Plain English Summary
This bill aims to increase the number and quality of school psychologists in North Carolina through six main parts: providing salary supplements to school psychologists, establishing a grant program for schools to recruit psychologists, creating an internship program with stipends, funding virtual training programs, increasing university training program funding, and joining an interstate compact to allow school psychologists to practice across state lines.
Arguments in Favor
Supporters argue this bill addresses a critical shortage of school psychologists in North Carolina schools. The salary increases and recruitment bonuses would help attract and retain qualified professionals, improving students' access to mental health and counseling services. The internship and training program funding would increase the pipeline of new school psychologists, while the interstate compact would allow schools to recruit psychologists from other states, particularly helping rural areas with persistent shortages.
Arguments Against
Opponents may be concerned about the total cost—approximately $23.1 million in initial appropriations—and whether these funds represent the best use of education dollars. Some might question whether salary supplements alone will solve workforce shortages without addressing underlying factors. Others may worry about the administrative complexity of the interstate compact and whether it could affect licensing standards or quality control across states.
AI-generated analysis based on bill text. Always verify with official sources at ncleg.gov. This is not legal or political advice.
Sponsors
Primary Sponsor
Representative · District 75
Primary Sponsor
Representative · District 37
Primary Sponsor
Representative · District 72
Primary Sponsor
Representative · District 49
Cosponsors (30)
Representative · District 61
Representative · District 102
Representative · District 99
Representative · District 48
Representative · District 92
Representative · District 50
Representative · District 115
Representative · District 41
Representative · District 112
Representative · District 93
Representative · District 40
Representative · District 23
Representative · District 5
Representative · District 71
Representative · District 36
Representative · District 18
Representative · District 22
Representative · District 30
Representative · District 100
Representative · District 60
Representative · District 88
Representative · District 57
Representative · District 66
Representative · District 31
Representative · District 39
Representative · District 89
Representative · District 104
Representative · District 101
Representative · District 34
Representative · District 9