2020 Education Policy Primer

The Public School Forum of North Carolina has released the 2020 North Carolina Education Primer, which serves as a fact-based introduction to educational policymaking in NC. The Primer serves as a primary resource for current elected and appointed officials — as well as candidates running for public office — as they tackle education policy issues in the General Assembly, in their local communities, or in their schools. The Primer is also intended to be a resource for all stakeholders interested in learning about education policy in North Carolina.

Education policy involves a wide range of interconnected issues such as school finance and facilities, accountability and assessment, technology, teachers and so much more. In order to make well-informed and evidence-based decisions, policymakers and voters face the challenge of understand myriad complex educational issues

The Forum held its biennial Candidate Education Policy primer session virtually in August 2020, with more than 100 candidates for public office attending, including those running for the NC General Assembly, boards of county commissions, and local boards of education. For the very first time, the Public School Forum is holding an additional virtual session for the general public on September 23, 2020. To attend the virtual Public Education Policy Primer Session on Wednesday, September 23, 2020 from 3-5pm, please fill out this Google Form.

The North Carolina Education Primer and briefing sessions are sponsored by the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, in an effort to give policymakers and education stakeholders the tools and information to understand the host of complex questions that shape schools and education in North Carolina.