Back to school series – What is happening in our public schools?

For most North Carolina public school students, the bell chimed and they will start the school year. The students will return to school this academic year after a summer break where public education discussions seemed to dominate the legislative session, the courtroom and the news.

Here of a few of questions that North Carolina public school students may ask as they return to school:

• I heard that my teachers got a raise but I hear that it may not be true – did they get a raise or not?
• Where are my textbooks?
• I need to take the bus to school – Is it safe?
• Is it true that vouchers are unconstitutional? Why?
• I am going to get free lunch even though my parents did not fill out an application – How is that possible?
• Why does it seem like my school has fewer resources each time I start a new year?
• Will I still be learning from the Common Core State Standards?

There are many more questions to answer, which is why there will be a Back to School blog series. For the next two weeks, several writers will contribute pieces about what is happening in and to North Carolina public schools.