Education Matters

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 of the year are Dr. Elena Ashburn from Wake County Public Schools, Dr. Patrick Greene from Green County Public Schools and Donna Bledsoe from Surry […]

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 political divisiveness, I’d argue that it’s actually a time of great opportunity. We often talk about the changes we’d like to see in our communities […]

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 home with my own personal teacher, but I also observed her work environments, students, and impact over the years. I realize I am biased, but […]

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 a county basis. From its inception, the main focus of the Roadmap has been preventive care including afterschool programs, health care and job programs, which […]

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 for school vouchers through North Carolina’s Opportunity Scholarship Program have never been fully utilized, the new state budget triples the program’s funding, allocating $4.6 billion […]

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 and eliminating racial disparities in education. Color of Education is a partnership between the Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity and Opportunity, the Public School […]

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 classroom and success in life.  The positive impacts of regular access to high-quality afterschool or out of school time (OST) programming are well-established: afterschool and […]

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. This is not a task that should be taken lightly, but unfortunately, teaching is often thankless work. However, our regional Teachers of the Year represent […]

For this week’s Final Word we are so pleased to hear from our Teacher of the Year, Principal of the Year and Superintendent of the Year about what gives them hope.  Donna Bledsoe, Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year: What gives me hope is the work being done in North Carolina with early […]

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 enthusiasm and care to guide them to reach their potential. Unfortunately, many students and educators around the state were also met with a number of […]

Starting with the class of 2024, students in NC must successfully complete an economics and personal finance course for graduation. This course includes budgeting, saving, investing, and managing debt. These foundational financial literacy skills can help students develop the ability to make informed financial decisions and maintain control of their future financial well-being.  One area […]

Teachers are the number one school-related factor affecting student outcomes. Knowing this, it should go without saying that teachers are vital to our public education system. Unfortunately, like in many other places, North Carolina’s teacher pipeline has been struggling for years now. The perception that teaching is a noble but not properly respected profession has […]

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 quite amazing. I seem to notice it even more lately, as Spring has taken its time.  As I had another of these moments recently, I […]

When students enter a classroom, they bring with them their entire selves. Their identities, strengths and weaknesses, their interests, and their culture often impact how students engage and what they take away from each lesson. North Carolina’s student population is incredibly diverse. Culturally responsive teaching aims to ensure that all students can see themselves in […]

Oftentimes when we discuss education we hear from parents, educators, legislators and advocates about what’s best for students. All of those groups undoubtedly bring something important to the conversation, but they cannot say it all. We must also bring in the perspective of students, and when we ask, they have much to say and offer […]

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 Carolina 2022 Regional Teacher of the Year, Pitt County: I would want our audience to know that our most underrepresented populations have value and worth, […]

For this Final Word our 2022 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teachers of the Year shared what gives them hope. Leah Carper, 2022 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year, Piedmont Triad North Carolina 2022 Regional Teacher of the Year, Guilford County: When I go into classrooms across North Carolina, I’m so excited […]