On today’s show we have a range of topics to discuss with two special guests, Dr. Jen Mangrum, Democratic Candidate for State Superintendent, and Catherine Truitt, Republican Candidate for State Superintendent. I’d like to thank them both for their willingness to run for office and spend time with us today sharing their ideas, vision, and […]
NC State Superintendent Candidates Participate in Conversation hosted by Public School Forum of NC
By Lindsay Wagner The two candidates running for North Carolina State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. Jen Mangrum and Catherine Truitt, answered questions Tuesday afternoon in a virtual conversation hosted by the Public School Forum of NC. for alumni of the North Carolina Education Policy Fellowship Program (EPFP). The event was sponsored by LearnPlatform. Truitt, […]
Tickets Now Available for Color of Education *Virtual* Summit 2020
Summit will span month of October to offer an extended spotlight on race equity in education RALEIGH, NC (September 24, 2020) The Public School Forum of North Carolina, the Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity at Duke University, and the Center for Child and Family Policy at the Sanford School of Public Policy at […]
Education Matters ep. 152 STEM Engagement
In last week’s episode, we were able to discuss the need for ongoing STEM investments and exposure to high-quality STEM content, as early as Kindergarten. These discussions bring awareness to the need for collective strategies and intentional collaboration and partnerships within the STEM pipeline. The goal is to ensure that every child has access to […]
2020 Education Policy Primer
The Public School Forum of North Carolina has released the 2020 North Carolina Education Primer, which serves as a fact-based introduction to educational policymaking in NC. The Primer serves as a primary resource for current elected and appointed officials — as well as candidates running for public office — as they tackle education policy issues […]
Across North Carolina, the Barriers — and Solutions — to Broadband Internet Access for Students and Families are Multi-Layered
By Lindsay Wagner As families embark upon a school year like none before, most public school districts in North Carolina are largely relying on a household’s ability to access a high-speed internet connection to provide students their constitutionally guaranteed access to a sound basic education. But the COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare the profound inequities […]
Education Matters ep. 151 STEM Funders, Business, and Industry
The world around us is constantly changing and so is the workforce. It is imperative that youth are afforded opportunities to learn by doing, build skills, connect with mentors and prepare for the jobs of tomorrow. Today, STEM jobs are driving global economic growth, and youth nationwide are getting opportunities to develop an interest in […]
More Than 100 Candidates for Public Office Attend the Public School Forum’s 2020 North Carolina Education Policy Primer Sessions
For the first time, the Forum will offer an education policy primer session for the general public in September 2020 RALEIGH, NC (September 8, 2020) — The Public School Forum of North Carolina has released the 2020 North Carolina Education Primer, which serves as a fact-based introduction to educational policymaking in NC. The Primer serves […]
Public School Forum of NC Statement on Coronavirus Relief Act 3.0
This week, the General Assembly approved measures and appropriated additional federal and state COVID relief funds to public schools across North Carolina, providing some additional, much-needed resources at a time of unprecedented upheaval. The Forum has shared the data on and emphasized the voices of our district leaders on the importance of schools having the […]
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 […]
Education Matters ep. 149 School Culture in the World of COVID-19
We are now two weeks into the new school year in NC; and educators, students, and families alike are adjusting to a new normal in either a remote or hybrid setting. We will have the opportunity to hear from a Superintendent, principal, and two students on how they are embracing this experience and ensuring that […]
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. 148 Student Voices and Covid-19
This week, K-12 students across North Carolina are going back to school. Our public school students are beginning school under what have become known as Plans B and C — and in most districts, that is either a hybrid or a fully remote learning schedule. As of this taping, students in 60 school districts will […]
Education Matters ep. 147 Synergy and Afterschool Programming
As families and school districts work to provide academic, social, and emotional learning opportunities and support for their students, afterschool, before school, and summer programs are key pieces for many children. As an integral part of the learning process, programs teach children foundational skills, like communication, teamwork, and problem solving, and prepare them for the […]
Education Matters ep. 146 Supporting and Lifting Up Teachers in the World of COVID-19
While this time of year always seems to involve a great deal of back-to-school talk, this year it is even more so with every conversation involving school plans, district or parent decisions, and imaging what school will be like this year. For teachers, these discussions and issues are at the forefront of their minds, as […]
Education Matters ep. 145 Supporting Families with Students in Hybrid and Remote Learning Environments
While schools and districts are struggling to know what to do and how to best meet the needs of our students, the shift to hybrid or remote learning plans have had a dramatic impact on our families and students. During this episode we will meet with four guests who will help us better understand the […]
Facing potentially steep declines in enrollment and increased costs to safely reopen schools, school superintendents call for the General Assembly to hold school budgets harmless
Photo Credit: Pixabay, Pexels By Lindsay Wagner As August draws near, public school superintendents across North Carolina are grappling with how to begin the 2020-21 year with plans that keep educators, families and students safe and engaged in rigorous learning while the country continues to fight COVID-19. But as superintendents and education leaders piece together the […]
Public School Forum of North Carolina Announces the NC Center for Afterschool Programs 16th Annual Synergy Conference
RALEIGH, NC (July, 22 2020) – The Public School Forum’s NC Center for Afterschool Programs (NC CAP) will virtually host its 16th annual Synergy Conference on July 28-31, 2020. This year’s conference theme is Future in Focus. The Synergy Conference brings together hundreds of afterschool and expanded learning program directors, staff, K-12 educators, and college […]
Public School Forum of North Carolina Elects New Board Members and Advisory Board Members
RALEIGH, NC (July 21, 2020) – At its June 2020 meeting, the Board of Directors of the Public School Forum of North Carolina elected several new Directors and At-Large Advisors for two-year terms that officially began July 1, 2020. “The Forum’s Board of Directors and Advisory Board bring together accomplished individuals with diverse backgrounds and […]
Education Matters ep. 144 COVID-19’s Impact on Public School Funding
This week, our Governor provided more guidance for schools and districts as they plan for the beginning of a school year like none other. As families make complex and sometimes heart-wrenching decisions to meet the needs of their children, today we will talk to education leaders about what they are grappling with when it comes […]
Education Matters ep. 143 Safely Starting the 2020-21 School Year
As North Carolina continues to develop plans for safely beginning the 2020-21 school year, we take a look at the possibilities surrounding what next year could bring and what that means for both large and small school districts across our state. Joining us today are Cyndy Bliss, Principal of Myrtle Grove Middle School in New […]
Trauma-Informed School Re-Entry Planning Guide
Building student and staff resilience when schools reopen: Considerations and recommendations provided by the North Carolina Resilience & Learning Project The school year is over, but districts and schools are busy thinking about re-entry planning in the fall. With the ongoing circumstances of COVID-19 and the abrupt early ending to the 19-20 school year, schools are […]
Education Matters ep. 142 Spotlight on NC Businesses Supporting Public Schools and Welcoming the Forum’s New Executive Director and Host of Education Matters
During COVID-19 and the new remote learning environment that North Carolina’s students are grappling with, our state’s business community has stepped up to bridge the digital divide, forming partnerships with local school districts to provide technology and innovative solutions to access school resources. We’ll talk with representatives from Google and Lenovo today on the show […]
Education Matters ep. 141 Leandro: Moving from Planning to Action
Judge Lee’s Consent Order of January 21, 2020, it directed the State Defendants (SBE/Gov/DOJ representing the State to submit a status report setting out the “Specific actions that the State Defendants must implement in 2020 to begin to address the issues identified by WestEd.” Since then, in the midst of COVID-19, the State and the […]