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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
James and Barbara Goodmon to Receive Public School Forum of North Carolina’s Annual Education Leadership Award
RALEIGH, NC (February 28, 2019) – James (Jim) and Barbara Goodmon were named today as the recipients of the 2019 Public School Forum of North Carolina Jay Robinson Education Leadership Award. The Forum established the award in 2000 to recognize leaders who have demonstrated innovative, creative, and effective leadership for public education in North Carolina. […]
Annual Local School Finance Study Confirms Vast Funding Disparities Across North Carolina
RALEIGH, NC (February 19, 2019) – A study released today by the Public School Forum of North Carolina once again illustrates a chronic and growing gap in public school funding between the highest and lowest-wealth counties in the state. The 2019 Local School Finance Study found that the ten highest spending counties spent on average […]
Public School Forum Releases Top 10 Education Issues for 2019
This Year’s Top Issue: NC Must Renew its Commitment to Public Schools for the Public Good RALEIGH, NC (January 23, 2019) – The Public School Forum of North Carolina released its Top 10 Education Issues for 2019 today during its fifth annual Eggs & Issues Breakfast in Raleigh, where the Forum’s President and Executive Director […]
Public School Forum of North Carolina Announces the NC Center for Afterschool Programs Launch of the POWER UP Program
RALEIGH, NC (January 3, 2019) – The Public School Forum’s NC Center for Afterschool Programs (NC CAP) will launch its POWER UP Program in 2019 with national support from the Mott Foundation and the National Afterschool Alliance. The purpose of the POWER UP Program is to provide programs serving youth afterschool, before school and during […]
MEDIA ADVISORY: Award-winning Journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones To Discuss Race & Education at Durham Event
“Color of Education: An Evening with Nikole Hannah-Jones” Tuesday, October 2, 2018 7:00 – 8:30 PM Penn Pavilion at Duke University 107 Union Drive, Durham, NC 27710 The Public School Forum of North Carolina, Duke Policy Bridge and the Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity at Duke University will host the first in a […]
Color of Education Partnership Forms Guiding Committee
Raleigh-Durham, NC (September 18, 2018) – Color of Education, a new initiative of the Public School Forum of North Carolina, Duke Policy Bridge and the Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity at Duke University, has formed a Guiding Committee to help shape their efforts around race equity and education. The Guiding Committee is co-chaired […]
The Public School Forum’s NC Resilience and Learning Project Expands into Six New School Districts to Create Trauma-Sensitive School Environments
Raleigh, NC (August 22, 2018) – The Public School Forum of NC’s Resilience and Learning Project will expand into six new school districts and continue working in the two 2017 pilot school districts across North Carolina this fall to create safer and more supportive learning environments for students, especially where trauma is prevalent in their […]
Lauren Fox Joins Public School Forum of North Carolina as Senior Director of Policy
Raleigh, NC (August 15, 2018) – Lauren Fox has joined the Public School Forum of North Carolina as Senior Director of Policy. Fox will lead the Forum’s overall education policy analysis and research efforts and promote the Forum’s role in evidence-based policy decisions that promote world-class public education in North Carolina. “Lauren’s deep experience in […]


















