Early college high schools are among NC's top options. Why is a funding cut possible?

RALEIGH -- North Carolina’s early college high schools have been among the state’s most successful schools, with high graduation rates and school test scores.

But some schools could be forced to close because of proposed state budget cuts.

State Senate budget writers have proposed phasing out $26 million in extra funding that the early colleges receive as part of their mission of providing high school students with access to college courses. School leaders across the state are warning that the loss of the supplemental state funding means some early colleges, especially those in rural communities, won’t have enough money to stay open.

“If they’re not going to have the supplemental funding, they’re going to have to scale back dramatically or not be able to continue,” said Elizabeth Yelverton, legal affairs and policy manager for the N.C. Association of School Administrators. “There’s a very good chance that a lot of schools will close without the funding.”

Read more: https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article231561948.html