Charlotte-Mecklenburg?
This event prompted the creation of the New Mecklenburg Community Resolves urging our legislators to increase teacher pay and to fully fund our public schools.
And now, the funding crisis has deepened! Districts around the state are reeling from the uncertainty around federal funding. And, when state funding matters more than ever, we still don’t have a final budget for this school year.
In response, the NC League’s Education Action Team created the North Carolina Community Resolves for Fully Funded Public Education–a call to action for all North Carolinians who agree that it’s not okay that…
· NC ranks 48th in per-pupil spending
· NC spends almost $5,000 less per student than the national average
· teacher salaries are ranked 43rd
· future funding is threatened by state income tax cuts and the diversion of funds to private school vouchers
I have a copy of the North Carolina Resolves for each of you—and for anyone here tonight who would like one. When the legislature meets in two weeks, we will present every legislator with the NC Resolves along with at least 1500 signatures. We are off to a good start with more than 1110 signatures from 61 counties, but we need your help.
Please… 1. Read and sign the NC Resolves using the QR code.
2. Share with friends, family, and community groups.
3. Reach out to friends and allies in counties across the state.
For the sake of the almost 1.5 million public school students in North Carolina, join us in ensuring that the General Assembly hears that it is time to fully fund our public schools and ensure every child has what they need to learn. Thank you.
League of Women Voters
Next Minute with Melissa
Mark your calendars! I’ll be hosting the next Minute with Melissa at Lost Worlds Brewing in Cornelius on Saturday, October 19th from 1–2 PM.
Join me for an informal conversation about our schools, our community, and what’s ahead for CMS.
Keep Me in the Fight
Every win we’ve celebrated — from historic growth gains to stronger teacher pipelines — comes from staying focused on kids, teachers, and classrooms. But I can’t do this work alone.
If you believe in public schools, if you believe in teachers, if you believe in fairness for every child — I need your help to stay in office so I can keep fighting for you.
You can make a difference today:
- Donate to help us share this message across our community.
- Sign up to volunteer and stand with me in this fight for strong, accountable public schools.
Together, we can keep moving our schools — and our kids — forward.
