New student achievement data shows a mixed bag of results for North Carolina’s 4th and 8th grades students. That fact has created more debate over whether North Carolina made the right decision in adopting the Common Core education standards in 2010. John Locke Foundation Director of Research and Education Studies Terry Stoops delves into the test scores in reading and math and explains why neither supporters of Common Core nor detractors of Common Core should be hanging their hats on these results. Then we turn to a discussion about compensation for state legislators. The average North Carolina legislator earns base pay of less than $14,000 per year, though other regular payments for mileage and expenses can drive that pay up to $40,000 during years with long legislative sessions. Legislative leaders recently asked the National Conference of State Legislatures to compare North Carolina to other states. You’ll hear highlights from the NCSL report, along with reaction from N.C. lawmakers. Next is a look at one of two new Cabinet-level state departments in our state. One of the departments combines military and veterans services in one place. Gov. Pat McCrory recently appointed retired Marine Major Gen. Cornell Wilson to lead the department. You’ll hear Wilson’s priorities for the new job. That’s followed by a look at economics and higher education. Many university business schools fall short when it comes to teaching students the basics of the free-market economic system. Derek Yonai, head of the Center for Free Enterprise at Florida Southern College, explains why an education in free markets is essential to a well-rounded business education. And finally, we look at Obamacare as the latest enrollment period gets underway. John Locke Foundation Health Care Policy Analyst Katherine Restrepo discusses who is and isn’t enrolling and why, and looks at the unkept promise of lower health care costs made by Obamacare supporters.
NAEP Scores Show Mixed Results For NC Students
Related
State Supreme Court questions defamation lawsuit against 2016 McCrory boosters
The North Carolina Supreme Court raised concerns Thursday about a lawsuit targeting lawyers who helped file election protests after the state’s 2016 governor’s race. One justice described the plaintiffs as asking the court to “blow up” protections provided to people engaged in those protests.
Riggs to sit out 2016 election defamation case
State Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs will not take part in an upcoming defamation case stemming from the 2016 governor’s election. Riggs revealed Monday that she had recused herself from the case before defendants filed a motion requesting her recusal last week. The case Bouvier v. Porter is scheduled for oral arguments on April 11.
Study: Only 2% of state lawmakers come from working class
North Carolina in among 10 states where zero current lawmakers hold or last worked in manual labor, service industry, clerical, or other jobs that the Duke researchers considered "working class."
Dems hope to defend governor’s office
Since the turn of the 20th century, North Carolina voters have picked Republicans for governor just four times: Jim Holshouser in 1972, Jim Martin in 1984 and 1988, and Pat McCrory in 2012. In each case, there was no Democratic incumbent. In each case, the GOP presidential candidate also won North Carolina. A similar scenario...