News

Following this week’s elections, North Carolina’s legislative landscape has shifted. For over a decade and a half, Republicans have held a majority (or a supermajority) in both the NC House and the NC Senate. Tuesday, for the first time in 16 years, Democrats secured a majority in the North Carolina House, and are one seat […]

As voters make decisions in the final days of early voting, North Carolina faces a consequential choice about its fiscal future. Two proposed constitutional amendments would constrain future revenue options for state and local governments. For public schools, the stakes extend beyond today’s tax rates to the resources available to meet future needs. Public School […]

As early voting continues across North Carolina, local ballots feature more than just candidate races. In many communities, voters are weighing local ballot measures–including school construction bonds and local sales tax increases–that reflect persistent pressures on county governments to fill gaps in public school funding. Statutory Responsibility for School Capital Under the North Carolina Constitution, […]

Early voting for the 2026 election is underway, and education is on the ballot. From federal funding decisions to local school budgets, elected officials shape the resources and policies that affect public schools. As voters weigh their choices, reliable information is essential, particularly when misleading claims about ballot measures can influence public understanding. Education Is […]

Last week, the U.S. Department of the Treasury released proposed regulations for the Education Freedom Tax Credit, offering new details about how the program will operate beginning in 2027, but few answers about how, and to what extent, the program could benefit students attending public schools. Proposed regulations give little power to the state The […]

This week, the Blue Ribbon Commission on Public Education agreed on several recommendations for teacher training and student advancement. The recommendations highlight strategies to improve student outcomes while also reinforcing the need for sustained state support and funding to put them into practice. Student Achievement Recommendations The Commission’s first recommendation is to “Strengthen Early Literacy […]

North Carolina’s educator workforce continues to face complex challenges, even as data show fewer teacher vacancies statewide. This week, the Forum looks at what the latest vacancy data tell us, and how investing in educator leadership can help strengthen the workforce for the long term. Teacher and Staff Vacancies With schools in full swing, the […]

This week’s guest writer, Emilee Higdon, is an educator in Macon County and serves as a Forum Local Ambassador for the Western Region. She takes a closer look at the tax amendments on the ballot in November and what they mean for her community. We are officially in the “-ber” months, and you know what […]

North Carolina recently secured at least $451 million and potentially up to $645 million from its landmark Meta settlement, creating a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest those resources in youth well-being. The North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs weighs in with what this means for North Carolina. NC Reaches Landmark Settlement with Social Media Giant MetaNorth […]

This week, North Carolina celebrated its highest graduation rate in history, along with achievement gains across nearly all grades and subjects. While the results offer important signs of progress, they also come as state leaders consider how to modernize North Carolina’s complex school funding system. The Blue Ribbon Commission on Public Education met this week […]

As North Carolina families prepare for the new school year, school districts are balancing budgets and, in some cases, asking county commissioners for additional funding to help cover local matches to align with the state’s teacher pay increases and bonuses. At the same time, a new state commission is preparing to examine how North Carolina […]

As the General Assembly launches a new study of weighted student funding (WSF), the Public School Forum is preparing to release findings from more than two years of research and comprehensive stakeholder engagement. The report offers several key considerations for policymakers as North Carolina evaluates whether and how to reform its school funding system. What […]

As school districts prepare for another school year, a recent survey found that two concerns top the list for superintendents: budget shortfalls and declining enrollment. Both have significant implications for school systems, and while North Carolina’s recently enacted budget addresses some of these challenges, many underlying issues remain unresolved. Budget ShortfallsDistrict leaders report that rising […]

After more than a year of delays, North Carolina finally has a comprehensive state budget. The legislation includes meaningful investments in educator compensation and student supports while continuing broader tax and education policies that will shape public schools for years to come. The Public School Forum released a comprehensive analysis of the more than 600-page […]