This week, North Carolina moved another step closer to addressing its constitutional obligation to ensure every child has access to a sound basic education. Building upon a January 2020 court order in the Leandro Case, on Monday plaintiffs and defendants together submitted to the court a short-term action plan for fiscal year 2021 that offers […]
Public School Forum of North Carolina Statement Against Systemic Racism and Oppression
The murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery by police officers are the most recent manifestations of a long and enduring legacy of violence and injustice against Black communities in this country. Violence can take many forms, and in education, students of color experience violence when they are disproportionately criminalized, devalued, and denied […]
The Public School Forum of NC Names Dr. Mary Ann Wolf President/Executive Director
RALEIGH, NC (May 4, 2020) — The Public School Forum of North Carolina has named Dr. Mary Ann Wolf as its new President and Executive Director. On June 15, 2020, Dr. Wolf will succeed Interim President and Executive Director Dr. Michael D. Priddy. “Our Board is excited to have a proven leader in Dr. Mary […]
Report Highlights Where Young People Face the Greatest Obstacles to Success in North Carolina
RALEIGH, NC (April 29, 2020) – A new report released today by the Public School Forum of North Carolina and its NC Center for Afterschool Programs (NC CAP) highlights large areas of North Carolina where young people are at risk of not succeeding. The report, Roadmap of Need 2020, was released today, during the week […]
During This Crisis, We Must Ensure Every Child Has Access to a Sound Basic Education
By Dr. Michael D. Priddy, Acting President/Executive Director, Public School Forum of NC A crisis has befallen our state, our country and our entire world. We are in the midst of a pandemic that not only threatens our lives, but our way of life as well, as many of us push pause on our daily […]
Call for Nominations and Applications: President/Executive Director – Public School Forum of NC
The Public School Forum of North Carolina is conducting an active search for our next President/Executive Director. This Raleigh based role is designed to lead the organization as we execute our strategic plan. In addition to a demonstrated commitment to public education and a personal passion for the vision and mission of this nonpartisan organization, […]
A State at Risk: Critical Investments in North Carolina’s Public Schools Are Urgently Needed to Ensure Each Child Receives a Sound Basic Education
RALEIGH, N.C. (December 11, 2019) — As North Carolina has reduced its commitment over the past decade to fulfilling its constitutional obligation to provide each and every child a sound basic education, the Public School Forum of NC looks forward to partnering with other public education supporters to set our great state on a new […]
Marisa Bryant Joins Public School Forum of North Carolina As Director of Development
RALEIGH, NC (November 13, 2019) – The Public School Forum of North Carolina is pleased to welcome Marisa Bryant as its new Director of Development. This is a new role for the Forum, and Bryant will lead the organization’s efforts to coordinate fundraising opportunities and cultivate strong donor relationships. “We are so fortunate that Marisa […]
Public School Forum of NC Statement on Governor’s Veto of NC General Assembly’s ‘Mini-Budget’ Teacher Raises
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE RALEIGH, NC (November 8, 2019) – Today, Governor Roy Cooper vetoed a ‘mini-budget’ bill passed by the General Assembly in October that would have offered teachers across the state pay raises that are grossly inadequate and do not reflect the tireless commitment North Carolina’s educators make to our children every day. Governor […]
Public School Forum of NC Launches Study Group XVII
Efforts Will Target the Unique Education Challenges Facing Rural North Carolina’s Students RALEIGH, NC (October 30, 2019) – Stakeholders representing business, education, government, academia and the non-profit community gathered at Research Triangle Park Headquarters on Wednesday, October 30 to launch Study Group XVII, which will examine the unique education challenges facing students across rural North […]
Public School Forum of NC Announces the Dr. Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity and Opportunity
Photo Credit: Les Todd RALEIGH, NC (October 29, 2019) – The Public School Forum of North Carolina is excited to announce the establishment of the Dr. Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity and Opportunity (CEEO), which will serve as a hub to identify and connect organizations, networks, and thought leaders who address equity, access, and […]
Keith Poston Resigns as President and Executive Director of Public School Forum of NC
The Public School Forum of NC announced today that President and Executive Director Keith Poston has resigned from his position to focus on personal family matters, effective October 31, 2019. “We appreciate Keith’s more than five years of service to the Forum and wish him well,” said the Public School Forum’s Board Chair, Dr. Tom […]
Public School Forum of North Carolina Announces Study Group XVII
Efforts Will Target the Unique Education Challenges Facing Rural North Carolina’s Students The Public School Forum of NC is excited to announce the launch of Study Group XVII, which will examine the unique education challenges facing students across rural North Carolina. Continuing the Forum’s practice of bringing together thought leaders from myriad industries to distill […]
The NC Center for Afterschool Programs Celebrates the 20th Anniversary of Lights On Afterschool at the Governor’s Executive Mansion
RALEIGH, NC (October 7, 2019) – The Public School Forum’s NC Center for Afterschool Programs (NC CAP) is proud to announce that it will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the annual nationwide event, Lights On Afterschool, with North Carolina First Lady Kristin Cooper and Dr. Terry Peterson, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, After School […]
Yes, “A” Still Stands for Affluent in NC School Performance Grades
By Lindsay Wagner North Carolina released its annual A-F School Performance Grades this week and they continue to reflect the clear relationship between poverty and students’ test scores. Of the 21.7% of North Carolina schools that received either a D or F in 2018-19, 95% of those schools were serving high poverty populations. That’s a […]
Color of Education Announces New Mapping Project to Highlight Racial Equity Efforts Across NC
RALEIGH, NC (August 23, 2019) –The Public School Forum of NC, in partnership with the Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity and Duke Sanford Policy Bridge, is excited to announce a new joint initiative: Mapping the Movement for Racial Equity and Beyond. For years, there has been great work happening around racial equity in […]
Teachers, state employees caught in the middle as state treasurer, hospitals battle over State Health Plan
By Lindsay Wagner When Wilkes County middle school librarian Susan Ringo recently had a stroke, she came through the medical crisis only to learn she had other undiagnosed congenital health issues that will require a lifetime of medical care at no small cost. She had planned to rely on the State Health Plan to keep […]
A compromise budget that fails to ensure a sound basic education for every child
Statement by Keith Poston on the 2019-21 compromise state budget plan
Virtual pre-K still on the table at General Assembly as early childhood experts raise red flags, caution against more screen time
By Lindsay Wagner Among the many education proposals that have surfaced during the 2019 legislative session, few have provoked as much heated debate as this idea: to enact a 3-year pilot program that would provide low-income and military families in ten districts across North Carolina with a virtual preschool platform known as UPSTART. Rep. D. […]
North Carolina’s Average Teacher Pay Myth: An Analysis by the Public School Forum of North Carolina
More than 80 percent of North Carolina’s school districts report average teacher salaries that are below the state average RALEIGH, NC (May 23, 2019) – A new report by the Public School Forum of NC finds that average teacher salaries in more than 80 percent of North Carolina’s school districts fall below the reported statewide […]
Ta-Nehisi Coates to headline “Color of Education 2019” Summit in North Carolina
Raleigh-Durham, NC (May 13, 2019) – The Public School Forum of North Carolina, Duke Policy Bridge at the Sanford School of Public Policy and the Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity at Duke University, announced today that award-winning author Ta-Nehisi Coates will headline “Color of Education 2019,” their second annual summit focused on race, […]
Without Evidence That They Are Effective, NC Senate Moves to Expand Vouchers and Virtual Charter Schools
By Lindsay Wagner Relying on sound data when it comes to making decisions around spending North Carolina’s taxpayer dollars should be a no-brainer. However, in spite of the fact that we don’t know if our publicly funded school voucher program produces positive academic outcomes for kids, Senate lawmakers passed legislation this week that would expand […]
House budget would shred the small amount of accountability that exists for the school voucher program
By Lindsay Wagner Since its inception, North Carolina’s school voucher program has suffered from a stunning lack of transparency and accountability that should safeguard the public’s investment in private schools. The voucher program already makes public dollars accessible to private schools that are free to discriminate by turning away students who are gay or transgender, […]
New Report Highlights Where Young People Face the Greatest Obstacles to Success in North Carolina
GREENSBORO, NC (April 24, 2019) – A new report released today by the Public School Forum of North Carolina and its NC Center for Afterschool Programs (NC CAP) highlights large areas of North Carolina where young people are at risk of not succeeding. The report, Roadmap of Need 2019, was released today at the Center […]