[RALEIGH, NC] (August 26, 2026) — The Public School Forum of North Carolina has released a new study group report, Weighted Student Funding in North Carolina: Opportunities, Challenges and Recommendations. Beginning in the Spring of 2024, the Public School Forum convened a statewide group of over 100 education leaders, elected officials, and school finance experts, […]
Public School Forum Names Dr. Martinette V. Horner Senior Director of NC Center for Resilience and Learning
RALEIGH, NC (August 20, 2026) – The Public School Forum of North Carolina is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Martinette V. Horner as Senior Director of the North Carolina Center for Resilience and Learning. Dr. Horner brings nearly three decades of experience as an educator and leader in North Carolina. Her career has included […]
Call for Student Artists 2026
The Public School Forum of North Carolina is seeking a talented high school student artist to create original artwork to be featured in our 2026 Impact Report. This is a paid opportunity for a creative student to contribute their voice to materials that will be shared with our audiences across the state both digitally and […]
What North Carolina’s New Budget Means for Teachers Like Me
As an experienced science teacher in North Carolina, finding innovative, authentic resources to engage my students has never been easy. After all, math and English are the tested subjects, and school funding and professional development often follow the areas the public sees—and judges—first. The new state budget has made my job even harder. On the […]
North Carolina Can’t Afford to Lose Its Best Teachers
We often measure an education budget by how many new teachers it attracts. Perhaps it is time to ask a different question: How many accomplished veteran teachers does it inspire to stay? Experienced teachers are one of the state’s most valuable educational assets, and budgets should be evaluated not only by how many new teachers […]
A Message from Our President & CEO
As I complete my first week as President & CEO of the Public School Forum of North Carolina after joining the organization on July 1, I want to express how honored I am to be part of an organization with such a distinguished history of championing strong public schools and expanding opportunity for every child […]
Amend with Caution: Why Constitutional Changes Are Rarely Necessary
North Carolina has had three constitutions. The first was written when our state joined a brand-new nation. The second emerged after the Civil War, when North Carolina finally prohibited slavery and secession. The third, and current, Constitution was adopted in 1971, not because the entire document needed reinventing, but because decades of amendments had cluttered […]
Public School Forum Statement on April 2026 Leandro Ruling
Today the North Carolina Supreme Court issued its fifth ruling in the decades-long Leandro lawsuit. Among other considerable impacts, this opinion vacates the 2022 ruling ordering the transfer of $1.75 billion to our public schools to implement the evidence-based Comprehensive Remedial Plan. While significant and harmful, the Leandro V ruling does not change our state’s […]
Public School Forum Names Dr. Anthony Jackson as New CEO
RALEIGH, NC (March 24, 2026) –The Public School Forum of North Carolina is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Anthony D. Jackson as its next president and chief executive officer following a national search. Dr. Jackson will assume his role on July 1, succeeding interim executive directors Ann McColl and Dr. Lauren Fox. This […]
NC Legislators in Schools Week 2026 to be Held Week of April 13
RALEIGH, NC (March 17, 2026)- This year’s annual NC Legislators in Schools Week will be held the week of April 13-17. During the week, members of the North Carolina General Assembly will visit local public schools in the communities which they represent and engage in conversations with superintendents, educators and students. “Legislators in Schools Week […]
A Collective Way Forward: Taking Action for Afterschool in Western NC
“It is in the shelter of each other that the people live.” – Irish proverb I see nods of understanding as I read this proverb at the kickoff of the most recent WNC After 3PM Collaborative gathering in Brevard, NC. Remembering that we serve as shelter for one another is central to why we gather […]
Public School Forum Releases 2026 Local School Finance Study
RALEIGH, NC (February 27, 2026) – The Public School Forum of North Carolina’s 2026 Local School Finance Study is now available. Through this study, The Forum has highlighted variations and trends in local spending for public education across our state’s 100 counties for over 30 years. The purpose of this annual study is to isolate […]
Honoring the Legacy of Jo Ann Norris
The Public School Forum of North Carolina mourns the passing of Jo Ann Norris, a founding member of the Forum’s leadership team, serving as associate executive director from from 1986 until 2011 and then assuming the role of executive director from 2011 until 2014. Her leadership, passion, and unwavering commitment to public education strengthened the […]
Hope on the Hill: What 80 North Carolina Educators Discovered in D.C.
As my colleague and I made our way north on I-95 to Washington, D.C. a couple of weeks ago, we attempted to outline our participant messaging and goals for the retreat we were leading: an annual trip for our NC Education Policy Fellows focused on federal policy and advocacy. We aimed to deepen policy knowledge, […]
Public School Forum Convenes North Carolina Business Community
RALEIGH, NC (February 24, 2026) – This week The Public School Forum of North Carolina held two regional convenings with the goal of galvanizing education advocates within the business community. Over 125 participants gathered in Blowing Rock and Greenville for Education is Everyone’s Business, the Forum’s latest initiative. For four decades, the Forum has brought […]
Remembering Mayor Tom Bradshaw
The Public School Forum of North Carolina mourns the passing of Mayor Tom Bradshaw, a longtime emeritus board member and a dedicated leader whose impact on our state and its public schools will be long remembered. Tom Bradshaw was a civic pioneer in Raleigh and beyond. At just 32, he became the youngest mayor in […]
Remembering Governor Jim Hunt
“Education is the most important thing we do. It’s the foundation of everything else.” – Governor Jim Hunt The Public School Forum of North Carolina joins our state in mourning the loss and celebrating the life of Governor James B. Hunt Jr, who passed away on December 18, 2025. Known nationwide as “the Education Governor,” his […]
Public School Forum of North Carolina Statement on ICE and CBP Presence
The arrival of federal agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs Border Protection (CBP) in North Carolina on Saturday, November 15 has led to fear and chaos throughout our state this week. Following raids at churches, apartment complexes and several businesses, schools in Charlotte-Mecklenburg County saw alarmingly high rates of absenteeism. According to […]
Honoring the Legacy of Justice Willis P. Whichard
The Public School Forum of North Carolina deeply mourns the passing of Justice Willis P. “Bill” Whichard, a longtime board member, statesman, and jurist whose service will have a lasting impact on our state for years to come. Justice Whichard’s career spanned all corners of public life: he served in both the North Carolina House […]
From Celebration to Crisis – The Impacts of Aggressive Immigration Enforcement for Our Children
Stories included were curated from North Carolina Educators. Names have been changed or removed to protect anonymity. In the fall of 2024, Ms. Smith’s North Carolina public school hosted its 3rd annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration. Hundreds of students and their families joined together to celebrate culture and identity. Excited students practiced performances for months in […]
What NC Educators Would Like Local Public Schools to Look Like in 40 Years
40 years ago the Public School Forum of North Carolina was founded out of a critical need to bring together educators, community members, business leaders and policymakers to support our local public schools. In the decades since, the Forum has served as a think-and-do tank, bringing together individuals and organizations to study education issues, develop […]
Participation in NC Afterschool Programs Holds Steady, But 4 in 5 NC Families Who Want Afterschool Still Can’t Access It
2025 America After 3 p.m. Report Shows NC Parents Support Public Funding to Help Meet Demand RALEIGH, NC (October 20, 2025) – Participation in afterschool programs in North Carolina is holding steady. But four in five families who want to enroll their child in an afterschool program in North Carolina can’t afford a program or […]
What NC Students Would Like Local Public Schools to Look Like in 40 Years
40 years ago the Public School Forum of North Carolina was founded out of a critical need to bring together educators, community members, business leaders and policymakers to support our local public schools. In the decades since, the Forum has served as a think-and-do tank, bringing together individuals and organizations to study education issues, develop […]
2025 Impact Report
The Public School Forum of NC remains an indispensable champion of better public schools and the most trusted source in the state for research and analysis on vital education issues. We engage communities, legislators, business leaders, and educators to inform, build consensus, and drive action to shape education policy that centers on the needs and […]