In their new strategic plan, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and State Board of Education call for North Carolina public schools to be the best in the nation […]
North Carolina’s Local Public Schools Could be the Best in the Nation
Right now, North Carolina ranks 49th in the nation in public education funding efforts. The 30-year Leandro case remains ongoing, despite rulings that we are not meeting our constitutional duty […]
Our Students Deserve Certainty
For many, discussions about federal budgets, legislative sessions, or policy shifts can feel far removed from the day-to-day life of a school. But for those of us who have served […]
To Stay a Top State for Business, NC Must Become a Top State for Public Education
In 2022 and 2023, North Carolina was CNBC’s top state for business. In 2024, we were #2. Virginia took the top spot with one of the cited reasons being the […]
North Carolina Can and Should be a Leader in School Nutrition
In local public schools across North Carolina, something quietly transformative happens every day: millions of students receive breakfast and lunch at no cost to their families. These meals can be […]
Community Connections: The Power of Rural Schools and Local Businesses
In rural communities, like the many we have here in North Carolina, local public schools are often community hubs, serving as places of learning as well as connection and growth. […]
Celebrating the 50 Year Legacy of IDEA
Fifty years ago, the first iteration of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was signed into law, transforming the American education system by guaranteeing that students with disabilities have the […]
The 2025 Long Session Presents Exciting Opportunity
January marked the beginning of the 2025 long session for the North Carolina General Assembly. As this session begins, we are at a critical point for public education in our […]
Bright Ideas and the Potential for Bright Futures
Last month over 100 educators were celebrated at the annual Bright Ideas luncheon. The Bright Ideas program was started by the North Carolina Electric Cooperatives 30 years ago with each […]
Beyond the 2024 Election
Earlier this month Americans selected the next set of leaders who will make the decisions that shape the coming years for our communities, our state, and our country. In North […]
Recovering from Helene in Western NC Schools
A little over a month after Tropical Storm Helene devastated much of Western North Carolina, the region’s resilient communities have begun to rebuild, but there’s still a long road ahead. […]
Local Public Schools are Vital to Community Resilience
Local public schools are more than a collection of classrooms and hallways lined with lockers. Our public schools provide a space for connection, bringing people together through sports, arts, and […]
We Have the Opportunity to Prioritize Our Local Public Schools
Election season offers us a great opportunity. The opportunity to weigh in on and decide a direction for our country, state, and local communities. If we hope to see our […]
Strengthening the Educator Pipeline Through Programs Like NC Teaching Fellows
This year, my youngest child, Andrew, graduated from high school. And, yes, I am feeling all of the pride and all of the empty nest fears that go with that. […]
Recruiting and Supporting Educators is Critical for North Carolina’s Children
Last month we celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week. Teachers were given messages, tokens of appreciation, honors and celebrations to express the sometimes unspoken gratitude those impacted by their work feel. For […]
Building Relationships Through Bring Your Legislator to School Day
As in many other states, state-level elected officials in North Carolina play a crucial role in shaping policies that affect communities at large, particularly when it comes to public education. […]
Moments of Hope from the NC Principal of the Year Network
We are so pleased today to have our final word brought to you by our North Carolina Wells Fargo Principles of the Year from 2021, 2022 and 2023. Our Principals […]
Education is on the Ballot
It is once again an election year and the primaries are happening in North Carolina right now. While many people may view election season as just a time of exacerbated […]
Improving North Carolina’s Teacher Working Conditions
My mom was a Kindergarten teacher, a reading teacher, and a director of Pre-K for a large school district. I not only had the benefit of growing up in a […]
A Roadmap for Targeted Investment
The Public School Forum’s Roadmap of Need was first published in 2010 by the North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs to inform policymakers, funders and citizens of needed investments on […]
Disinvesting in Education is Not the Best Choice
With the passing of the 2023-24 state budget, North Carolina became the tenth state to offer taxpayer-funded universal school vouchers to attend private schools. Despite the fact that the funds […]
Achieving Equity Together
Together we can achieve so much more. The Color of Education Summit brings together educators, policymakers, researchers, students, parents, community members, and other key stakeholders focused on achieving racial equity […]
The Critical Role of Afterschool and Expanded Learning for Students, Schools, and Communities
Children are spending an average of 80% of their days outside of school, and the way that they spend this time has crucial implications, both for their achievement in the […]
Supporting Teachers So They Can Support Students
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. […]