The Public School Forum of North Carolina

Support from donors fuels the Forum’s work to provide every child in North Carolina with a high-quality, equitable education. This Giving Tuesday, be part of something lasting by joining a community of givers at ncforum.org/donate

Around 15% of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools students missed school Monday Border Patrol agents are in Raleigh as the Department of Homeland Security’s immigration blitz continues. Follow for live updates.

Around 15% of students enrolled in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools were absent Monday amid the Department of Homeland Security’s immigration blitz in Charlotte https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/ice-charlotte-raleigh-nc-border-patrol-11-18-25?post-id=cmi4j5pzt0000356n1g3g408k

Following the arrival of federal agents in Charlotte this weekend, the Forum will continue to advocate for safe schools and safe communities for every child.

2025 Friday Medal Awarded to Alfred Mays of Burroughs Wellcome Fund

Congratulations to Forum Emeritus Board Member Alfred Mays on receiving the 2025 Friday Medal 👏 This award recognizes Mays' tireless work to advance K-12 education in NC and beyond for over 20 years. https://fi.ncsu.edu/news/2025-friday-medal-awarded-to-alfred-mays-of-burroughs-wellcome-fund/

The Forum has released a report exploring the accessibility and accountability of private schools receiving public funds through the Opportunity Scholarship Program following the program's expansion to make vouchers 'universal.'

🔎 View our findings: www.ncforum.org/public-dolla...

NC Gov. Stein vetoes federal voucher tax credit opt-in, signs stopgap state budget • NC Newsline NC Gov. Josh Stein vetoes a bill allowing a school voucher tax credit and signs a stopgap state budget, while criticizing it.

Gov. Josh Stein vetoed a bill that would allow North Carolina taxpayers to claim a tax credit for donations to nonprofits that hand out school scholarships. Stein also signed the stop-gap budget legislators passed last week. ncnewsline.com/briefs/nc-go... #ncpol #nc

SB 153 and HB 318 could increase fear among immigrant families, worsen absenteeism, and lead to learning loss.

Learn more about student rights and contact your elected officials: docs.google.com/document/d/1...

In case you missed it, this weekend on Education Matters, we explored how partnerships between rural schools and local businesses can strengthen both education and community.

📺 Watch now: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nap...
🎧 Listen now: soundcloud.com/educationmat...

Perspective | Self-care as the foundation: Sustaining educators & communities across WNC The North Carolina Center for Resilience and Learning seeks to normalize teacher self-care, especially after trauma or disaster.

The misconception that self-care is a luxury rather than a necessity can lead to burnout and stress. When educators can integrate practical self-care into their daily routines, they ultimately improve their own well-being and their students’ experiences. www.ednc.org/perspective-...

A look at education bills filed so far this session at the General Assembly From teacher raises to school choice, here's a look at education bills filed in the 2025 session of the North Carolina state legislature.

Both the House and Senate deadlines for bill filing have passed with nearly 300 education-related bills filed. Those bills now must be voted through at least 1 chamber of the General Assembly by May 8 to have a chance at becoming law. www.ednc.org/a-look-at-ed...

Military votes may not count, says NC high court, but 61,000 other voters no longer in doubt NC justices uphold appellate decision questioning military ballots, overturn on 61,000 others. Appeal goes to federal court.

Friday the NC Supreme Court ruled that the majority of the 2024 NC Supreme Court race votes challenged by Jefferson Griffin will count; however, votes from Military and overseas absentee voters may not, giving them 30 days to prove their eligibility. carolinapublicpress.org/70037/milita...

Pitt County's Rachel Candaso named North Carolina's 2025 Teacher of the Year Rachel Candaso, a Pitt County Schools middle school teacher, was named the 2025 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year.

Rachel Candaso, a Pitt County Schools middle school teacher and AVID coordinator, was named the 2025 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year at a ceremony in Cary on Friday. www.ednc.org/04-11-2025-p...

April 11 Policy Updates - Public School Forum Now that we have passed the bill filing deadlines for both the House and Senate, over 130 K12 education bills have been filed this session in the NC General Assembly. […]

We've now passed the bill filing deadlines for both the House and Senate, with over 130 K12 education bills filed this session in the NC General Assembly. Here's a look at what's inside some of those bills regarding school performance and accountability: www.ncforum.org/april-11-pol...

Please visit bit.ly/challengedvotes to see if your vote has been changed

NC Supreme Court temporarily blocks court order to throw out 2024 ballots in Riggs-Griffin race Republican Judge Jefferson Griffin won a challenge against more than 60,000 ballots at the state Court of Appeals, but the order in his favor is blocked from going into place while it's appealed.

The NC Supreme Court has temporarily blocked Friday’s court order to throw out 2024 ballots in Riggs-Griffin race. In the meantime, the NC elections board is still asking voters to take steps to try ensure their votes will count if Griffin wins in court. www.wral.com/story/nc-sup...

Discarding ballots through which voters make their voices heard is a threat to the democratic process that allows citizens to have a say in all policy areas, including education. We urge NC voters to visit bit.ly/challengedvo... to check if their vote is among those challenged.

NC Court of Appeals gives over 60,000 challenged voters 15 days to prove eligibility The majority wrote that, even though they have the authority to completely throw out the contested ballots, they decided to instead mandate a cure period for most of the challenged voters.

NC Court of Appeals judges ruled that over 65,000 votes cast in the 2024 Supreme Court race should be recounted. The court ordered that voters whose eligibility was challenged should be given 15 days to provide documentation showing they're able to vote. www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

Work with Us - Public School Forum NC Center for Resilience and Learning Program Manager, Western NC NC Center for Resilience and Learning Program Manager, Northeastern NC

We're #hiring! The NC Center for Resilience & Learning is seeking program managers in Western and Northeastern NC to work directly with schools building trauma-informed practices. Learn more: ncforum.org/work-with-us/

Strong public schools need strong advocates working together. Join us for the Jay Robinson Education Leadership Award Gala and connect with policymakers, educators, and advocates working to create a bright future for public schools.

Tickets on sale now: ticketstripe.com/jay-rob-gala25

The Forum is seeking a talented student artist to create original artwork celebrating our 40th anniversary. This is a paid opportunity for creative students to contribute to materials that will be shared with our audiences across the state. www.ncforum.org/call-for-hig...

2025-27 Governor's Budget Proposal Analysis - Public School Forum The North Carolina budgeting process for the 2025-27 biennium officially kicked off this week with the release of Governor Josh Stein’s proposed budget, which outlines his priorities for education pol...

The NC budgeting process for the 2025-27 biennium officially kicked off last week with the release of Governor Josh Stein’s proposed budget, which outlines his priorities for education policy and funding.

View the Forum's analysis of the proposed budget: www.ncforum.org/2025-27-gove...

We want to hear from you! At this critical point for public education we want to ensure we're getting you the most important information in the best way possible. Please take this 5-minute survey to let us know how we're doing and enter a prize drawing: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Public School Forum Statement on Potential Executive Order to Dismantle the Department of Education - Public School Forum According to various reports, President Trump will likely soon issue an executive order to dismantle the Department of Education. This is a threat to the future of public education nationwide […]

According to various reports, President Trump will likely soon issue an executive order to dismantle the Department of Education. This is a threat to the future of public education and therefore a threat to the future of our children nationwide. www.ncforum.org/public-schoo...

Applications are now open for the 2025-26 cohort of the Education Policy Fellowship! Apply today to join the only statewide program of its kind focusing on leadership and professional development in the context of education policy.

Learn more: ncforum.org/epf

#NCED The federal administration has repeatedly called for the closure of the Department of Education which could cause NC to lose $1,175,533,403 in education funding, leaving a massive gap to be filled by our state government.

Learn more: edlawcenter.org/research/trump…

#NCED This year’s EPFP cohort got the unique opportunity to engage with lawmakers on Capitol Hill at a critical time for education policy at the federal level; of course they hit the hill full of passion. With amazing advocates like this fighting for kids a bright future is possible.

#NCED Creating positive learning environments means creating safe spaces for students. The NC Center for Resilience & Learning is offering a virtual workshop series to empower educators in creating supportive, trauma-informed school environments. Learn more: resilienceandlearning.org/home/virtual...

Gov. Josh Stein recognizes school bus drivers during School Bus Driver Week Every day in North Carolina, over 10,000 school buses safely transport more than 620,000 students to and from school.

#NCED Feb. 10-Feb. 14 is School Bus Driver Week! As Governor Josh Stein noted, "North Carolina’s bus drivers are a vital engine in our students’ success." This week we recognize and celebrate the important role they play in serving students. www.ednc.org/gov-josh-ste...

NC Education Policy Fellows getting ready to advocate for our students and educators on Capitol Hill today 💪🏻❤️ @thencforum.bsky.social

February is all about showing love and we want to celebrate with you! Fill out this form to share your love for afterschool/out-of-school time programs in NC: bit.ly/4htHtYl

Let's celebrate afterschool & its impacts on students and families across NC! #IHeartAfterschool