Op-Eds & Analysis
Students at the Center: Historic Investments Ordered Today Will Pave the Way for All of North Carolina’s Children to Access a Sound Basic Education
RALEIGH, N.C. (November 10, 2021) — To ensure that our system of public schools offers an equal opportunity to every young North Carolinian, especially those in our highest-need communities, with a sound basic education, as is mandated in our state constitution and...
Bus Driver Sickout is a Symptom of a Much Greater Illness for Public Education
By Mary Ann Wolf, PhD Many families in Wake County discovered this morning that their children did not have a bus driver to bring them to school today. These families are worried about their own kids and others who may not have a ride to school. Many are feeling...
Jonathan Helms and Sheneika Simmons Selected to Join National Afterschool and Expanded Learning Initiative
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Sheronda Fleming, PhD Director, NC Center for Afterschool Programs sfleming@ncforum.org 919.781.6833 x135 RALEIGH, N.C. (October 6, 2021) -- The Riley Institute at Furman University has selected Jonathan Helms, Grant Development Director at the...
Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity and Opportunity/ Public School Forum Statement on Passage of HB 324
RALEIGH, N.C. (September 3, 2021) — This week, the NC General Assembly passed a final version of HB 324 and sent it on to the Governor. Since this bill was first introduced in May, the Public School Forum has continuously lifted up concerns about the impacts this...
Part 2: Budget Analysis 2021-23 — North Carolina’s children deserve a state budget that prioritizes their future
by Mary Ann Wolf, PhD We have made it well over a year now since the onset of COVID-19, when our lives — and our public schools — were turned upside down. During this time period, for which no words seem to adequately capture all of the challenges everyone has faced,...
Demystifying the Pathways to Full Teacher Licensure: How Do I Become A Teacher in North Carolina?
As in other highly skilled careers, licensure requirements were put in place to ensure that candidates that enter the teaching profession are competent and effective. Unfortunately, licensure requirements can change from year to year and vary depending on the subject...
NC State Superintendent Candidates Participate in Conversation hosted by Public School Forum of NC
By Lindsay Wagner The two candidates running for North Carolina State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. Jen Mangrum and Catherine Truitt, answered questions Tuesday afternoon in a virtual conversation hosted by the Public School Forum of NC. for alumni of the...
Call for Nominations and Applications: President/Executive Director – Public School Forum of NC
The Public School Forum of North Carolina is conducting an active search for our next President/Executive Director. This Raleigh based role is designed to lead the organization as we execute our strategic plan. In addition to a demonstrated commitment to public...
Public School Forum of North Carolina Announces Study Group XVII
Efforts Will Target the Unique Education Challenges Facing Rural North Carolina’s Students The Public School Forum of NC is excited to announce the launch of Study Group XVII, which will examine the unique education challenges facing students across rural North...
Yes, “A” Still Stands for Affluent in NC School Performance Grades
By Lindsay Wagner North Carolina released its annual A-F School Performance Grades this week and they continue to reflect the clear relationship between poverty and students’ test scores. Of the 21.7% of North Carolina schools that received either a D or F in...
When School Desegregation Mattered in Charlotte
Dorothy Counts, center, tried to desegregate Harding High School in Charlotte on Sept. 4, 1957, but met hostility from white classmates and parents. Photo Credit: UNC library collection. By Keith Poston An edited version of this article appeared this week in...
The Good, The Needs Improvement, and The Ugly in the State Budget
The Public School Forum has been closely analyzing this week’s release and imminent passage of the General Assembly’s 2018-19 budget proposal. We bring to you our take: The Good, The Needs Improvement, and The Ugly. THE GOOD Teacher pay. An overall average increase of...
Keith Poston of the Public School Forum discusses North Carolina’s Top Education issues
Keith Poston of the Public School Forum discusses North Carolina’s Top Education issues on NC Policy Watch's 'News and Views' hosted by Rob Schofield. Click below to listen to the interview....
School Finance Study Confirms Vast Funding Disparities Across North Carolina
By Keith Poston For more than 20 years the Public School Forum of North Carolina has produced an annual school finance study that examines education funding in North Carolina by isolating local spending from state and federal spending to examine the capacity and...
Concerns Voiced About General Assembly’s New Principal Pay Plan
Originally Published in the Public School Forum's Friday Report on 8/11/17 --- A new principal pay plan enacted this year by the General Assembly drew pointed comments and concerns at last week’s State Board of Education’s (SBE) meeting. The 2017 changes dramatically...
Keith Poston, director of the Public School Forum, discusses teacher pay, recruitment, and overall education funding as the new school year is set to begin
Keith Poston was interviewed on Policy Watch radio to discuss current topics in public education. Listen to full interview here >
Keith Poston: Invest in our teachers
Keith Poston wrote for Fayetteville Observer about the importance of investing in our teachers.
NC needs to stop the lollygagging and invest in teachers
There’s a scene in “Bull Durham” that features the Bulls manager throwing bats into the locker room shower and berating the team for the mortal sin of “lollygagging.” He wonders aloud, after being reminded of his team’s 8-16 record, “How did we ever win eight?” This...