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 unprecedented withholding of education funds by President Trump. Federal Reconciliation Process Much is at stake for North Carolina students and schools as the federal reconciliation […]
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 brings a distinguished history of leadership, innovation and advocacy within public education in North Carolina. She is currently serving as President and Founder of Let […]
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 two bills that could threaten the sense of safety that all children deserve in their learning environments and communities. What is Being Proposed? This week, […]
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 state’s strong public education system. While that drop in ranking is far from drastic, it does demonstrate that if North Carolina does not prioritize our […]
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 funding to public schools and force states to make difficult decisions to cut programs our students depend on. On May 30, President Trump released his […]
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. These individuals have been trained to design organized and well-planned classrooms while delivering content instruction. These newly minted teachers will likely spend their summer working […]
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 for educator preparation programs across North Carolina. The toolkits include tailored resources for teacher, school counselor and school administrator preparation programs designed to help institutions […]
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 educator pay proposals so far– from Governor Josh Stein, the NC House, and the NC Senate. Since the beginning of the 2025 long session at […]
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 Director, Dr. Mary Ann Wolf, effective June 30, 2025. This marks a bittersweet moment for the organization as it celebrates her profound impact and prepares […]
North Carolina Can and Should be a Leader in School Nutrition
In local public schools across North Carolina, something quietly transformative happens every day: millions of students receive breakfast and lunch at no cost to their families. These meals can be the most consistent and nutritious food some children receive all day. And yet, school nutrition remains one of the most overlooked parts of our education […]
May 16 Policy Updates
The NC legislative session is really heating up this week, and we now have more clarity on which of the over 130 K12 education bills filed this session have retained momentum. The House also released part of its education budget proposal. This week, we take a closer look at how this budget stacks up with […]
May 9 Policy Updates
It’s crossover week at the General Assembly, so it’s been busy in Raleigh. We continue to sort through details of which bills have moved prior to the May 8 deadline, and will be back next week with further analysis on the over 130 K12 education bills filed this session. This week, we turn our attention […]
May 2 Policy Updates
As we move toward the May 8 crossover deadline, the deadline for bills to pass a full vote from one chamber and move to the other, over 130 K12 education bills have been filed this session in the NC General Assembly. As the legislative session continues, we will track bills that align with our Top […]
What the Department of Education Meant for My Public School Years
The U. S. Department of Education is a necessity. While the current federal administration may not agree, I’ve seen first-hand as a public school student how the Department of Education plays an extremely important role in student success across public schools and post-secondary education. Since the Department of Education Act was signed and enacted over […]
April 25 Policy Updates
As we move toward the May 8 crossover deadline, the deadline for bills to pass a full vote from one chamber and move to the other, over 130 K12 education bills have been filed this session in the NC General Assembly. As the legislative session continues, we will track bills that align with our Top […]
Community Connections: The Power of Rural Schools and Local Businesses
In rural communities, like the many we have here in North Carolina, local public schools are often community hubs, serving as places of learning as well as connection and growth. Likewise, local businesses are often important pieces of what makes a rural community what it is, making relationships between the two not just beneficial, but […]
April 18 Policy Updates
As we move toward the May 8 crossover deadline, the deadline for bills to pass a full vote from one chamber and move to the other, over 130 K12 education bills have been filed this session in the NC General Assembly. As the legislative session continues, we will track bills that align with our Top […]
We Knew What Worked. We Still Do: The Fight to Reclaim Public Education for the Public Good
“We’re seeing a lot more folks that are leaving the classroom mid-year…a lot of kind of comings and goings,” said Erin Horne, assistant dean at NC State, in a recent interview with WRAL. And she’s right: Teaching is becoming increasingly unattractive. According to a 2023 report on teacher recruitment and retention trends in North Carolina, […]
April 11 Policy Updates
Now that we have passed the bill filing deadlines for both the House and Senate, over 130 K12 education bills have been filed this session in the NC General Assembly. As the legislative session continues, we will track bills that align with our Top Education Issues and highlight several policy areas each week. School Performance […]
April 4 Policy Updates
Now that we have passed the Senate bill filing deadline and are quickly approaching the House deadline, over 100 K12 education bills have been filed this session in the NC General Assembly. As the legislative session continues, we will track bills that align with our Top Education Issues and highlight several policy areas each week. […]
Honoring the Legacy of John Dornan, The Forum’s Founding Executive Director
John N. Dornan, the founding executive director of the Public School Forum of North Carolina and an extremely important figure in North Carolina public education, passed away on March 27, 2025. While The Forum mourns his passing, we celebrate his life-long dedication to ensuring that every child in North Carolina had access to a high-quality […]
Public School Forum Releases 2025 Local School Finance Study
RALEIGH, NC (March 28, 2025) – The Public School Forum of North Carolina’s 2025 Local School Finance Study is now available. Through this study, The Forum has highlighted variations and trends in local spending for public education across our state’s 100 counties for over 30 years. The purpose of this annual study is to isolate […]
March 28 Policy Updates
Two policy areas we’re watching closely at the legislature: This week over 70 K12 education bills were filed in the NC General Assembly! This is not unusual since the Senate bill filing deadline was March 25th and the House bill filing deadline is quickly approaching on April 3rd. As the legislative session continues, we will […]
Public School Forum of NC Response to Executive Order to Dismantle The U.S. Department Of Education
Making sure children have strong local public schools is part of the American promise. It is in our national interest to strengthen public schools and bring together children, families, and educators in a shared space of learning and growth. President Trump’s Executive Order (EO) this week threatens that promise and is a direct threat to […]