Regardless of the election results, North Carolina will have a new Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Treasurer, and State Superintendent of Public Instruction in January. And, every single state senator and representative is up for re-election this year. This is among the many other very important races, including judgeships, county commissioners, and local school board […]
North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs Honors 2024 Afterschool Champions During 25th Annual Lights On Afterschool Celebration
RALEIGH, NC (October 27, 2023)– The North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs hosted a Lights On Afterschool reception on October 25 at the North Carolina Executive Mansion as part of the 25th annual national Lights On Afterschool campaign. The annual nationwide campaign celebrates afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, families […]
2024 Impact Report
Our 2024 Impact Report demonstrates how The Forum continued our key role of informing education stakeholders throughout 2024 via presentations, trainings, the Education Policy Fellowship Program, e-newsletters, Education Matters, and publications.
Local Public Schools are Vital to Community Resilience
Local public schools are more than a collection of classrooms and hallways lined with lockers. Our public schools provide a space for connection, bringing people together through sports, arts, and activities to build relationships across generations. In times of need, our public schools are a place of resources and support for all students and families […]
North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Candidates Participate in Final Debate Hosted by Public School Forum
RALEIGH, NC (October 15, 2024) – The Public School Forum of North Carolina held the final debate between North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction candidates, Michele Morrow and Mo Green on October 14, in Southern Pines, NC. The debate was moderated by North Carolina Leadership Forum co-chairs, John Hood and Sen. Leslie Winner. This year’s […]
We Have the Opportunity to Prioritize Our Local Public Schools
Election season offers us a great opportunity. The opportunity to weigh in on and decide a direction for our country, state, and local communities. If we hope to see our values prioritized by the people in decision-making positions, we must participate. Elected officials at the national, state, and local levels are tasked with creating numerous […]
North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs Names 2024 Afterschool Champions as Part of Lights On Afterschool Celebration
RALEIGH, NC (October 7, 2024)– The North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs will host a Lights On Afterschool reception on October 24 at the North Carolina Executive Mansion in Raleigh as part of the national Lights On Afterschool campaign. The annual nationwide campaign celebrates afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, […]
Public School Forum of NC to Hold Debate Between NC Superintendent of Public Instruction Candidates Mo Green and Michele Morrow
RALEIGH, NC (September 25, 2024) – The Public School Forum of North Carolina is pleased to announce a debate between North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction candidates Michele Morrow and Mo Green to be held in the auditorium at Pinecrest High School in Southern Pines on October 14, 2024, at 7 pm. For nearly 40 […]
Questions to ask Yourself this Election Season
Early voting in North Carolina begins next month, giving voters the power to decide the outcomes of this year’s federal, state and local elections. These elections, particularly at the state and local level, will directly impact our daily lives. While the enthusiasm surrounding both presidential candidates is evident, we cannot forget the importance of down-ballot […]
Public School Forum Publishes 2024 NCGA Candidate Survey Responses
RALEIGH, NC (September 9, 2024) – Before the 2024 Primary Election in March The Public School Forum of North Carolina distributed a survey to all candidates running for the North Carolina General Assembly to gauge their stance on various education policy issues. Over 100 candidates participated in this survey. In preparation for the General Election, […]
Strengthening the Educator Pipeline Through Programs Like NC Teaching Fellows
This year, my youngest child, Andrew, graduated from high school. And, yes, I am feeling all of the pride and all of the empty nest fears that go with that. However, the part of the graduation celebrations that struck me the most was the day that the seniors all went back to their elementary schools. […]
2024 State Budget Proposal Analysis
Budget Status According to the latest General Fund Revenue Forecast, North Carolina has an estimated $987 million revenue surplus for the 2024-25 fiscal year. At this time, the North Carolina House and Senate have each passed their own updated budget bills for the second year of the 2023-25 biennium. Leaders from both chambers of the […]
Recruiting and Supporting Educators is Critical for North Carolina’s Children
Last month we celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week. Teachers were given messages, tokens of appreciation, honors and celebrations to express the sometimes unspoken gratitude those impacted by their work feel. For many educators, this reminder that they are appreciated and respected was much needed. Education is a demanding career field, and in recent years it’s unfortunately […]
School Choice? Or Schools’ Choice?
Decisions about education are some of the most important decisions families – and therefore state leaders – make. Just as parents consider the many school choices available in North Carolina, lawmakers are making choices about where to put our taxpayer dollars to yield the best outcomes for our children. Families across North Carolina want public […]
Opportunity Scholarships and the Schools that Receive Them
The NC Senate recently voted to give a total of $632 million for taxpayer-funded private school vouchers to families of all income levels in 2024-25. HB823/SB406 appropriates an additional $248 million for the coming school year to the Opportunity Scholarship Fund, on top of the $384.5 million that was already appropriated for the 2024-25 school […]
School Districts and County Governments: Helping Each Other Protect the Economic Vitality of North Carolina Counties
Historical Context North Carolina’s traditional public schools are represented by 115 county and city school districts. For almost 100 years since the Great Depression and the Machinery Acts of 1931 and 1933, the State of North Carolina has provided the preponderance of financial support for most of the public school employees in these school districts. […]
Removing Diversity Equity and Inclusion is Not Neutral
On May 23 the University of North Carolina System Board of Trustees voted to repeal its Diversity & Inclusion Policy in favor of “institutional neutrality.” This new policy, which was introduced in April, will remove funding for DEI offices and eliminate various diversity-related positions across the 17 UNC System schools. Chancellors will be required to […]
A Request from a North Carolina Public School Graduate
In 1993 Robeson County residents had a median income of approximately $21,000. Respectively, in 2022, residents of Robeson County, NC had a median income of approximately $35,000. This is the county I grew up in and this county remains one one of North Carolina’s poorest counties. Early in my life I understood the value of […]
Public School Forum of North Carolina Shares Progress on Top Education Issues with Over 400 Eggs & Issues Attendees
RALEIGH, NC (May 7, 2024)– The Public School Forum of North Carolina shared the 2024-25 Top Education Issues brief today during the tenth Eggs & Issues breakfast event. The annual 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. This […]
Celebrating Afterschool Professionals by Advocating for their Wellbeing and Advancement
This week – April 22nd through 26th – marks Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week, a time to recognize, appreciate, and advocate for those who work with children and youth in diverse school and community-based settings during out-of-school hours. These dedicated, skilled professionals do the hard work of creating safe and structured environments and relationships for students […]
NC, Your Legislators – Who Work for You – Will Soon Have the Opportunity to Decide How to Spend the $1 Billion Surplus
NC Has a Surplus The Office of State Budget Management recently announced that North Carolina likely will have a $1 billion surplus over the initial revenue expected for the second year of the biennium budget (2024-25). This is certainly good news given the many needs across the state. What Will the Surplus Mean for Education? […]
North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs Celebrates Afterschool Professionals Who Make a Profound Difference in Young People’s Lives
Raleigh, NC (April 22, 2024) – The North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs is celebrating Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week, April 22-26, 2024, along with the National AfterSchool Association, to recognize, appreciate and advocate for those who work with young people during out-of-school hours. “Our skilled and trained afterschool professionals are the reason that afterschool programs are […]
Building Relationships Through Bring Your Legislator to School Day
As in many other states, state-level elected officials in North Carolina play a crucial role in shaping policies that affect communities at large, particularly when it comes to public education. Establishing strong relationships between these officials and the communities they serve is invaluable to fostering collaboration, ensuring transparency and considering diverse perspectives when crafting policies. […]
Public School Forum of North Carolina Releases 2024 Education Policy Primer
RALEIGH, NC (April 19, 2024)– The Public School Forum of North Carolina has released the 2024 North Carolina Education Policy Primer, which serves as a nonpartisan, fact-based guide to public education in North Carolina. The Primer provides a comprehensive overview of how education policy is made, along with the current state of public education and […]