RALEIGH, NC (October 7, 2024)– The North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs will host a Lights On Afterschool reception on October 24 at the North Carolina Executive Mansion in Raleigh as part of the national Lights On Afterschool campaign. The annual nationwide campaign celebrates afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, […]
Public School Forum of NC to Hold Debate Between NC Superintendent of Public Instruction Candidates Mo Green and Michele Morrow
RALEIGH, NC (September 25, 2024) – The Public School Forum of North Carolina is pleased to announce a debate between North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction candidates Michele Morrow and Mo Green to be held in the auditorium at Pinecrest High School in Southern Pines on October 14, 2024, at 7 pm. For nearly 40 […]
Questions to ask Yourself this Election Season
Early voting in North Carolina begins next month, giving voters the power to decide the outcomes of this year’s federal, state and local elections. These elections, particularly at the state and local level, will directly impact our daily lives. While the enthusiasm surrounding both presidential candidates is evident, we cannot forget the importance of down-ballot […]
Public School Forum Publishes 2024 NCGA Candidate Survey Responses
RALEIGH, NC (September 9, 2024) – Before the 2024 Primary Election in March The Public School Forum of North Carolina distributed a survey to all candidates running for the North Carolina General Assembly to gauge their stance on various education policy issues. Over 100 candidates participated in this survey. In preparation for the General Election, […]
2024 State Budget Proposal Analysis
Budget Status According to the latest General Fund Revenue Forecast, North Carolina has an estimated $987 million revenue surplus for the 2024-25 fiscal year. At this time, the North Carolina House and Senate have each passed their own updated budget bills for the second year of the 2023-25 biennium. Leaders from both chambers of the […]
School Choice? Or Schools’ Choice?
Decisions about education are some of the most important decisions families – and therefore state leaders – make. Just as parents consider the many school choices available in North Carolina, lawmakers are making choices about where to put our taxpayer dollars to yield the best outcomes for our children. Families across North Carolina want public […]
School Districts and County Governments: Helping Each Other Protect the Economic Vitality of North Carolina Counties
Historical Context North Carolina’s traditional public schools are represented by 115 county and city school districts. For almost 100 years since the Great Depression and the Machinery Acts of 1931 and 1933, the State of North Carolina has provided the preponderance of financial support for most of the public school employees in these school districts. […]
Removing Diversity Equity and Inclusion is Not Neutral
On May 23 the University of North Carolina System Board of Trustees voted to repeal its Diversity & Inclusion Policy in favor of “institutional neutrality.” This new policy, which was introduced in April, will remove funding for DEI offices and eliminate various diversity-related positions across the 17 UNC System schools. Chancellors will be required to […]
A Request from a North Carolina Public School Graduate
In 1993 Robeson County residents had a median income of approximately $21,000. Respectively, in 2022, residents of Robeson County, NC had a median income of approximately $35,000. This is the county I grew up in and this county remains one one of North Carolina’s poorest counties. Early in my life I understood the value of […]
Public School Forum of North Carolina Shares Progress on Top Education Issues with Over 400 Eggs & Issues Attendees
RALEIGH, NC (May 7, 2024)– The Public School Forum of North Carolina shared the 2024-25 Top Education Issues brief today during the tenth Eggs & Issues breakfast event. The annual Top Education Issues brief outlines the Forum’s priorities for what should be at the forefront of education policy decision-making in the coming legislative biennium. This […]
Celebrating Afterschool Professionals by Advocating for their Wellbeing and Advancement
This week – April 22nd through 26th – marks Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week, a time to recognize, appreciate, and advocate for those who work with children and youth in diverse school and community-based settings during out-of-school hours. These dedicated, skilled professionals do the hard work of creating safe and structured environments and relationships for students […]
NC, Your Legislators – Who Work for You – Will Soon Have the Opportunity to Decide How to Spend the $1 Billion Surplus
NC Has a Surplus The Office of State Budget Management recently announced that North Carolina likely will have a $1 billion surplus over the initial revenue expected for the second year of the biennium budget (2024-25). This is certainly good news given the many needs across the state. What Will the Surplus Mean for Education? […]
North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs Celebrates Afterschool Professionals Who Make a Profound Difference in Young People’s Lives
Raleigh, NC (April 22, 2024) – The North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs is celebrating Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week, April 22-26, 2024, along with the National AfterSchool Association, to recognize, appreciate and advocate for those who work with young people during out-of-school hours. “Our skilled and trained afterschool professionals are the reason that afterschool programs are […]
Public School Forum of North Carolina Releases 2024 Education Policy Primer
RALEIGH, NC (April 19, 2024)– The Public School Forum of North Carolina has released the 2024 North Carolina Education Policy Primer, which serves as a nonpartisan, 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 […]
Second Annual North Carolina Bring Your Legislator to School Day to be Held Monday
RALEIGH, NC (April 12, 2024)- The second annual North Carolina Bring Your Legislator to School Day will take place on April 15, 2024. Members of the NC Teacher of the Year and Principal of the Year Network and the Public School Forum of North Carolina invited the entire North Carolina General Assembly to visit schools […]
Public School Forum Releases 2024 Local School Finance Study
RALEIGH, NC (February 27, 2024) – The Public School Forum of North Carolina’s 2024 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 […]
Public School Forum Releases Report on Policies and Practices to Rebuild North Carolina’s Educator Pipeline
RALEIGH, NC (February 23, 2024) – The Public School Forum of North Carolina has published a report aimed at identifying and amplifying actionable and replicable models for recruiting, preparing and retaining a diverse, highly effective educator workforce in North Carolina. This report was created with the input of the initial cohort of the North Carolina […]
Public School Forum Statement on February 2024 Leandro Case Reopening
Our NC Supreme Court is charged with upholding the NC Constitution. In regards to schools, our Constitution requires that every child in NC has access to a sound basic education. This includes a high-quality and well-prepared teacher for every child, a high-quality principal for every school, and enough resources to ensure that every child has […]
If The NC Supreme Court Sinks Leandro, Then Most NC Public Schools And Schoolchildren Will Go Down With It
SNL Weekend Update joked recently that the menu on the Titanic – the infamous, ill-fated luxury ocean liner – included not only gourmet foods, but also ‘bottomless water’! Perhaps innocent joking about it has become acceptable. And yet, this preventable tragedy was no joke. The most fundamental lesson is that there’s no such thing as […]
The Imperative of Science Education in North Carolina
In our rapidly evolving world, marked by scientific breakthroughs and technological advancements, the role of science education extends beyond traditional academic curricula. It becomes a fundamental pillar for societal progress and individual empowerment. This is especially pertinent in North Carolina, reflecting a broader national trend and standing at a critical juncture in the evolution of […]
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.
Public School Forum Releases 2023 Roadmap of Need
RALEIGH, NC (November 10, 2023) – The Public School Forum of North Carolina has published the 2023 Roadmap of Need, a whole child needs assessment for North Carolina youth presenting county-level data and rankings. The Roadmap has been redesigned since its last publication in 2020, and now features interactive online maps, data tables, and county […]
Over 75 North Carolina Businesses Convene at Summit on Public Education
RALEIGH, NC (November 9, 2023) – Executives from over 75 businesses from across NC gathered in Raleigh this week to discuss the state of public education in North Carolina. Hosted by the Public School Forum of North Carolina, the convening was designed to educate and motivate business leaders from across the state who care about […]
North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs Honors 2023 Afterschool Champions During Lights On Afterschool Celebration at North Carolina Executive Mansion
RALEIGH, NC (October 27, 2023)– The North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs hosted a Lights On Afterschool reception on October 26 in Raleigh as part of the national Lights On Afterschool campaign. The annual nationwide campaign celebrates afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, families and communities. At the reception NC […]