Publications
The Final Word: Principals and the Support They Provide
By Mary Ann Wolf I have had the opportunity to work with hundreds and hundreds of principals over the years, and I am often reminded about the very unique - and often lonely position - that principals have as school leaders. They are the only one in their building...
The Final Word: Beginning Teachers
By Mary Ann Wolf Do you know a high school or college student who wants to be a teacher? Do you know others in your community who are thinking about changing careers to become a teacher? We need to encourage more individuals to consider education for their careers....
The Final Word: Words of Wisdom From Dr. Dudley Flood
For our 200th episode of Education Matters, we were so fortunate to be joined by Dr. Dudley Flood, who is a legendary education hero who was instrumental in desegregating North Carolina’s public schools in the years following Brown v. Board of Education. He is also...
The Final Word: North Carolina Has Waited Too Long for Every Child to Have Access to a Sound Basic Education
By Mary Ann Wolf It has been nearly 30 years since the beginning of North Carolina’s school funding case known as Leandro, which was filed by plaintiffs in five poor school districts who gave voice to the fact that their children couldn’t get the education they...
Public School Forum of NC Releases Progress Report on Top Education Issues 2021-22
RALEIGH, NC (February 17, 2022) – The Public School Forum of North Carolina released its Progress Report on the Top Education Issues 2021-22 today during its eighth annual Eggs & Issues event. This year’s report takes a new approach, outlining both the progress...
National Afterschool Association Honors Sheneika Simmons Among Its 2022 Next Generation of Afterschool Leaders
WASHINGTON, D.C. February 9, 2022 – The National AfterSchool Association (NAA), the voice of the afterschool profession and lead organization for the advancement of afterschool professionals and leaders has selected Sheneika Simmons, Program Manager of Wake Forest, NC...
Dr. Deanna Townsend-Smith Named Senior Director of the Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity and Opportunity at the Public School Forum of NC
RALEIGH, N.C. (February 7, 2022) — Dr. Deanna Townsend-Smith, a long-time educator and advocate for educational equity, has been named Senior Director of the Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity and Opportunity. “I am excited to begin the role as Senior Director...
The Final Word: Supporting Trauma-Informed Practices in Schools
By Mary Ann Wolf and Elizabeth DeKonty As we continue our focus on the whole child and student mental health, it is important for us to consider how a child’s experiences affect their brain and their behavior. When I think back to teaching two decades ago, the...
The Final Word: Messages from North Carolina’s Regional Teachers of the Year
Each week on Education Matters, we offer a “Final Word,” from our host, Dr. Mary Ann Wolf, offering commentary on the state of our public schools. This week, as we collectively face another very challenging time in our schools, in our communities, and across our...
The Final Word: Public Schools Offer More Choices than Ever Before for Families Across North Carolina
By Dr. Mary Ann Wolf Did you know that North Carolina is a leader in global education? Our global commitments represent a unique statewide initiative that was adopted by the Partnership for 21st Century Learning as a national framework for investing in the support and...
The Final Word: Investing in Public Education Helps Us All
By Dr. Mary Ann Wolf North Carolina’s system of public education plays an incredibly important role in our lives every day. If you benefited from public schools, have children in public schools, believe that public schools are critical for our democracy, and want our...
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...
The Final Word: The Importance of Afterschool Programming
By Dr. Sheronda Fleming In 2020, the Afterschool Alliance released the 4th edition of the America After 3pm Report. In the report, North Carolina ranked #6 overall nationally for providing opportunities for children to participate in quality, affordable programs...
The Final Word: Historic Investments in our Public Schools are Needed Now
By Mary Ann Wolf You may wonder why Leandro is important for your family or community or our state? If we want to have a thriving economy that attracts businesses, a workforce that is prepared for the many jobs and vacancies, and opportunities to keep our graduates in...
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...
The Final Word: Why should Leandro be important to you?
by Mary Ann Wolf Our superintendents lead schools with a deep understanding of what our kids need to be successful in school and in life beyond the classroom. On Education Matters this week, we heard from three superintendents who shared what they know to be critical...
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...