Public School Forum

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

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 […]

Moving Forward: Leveraging Lessons from COVID-19 in Education

This past year brought incredible challenges; and yet, we know that there are lessons we can learn from those who experienced teaching and learning during COVID-19. And perhaps more than ever before, we know we need to listen and learn from our educators so that we take these lessons and move forward in ways that […]

New Study: North Carolina Parents Praise Summer Learning Programs But, Even Before COVID-19, Programs Were Out of Reach for Many North Carolina Children

WASHINGTON, DC — After a year of isolation, learning loss, and trauma for many students, this summer will be especially important for young people to begin to heal, re-connect, and make learning gains. Yet a study released today finds that even before the pandemic, some 400,713 North Carolina children and youth were without access to […]

Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity and Opportunity/ Public School Forum Statement on HB 324

Our legislators, on both sides of the aisle, continually reference their support of education for all students. However, the most recent version of House Bill 324, which passed the House Education Committee today, incites a fear-based approach to limit teachers’ ability to discuss the reality of racism in the United States and would limit students’ […]

Public School Forum of North Carolina Announces the NC Center for Afterschool Programs’ 17th Annual Synergy Conference

RALEIGH, NC (April 21, 2021) – The Public School Forum’s NC Center for Afterschool Programs (NC CAP) will virtually host its 17th annual Synergy Conference on April 27-30, 2021. This year’s conference theme is Revolutionizing Afterschool: Renew-Reconnect-Rise. The Synergy Conference brings together hundreds of afterschool and expanded learning program directors, staff, K-12 educators, and college […]

Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity and Opportunity/ Public School Forum Statement on Proposed NC Social Studies Standards

RALEIGH, N.C. (February 3, 2021) The Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity and Opportunity at the Public School Forum of North Carolina strongly supports the adoption of the revised state social studies standards that accurately and inclusively represent the complex past history and present-day realities of this country. These standards should include the terms “systemic […]

Demystifying the Pathways to Full Teacher Licensure: How Do I Become A Teacher in North Carolina?

As in other highly skilled careers, licensure requirements were put in place to ensure that candidates that enter the teaching profession are competent and effective. Unfortunately, licensure requirements can change from year to year and vary depending on the subject area in which a candidate plans to teach, making the pathway to obtaining full teaching […]

New Household Survey: North Carolina Is a ‘Top 10 State for Afterschool, ’ Even as Unmet Demand for Programs Increases

PRESS INQUIRIES: Please contact Dr. Sheronda Fleming, Director, NC Center for Afterschool Programs, at sfleming@ncforum.org or 919-781-6833 x135. For inquiries for the Afterschool Alliance, based in Washington, DC, please contact Lisa Lederer at lisa@prsolutionsdc.com or 202-421-5825. Washington, DC (December 8, 2020) —Student participation that exceeds the national average and overwhelming parent satisfaction with afterschool programs make North Carolina a “Top 10 State […]

Participate Learning Partners with the Public School Forum of North Carolina to Address Educational Equity and Trauma-Informed Schools

(RALEIGH, N.C.— December 7, 2020) The Public School Forum of North Carolina is pleased to announce that Participate Learning has committed to being a Forum Partner. “We are thrilled and so grateful for Participate Learning’s gift and their desire to become a Forum Partner,” said Public School Forum’s Board Chair Tom Williams. “Participate Learning has […]

NC State Superintendent Candidates Participate in Conversation hosted by Public School Forum of NC

By Lindsay Wagner The two candidates running for North Carolina State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. Jen Mangrum and Catherine Truitt, answered questions Tuesday afternoon in a virtual conversation hosted by the Public School Forum of NC. for alumni of the North Carolina Education Policy Fellowship Program (EPFP). The event was sponsored by LearnPlatform. Truitt, […]

Across North Carolina, the Barriers — and Solutions — to Broadband Internet Access for Students and Families are Multi-Layered

By Lindsay Wagner As families embark upon a school year like none before, most public school districts in North Carolina are largely relying on a household’s ability to access a high-speed internet connection to provide students their constitutionally guaranteed access to a sound basic education. But the COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare the profound inequities […]

More Than 100 Candidates for Public Office Attend the Public School Forum’s 2020 North Carolina Education Policy Primer Sessions

For the first time, the Forum will offer an education policy primer session for the general public in September 2020 RALEIGH, NC (September 8, 2020) — The Public School Forum of North Carolina has released the 2020 North Carolina Education Primer, which serves as a fact-based introduction to educational policymaking in NC. The Primer serves […]

Public School Forum of NC Statement on Coronavirus Relief Act 3.0

This week, the General Assembly approved measures and appropriated additional federal and state COVID relief funds to public schools across North Carolina, providing some additional, much-needed resources at a time of unprecedented upheaval. The Forum has shared the data on and emphasized the voices of our district leaders on the importance of schools having the […]

Facing potentially steep declines in enrollment and increased costs to safely reopen schools, school superintendents call for the General Assembly to hold school budgets harmless

Photo Credit: Pixabay, Pexels By Lindsay Wagner As August draws near, public school superintendents across North Carolina are grappling with how to begin the 2020-21 year with plans that keep educators, families and students safe and engaged in rigorous learning while the country continues to fight COVID-19. But as superintendents and education leaders piece together the […]

Public School Forum of North Carolina Announces the NC Center for Afterschool Programs 16th Annual Synergy Conference

RALEIGH, NC (July, 22 2020) – The Public School Forum’s NC Center for Afterschool Programs (NC CAP) will virtually host its 16th annual Synergy Conference on July 28-31, 2020. This year’s conference theme is Future in Focus. The Synergy Conference brings together hundreds of afterschool and expanded learning program directors, staff, K-12 educators, and college […]