Public School Forum

A think-and-do tank committed to North Carolina public schools

Moving Forward: Leveraging Lessons from COVID-19 in Education

This past year brought incredible challenges; and yet, we know that there are lessons we can learn from those who experienced teaching and learning during COVID-19. And perhaps more than ever before, we know we need to listen and learn from our educators so that we take these lessons and move forward in ways that […]

Education Matters ep. 177 2021 NC Teachers of the Year

Today we have the privilege to hear from two incredible North Carolina teachers of the year as well as Dr. Jim Causby, a longtime school superintendent and advocate for the recent creation of North Carolina’s Beginning Teacher of the Year program as they discuss what impacts teachers, the needs of the classroom, and how they […]

New Study: North Carolina Parents Praise Summer Learning Programs But, Even Before COVID-19, Programs Were Out of Reach for Many North Carolina Children

WASHINGTON, DC — After a year of isolation, learning loss, and trauma for many students, this summer will be especially important for young people to begin to heal, re-connect, and make learning gains. Yet a study released today finds that even before the pandemic, some 400,713 North Carolina children and youth were without access to […]

Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity and Opportunity/ Public School Forum Statement on HB 324

Our legislators, on both sides of the aisle, continually reference their support of education for all students. However, the most recent version of House Bill 324, which passed the House Education Committee today, incites a fear-based approach to limit teachers’ ability to discuss the reality of racism in the United States and would limit students’ […]

Education Matters ep. 176 Looking Ahead to Leandro Implementation (Part 2)

As we continue to move through this time of transition and recovery from COVID-19, many critical issues continue to be top of mind for our schools, educators, and students. That includes developing pathways to ensure that all students have equitable access to high-quality and well-prepared teachers and elevating the importance of social and emotional learning, […]

Education Matters ep. 175 Looking Ahead to Leandro Implementation (Part 1)

As we continue to move through this time of transition and recovery from COVID-19, many critical issues continue to be top of mind for our schools, educators, and students. That includes developing pathways to ensure that all students have equitable access to high quality and well prepared teachers and elevating the importance of social and […]

Public School Forum of North Carolina Announces the NC Center for Afterschool Programs’ 17th Annual Synergy Conference

RALEIGH, NC (April 21, 2021) – The Public School Forum’s NC Center for Afterschool Programs (NC CAP) will virtually host its 17th annual Synergy Conference on April 27-30, 2021. This year’s conference theme is Revolutionizing Afterschool: Renew-Reconnect-Rise. The Synergy Conference brings together hundreds of afterschool and expanded learning program directors, staff, K-12 educators, and college […]

Education Matters ep. 173 Assessment and Accountability

Many of you are well aware of the state assessments that students in North Carolina take each year and the accountability system that assigns a letter grade to each traditional public school in our state. The Assessment and Accountability systems in our state play a critical role in our students’ educational experiences, opportunities, and outcomes. […]

Navigating the Spring Return to School: An Educator’s Social and Emotional Learning Toolbox

By: Stacey Craig, NC Resilience & Learning Project Consultant On March 26, the Urban Assembly and SEL4US hosted the second annual International SEL Day, with the theme “Building Bonds, Reimagining Communities.” Leading organizations in the field of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), including the Collaborative for Academic Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL), as well as […]

Education Matters ep. 172 Early Childhood Education

Early childhood education, care, and support provide our children with the foundation to do well in school and in life and are critical for our families and our state. Our guests are here today to talk about the importance of early childhood learning and support and what needs to happen across North Carolina to give […]

Education Matters ep. 171 The Science of Reading

The data is clear about the importance of children being able to read on grade level by third grade as a foundation of their education and future success. Today, we will delve into some shifts in how we think about early literacy and the direction the state and other partners are heading in regard to […]

Education Matters ep. 170 Developing a School Finance System that Provides Adequate, Equitable, and Efficient Resources to Every Child

Our schools require significant human and fiscal resources, and the way our schools are funded is an important key to supporting our schools and ensuring we are able to provide a high-quality and equitable education for all students. Here to talk about it are Jim Deal, Chair of the Finance Committee on the Leandro Commission, […]

Education Matters ep. 168 A Qualified and Well-Prepared Principal in Every School

School leadership is a critical component when it comes to effective learning outcomes. On today’s show, we will be talking with some amazing guests about the system of principal development and recruitment for a qualified and well-prepared principal in every school.  Guests: Dr. Shirley Prince, Executive Director – North Carolina Principals and Assistant Principals’​ Association […]

Education Matters ep. 167 Equity and Education Policy

Today we are coming to you from the second half of the 7th annual Eggs and Issues breakfast presented by the Public School Forum of North Carolina. Today’s discussion on Equity and Education Policy will be hosted by Lauren Fox, Senior Director of Policy at the Forum.  Guests: Maggie Murphy, Teacher, Allegheny County Schools Reagan […]

Collective Care: Generating a School Culture that Promotes Staff Wellness

By Stacey Riberdy For the past year, schools and school districts have been wrestling with how to support staff through the intense and chaotic demands of this pandemic. Whereas a growing understanding of trauma and social and emotional learning in education has highlighted the clear importance of staff wellness, the pandemic is bringing this critical […]

Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity and Opportunity/ Public School Forum Statement on Proposed NC Social Studies Standards

RALEIGH, N.C. (February 3, 2021) The Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity and Opportunity at the Public School Forum of North Carolina strongly supports the adoption of the revised state social studies standards that accurately and inclusively represent the complex past history and present-day realities of this country. These standards should include the terms “systemic […]