As I’ve said many times, teachers are the number-one school-related factor influencing student outcomes. Teachers have the immense responsibility of preparing our children to be educated and well-equipped community members. […]
Final Word: Back-to-School 2023-24
Students across North Carolina are back in school. Over 1.4 million students in our public schools approached the school year ready to learn, and our educators met those students with […]
NC Has Money — Just Not for Public Education
The State of North Carolina has money. In 2022, North Carolina had over $6 billion in unappropriated funds. This year, North Carolina is expected to have at least $3 billion […]
Final Word: Ask Yourself These Questions
There are few days that go by that I don’t have a moment of appreciation for the beauty around us in NC. The trees, the hiking trails, the flowers… It’s […]
$1B Out of Public Schools Will Hit Rural Communities Hardest
Last week legislation was introduced to provide $1 billion of your tax dollars to pay to send children, regardless of a family’s financial or educational need, to any private school […]
Final Word: What North Carolina’s Regional Teachers of the Year Want You to Know
For this Final Word our 2022 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teachers of the Year shared what they wish for people to know about public education. Clinton Todd, Northeast North […]
The Final Word: Words From Dr. Dudley Flood
We are so pleased to have been joined by Dr. Dudley Flood who has been deep in this work, trying to ensure that every child in North Carolina has access […]
Final Word: Election Season is Upon Us, and Education is on the Ballot
Early voting has begun in North Carolina, and the importance of the 2022 election cannot be overstated. The outcome of the soon-to-be-decided races will have far-reaching implications for critically important […]
Final Word: Licensure Pathways, Recruitment and Retention
It’s no secret that well-prepared, effective teachers are invaluable in the classroom. Research shows us that teachers are the number one school-related factor that impacts student outcomes. You have probably […]
5 Actions We (NC) Can Take Now for our Kids, our Teachers, and our Schools
If you talked to a parent or educator in the past month, along with the enthusiasm for back to school, you probably heard about the shortages of teachers and staff […]
North Carolina’s Schools are in Crisis, We Must Adequately Fund Them
“We don’t have any teacher applicants for our vacancies,” said two superintendents from rural North Carolina public school districts. Think about that. If they do not find qualified replacements or […]
The Final Word: Principals and the Support They Provide
By Mary Ann Wolf I have had the opportunity to work with hundreds and hundreds of principals over the years, and I am often reminded about the very unique – […]
The Final Word: Beginning Teachers
Do you know a high school or college student who wants to be a teacher? Do you know others in your community who are thinking about changing careers to become […]
Bus Driver Sickout is a Symptom of a Much Greater Illness for Public Education
Many families in Wake County discovered this morning that their children did not have a bus driver to bring them to school today. These families are worried about their own […]