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 […]
The Final Word: Messages from North Carolina’s Regional Teachers of the Year
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 […]
Education Matters ep.191 Sparks of Color: The Untold Stories of Racial Equity Advocates
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 […]
Education Matters ep. 190
We talk with a panel of parents whose children are participating in afterschool programs statewide. Parents share their perspectives regarding the current needs of their children and their view of the role and value of afterschool programs in the midst of the learning recovery process. Parent Guests: Monica Battle Rene Flores Martha Flores Shannon Ford […]
The Final Word: The Importance of Afterschool Programming
In 2020, the Afterschool Alliance released the 4th edition of the America After 3pm Report. In the report, North Carolina ranked #6 overall nationally for providing opportunities for children to participate in quality, affordable programs during out-of-school time hours before school, afterschool and in the summer. Out-of-school time programs statewide help children learn, grow, and […]
Education Matters ep. 189 A Conversation with Superintendents
This week we hear from superintendents across the state about what the biggest challenges and opportunities our schools and students face this year. Guests: Dr. Anthony Jackson, Superintendent, Chatham County Schools Dr. Jeff McDaris, Superintendent, Transylvania County Schools Dr. Eisa Cox, Superintendent, Ashe County Schools We are seeking leaders who make a difference in their […]
Education Matters ep. 188 Leandro Update: Historic Investments in our Public Schools are Needed Now
Today, we will be discussing foundational issues in education in NC through the lens of the 25 year Leandro court case. You may wonder why Leandro is important for your family or community or our state? If we want to have a thriving economy that attracts businesses, a workforce that is prepared for the many […]
The Final Word: Historic Investments in our Public Schools are Needed Now
By Mary Ann Wolf You may wonder why Leandro is important for your family or community or our state? If we want to have a thriving economy that attracts businesses, a workforce that is prepared for the many jobs and vacancies, and opportunities to keep our graduates in rural communities across the state, we must […]
Jonathan Helms and Sheneika Simmons Selected to Join National Afterschool and Expanded Learning Initiative
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Sheronda Fleming, PhD Director, NC Center for Afterschool Programs sfleming@ncforum.org 919.781.6833 x135 RALEIGH, N.C. (October 6, 2021) — The Riley Institute at Furman University has selected Jonathan Helms, Grant Development Director at the Boys & Girls Club of Cabarrus County, and Sheneika Simmons, Program Manager at the Public School Forum of North […]
Education Matters ep. 187 A Conversation with Superintendents
This week we hear from superintendents across the state about the biggest challenges and opportunities our schools and students face this year. Guests: Dr. Anthony Jackson, Superintendent, Chatham County Schools Dr. Jeff McDaris, Superintendent, Transylvania County Schools Dr. Eisa Cox, Superintendent, Ashe County Schools We are seeking leaders who make a difference in their school […]
The Final Word: Why should Leandro be important to you?
by Mary Ann Wolf Our superintendents lead schools with a deep understanding of what our kids need to be successful in school and in life beyond the classroom. On Education Matters this week, we heard from three superintendents who shared what they know to be critical elements that North Carolina must provide in our schools […]
Education Matters ep. 186 A Discussion with North Carolina’s Regional Teachers of the Year
Today we are continuing a series with the North Carolina Regional Teachers of the Year to learn more about what is happening in classrooms across the state this school year. Guests: Erin Ellington, Northwest North Carolina 2021 Regional Teacher of the Year, Watauga County Schools Kelly Poquette, Piedmont Triad North Carolina 2021 Regional Teacher of […]
The Final Word: Investing in North Carolina’s public school students, our communities, and our economy
by Mary Ann Wolf Twenty-seven years ago, some of North Carolina’s most poverty stricken school districts came together to do something about the educational conditions of their children. Together with plaintiff families, they initiated a lawsuit against the state of North Carolina, asserting that the state wasn’t doing enough to ensure all children were able […]
The Final Word: Attracting and encouraging NC’s best and brightest to become educators
by Mary Ann Wolf As I listened to North Carolina’s phenomenal Regional Teachers of the Year during today’s episode of Education Matters, I was reminded yet again that our state has work to do to ensure that the teaching profession is well-supported and attractive to our best and brightest educators and leaders. As the daughter […]
Education Matters ep. 185 A Discussion with North Carolina’s Regional Teachers of the Year
With classrooms full and a school year like no other, we decided to talk with some of the most impactful people when it comes to student learning outcomes, our teachers. Today we are kicking off a two week series with the North Carolina Regional Teachers of the Year. Guests: Susanna Cerrato, Western North Carolina 2021 […]