RALEIGH, NC (August 21, 2026) – At its June 2026 meeting, the Board of Directors of the Public School Forum of North Carolina approved several new Directors and At-Large Advisors for terms that officially began July 1, 2026. “I’m honored to have begun my tenure with the Public School Forum of North Carolina alongside the […]
Our Students Deserve Certainty
For many, discussions about federal budgets, legislative sessions, or policy shifts can feel far removed from the day-to-day life of a school. But for those of us who have served as educators, we know how quickly those decisions, or a lack thereof, can ripple down into classrooms. Uncertainty in school funding is not a hypothetical […]
North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs Celebrates Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week
RALEIGH, NC (April, 27 2022)– April 24-28, 2023 is After Schools Professionals Appreciation Week. Celebrated the last full week in April of every year, After Schools Professionals Appreciation Week is a time to recognize and appreciate those who work with youth during out-of-school hours. In the U.S. there are over 850,000 afterschool professionals and an […]
Joint Reflections from Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity & Opportunity and the Public School Forum of North Carolina on Senate Bill 49
February marks the month set aside to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of Black Americans. It is also a time for reflection on the progress made and work that remains to ensure equal rights and opportunity for every individual. A seminal moment in the Civil Rights Movement came in 1954, when the Supreme Court ruled […]
Public School Forum Releases Interactive Local School Finance Study
For more than 30 years, the Public School Forum of North Carolina’s Local School Finance Study has highlighted variations and trends in local spending for public education across our state’s 100 counties. The purpose of this annual study is to isolate local spending from state and federal spending to examine the capacity and actual effort […]
Bus Driver Sickout is a Symptom of a Much Greater Illness for Public Education
Many families in Wake County discovered this morning that their children did not have a bus driver to bring them to school today. These families are worried about their own kids and others who may not have a ride to school. Many are feeling frustrated about the bus driver sickout, as well as other staffing […]
Protected: Mapping
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Study Group XVII
North Carolina is second only to Texas in total population living in rural communities. Eighty of the state’s 100 counties are classified as rural, and 87 of our 115 public school districts are in rural counties. Thirty-six percent of all students in the state attend rural schools. Rural North Carolina has been hard hit by […]
Assessment and Accountability During COVID-19: Supporting Safety and Learning for North Carolina’s Schools and Students
As school communities continue to navigate the impacts of a global pandemic, new learning environments (remote or hybrid) have brought forth complex challenges when it comes to safely, reliably and equitably assessing student learning using statewide standardized testing. Additionally, standardized tests are used for accountability purposes, which can create scenarios where students and educators experience […]
Education Matters ep. 161 Schools and the Community
Classrooms around the world have been looking very different this fall. Between virtual learning, smaller classrooms, and split weeks, learning has evolved into a challenge for many. Here to discuss some of the changes, successes, and the future, are state and local leaders in education. Guests: David Stegall, Deputy Superintendent of Innovation, NCDPI Freebird McKinney, […]
Diana Paredes
Diana Paredes Afterschool STEM Expansion Vista As the Afterschool STEM Expansion Vista, Diana works with the program coordinator and director to support and continue NC CAP’s initiative to bridge the gap among STEM programs across North Carolina. Prior to joining NC CAP, Diana earned a Bachelor’s of Arts in Exercise and Sport Science with a […]
Education Matters Ep. 150 School Budgets: Short- and Long-term Impacts on Our Public Schools
COVID-19 has created changes to the school budget landscape across our state. From creating access to broadband to in-person learning costs, there are new and different short and long-term impacts on the budget. Guests: Cathy Moore, Superintendent, Wake County Public Schools Tony Jackson, Superintendent, Vance County Public Schools Lilah Dreier, second grade student at Swiftcreek […]
COVID-19’s Impact on Public School Budgets: Unstable Funding Requires Quick Action
The K-12 Public School Funding Crisis North Carolina’s public school leaders predict that they may be facing student enrollment declines of up to 20% for the 2020-21 school year due to COVID-19. Fewer students translates into potentially significant reductions to school budgets that are already substantially underfunded, and could result in teacher and staff layoffs […]
Education Matters ep. 138 Planning for Reopening Schools Safely During Covid-19
As the school year ends, planning begins. With the new school year approaching, we look to district and state leaders to decide what guidelines will be in place to keep our students and staff safe. This week we discuss backgrounds, options, and factors surrounding school opening plans with leaders in Edgecombe County as well as […]
Current Cohort
2019 – 2020 Education Policy Fellows WEST COHORT Andrea Adams Andrea Adams currently teaches at Robbinsville High School in the Career and Technical Education Department. Andrea is a HOSA advisor and has a very active club at the high school, working in the healthcare realm in her community and assisting the students to […]
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 […]
Turnover, senior staff departures continue at the NC Department of Public Instruction
On the heels of several high level departures in recent months from the NC Department of Public Instruction, NC State Superintendent Mark Johnson is now losing two key members of his inner circle–his general counsel and legislative director. Kevin Wilkinson, who came to DPI with Johnson shortly after his 2016 election, will leave his position […]
Friday Report – June 14th, 2019
This week in #nced: As NC House and Senate Disagree Over Licensing Issue, Teacher Jobs Are in Limbo; With Growing Calls for More Mental Health Services, States Tackle School Counselor Caseloads
Friday Report – June 7th, 2019
This week in #nced: Virtual Pre-K Still on The Table at General Assembly as Early Childhood Experts Raise Red Flags, Caution Against More Screen Time; NC Surpasses 200 Charter Schools as State Board Approves 10 More
Friday Report – May 31st, 2019
The Friday Report May 31, 2019 Public School Forum Honors Jim and Barbara Goodmon with Annual Education Award Nearly 500 educators, business leaders, community stakeholders, government officials and supporters of public schools gathered at the Raleigh Convention Center last night to honor Jim and Barbara Goodmon for their vast contributions to public education. Jim Goodmon, […]
Education Matters – The E-Cigarette Epidemic and Students
Topic: The e-cigarette epidemic and students E-cigarettes, Vaping. Juuling. Whatever you know it by, their use is skyrocketing among students. Last week North Carolina became the first state in the country to file a lawsuit against popular e-cigarette maker Juul Labs alleging the company is downplaying the potency and danger of nicotine and illegally targeting […]
Friday Report – May 24th, 2019
This week in #nced: ‘The Future of Education’: Rowan-Salisbury Schools Unveils Renewal Plan; Only Low-Performing Schools Can Get Charter-Like Flexibility. Wake Says That ‘Stinks’
Friday Report – May 17th, 2019
This week in #nced:’Nothing’s Really Changed’: NC Teaching Fellows Still Enrolling Mostly White Female Students; School Board Axes Grant Funds For Equity Training
Friday Report – May 10, 2019
This week in #nced: Without Evidence to Suggest They are Effective, NC Senate Moves to Expand Private School Vouchers and Virtual Charter School Programs; Senate Lowers Performance Standards for Charter Schools, Eliminates Enrollment Cap