US gives $53 million to expand NC charter schools. Why it's not going to the state

T. Keung Hui, The News & Observer on Sep 25, 2025

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Trump administration has awarded more than $50 million to a private, nonprofit group to expand the number of charter school seats in North Carolina.

The U.S. Department of Education announced Wednesday that it’s releasing $500 million to the Charter Schools Programs, marking the largest investment ever in the program. The grants include $53 million over five years to the North Carolina Association for Public Charter Schools, or NCAPCS, which supports charter schools across the state.

“We’re really excited that the award is being given to the Association because the last one was given to the (State) Office of Charter Schools, and they were able to do a lot of great things with it,” Rhonda Dillingham, executive director of NCAPCS, said in an interview Thursday. “But this time it’s being given to the non-profit support organization in the state.”

But the decision to give the money to a private group instead of a state agency raised concerns with some public school advocates.

“This is really taking down the guardrails of how public taxpayer dollars will be spent,” Heather Koons, a spokesperson for Public Schools First NC, said in an interview Thursday.

Goal to expand career development, STEM, AI seats

Charter schools are taxpayer-funded schools that are exempt from some of the rules traditional public schools must follow. Charters are given to non-profit boards, but some contract with for-profit companies to manage the schools.

There are more than 200 charter schools in North Carolina.

Dillingham said NCAPCS will use the grant to expand charter school seats prioritizing on career and technical education; science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and artificial intelligence. She said they’ll also use the money to help charter schools strengthen their governance and financial management, which have been problems that led some schools to close.

Dillingham said they want charter schools to help North Carolina maintain its ranking as the top state in the nation for businesses. She said charter schools should produce students who help strengthen the state’s workforce.

“Because North Carolina is considered the No. 1 state to do business in, we want to make sure that the students coming out of our charter schools are prepared to take those jobs,” Dillngham said.

New grant not given to government agency

In 2018 and 2019, the Department of Education awarded $36.6 million to North Carolina to increase access to charter schools for low-income students. This led charter schools to take steps such as giving selection priority to low-income students and providing bus service and free meals in an effort to get the grant.

The last set of grants were given to the state Department of Public Instruction through the Office of Charter Schools to manage.

Dillngham said some grant recipients were upset it took so long to get their money. But Dillingham said the Office of Charter Schools and DPI were just following all of their regulations.

This time, Dillngham said having a group like NCAPCS in charge of the grant means they can get the money out to charter schools quicker.

But Koons of Public Schools First NC said she isn’t sure that the change is a good idea.

“We feel it is extremely irresponsible to circumvent the oversight of the Department of Public Instruction and the Charter Schools Review Board, which are charged with overseeing charter schools and the proper use of funds,” Koons said.

Trump administration expanding charter schools

The release of the charter school grant funds comes at the same time the Trump administration has frozen or cut hundreds of millions of dollars for traditional public schools. The Trump administration has embraced charter schools and private school vouchers as school choice options.

“A one-size fits all education system is not working for our students,” U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a press release. “Charter schools allow for innovative educational models that expand learning opportunities for students. The Trump administration will continue to use every available tool to advocate for meaningful learning, advance school choice, and ensure every student is well-positioned to succeed.”

Wednesday’s announcement also include charter school grant money for groups such as Movement School Northwest in Charlotte and the KIPP Foundation to expand the number of charter schools.

Earlier this year, the Department of Education awarded $8.3 million for TMSA Public Charter Schools to expand in North Carolina.

“Families are speaking loud and clear: they want more public school options with student-centered learning that prepares children with real-world skills for life success,” said Starlee Coleman, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, said in a press release Thursdsay.