Publications
The Final Word: Investing in North Carolina’s public school students, our communities, and our economy
by Mary Ann Wolf Twenty-seven years ago, some of North Carolina’s most poverty stricken school districts came together to do something about the educational conditions of their children. Together with plaintiff families, they initiated a lawsuit against the state of...
The Final Word: Attracting and encouraging NC’s best and brightest to become educators
by Mary Ann Wolf As I listened to North Carolina’s phenomenal Regional Teachers of the Year during today’s episode of Education Matters, I was reminded yet again that our state has work to do to ensure that the teaching profession is well-supported and attractive to...
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...
Tickets and Registration Now Available for Virtual Color of Education 2021 featuring Nikole Hannah-Jones
Raleigh, NC (August 5, 2021) — Award-winning author and journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones, who kicked off the Color of Education series in 2018, returns this year to headline Color of Education 2021, a two-day virtual summit that will bring together people from all over...
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,...
New Study: North Carolina Parents Praise Summer Learning Programs But, Even Before COVID-19, Programs Were Out of Reach for Many North Carolina Children
WASHINGTON, DC — After a year of isolation, learning loss, and trauma for many students, this summer will be especially important for young people to begin to heal, re-connect, and make learning gains. Yet a study released today finds that even before the pandemic,...
Public School Forum Releases Top Education Issues for 2021
RALEIGH, NC (January 28, 2021) – The Public School Forum of North Carolina released its Top Education Issues for 2021 today during its seventh annual Eggs & Issues event. This year’s report outlines the Forum’s priorities on what should be at the forefront of...
Study Group XVII
North Carolina is second only to Texas in total population living in rural communities. Eighty of the state’s 100 counties are classified as rural, and 87 of our 115 public school districts are in rural counties. Thirty-six percent of all students in the state attend...
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...
Pre-K Through 12 Education and COVID-19: Landscape Analysis of Impact Indicators
In what ways and to what extent has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted racial and socioeconomic inequities in educational opportunity and access in North Carolina? This report, commissioned by the Brady Education Foundation and prepared by researchers at the Public School...
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...
2020 Education Policy Primer
The Public School Forum of North Carolina has released the 2020 North Carolina Education Primer, which serves as a fact-based introduction to educational policymaking in NC. The Primer serves as a primary resource for current elected and appointed officials — as well...
Across North Carolina, the Barriers — and Solutions — to Broadband Internet Access for Students and Families are Multi-Layered
By Lindsay Wagner As families embark upon a school year like none before, most public school districts in North Carolina are largely relying on a household’s ability to access a high-speed internet connection to provide students their constitutionally guaranteed...
More Than 100 Candidates for Public Office Attend the Public School Forum’s 2020 North Carolina Education Policy Primer Sessions
For the first time, the Forum will offer an education policy primer session for the general public in September 2020 RALEIGH, NC (September 8, 2020) — The Public School Forum of North Carolina has released the 2020 North Carolina Education Primer, which serves as a...
Facing potentially steep declines in enrollment and increased costs to safely reopen schools, school superintendents call for the General Assembly to hold school budgets harmless
Photo Credit: Pixabay, Pexels By Lindsay Wagner As August draws near, public school superintendents across North Carolina are grappling with how to begin the 2020-21 year with plans that keep educators, families and students safe and engaged in rigorous learning while...
Report Highlights Where Young People Face the Greatest Obstacles to Success in North Carolina
RALEIGH, NC (April 29, 2020) – A new report released today by the Public School Forum of North Carolina and its NC Center for Afterschool Programs (NC CAP) highlights large areas of North Carolina where young people are at risk of not succeeding. The report, Roadmap...
Top Education Issues 2020
This Year’s Top Issue: Take Immediate and Intentional Actions to Meet Our Constitutional Obligation to Provide Each Child a Sound Basic Education RALEIGH, NC (February 18, 2020) – The Public School Forum of North Carolina released its Top Education Issues for 2020...
2020 Local School Finance Study
RALEIGH, NC (February 18, 2020) – A study released today by the Public School Forum of North Carolina once again illustrates a chronic and growing gap in local funding for public schools between the highest and lowest-wealth counties in the state. The 2020 Local...