The Public School Forum of NC remains an indispensable champion of better public schools and the most trusted source in the state for research and analysis on vital education issues. […]
September 12 Policy Updates
While lawmakers expand costly private-school vouchers that lack oversight and accountability and exclude many students and families, North Carolina continues to rank near the bottom in public school funding, leaving […]
September 5 Policy Updates
This week in Washington, D.C., the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies released its Fiscal Year 2026 Appropriations bill, which, if passed, would […]
Why Medicaid and SNAP Cuts Put School Leaders in an Impossible Position
Growing up, there was a period when my family relied on food stamps to survive. At the time I admittedly felt some embarrassment about that fact, yet I found a […]
August 29 Policy Updates
The General Assembly has yet to pass a state budget, leaving school districts to navigate funding gaps and uncertainty as the new year begins. Families feel these pressures directly, even […]
Public School Forum of North Carolina Releases Report on Private School Accessibility Following the Expansion of Taxpayer-Funded Vouchers
RALEIGH, NC (August 20, 2025) – The Public School Forum of North Carolina has released a report exploring access, affordability and accountability in relation to the Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP), […]
Public Dollars, Private Schools: Evaluating Access, Affordability, and Accountability in North Carolina’s Universal Voucher Program
As the education privatization movement has spread across the country, school voucher programs have become more common and more expansive in many states. These programs use taxpayer dollars to provide […]
August 15 Policy Updates
Last week, the State Board of Education approved the Department of Public Instruction’s (DPI) five-year strategic plan, titled “Achieving Educational Excellence.” Meanwhile, Governor Stein signed the state’s mini-budget into law, […]
Leveraging the Community Schools Framework to Advance NC DPI & SBE Strategic Plan: Achieving Educational Excellence
Community Schools —an evidence-based school improvement strategy— began scaling statewide in 2023 with a grant from the Department of Education and coordination by the NC Community Schools Coalition (NCCSC). By […]
Donor Spotlight: Amos Fodchuk on the Power of Partnership in Supporting Local Public Schools
The Public School Forum of North Carolina is proud to launch our Donor Spotlight series, highlighting the leaders and partners whose generosity fuels our mission. In this first installment, we […]
Boys & Girls Club of the Plateau to Host Congressman Chuck Edwards for Site Visit Focused on Afterschool and Summer Learning
The Boys & Girls Club of the Plateau, the largest afterschool and summer learning program in Jackson County, North Carolina, is honored to host Congressman Chuck Edwards for a site […]
August 1 Policy Updates
The NCGA was back in session this week and followed an unusually busy agenda–from overriding eight vetoes to opting North Carolina into a vague and still-unfolding federal education voucher program. […]
Funding Restored for Afterschool & Summer Programs for 2025-2026 School Year, But Threats to the Field Remain
The North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs (NC CAP), afterschool providers, and families across North Carolina are relieved that the funding for 2025-2026 21st Century Community Learning Center afterschool and […]
July 18 Policy Updates
The NCGA is still on vacation, and we await further action on the budget when they return. It’s been another active week on the federal level, however, with big updates […]
Public School Forum of North Carolina Approves New Board Members and Advisory Board Members
RALEIGH, NC (July 18, 2025) – At its June 2025 meeting, the Board of Directors of the Public School Forum of North Carolina approved several new Directors and At-Large Advisors […]
July 4 Policy Updates
The NCGA is on vacation, and state budget talks are still stalled. This week has been busy at the federal level, however, with an updated reconciliation bill passing Congress, and […]
Ann W. McColl to Serve as Interim President and Executive Director of the Public School Forum of North Carolina
With great enthusiasm the Public School Forum Board of Directors announces the appointment of Ann W. McColl as Interim President and Executive Director of the Forum effective July 1. Ann […]
June 20 Policy Updates
Budget talks between North Carolina House and Senate GOP leaders have stalled, but other legislation concerning students in our schools has moved forward. This week, we take a look at […]
To Stay a Top State for Business, NC Must Become a Top State for Public Education
In 2022 and 2023, North Carolina was CNBC’s top state for business. In 2024, we were #2. Virginia took the top spot with one of the cited reasons being the […]
June 6 Policy Updates
As we await further news on the North Carolina budget, this week we turn our attention to the details of President Trump’s FY2026 budget request. This proposal would dramatically reduce […]
A Toolkit for Tomorrow’s Teachers and Today’s Realities
Last month heralded the commencement season for colleges and universities across North Carolina. Within the class of 2025 are graduates who will be the state’s next generation of classroom teachers. […]
NC Center for Resilience & Learning Releases Toolkit for Educator Preparation Programs
RALEIGH, NC (May 29, 2025) – The North Carolina Center for Resilience & Learning is proud to announce the release of the Education Preparation Programs Trauma-Informed Practices Toolkit, designed specifically […]
May 23 Policy Updates
This week, all eyes are on the House as North Carolina representatives present and debate their budget proposal for the 2025-27 biennium. Our analysis takes a deeper dive into all […]
Dr. Mary Ann Wolf to Conclude Her Tenure as Executive Director of the Public School Forum of NC
Raleigh, NC (May 23, 2025) – It is with deep appreciation and respect that the Board of Directors of the Public School Forum announces the departure of our esteemed Executive […]