Widespread education funding disparities have sparked lawsuits in more than 40 states, including North Carolina, where the state Supreme Court established in Leandro v. State of North Carolina that the state has a constitutional responsibility to provide every student with an equal opportunity for a sound, basic education. Research identifies key challenges and approaches to creating access and opportunity for all students. At the request of the court, the Learning Policy Institute (LPI)—in partnership with WestEd and the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation—has developed a series of research reports, associated briefs, and an overall Action Plan to provide a research base to inform state policy reform.

The study and related recommendations informed North Carolina’s Comprehensive Remedial Plan, developed by the state and approved by the Leandro court in June 2021. The findings of this study continue to guide policymakers and educators in North Carolina as they work to implement the plan and ensure that all children in the state are afforded a sound, basic education.