This article presents the state education finance and governance profile of North Carolina. The state has 214 school districts and a total enrollment of 1,461,740 students in 2,513 public elementary and secondary schools. The current expenditures per pupil in 2007-2008 added up to $8,521, equaling 19.8% of the median state household income. As in most other states, education funds in North Carolina are generated mostly through federal and state income taxes as well as county property and sales taxes. In North Carolina, the State Board of Education is responsible for supervising and administering the public school system and the educational funds provided for its support. One of the state's major policy issues is the increase in the number of English language learners in North Carolina public schools. This increase poses a great challenge to both teachers and policymakers, who must ensure these 88,000-plus students learn English and make adequate yearly progress in content areas. (Contains 2 tables.)