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 […]
Call for Student Artists
The Public School Forum of North Carolina is seeking talented high school student artists to create original artwork celebrating our 40th anniversary. This is a paid opportunity for creative students to contribute their voices to materials that will be shared with our audiences across the state both digitally and in print throughout 2025 and 2026. […]
2025-27 Governor’s Budget Proposal Analysis
The North Carolina budgeting process for the 2025-27 biennium officially kicked off this week with the release of Governor Josh Stein’s proposed budget, which outlines his priorities for education policy and funding. The Governor’s budget addresses many of the evidence-based action items called for in the Public School Forum’s 2025-27 Top Education Issues. Under this […]
Celebrating the 50 Year Legacy of IDEA
Fifty years ago, the first iteration of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was signed into law, transforming the American education system by guaranteeing that students with disabilities have the right to a free and appropriate public education. Before IDEA, millions of children were denied schooling or placed in inadequate programs that failed to meet […]
SB 227 Eliminating “DEI” in Public Education
It’s been a busy week at the NC General Assembly, with lots of legislation introduced that could have significant impacts on our students, schools, and educators. One bill that’s getting a lot of attention is SB 227: Eliminating “DEI” in Public Education. The bill is co-sponsored by Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger (R, Rockingham, […]
NC Bring Your Legislator to School Day is now NC Legislators in Schools Week
RALEIGH, NC (March 7, 2025)- After two successful years of strengthening connections between North Carolina’s local public schools and lawmakers, Bring Your Legislator to School Day is expanding to become North Carolina Legislators in Schools Week. During the week of April 7 members of the North Carolina General Assembly will visit schools in their communities […]
Potential Executive Order to Dismantle the Department of Education
According to various reports, President Trump will likely soon issue an executive order to dismantle the Department of Education. This is a threat to the future of public education nationwide and therefore a threat to the future of our children nationwide. While the full legal and practical implications of such an action remain unclear, the […]
Exploring Weighted Student Funding in North Carolina
In 2023, Senators Lee, Galey, and Barnes sponsored a bill that would convert North Carolina’s funding formula to a weighted student funding (WSF) model. Nationally, 41 states use student-based funding in their formula. Weighted, student-based funding formulas include a base funding amount plus funding for students with additional needs, including economically disadvantaged students, English language […]
Public School Forum of North Carolina to Honor Mebane Rash and Tom Oxholm at the 2025 Jay Robinson Education Leadership Gala
RALEIGH, NC (February 7, 2025)- The Public School Forum of North Carolina will honor Mebane Rash and Tom Oxholm at the 2025 Jay Robinson Education Leadership Award Gala on Thursday, May 1 at the Angus Barn Pavilion in Raleigh. This year’s gala marks the beginning of the Public School Forum’s 40th Anniversary Year with this […]
The 2025 Long Session Presents Exciting Opportunity
January marked the beginning of the 2025 long session for the North Carolina General Assembly. As this session begins, we are at a critical point for public education in our state. The newly elected and returning officials have a unique opportunity to shape the future of our schools, students and educators. This session is a […]
Public School Forum of North Carolina Statement on Federal Policy Changes Impacting Education
As a nonpartisan organization, the Public School Forum of North Carolina has maintained only one bias since our founding nearly 40 years ago: we believe in the value of public education for every child, regardless of their identity, background, or any other factor. We understand that education is a powerful tool that is vital to […]
Public School Forum of North Carolina Shares 2025-26 Top Education Issues at Eggs & Issues Breakfast
RALEIGH, NC (January 28, 2025) – The Public School Forum of North Carolina shared the 2025-26 Top Education Issues today during the tenth Eggs & Issues breakfast event. The Top Education Issues brief outlines the Forum’s priorities for what should be at the forefront of education policy decision-making in the coming legislative biennium to ensure […]
Bright Ideas and the Potential for Bright Futures
Last month over 100 educators were celebrated at the annual Bright Ideas luncheon. The Bright Ideas program was started by the North Carolina Electric Cooperatives 30 years ago with each of the state’s 26 local electric cooperatives selecting winners from across our 100 counties each year. Since the program’s inception, $16 million in Bright Ideas […]
The Cold Truth About Schools Without Heat
Across Wake County this week, parents (myself included) scrambled to find transportation and care for children who were sent home from at least eight schools over two days that let out early for a lack of heat. No heat…for our KIDS??? Understandably exasperated, parents and community members pointed fingers in many directions: the school board, […]