The North Carolina Senate passed a bipartisan bill 41-1 Tuesday requiring public schools to restrict student use “wireless communication devices” during instructional time.
All in Education
State Senate bill would okay students attending off-campus Bible classes during school hours
Republicans in the North Carolina Senate recently introduced a bill that would allow public school students to attend religious instruction during school hours.
Superintendent Green, State Board of Education unveil joint legislative priorities
Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green shared the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s (NCDPI) legislative priorities and budgetary asks for North Carolina’s public schools at the February State Board of Education (SBE) meeting. During this meeting, the SBE officially adopted the NCDPI’s legislative agenda, marking the first time in several years that the two have shared a joint set of legislative priorities.
Governor Cooper Celebrates Public Education and Supporting Children from Cradle to Career
Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina State Superintendent-Elect Mo Green celebrated the progress made under the Governor’s leadership to build a better educated North Carolina. The Governor and State Superintendent-Elect visited classrooms, toured the new school building and spoke at Claxton Elementary School in Greensboro.
Op-Ed: The fight for public education in the wake of Hurricane Helene
The devastation brought by Hurricane Helene to western North Carolina has left communities grappling with significant loss and upheaval. As we witness the aftermath, one thing is clear: the path to recovery will require time, commitment, and considerable resources.
NC House overrides veto, votes to boost school voucher program by $2B over next decade
The North Carolina House of Representatives on Tuesday afternoon overrode Governor Roy Cooper’s veto of House Bill 10 — a bill that would boost funding for the state’s private school voucher program by more than $2 billion over the next decade. The vote was 72-44.
Op-Ed: Private School Vouchers are Unpopular, Failed Policy
On November 5th, voters in three states rejected private school voucher measures on their ballots. A majority (58 percent) of voters in Nebraska chose to repeal a recently passed voucher law
Governor Cooper Announces $1 Million in Field Trip Funding for Public Schools
Governor Roy Cooper announced $1 million in new funding for public school field trips with North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) Secretary Reid Wilson at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences.
On Election Day, Other States Rejected Expansion of Voucher Programs
Voters in three states rejected the expansion of taxpayer-funded voucher schemes last week, similar to a policy that Republican legislators in Raleigh are keen to push forward before the year ends.
John Hood: Let’s Reform How We Pay Teachers
RALEIGH — During the just-ended 2024 election campaign, candidates for offices such as governor, legislature, county commission, and state superintendent of public instruction talked a lot about raising the pay of public schoolteachers in our state — as well they should have.
John Hood: Why College Return-on-Investment Matters
RALEIGH — The University of North Carolina system enrolled more students this fall — about 248,000 — than ever before. But continued growth is far from ordained. Indeed, as America’s college-age population levels off and then begins to decline over the next decade, many institutions will see enrollment declines. Some will be forced by shaky finances to merge or shut down.
John Hood: Pro-Hamas Protestors Strike UNC Again
On April 30, a mob of pro-Hamas protestors defaced public property at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and yanked down, for a brief time, the American flag fluttering over a prominent part of the campus called Polk Place.
After House vote, NC is on the cusp of universal school choice
North Carolina House voted Wednesday to pass a bill that will clear the waitlist for the state’s voucher program and bring true universal school choice to the state for the first time.
John Hood: NC Campuses Rank High on Speech
As recently as 2015, nearly 60% of Americans told Gallup that they had “a great deal” or “quite a lot” of confidence in U.S. colleges and universities as a whole. Today, just 36% of respondents agree — not much different from the shares who say they have only “some” confidence (32%) and very little or none (32%).
Governor Cooper and Democratic Leaders Slam Push to Divert $625M from Public Schools to Private Vouchers
RALEIGH: Today, Governor Roy Cooper and Democratic legislative leaders held a press conference highlighting Republican legislators' disastrous plan to spend hundreds of millions of dollars more on taxpayer funded private school vouchers while that should be going to public schools. The Governor was joined by Rep. Robert Reives, Sen. Dan Blue, Sen. Michael Garrett, Sen. Lisa Grafstein, Rep. Sarah Crawford and Rep. Cynthia Ball.
NCDPI: 2023-24 Accountability Report Shows Continued Academic Growth for North Carolina Students
RALEIGH - North Carolina students continue to see gains in most grades and subjects, according to the 2023-24 state test results presented to the State Board of Education on Wednesday. Schools also showed progress on accountability measures.
Governor Cooper Tours Leicester Elementary School in Buncombe County, Highlights How Strong Public Schools Make Strong Communities
RALEIGH: On Tuesday, Governor Roy Cooper visited Leicester Elementary School in Buncombe County as part of the “Year of Public Schools” education tour and delivered supplies collected from the Governor’s School Supply Drive. The Governor was joined by teachers, students, local and state education leaders and local elected officials as he highlighted the outstanding work taking place in North Carolina’s public schools and how public education is strengthening North Carolina’s communities.
North Carolina School Boards Urge General Assembly to Prioritize Public School Funding and Teacher Pay
RALEIGH: As Governor Cooper continues the “Year of Public Schools,” school boards from at least 10 school districts are calling on the General Assembly to make meaningful investments in teacher pay and fully fund our public schools instead of further expanding the state’s dangerous taxpayer-funded private school voucher scheme.
Attorney General Josh Stein Meets with Educators to Discuss Public Education Needs
(RALEIGH) Attorney General Josh Stein this week met with public school teachers and principals from across North Carolina for a conversation about the state of North Carolina’s public schools and how North Carolina can support students and teachers.
John Hood: On Schools and Sports, Follow Evidence
RALEIGH — Having spent most of my career commissioning, editing, or writing about public policy research, I understand its inherent limitations. Still, I cling to a belief, however naïve it may be, that careful study of complex problems can produce at least some clear answers that most policymakers will accept.