Public School Forum

A think-and-do tank committed to North Carolina public schools

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 […]

Leandro Ruling Upholds Right to a Sound Basic Education for Every Child in NC

MEDIA CONTACT Chanté Russell, Communications Analyst crussell@ncforum.org (919)-781-6833 ext. 113 Public School Forum of North Carolina & Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity and Opportunity Statement on Supreme Court Ruling (Raleigh, NC) November 4, 2022 — Today is a seminal day for all of us in North Carolina. The North Carolina Supreme Court affirmed the […]

5 Actions We (NC) Can Take Now for our Kids, our Teachers, and our Schools

If you talked to a parent or educator in the past month, along with the enthusiasm for back to school, you probably heard about the shortages of teachers and staff our schools are facing.  As kids came back to school in August, vacancies in North Carolina schools included 3,619 K-12 teachers; 1,342 bus drivers; 850 […]

North Carolina Center for Resilience & Learning Announces Rebrand

RALEIGH, NC (September 14, 2022)- The North Carolina Center for Resilience & Learning, formerly known as the North Carolina Resilience & Learning Project, is excited to share a name change and the launch of a new website, marking the 5th anniversary and an exciting new chapter for the Center. The North Carolina Resilience & Learning […]

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 […]

North Carolina’s Schools are in Crisis, We Must Adequately Fund Them

“We don’t have any teacher applicants for our vacancies,” said two superintendents from rural North Carolina public school districts. Think about that.  If they do not find qualified replacements or come up with alternative solutions, students will arrive on the first day of school Aug. 29 in classrooms without teachers. Public school districts across the […]

Dudley Flood Center Launches Cohort 2 of the Rural Teacher Leader Network

RALEIGH, NC (July 22, 2022) – Last year, the Public School Forum of North Carolina convened the inaugural cohort of the Rural Teacher Leadership Network, which is designed to bring together diverse groups of educators across North Carolina who seek to strengthen their practice, foster community with teacher leaders from across other rural districts, and […]

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 […]

We’ve Got a New Look

Welcome to the new Public School Forum of North Carolina website! We hope you love it as much as we do. Please take some time to explore our site for the latest research on North Carolina public education, interactive resources and archived past work. As this is a brand new site, if you hit any […]

Public School Forum of NC Releases Progress Report on Top Education Issues 2021-22

RALEIGH, N.C.  (February 17, 2022) — The Public School Forum of North Carolina released its Progress Report on the Top Education Issues 2021-22 today during its eighth annual Eggs & Issues event. This year’s report takes a new approach, outlining both the progress made and gaps that remain when it comes to the Forum’s priorities […]

National Afterschool Association Honors Sheneika Simmons Among Its 2022 Next Generation of Afterschool Leaders

WASHINGTON, D.C. February 9, 2022 – The National AfterSchool Association (NAA), the voice of the afterschool profession and lead organization for the advancement of afterschool professionals and leaders has selected Sheneika Simmons, Program Manager of Wake Forest, NC as one of NAA’s 2022 Next Generation of Afterschool Leaders. In selecting its 2022 Next Generation of Afterschool Leaders, the […]

Dr. Deanna Townsend-Smith Named Senior Director of the Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity and Opportunity at the Public School Forum of NC

RALEIGH, N.C. (February 7, 2022) — Dr. Deanna Townsend-Smith, a long-time educator and advocate for educational equity, has been named Senior Director of the Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity and Opportunity. “I am excited to begin the role as Senior Director for the Flood Center,” said Dr. Townsend-Smith. “Throughout my career, my mission has […]

Dr. Tiece M. Ruffin Elected as Board Member for Public School Forum of NC

RALEIGH, NC (December 7, 2021) – Dr. Tiece M. Ruffin, a U.S. Fulbright Scholar, Mother-scholar, and Professor of Africana Studies and Education at the University of North Carolina Asheville, has been elected to the Board of Directors for the Public School Forum of North Carolina for a two-year appointment. “We are so excited to welcome […]

Students at the Center: Historic Investments Ordered Today Will Pave the Way for All of North Carolina’s Children to Access a Sound Basic Education

RALEIGH, N.C. (November 10, 2021) — To ensure that our system of public schools offers an equal opportunity to every young North Carolinian, especially those in our highest-need communities, with a sound basic education, as is mandated in our state constitution and affirmed in the landmark state Supreme Court decision, Leandro v. the State of […]

Jonathan Helms and Sheneika Simmons Selected to Join National Afterschool and Expanded Learning Initiative 

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Sheronda Fleming, PhD Director, NC Center for Afterschool Programs sfleming@ncforum.org 919.781.6833 x135 RALEIGH, N.C. (October 6, 2021) — The Riley Institute at Furman University has selected Jonathan Helms, Grant Development Director at the Boys & Girls Club of Cabarrus County, and Sheneika Simmons, Program Manager at the Public School Forum of North […]