Education
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 […]
Facing restrictive school policies, Union County students organize LGBTQ Pride rally
This weekend students in Union County will hold a youth-led LGBTQ pride rally in Waxhaw. The Saturday event, which will kick off June’s Pride Month early, comes as students and parents in Union protest school policy changes by the Union County Board of Education they say target marginalized student groups. Earlier this month the board […]
Biden student debt relief plan revoked in U.S. House vote
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House on Wednesday voted to overturn the Biden administration’s one-time student debt relief plan that is currently on hold awaiting a Supreme Court decision expected within weeks. Before the 218-203 vote on the resolution, the White House said President Joe Biden would veto it, arguing that the U.S. Department of Education […]
Dean shares more details as controversial new school proceeds at UNC-Chapel Hill
Now that the academic year has ended, UNC-Chapel Hill leaders are sharing more information about the new and controversial School of Civic Life and Leadership with faculty who thus far, have questioned and opposed its creation. This includes additional details about the school’s creation, the hiring of faculty, and the formation of a curriculum. In a […]
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 […]
Architect of bill mandating history and civics course surprised by resistance
When House Bill 96 was filed back in February, it didn’t initially get a lot of attention. In a legislative season when higher education related-bills proposed the elimination of academic tenure, massive changes to the of the powers of political appointees, and how state universities and colleges are accredited, a bill mandating one 3-credit hour […]
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 […]
Senate budget would cut funding to UNC Law School, School of Government, fund controversial new school
Two prominent schools at UNC-Chapel Hill would have their funding cut by millions while a controversial new school would be created and funded under the proposed Senate version of the state budget. The budget proposal, released Monday, includes a $2.5 million cut to both the UNC School of Law and UNC School of Government in […]
U.S. House GOP questions education secretary on transgender athletes, student loans
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans on Tuesday grilled the secretary of education about student debt cancellation and protections for transgender student athletes during a lengthy hearing on the president’s proposed budget request for the Department of Education. While the subject of the five-hour House Education and the Workforce Committee hearing was the fiscal 2024 budget […]