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House bill orders study of programs created to increase number of minority male teachers
A bill requiring state education leaders to conduct a study of state and national programs designed to increase the number of Black male educators in North Carolina’s public schools will be taken up next week by the House K-12 Education Committee. Black men made up less than 2% of the nation’s public school teachers during […]
Two NC House Republicans resign leadership positions in the wake of derogatory remarks
North Carolina House Republicans Jeff McNeely and Keith Kidwell have resigned leadership positions within their caucus in the wake of controversial statements each representative made last week. The resignations were first reported by Raleigh’s News & Observer. Republican House Majority Leader John Bell announced the resignations during a House session Thursday morning, the paper reported. […]
State lawmaker was angered by colleague’s racist comments, but chose to forgive
A white, Republican colleague’s question about whether Rep. Abe Jones was admitted to Harvard University in 1970 because he was a minority and a track athlete was only the second time the Wake County Democrat had experienced such an encounter. The first incident occurred several years ago during a party at UNC Chapel Hill when […]
Gov. Roy Cooper declares ‘state of emergency’ for public education
Gov. Roy Cooper went on the attack Monday, blasting away at Republican legislation that he contends will “choke the life out of public education” in North Carolina. The Democratic governor said that it’s time to declare a “state of emergency” and he urged North Carolinians to contact lawmakers to protest legislation that could irreversibly damage […]
Democrats challenge Senate budget, contends it hurts public schools
Sen. Graig Meyer, a Democrat from Orange County, criticized the Senate budget on Thursday, contending that it harms public education. “The Senate budget unveiled this week siphons critical dollars to so-called “voucher” programs that favor wealthy students and diminishes our public education system,” Meyer said in a statement. The Senate approved its version of the […]
Activists discuss the harm inadequate public schools funding causes educators, students
Inadequate school resources help to fuel the school-to-prison pipeline, says Letha Muhammad, co-executive director of the Raleigh-based Education Justice Alliance. The lack of school counselors, social workers and other school support staff and funding for restorative justice programs that provide alternatives to harsh discipline policies all help to feed students with discipline problems into the […]
House Democrats condemn ‘hurtful’ GOP remarks about Black colleagues’ abortion, education
Democrats issued a statement late Wednesday condemning “hurtful remarks” Rep. Jeff McNeely, a Republican from Iredell County, made questioning whether a Black colleague was only able to attend Harvard University because he was a track athlete and a minority. House Democratic Leader Robert Reives said lawmakers must conduct themselves appropriately and with respect for other […]
Public school advocates rally against vouchers, demand adequate funding
Democratic state lawmakers and members of Every Child NC on Tuesday demanded that the Republican-led General Assembly fully fund Years Four and Five of the Leandro Comprehensive Remedial Plan and stop a proposal to allow North Carolina’s wealthiest families access to the state’s controversial school voucher program. In a news conference, Sen. Rachel Hunt, a […]
In Raleigh, GOP supermajorities advance big and controversial changes in public education
Two of the more controversial K-12 education bills to make it through the state House and Senate before the General Assembly’s May 4 crossover deadline have relatively innocuous names. “Choose Your School, Choose Your Future” (Senate Bill 406) and the “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act” (House Bill 574) both appear to promote concepts that, at […]
Panel upholds State Board of Education’s ruling to close Charlotte charter school
Without discussion, the State Board of Education on Monday unanimously agreed to close Eastside Stream Academy in Charlotte due to financial and governance concerns. The state board’s vote came on the heels of a recommendation by an independent appeals panel that upheld the state board’s April 6 decision to not renew the school’s charter. Eastside […]
Rep. Tricia Cotham touts school voucher expansion on national stage
In a recent op-ed for the conservative National Review that is both celebratory and defiant, Rep. Tricia Cotham, a Republican from Mecklenburg County, made a case for opening up the state’s school voucher program to the state’s wealthiest families. The North Carolina General Assembly is currently weighing bills that would allow any parent, regardless of […]
Gov. Roy Cooper nominates two to serve on State Board of Education
Gov. Roy Cooper has nominated former state representative Linda Cooper-Suggs and businessman John M. Blackburn to fill seats on the State Board of Education. The governor’s nominations must be approved by the General Assembly. Board members serve eight-year terms. Cooper-Suggs, a Democrat from Wilson County, would replace Amy White as the board’s District 3 representative, […]