Press Releases

Raleigh, NC – Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina announces the launch of EduBuilder, a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to help edupreneurs overcome barriers to starting and expanding private schools in North Carolina. EduBuilder will provide resources, strategic guidance, and advocacy to empower school leaders and visionaries to create new educational opportunities. The program aims to add thousands of private school seats across the state in the coming year, ensuring more families have access to high-quality education. 

“EduBuilder represents a bold next step for advancing educational freedom in North Carolina,” said Mike Long, President of PEFNC. “As demand for school choice grows, families need more private school seats so that scholarships translate into real opportunities.  I am pleased to welcome Renee Griffith, an experienced school founder, community leader, and lifelong advocate for children and educational freedom to lead this groundbreaking effort." 

Despite our greatest optimism that Governor Stein would choose to listen to the needs of families as they make decisions about their children’s education, we regret to inform you that he has officially signed a veto of HB 87, the bill that would opt North Carolina into the national school choice program. 

In his statement, he says that he supports school choice. Yet, he used his first opportunity as Governor to strike down the opportunity for your families to access scholarships that could give you more flexibility in educating your children. His words of support are hollow. 

Qualified expenses within this national program include tuition, fees, tutoring, special needs services, curriculum materials, supplementary items and services, transportation, computer technology or equipment. 

Raleigh, NC — In a bold move for educational freedom, the NC Senate has moved HB 87 forward, which launches North Carolina into a new era of school choice by opting into the federal school choice program authorized through the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill,” which was signed into law on Independence Day. The bill created a federal tax credit to taxpayers who donate to a scholarship granting organization. This will help more families access an education that best fits their child’s needs. HB 87 positions North Carolina to become one of the first states to embrace this opportunity. 

Statement from Mike Long, President of PEFNC:  

“Despite the uphill battle to bring the federal school choice program to fruition, it is now the law of the land. The requirement for states to opt-in was added at the 11th hour and put a barrier in front of many states, including ours. However, we are fortunate to have a school-choice friendly legislature – and a bold and transformative leader in Senator Phil Berger – that is taking swift action to bring public policy to life for families throughout North Carolina.  

Raleigh, NC – Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina (PEFNC) commends the North Carolina Senate for the introduction of the state budget which protects funding for the Opportunity Scholarship Program. In a time of fiscal belt-tightening, legislative leaders are sending a clear message: parental school choice remains a top priority. 

The budget maintains funding growth for the Opportunity Scholarship Program over the biennium, ensuring continued access to the state scholarship program that has afforded access to schools of choice for tens of thousands of families across the state. This investment reflects the overwhelming demand for the program, evidenced by its 143% growth in recipients between 2023-24 and 2024-25, and with more than 40,000 parents applying for a scholarship this year alone.  

Raleigh, NC – Mike Long, President of Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina, released the following statement in support regarding the Senate confirmation of Linda McMahon as the 13th US Secretary of Education: 

“Linda McMahon, a North Carolina native, is a proven leader and a champion of opportunity. She shares the same vision I do: ‘fund students, not systems.’ As we bear witness to our Nation’s Report Card, where K12 math and reading levels are at their lowest in years, we would be foolish to repeat the same thing over and over and expect different results. With McMahon at the helm of the Department of Education, we can rest assured that the age of one-size-fits-all solutions that prioritize compliance over creativity and bureaucracy over results is dead. 

No matter the choice — public, private, public charter, microschool, or homeschool — our hope is that every child receives the education that fits them best, with funding that follows wherever they learn. 

January 30th, 2025 (Raleigh, NC) - Mike Long, President of Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina (PEFNC), on President Donald Trump's executive order regarding educational freedom and school choice:

"With the eyes of the nation watching during this National School Choice Week, President Trump has reaffirmed his commitment to school choice with yesterday’s executive order. Following the historic expansion in our home state—thanks to the North Carolina General Assembly—Congress now has the opportunity to follow suit by supporting the President’s pro-school choice agenda, including passing the Educational Choice for Children Act and expanding parental and family empowerment across America.

January 24th, 2025 (Raleigh, NC) – Parents for Educational Freedom North Carolina (PEFNC)  is excited to announce a series of celebratory events in honor of National School Choice Week. These events, taking place on January 27th and January 28th, will occur at two schools to highlight the diverse educational opportunities available to families in the state.

As part of the celebration, state legislators will visit schools, read a book to the students, and participate in guided tours. During these visits, legislators will meet students who benefit from North Carolina’s educational options, gaining first-hand insights into the transformative impact of school choice programs. Representative Erin Paré will visit RISE Charter School in Raleigh, Senator Brad Overcash will visit Gaston Christian School in Gastonia, and Senator Val Applewhite will visit Grace Community School in Fayetteville.

Raleigh, NC (November 20, 2024) – Mike Long, President of Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina, released the following statement regarding the veto override of HB10 from the North Carolina General Assembly. 

"A historic expansion of parental school choice is now a reality in North Carolina. By overriding Governor Cooper’s veto of HB10, the legislature sends a clear message that our state will continue to invest in students over systems.  

Earlier this year, a record number of families applied for Opportunity Scholarships, creating a waitlist of over 50,000 students. Today, students and families need to wait no further, and while we know that thousands of families in our state will benefit from this historic expansion, we have more work to do to ensure that everyone in North Carolina can send their child to the school of their choice.

Raleigh, NC (September 20, 2024) -- Mike Long, President of Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina, released the following statement to respond to Governor Cooper's veto of a bill that would fully fund the Opportunity Scholarship Program waitlist and add funds to the Education Student Accounts (ESA+) Program. 

Make no mistake about it, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has been opposed to the Opportunity Scholarship Program since day one, calling it an “expense we should stop in our state,” and today following through by vetoing House Bill 10, pointing to the Opportunity Scholarship Program is his reason why.