This week, Governor Stein released the first of several budget proposals ahead of the General Assembly’s short session. The $1.4 billion “Critical Needs” stopgap plan for FY 2025 includes retroactive […]
A Collective Way Forward: Taking Action for Afterschool in Western NC
“It is in the shelter of each other that the people live.” – Irish proverb I see nods of understanding as I read this proverb at the kickoff of the […]
March 6 Policy Updates
This week’s primary election largely highlighted just how consequential each vote can be and reflected a public demanding change. Meanwhile, the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) presented its State of […]
Creating and Nurturing Safe Spaces in our Schools
The NC Center for Resilience & Learning was founded on a simple but urgent truth: children cannot learn effectively when they do not feel safe, whether that be physically, emotionally […]
February 27 Policy Updates
Governor Stein proclaimed February 23-27, 2026, as “Public Schools Week,” coinciding with the Department of Public Instruction’s highlight of school supports–such as counseling, nutrition, transportation, and athletics–as part of the […]
Public School Forum Releases 2026 Local School Finance Study
RALEIGH, NC (February 27, 2026) – The Public School Forum of North Carolina’s 2026 Local School Finance Study is now available. Through this study, The Forum has highlighted variations and […]
Honoring the Legacy of Jo Ann Norris
The Public School Forum of North Carolina mourns the passing of Jo Ann Norris, a founding member of the Forum’s leadership team, serving as associate executive director from from 1986 […]
Hope on the Hill: What 80 North Carolina Educators Discovered in D.C.
As my colleague and I made our way north on I-95 to Washington, D.C. a couple of weeks ago, we attempted to outline our participant messaging and goals for the […]
Public School Forum Convenes North Carolina Business Community
RALEIGH, NC (February 24, 2026) – This week The Public School Forum of North Carolina held two regional convenings with the goal of galvanizing education advocates within the business community. […]
February 20 Policy Updates
This week, the North Carolina Department of Instruction (DPI) celebrates global learning as part of its Find Your Fit campaign, highlighting the many pathways available within North Carolina’s public schools. […]
February 13 Policy Updates
More students than ever are earning industry credentials and connecting to career pathways, contributing to North Carolina’s top workforce development ranking. This progress reflects meaningful achievement while also highlighting the […]
February 6 Policy Updates
This week, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (DPI) presented an annual report showing strong levels of safety in schools, and steady improvements in disciplinary outcomes and graduation rates […]
January 30 Policy Updates
Congress is again on the brink of a partial government shutdown, driven by disagreements over policy reforms for the Department of Homeland Security’s ICE operations. While education funding is not […]
January 23 Policy Updates
A new bipartisan federal funding proposal signals congressional support for stability in education programs, pushing back on major restructuring at the U.S. Department of Education while prioritizing predictability for schools […]
NC Legislators in Schools Week — An Opportunity for Relationships to Flourish
As in many other states, state-level elected officials in North Carolina play a crucial role in shaping policies that affect communities across the state — particularly when it comes to […]
January 16 Policy Updates
Youth depression, anxiety, and suicide have risen steadily over the past decade, yet North Carolina continues to struggle to meet students’ mental health needs amid staffing shortages, funding constraints, and […]
January 9 Policy Updates
This week, educators across North Carolina organized walkouts to call for higher teacher pay, caps on rising health care premiums, and fully-funded public schools. Their actions follow recent polling that […]
Remembering Mayor Tom Bradshaw
The Public School Forum of North Carolina mourns the passing of Mayor Tom Bradshaw, a longtime emeritus board member and a dedicated leader whose impact on our state and its […]
Preparing Students for Life Means Expanding What’s Possible
When we talk about preparing students for life, it’s easy to focus on test scores, GPAs, and graduation rates. Those metrics matter, but they don’t tell the whole story. Another […]
Remembering Governor Jim Hunt
“Education is the most important thing we do. It’s the foundation of everything else.” – Governor Jim Hunt The Public School Forum of North Carolina joins our state in mourning the […]
December 19 Policy Updates
As the year ends without a ruling on Leandro, a state budget, or clarity on the future of key federal funding streams, uncertainty continues to ripple across North Carolina’s public […]
December 12 Policy Updates
As lawmakers focus on political theater over passing a budget, new reports show North Carolina ranks last in the nation for school funding level and effort. With declining student outcomes […]
What is Your Choice?
Over the past month, North Carolina has been confronted with a wave of immigration enforcement actions that left families frightened, educators overwhelmed, and entire school communities destabilized. The headlines have […]
December 5 Policy Updates
With new tax cuts taking effect in January, North Carolina is poised to become the 17th most regressive tax system in the nation. Budget Gridlock and Tax Cuts for the […]