NC ranks at bottom for worst states for teachers

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - North Carolina has ranked in the bottom when it comes to the list of worst states for teachers. For the second year in a row, North Carolina has made a low ranking.

Last year the Tarheel state was ranked 51. This year, it's 50. The state worse than North Carolina is West Virginia. The rankings, based on teacher salary rates for the 2014-15 school year and public education investment, are done by Wallethub, an online personal finance information clearinghouse.

That same list has Virginia ranked the second best state to work as a teacher, Tennessee 34th and South Carolina 46th. Many are concerned this ranking will chase teachers away as Charlotte Mecklenburg School (CMS) district still looks to fill nearly 80 teacher vacancies.

"That does not look good." CMS Teacher Anne Brooks said.

Brooks fears this latest ranking will push new and veteran teachers to other nearby states.

"They are beginning to look elsewhere," Brooks said. "To make sure they find the means to best support their family."

There is no secret Texas has been trying to lure NC teachers away. The state has had several job fairs in the Charlotte area. Texas ranks 26.

Lawmakers are concerned about this latest ranking. We showed it to Republican Representative Craig Horn. He serves on the Education Committee.

"We got a lot of work ahead of us," Horn said. "It's not all doom and gloom, but this report again points up the fact that we need to do more for all of our teachers."

Horn tells WBTV he's committed to make things better for all teachers.

"It's my goal to do everything I can," Horn said. "To keep high quality teachers in the classroom in front of the student and pay is a key part of that - no question."

The report also shows how North Carolina stacks up against other states when it comes to the cost of living. 25 other states are worse than North Carolina.

"When you are square in the middle of cost of living," Horn said. "Means your dollar goes a lot further here than it goes in 25 other states. I think that needs to be considered."

Critics at Progress North Carolina say this ranking shows little effort on lawmakers part.

"When you get data like this," Progress North Carolina Executive Director Gerrick Brenner said. "It shows that the promises have amounted to not a hill of beans."

All believe the rankings will improve for North Carolina if teacher pay increases across the board. Veteran teachers didn't get a raise this year while first year teachers did.

"I think that is a disrespect to the veteran teachers," Brooks said. "Who put in the sweat, blood and tears."

The fear is North Carolina will remain at the bottom when the rankings are released next year because veteran teachers didn't get a raise.

Brenner tells WBTV at the very least, teachers in North Carolina should earn the national average teacher pay.

"That's not asking for the moon and the stars," Brenner said. "At this point teachers are just asking for compensation which is average."

Brooks believes lawmakers can help and admits teachers need to speak up to the politicians about their concerns.

"We as teachers have been silent too long," Brooks said. "Legislators in NC have not truly seen what educators go through day in and day out."

To see a list of the rankings, click here.