North Carolina Board of Education Strategic Plan Aligns with Sustainable Development Goals

The North Carolina State Board of Education has adopted a five-year strategic plan aimed at positioning the state’s public schools as national leaders by 2030. The plan, developed following stakeholder consultations, demonstrates a strong commitment to achieving key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), primarily SDG 4 (Quality Education), with significant contributions to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Core Objectives and Alignment with SDG 4 (Quality Education)

The plan establishes seven key performance indicators designed to advance educational quality, equity, and outcomes for approximately 1.5 million students. These objectives directly support the targets outlined in SDG 4.

Key Performance Goals

1. Increase the four-year high school graduation rate to 92% from the current 86.9%, directly addressing SDG Target 4.1 on ensuring all youth complete free, equitable, and quality secondary education.
2. Achieve a composite score of 20 on the ACT, enhancing standards for tertiary education preparedness as per SDG Target 4.3.
3. Raise Advanced Placement (AP) participation to 30% among sophomores, juniors, and seniors, promoting access to advanced learning.
4. Expand Career Technical Education (CTE) participation to 41% of all K-12 students, directly supporting SDG Target 4.4 by equipping youth with relevant skills for employment and decent jobs.
5. Maintain 89% enrollment of school-aged children in public schools, contributing to inclusive education systems under SDG 10.
6. Lead the Southeast region in educator compensation, a critical component for achieving SDG Target 4.c by increasing the supply of qualified teachers through attractive and decent work conditions (SDG 8).
7. Achieve national leadership in the National Association for Educational Preparedness (NAEP) reading and math scores, a direct measure of progress toward SDG Target 4.6 on literacy and numeracy.

Strategic Pillars Supporting Institutional Strength and Partnerships

The plan is supported by eight strategic pillars that provide a framework for implementation. These pillars reflect a holistic approach that aligns with the principles of building strong institutions and fostering collaborative partnerships.

Foundational Pillars for Sustainable Implementation

• Prepare each student for their next phase in life: Aligns with SDG 4 by focusing on relevant and effective learning outcomes.
• Revere public school educators: Supports SDG Target 4.c and SDG 8 by promoting decent work and professional respect for teachers.
• Enhance parent, caregiver and community support: Embodies the principles of SDG 17 by fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships.
• Ensure healthy, safe and secure learning environments: Directly addresses SDG Target 4.a to build and upgrade education facilities that are child-friendly, inclusive, and safe.
• Optimize operational excellence: Contributes to SDG 16 by developing effective, accountable, and transparent institutions.
• Lead transformative change: A commitment to innovation in pursuit of the overarching educational goals.
• Celebrate the excellence in public education: Fosters a positive culture and reinforces the value of public education systems.
• Galvanize champions to fully invest in and support public education: A call to action for broad societal partnership and investment, central to SDG 17.

The initiative’s development, which included a listening tour with educators, students, parents, and community members, exemplifies the collaborative approach of SDG 17. A public launch is scheduled for August 20 at Centennial Campus Magnet School in Raleigh, furthering the commitment to transparency and public engagement.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

• SDG 4: Quality Education – This is the primary goal addressed, as the entire article discusses North Carolina’s five-year strategic plan to improve its public school system, focusing on graduation rates, test scores, teacher compensation, and student participation in advanced and vocational programs.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – This goal is relevant through the specific aim to improve educator compensation, which relates to ensuring decent work for teachers.

Specific Targets Identified

SDG 4: Quality Education

1. Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.
   • Explanation: The article directly supports this target by stating a primary goal of the strategic plan is “Graduating 92% of high school students within four years.” This is a direct measure of completing secondary education. The focus on achieving “national leadership in the National Association for Educational Preparedness reading and math scores” also aligns with ensuring “effective learning outcomes.”
2. Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.
   • Explanation: The plan includes a goal of “41% career technical education participation among all K-12 students.” This directly addresses the need to provide students with technical and vocational skills for future employment.
3. Target 4.6: By 2030, ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy.
   • Explanation: The goal to achieve a “composite score of 20 for the ACT” and to lead in “reading and math scores” on the Nation’s Report Card are direct measures of literacy and numeracy proficiency among youth.
4. Target 4.c: By 2030, substantially increase the supply of qualified teachers…
   • Explanation: The plan aims to “lead the Southeast in educator compensation” and includes a strategic pillar to “revere public school educators.” While not a direct measure of teacher training, improving compensation is a key strategy to attract, retain, and increase the supply of qualified teachers.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

1. Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men… and equal pay for work of equal value.
   • Explanation: The goal to “lead the Southeast in educator compensation” is a direct effort to ensure decent work and fair pay for educators, who are a critical part of the workforce.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

Indicators for SDG 4 Targets

• For Target 4.1:
  • Completion Rate: The article specifies a clear indicator: “Graduating 92% of high school students within four years.” This is a direct measurement of the upper secondary completion rate.
  • Proficiency in Reading and Math: The goal of achieving “national leadership in the National Association for Educational Preparedness [NAEP] reading and math scores” serves as a specific indicator for learning outcomes.
• For Target 4.4:
  • Participation in Vocational Education: The article provides the indicator of “41% career technical education participation among all K-12 students.”
• For Target 4.6:
  • Proficiency in Literacy and Numeracy: The goal of a “composite score of 20 for the ACT” is a measurable indicator of functional literacy and numeracy skills for students preparing for post-secondary education.
• For Target 4.c:
  • Teacher Compensation: The goal to “lead the Southeast in educator compensation” is used as an implied proxy indicator for attracting and retaining qualified teachers.

Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: blackchronicle.com