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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Public School Forum of North Carolina Approves New Board Members and Advisory Board Members
RALEIGH, NC (July 18, 2025) – At its June 2025 meeting, the Board of Directors of the Public School Forum of North Carolina approved several new Directors and At-Large Advisors for two-year terms that officially begin July 1, 2025. “I’m immensely excited to begin my tenure by welcoming the newest members of the Public School […]
Ann W. McColl to Serve as Interim President and Executive Director of the Public School Forum of North Carolina
With great enthusiasm the Public School Forum Board of Directors announces the appointment of Ann W. McColl as Interim President and Executive Director of the Forum effective July 1. Ann brings a distinguished history of leadership, innovation and advocacy within public education in North Carolina. She is currently serving as President and Founder of Let […]
Dr. Mary Ann Wolf to Conclude Her Tenure as Executive Director of the Public School Forum of NC
Raleigh, NC (May 23, 2025) – It is with deep appreciation and respect that the Board of Directors of the Public School Forum announces the departure of our esteemed Executive Director, Dr. Mary Ann Wolf, effective June 30, 2025. This marks a bittersweet moment for the organization as it celebrates her profound impact and prepares […]
Honoring the Legacy of John Dornan, The Forum’s Founding Executive Director
John N. Dornan, the founding executive director of the Public School Forum of North Carolina and an extremely important figure in North Carolina public education, passed away on March 27, 2025. While The Forum mourns his passing, we celebrate his life-long dedication to ensuring that every child in North Carolina had access to a high-quality […]
Call for Student Artists
The Public School Forum of North Carolina is seeking talented high school student artists to create original artwork celebrating our 40th anniversary. This is a paid opportunity for creative students to contribute their voices to materials that will be shared with our audiences across the state both digitally and in print throughout 2025 and 2026. […]
2024 Impact Report
Our 2024 Impact Report demonstrates how The Forum continued our key role of informing education stakeholders throughout 2024 via presentations, trainings, the Education Policy Fellowship Program, e-newsletters, Education Matters, and publications.
2023 Impact Report
Our 2023 Impact Report demonstrates how The Forum continued our key role of informing education stakeholders throughout 2023 via presentations, trainings, the Education Policy Fellowship Program, e-newsletters, Education Matters, and publications.
LaTanya Pattillo Appointed Chair-Elect of the Public School Forum of North Carolina
RALEIGH, NC (January 26, 2023) – The Board of Directors of the Public School Forum of North Carolina has selected LaTanya Pattillo to serve as the chair-elect. Pattillo’s chair-elect role will begin immediately, and she will assume the role as board chair for a two-year term which will officially begin July 1, 2023. In July, […]
2022 Impact Report
The 2022 Impact Report provides a comprehensive overview of the Forum’s work for the year including events, publications and network reach.
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 to high-quality, equitable education for many, many decades, and continues to share wisdom, the challenges and also the hope. To wrap up the episode we […]
Public School Forum of North Carolina Releases North Carolina Education Policy Primer 2022, Announces Public Primer Session
RALEIGH, NC (September 1, 2022)- The Public School Forum of North Carolina has released the 2022 North Carolina Education Policy Primer, which serves as a fact-based guide to public education in North Carolina. The Primer provides a comprehensive overview of how education policy is made, along with the current state of public education and the […]
Dudley Flood Center Statement on Extending the Child Nutrition Waiver Authority (S. 379)
RALEIGH, NC (June 16, 2022) – The Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity & Opportunity works collaboratively to advocate for structural changes in policy and practice to build an equitable education system that meets the social, emotional, and academic needs of NC’s diverse student population. Today, we urge our federal partners to extend the child […]
Public School Forum of North Carolina Approves New Board Members and Advisory Board Members
RALEIGH, NC (June 17, 2022) – At its June 2022 meeting, the Board of Directors of the Public School Forum of North Carolina approved several new Directors and At-Large Advisors for two-year terms that officially begin July 1, 2022. “The Forum’s Board of Directors and Advisory Board bring together accomplished individuals with diverse backgrounds and […]
Public School Forum Releases Focus Group Recommendations for Pathways to Excellence for Teaching Professionals
RALEIGH, NC (June 14, 2022) – The State Board of Education, the Professional Educator Preparation and Standards Commission (PEPSC), and the NC Department of Public Instruction have been developing a draft new teacher licensure system, Pathways to Excellence for Teaching Professionals (Model). This is important work as it relates to the recruitment and retention of […]
Dudley Flood Center Reimagines Jeanes Teachers in Response to Teacher Pipeline and Diversity Issues in NC Public Schools
RALEIGH, NC (June 9, 2022) – Today, the Dudley Flood Center (“Flood Center”) announces its “reimagining” of the historic Jeanes Teachers program with the creation of the new Jeanes Fellows Program. Dr. Deanna Townsend-Smith, Senior Director of the Flood Center said, “When reimagining education, we must provide proven solutions of success with students and educators […]