Press Releases

Mike Long, President of Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina, on the passage of the state Senate budget:

Mike Long, President of Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina, on the passage of a historic parental school choice bill, HB 823:

Raleigh, NC (April 19, 2023) -- Mike Long, President of Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina, released the following statement in regard to plaintiffs, including the North Carolina Association of Educators, dropping a lawsuit challenging North Carolina's Opportunity Scholarship Program:

"The NCAE should have never filed this lawsuit in the first place. Their political motivations were clear, despite the fact that the North Carolina Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Opportunity Scholarship Program in 2015. 

Raleigh, NC (April 6, 2023) -- Mike Long, President of Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina, released the following statement in regard to the NC House of Representative's budget.

A unique website that helps families explore K-12 school options in North Carolina is announcing major upgrades. 

NC Schools Around Me, a project of Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina (PEFNC), was built and launched in 2016. 

July 1, 2022 (Raleigh, NC) -- Among other things, the budget bill will increase the Opportunity Scholarship Program by $56M for the 2023-24 school year and expand eligibility for students in households with an income level not in excess of 200% of the amount required to qualify for the federal free or reduced-price lunch program. Additionally, the budget will increase funding for the Special Needs Education Savings Account (ESA+) by $16M for the coming school year (2022-23). This should help families currently on the ESA+ waitlist to have access to the necessary resources to assist their child with special needs. 

The first month of Opportunity Scholarship applications highlights incredible demand for the program  

Raleigh, NC (Wednesday, March 9, 2022) – Families across North Carolina have flooded the Opportunity Scholarship Program with new applications for the coming school year (2022-23), according to the latest data from the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority and school choice advocacy organization Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina (PEFNC).  

In the first month of new applications (applications opened on February 1, 2022), 9,136 new students (and their families) applied for the program, which provides scholarships up to $6,168 for students to attend the private school of their choice. In addition to the vast demand from new applicants, to date, 16,299 students (and their families) have accepted their renewal offer for the coming school year; these are students already on scholarship who are saying right away that they will return to their private school of choice with the scholarship in the Fall.  

Only Five Educators from North Carolina Selected in First-Ever Honor for Teachers

Charlotte, NC (Friday, January 28, 2022) -- In celebration of National School Choice Week, Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina is honoring and awarding five educators in our state as part of the first-ever National School Choice Week North Carolina Educators of the Year.

National School Choice Week is the world’s largest celebration of opportunity in education and is a nonpartisan, nonpolitical public awareness effort. Nominations poured in from across the state, and one of the five winners is from Charlotte.

Kimberly Williams is a 17-year educator and teaches from 6th through the 12th grade at Victory Christian Center School.

Only Five Educators from North Carolina Selected in First-Ever Honor for Teachers

Wilmington, NC (Thursday, January 27, 2022) -- In celebration of National School Choice Week, Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina is honoring and awarding five educators in our state as part of the first-ever National School Choice Week North Carolina Educators of the Year.

National School Choice Week is the world’s largest celebration of opportunity in education and is a nonpartisan, nonpolitical public awareness effort. Nominations poured in from across the state, and one of the five winners is from Wilmington.

Heather Fahnestock has been an educator for more than 20 years and currently focuses on math and sciences for the 9th through the 12th grade at Waterview Learning Academy.

Only Five Educators from North Carolina Selected in First-Ever Honor for Teachers

Fayetteville, NC (Wednesday, January 26, 2022) -- In celebration of National School Choice Week, Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina is honoring and awarding five educators in our state as part of the first-ever National School Choice Week North Carolina Educators of the Year.

National School Choice Week is the world’s largest celebration of opportunity in education and is a nonpartisan, nonpolitical public awareness effort. Nominations poured in from across the state, and one of the five winners is from Fayetteville.

Shannon Johnston is a 42-year educator and teaches classes for 6th through the 12th grade at The School of Hope.