Education
State education leaders say school voucher expansion won’t prompt public school exodus
An expansion of the state’s school voucher program to include all families regardless of income isn’t likely to cause an exodus of students from traditional public schools, NC Department of Public Instruction officials said Wednesday. That statement is based on what research shows has happened in other states that allow wealthy families access to school […]
Eight new school quality indicators could be added to state’s A-F grading system
A five-year graduation rate, school climate, and post-secondary outcomes are among the eight indicators North Carolina could soon use to determine school quality, state education leaders said Tuesday. The indicators would likely serve as additions to the A-F school performance model that is based mostly on students’ standardized test scores. Eighty percent of a school’s […]
GOP bill would expand UNC Board of Governors, change appointment process
The UNC Board of Governors would gain four new seats and shift from election by the General Assembly to direct appointment under a revised version of a bill moving quickly toward Gov. Roy Cooper’s desk. Senate Bill 512 made a splash when filed last month due to provisions that would further strip powers from the […]
NC House panel advances bill to give school social workers a pay raise
The North Carolina House Committee on K-12 Education advanced House Bill 762 Tuesday, which would reward certain school employees based on the amount of education they receive. The Republican-sponsored bill would grant salary supplements to school social workers who have attained a master’s degree or higher. They would be eligible for the additional pay whether […]
As state spending talks resume, UNC System leaders praise Senate budget
House and Senate budget conferees will be back at work after the Memorial Day holiday trying to find common ground and finalize a $29.8 billion state spending plan. Based on last week’s meeting of the UNC System Board of Governors, it’s clear there is a preference among the state’s higher education leaders for the Senate’s […]
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 […]