Do you know a high school or college student who wants to be a teacher? Do you know others in your community who are thinking about changing careers to become a teacher? We need to encourage more individuals to consider education for their careers. Our teacher pipeline has decreased significantly over the past decade, and […]
Education Matters ep. 201 Supporting the Needs of Student Mental Health Part 2
Most of you probably know a student or even students who have struggled with mental health. Supporting students’ mental health has always been a challenging and important issue for schools — and today more than ever, the mental health needs of students are complex and significant as we navigate this global pandemic. Reporter Rupen Fofaria of […]
Education Matters: Celebrating 200 Episodes
Today is a special day for our show—over the last 5 and a half years, we have been so fortunate to produce 200 episodes of Education Matters that tell the story of why public education in North Carolina is so important for our children, families, and communities. We have had discussions ranging from the potential […]
The Final Word: Words of Wisdom From Dr. Dudley Flood
For our 200th episode of Education Matters, we were so fortunate to be joined by Dr. Dudley Flood, who is a legendary education hero who was instrumental in desegregating North Carolina’s public schools in the years following Brown v. Board of Education. He is also the namesake of the Public School Forum’s Dudley Flood Center […]
Education Matters ep. 197 The Importance of Leandro
For those of you who regularly tune in, you know that we often talk about the importance of the Leandro Case, which is focused on ensuring a sound, basic education for all students. The case has been ongoing for 25 years and yet, many people still don’t know what it could mean for education and […]
The Final Word: North Carolina Has Waited Too Long for Every Child to Have Access to a Sound Basic Education
By Mary Ann Wolf It has been nearly 30 years since the beginning of North Carolina’s school funding case known as Leandro, which was filed by plaintiffs in five poor school districts who gave voice to the fact that their children couldn’t get the education they deserved. Since that time, it has been repeatedly found […]
Education Matters ep. 199 Eggs and Issues 2022: Measuring Progress
Public School Forum of NC Releases Progress Report on Top Education Issues 2021-22
RALEIGH, N.C. (February 17, 2022) — The Public School Forum of North Carolina released its Progress Report on the Top Education Issues 2021-22 today during its eighth annual Eggs & Issues event. This year’s report takes a new approach, outlining both the progress made and gaps that remain when it comes to the Forum’s priorities […]
National Afterschool Association Honors Sheneika Simmons Among Its 2022 Next Generation of Afterschool Leaders
WASHINGTON, D.C. February 9, 2022 – The National AfterSchool Association (NAA), the voice of the afterschool profession and lead organization for the advancement of afterschool professionals and leaders has selected Sheneika Simmons, Program Manager of Wake Forest, NC as one of NAA’s 2022 Next Generation of Afterschool Leaders. In selecting its 2022 Next Generation of Afterschool Leaders, the […]
Dr. Deanna Townsend-Smith Named Senior Director of the Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity and Opportunity at the Public School Forum of NC
RALEIGH, N.C. (February 7, 2022) — Dr. Deanna Townsend-Smith, a long-time educator and advocate for educational equity, has been named Senior Director of the Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity and Opportunity. “I am excited to begin the role as Senior Director for the Flood Center,” said Dr. Townsend-Smith. “Throughout my career, my mission has […]
Education Matters ep. 198 Trauma-Informed Practices
The Final Word: Supporting Trauma-Informed Practices in Schools
By Mary Ann Wolf and Elizabeth DeKonty As we continue our focus on the whole child and student mental health, it is important for us to consider how a child’s experiences affect their brain and their behavior. When I think back to teaching two decades ago, the research about Adverse Childhood Experiences had not yet […]
Education Matters ep. 196 Supporting the Needs of Student Mental Health
Education Matters ep. 195 Part 2 of our Discussion with NC Regional Teachers of the Year
Education Matters Ep.194 A Discussion with NC Regional Teachers of the Year
The Final Word: Messages from North Carolina’s Regional Teachers of the Year
Each week on Education Matters, we offer a “Final Word,” from our host, Dr. Mary Ann Wolf, offering commentary on the state of our public schools. This week, as we collectively face another very challenging time in our schools, in our communities, and across our nation, we want to lift up the voices of some […]
Education Matters ep.192 Dual-Language Programs and School Choice
The Final Word: Public Schools Offer More Choices than Ever Before for Families Across North Carolina
By Dr. Mary Ann Wolf Did you know that North Carolina is a leader in global education? Our global commitments represent a unique statewide initiative that was adopted by the Partnership for 21st Century Learning as a national framework for investing in the support and vision necessary to prepare our students for a global workplace. […]
Education Matters ep. 193 Accelerate, Invigorate, Motivate: NC DPI’s AIM Conference
The Final Word: Investing in Public Education Helps Us All
By Dr. Mary Ann Wolf North Carolina’s system of public education plays an incredibly important role in our lives every day. If you benefited from public schools, have children in public schools, believe that public schools are critical for our democracy, and want our children to graduate prepared for college or career, then the effectiveness […]
Dr. Tiece M. Ruffin Elected as Board Member for Public School Forum of NC
RALEIGH, NC (December 7, 2021) – Dr. Tiece M. Ruffin, a U.S. Fulbright Scholar, Mother-scholar, and Professor of Africana Studies and Education at the University of North Carolina Asheville, has been elected to the Board of Directors for the Public School Forum of North Carolina for a two-year appointment. “We are so excited to welcome […]
North Carolina State Budget Analysis 2021-23
The North Carolina General Assembly released a 2021-23 state budget conference report on November 15, 2021. The budget agreement, which is nearly four months past its July 1 deadline, was passed by the General Assembly on November 18 and signed into law by Governor Roy Cooper. This brief outlines the extent to which the General […]
Dr. Dudley Flood Receives North Carolina’s Highest Honor for His Historic Work Desegregating NC Public Schools
RALEIGH, NC (November 15, 2021) – The namesake and inspiration of the Public School Forum of NC’s Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity and Opportunity, Dr. Dudley Flood, has been awarded North Carolina’s highest honor for his historic work desegregating North Carolina’s public schools during the years following the Brown v. Board of Education decision […]
Students at the Center: Historic Investments Ordered Today Will Pave the Way for All of North Carolina’s Children to Access a Sound Basic Education
RALEIGH, N.C. (November 10, 2021) — To ensure that our system of public schools offers an equal opportunity to every young North Carolinian, especially those in our highest-need communities, with a sound basic education, as is mandated in our state constitution and affirmed in the landmark state Supreme Court decision, Leandro v. the State of […]