In our rapidly evolving world, marked by scientific breakthroughs and technological advancements, the role of science education extends beyond traditional academic curricula. It becomes a fundamental pillar for societal progress and individual empowerment. This is especially pertinent in North Carolina, reflecting a broader national trend and standing at a critical juncture in the evolution of […]
A Roadmap for Targeted Investment
The Public School Forum’s Roadmap of Need was first published in 2010 by the North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs to inform policymakers, funders and citizens of needed investments on a county basis. From its inception, the main focus of the Roadmap has been preventive care including afterschool programs, health care and job programs, which […]
2023 Impact Report
Our 2023 Impact Report demonstrates how The Forum continued our key role of informing education stakeholders throughout 2023 via presentations, trainings, the Education Policy Fellowship Program, e-newsletters, Education Matters, and publications.
Disinvesting in Education is Not the Best Choice
With the passing of the 2023-24 state budget, North Carolina became the tenth state to offer taxpayer-funded universal school vouchers to attend private schools. Despite the fact that the funds for school vouchers through North Carolina’s Opportunity Scholarship Program have never been fully utilized, the new state budget triples the program’s funding, allocating $4.6 billion […]
Achieving Equity Together
Together we can achieve so much more. The Color of Education Summit brings together educators, policymakers, researchers, students, parents, community members, and other key stakeholders focused on achieving racial equity and eliminating racial disparities in education. Color of Education is a partnership between the Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity and Opportunity, the Public School […]
Public School Forum Releases 2023 Roadmap of Need
RALEIGH, NC (November 10, 2023) – The Public School Forum of North Carolina has published the 2023 Roadmap of Need, a whole child needs assessment for North Carolina youth presenting county-level data and rankings. The Roadmap has been redesigned since its last publication in 2020, and now features interactive online maps, data tables, and county […]
Over 75 North Carolina Businesses Convene at Summit on Public Education
RALEIGH, NC (November 9, 2023) – Executives from over 75 businesses from across NC gathered in Raleigh this week to discuss the state of public education in North Carolina. Hosted by the Public School Forum of North Carolina, the convening was designed to educate and motivate business leaders from across the state who care about […]
The Critical Role of Afterschool and Expanded Learning for Students, Schools, and Communities
Children are spending an average of 80% of their days outside of school, and the way that they spend this time has crucial implications, both for their achievement in the classroom and success in life. The positive impacts of regular access to high-quality afterschool or out of school time (OST) programming are well-established: afterschool and […]
North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs Honors 2023 Afterschool Champions During Lights On Afterschool Celebration at North Carolina Executive Mansion
RALEIGH, NC (October 27, 2023)– The North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs hosted a Lights On Afterschool reception on October 26 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, families and communities. At the reception NC […]
Public School Forum Releases Study on Teacher Recruitment and Retention Trends Across North Carolina and the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic
RALEIGH, NC (October 26, 2023) – The Public School Forum of North Carolina has published a report aimed at better understanding and solving the ongoing challenges with teacher recruitment and retention since the COVID-19 pandemic began. In North Carolina and across the nation, districts and schools struggle to recruit and retain effective teachers, especially teachers […]
Teacher Recruitment and Retention Trends Across North Carolina and the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Research has continuously demonstrated that teachers are the most important school-related factor affecting student learning and achievement. However, in North Carolina and across the nation, districts and schools struggle to recruit and retain effective teachers, especially teachers of color. For more than a decade, declining enrollments in educator preparation programs and rises in teacher vacancies […]
North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs Names 2023 Afterschool Champions as Part of Lights On Afterschool Celebration
RALEIGH, NC (October 19, 2023)– The North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs will host a Lights On Afterschool reception on October 26 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, families and communities. At the reception, […]
North Carolina Center for Resilience & Learning Publishes 5 Key Findings with Action Steps to Improve the Well-Being of NC’s Children
RALEIGH, NC (October 17, 2023)- North Carolina, like the rest of the nation, is facing a wave of mental health needs among its students. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly 1 in 5 North Carolina students ages 8-15 years old already had a mental health disorder in any given year, and the needs have intensified […]
800 Education Stakeholders Engage in Annual Color of Education Summit in Raleigh
RALEIGH, NC (October 7, 2023) – The annual Color Education Summit was held Saturday, October 7 at the McKimmon Center in Raleigh. Color of Education is a partnership between the Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity and Opportunity, the Public School Forum of North Carolina, the Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity at Duke […]
Supporting Teachers So They Can Support Students
As I’ve said many times, teachers are the number-one school-related factor influencing student outcomes. Teachers have the immense responsibility of preparing our children to be educated and well-equipped community members. This is not a task that should be taken lightly, but unfortunately, teaching is often thankless work. However, our regional Teachers of the Year represent […]
2023 Conference Budget Analysis
BUDGET STATUS: At time of publishing, the 2023 North Carolina state budget has passed both chambers of the NCGA, and the Governor has stated that he will allow the budget to become law without his signature. See how your legislators voted here. Over 1.4 million students across North Carolina attend our public schools, and public […]
Moments of Hope from the 2023-24 North Carolina Teacher, Principal and Superintendent of the Year
For this week’s Final Word we are so pleased to hear from our Teacher of the Year, Principal of the Year and Superintendent of the Year about what gives them hope. Donna Bledsoe, Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year: What gives me hope is the work being done in North Carolina with early […]
Registration is Now Open for the 2023 Synergy Conference for Out-of-School Time Professionals
RALEIGH, NC (September 5, 2023)– The North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs invites you to attend the 2023 Synergy Conference for Out-of-School Time professionals on November 13-14 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Synergy brings together afterschool providers, informal educators, community stakeholders, students, business leaders, politicians, and more from across the state to share insight on […]
Back-to-School 2023-24
Students across North Carolina are back in school. Over 1.4 million students in our public schools approached the school year ready to learn, and our educators met those students with enthusiasm and care to guide them to reach their potential. Unfortunately, many students and educators around the state were also met with a number of […]
6 Recommendations to Bring Accountability and Transparency to North Carolina’s School Voucher Program
RALEIGH, NC (August 31, 2023) – Republican lawmakers in the North Carolina General Assembly are seeking to expand and increase funding for one of the state’s private school voucher programs, the Opportunity Scholarships Program. In its current or expanded form the Opportunity Scholarships Program represents significant investment of taxpayer dollars to support private and parochial […]
6 Recommendations to Bring Accountability and Transparency to North Carolina’s School Voucher Program
The Opportunity Scholarships program in its current or expanded form represents significant investment of taxpayer dollars to support private and parochial schools. Similar to public schools and public charter schools, private schools that receive public dollars must be held accountable to the taxpayers who fund them. Additionally, parents must have access to accurate and reliable […]
Tickets and Registration Now Available for Hybrid 2023 Color of Education Summit featuring Lisa Delpit & Jerry Craft
RALEIGH, NC (August 1, 2023) – Dr. Lisa Delpit will deliver the keynote address at this year’s 3 Color of Education Summit on October 7, 2023. Lisa D. Delpit is currently the principal of the consulting firm, Delpit Learning. Formerly, she was the Executive Director/Eminent Scholar for the Center for Urban Education & Innovation at […]
Public School Forum of North Carolina Approves New Board Members and Advisory Board Members
RALEIGH, NC (June 30, 2023) – At its June 2023 meeting, the Board of Directors of the Public School Forum of North Carolina approved several new Directors and At-Large Advisors for two-year terms that officially begin July 1, 2023. “We are excited to welcome and begin working with the new members of our Board of […]
Final Word: Financial Literacy for North Carolina’s Students
Starting with the class of 2024, students in NC must successfully complete an economics and personal finance course for graduation. This course includes budgeting, saving, investing, and managing debt. These foundational financial literacy skills can help students develop the ability to make informed financial decisions and maintain control of their future financial well-being. One area […]