Strengthening Education: The Innovative Education Act

The changing landscape of North Carolina’s economy – accelerated by poorly structured trade agreements – created uncertainty for thousands of North Carolina workers at a time when a high school diploma or GED was not what it used to be. When economies change the necessary skills to compete change in tandem and so North Carolina had to adapt or get left behind. Walter Dalton recognized this and knew that our state had to do a better job preparing our students for the 21st century workforce. His Innovative Education Act provides the opportunity, the resources, and the access to make sure our children are prepared to compete.

Passed by the General Assembly in 2003, Walter Dalton’s Innovative Education Act is a singular achievement for North Carolina students. The provisions of this landmark legislation are noted for their vision in addressing the evolving educational needs and demands of a growing global economy and transitioning state economy. It established cooperative efforts between secondary schools and institutions of higher education to reduce the high school dropout rate, increase high school and college graduation rates, decrease the need for remediation in institutions of higher education, and raise certificate, associate, and bachelor degree completion rates. In short, it insures our children have the best chance to succeed beyond high school in today’s economy. Here are the highlights:

• Established the Learn and Earn Program which allows high school students to earn an associates degree in five years in addition to their high school diploma.
• Enables students to complete a technical or academic program in a field that is in high demand and has high wages.
• Ties local programs to the economic vision plans of the economic development region.
• Programs are accountable to the local school board giving individual school systems greater control and ability to adapt programs to local needs and circumstances.