Education Matters

Today on the show we will discuss racial equity focusing on discipline disparities, the school to prison pipeline, and School Resource Officers. Our goal is to share research, explore what is working and what is not working in various contexts, and consider recommendations for how we support the whole child with an equity lens. Guests: Tyler Whittenberg, Justice System Reform program, Southern Coalition for Social Justice Jovonia Lewis, Durham Public School Board Member Reagan Razon, Student, Enloe High School, WCPSS

Joining us to discuss the Color of Education are speakers and organizers of the event Guests: Dr. William “Sandy Darity, Professor in the Sanford School of Public Policy, Professor of African and African American Studies, Professor of Economics, Duke University Bettina Umstead, Chair, Board of Education, Durham Public Schools Shannon Bowman, University Connections Liaison/Teacher, Centennial Campus Magnet Middle School, Wake County Public School System

We kicked off our third annual Color of Education Summit virtually this week, spotlighting the intersection of race, equity, and education. Joining us to discuss this are speakers and organizers of the event. Guests: Dr. Keisha Bentley-Edwards, Associate Director of Research, Duke University Cook Center on Social Equity Dr. Lauren Fox, Senior Director of Policy, Public School Forum of North Carolina Danita Mason-Hogans, Program Coordinator, Center for Documentary Studies, Duke University Christina Spears, Special Assistant in Wake County Public School System's Office of Equity Affairs

On today’s show we have a range of topics to discuss with two special guests, Dr. Jen Mangrum, Democratic Candidate for State Superintendent, and Catherine Truitt, Republican Candidate for State Superintendent. I’d like to thank them both for their willingness to run for office and spend time with us today sharing their ideas, vision, and plans for the future of education in NC. Their contributions towards education and this state are much needed for our democracy. Guests: Dr. Jen Mangrum, Democratic Candidate for State Superintendent Catherine Truitt, Republican Candidate for State Superintendent

For more than 200,000 homes with students across NC, Broadband access is limited or non-existent. Even when Broadband is available, other barriers to adoption and usage prevent many of our households from being connected. During this pandemic, many students rely on walking to publicly available wifi or buses with Internet access. Districts have been creative with hotspots, park and learns, and other solutions; but they are not long-term or ideal. Overall, this equity issue has been exacerbated during COVID-19 and is leaving some students unable to communicate with their teachers and classmates and struggling to complete school assignments and access digital learning resources as other students with access in their homes. We are also seeing additional divides related to devices and digital literacy. Today, we will discuss the short-term and long-term efforts being made with leaders from different sectors across our state and how we can accelerate the availability of robust, affordable Broadband for all and how to effectively support students in engaging in learning opportunities once Internet connection is possible. Guests: Caroline Sullivan, Executive Director, North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE) Patrick Woodie, President, NC Rural Center Karl Rectanus, CEO and Co-Founder of Learn Platform Rhonda Schuhler, Superintendent, Franklin County Schools

In last week’s episode, we were able to discuss the need for ongoing STEM investments and exposure to high-quality STEM content, as early as Kindergarten. These discussions bring awareness to the need for collective strategies and intentional collaboration and partnerships within the STEM pipeline. The goal is to ensure that every child has access to high-quality STEM during school and out-of-school time. As we continue these conversations, we will engage educators and program providers, and amplify the voices of youth and young adults. On today’s show, we will discuss with a K-12 STEM educator and a program provider how they are preparing youth to enter a dynamic and ever-changing workforce. At the end of the show, we will hear from youth and young adult participants who have benefitted from high-quality STEM engagement opportunities. Each voice expressed today holds a unique perspective of STEM in North Carolina. Guests: Jose’ Garcia Alvin Powell Itaevia Curry-Chisolm Francis Godoy

The world around us is constantly changing and so is the workforce. It is imperative that youth are afforded opportunities to learn by doing, build skills, connect with mentors and prepare for the jobs of tomorrow. Today, STEM jobs are driving global economic growth, and youth nationwide are getting opportunities to develop an interest in science and gain STEM-related skills. At the North Carolina Center for Afterschool Program’s annual Synergy Conference, we were able to begin this conversation with the STEM Coalition Kickoff Panel. In this two part series, we will continue to discuss the importance of investing in STEM for youth as early as Kindergarten, developing core skills necessary for STEM career pathways, and the impact of STEM on the lives of youth and young adults. Guests: Alfred Mays, Senior Program Officer of the Burroughs Wellcome Fund Ron Ottinger, Executive Director of STEM Next Khalia Braswell, Founder and CEO of INTech Camp for Girls

COVID-19 has created changes to the school budget landscape across our state. From creating access to broadband to in-person learning costs, there are new and different short and long-term impacts on the budget. Guests: Cathy Moore, Superintendent, Wake County Public Schools Tony Jackson, Superintendent, Vance County Public Schools

We are now two weeks into the new school year in NC; and educators, students, and families alike are adjusting to a new normal in either a remote or hybrid setting. We will have the opportunity to hear from a Superintendent, principal, and two students on how they are embracing this experience and ensuring that we have an effective culture to support our students, staff, families, and community. Building a culture does not just happen, it takes purposeful and consistent nurturing and engagement to support students in their academic, social, and emotional learning. Guests: Dr. Bob Grimesey, Superintendent, Moore County Schools Dr. Carrie Tulbert, Principal, Iredell-Statesville Schools Jorge Gomex Mancilla, Super Senior, Vance County Early College Ayanna Anderson, Junior, Vance County Early College

This week, K-12 students across North Carolina are going back to school. Our public school students are beginning school under what have become known as Plans B and C — and in most districts, that is either a hybrid or a fully remote learning schedule. As of this taping, students in 60 school districts will begin in a fully remote learning setting. Many school districts have shared that the fall, even if it is conducted all online, will not be like March through June of this past school year, when we were just starting out with remote learning. District and school leaders and educators have had a chance to reflect on the spring, engage in professional learning, and plan for what their students need. While this year is certainly different than any other start of a school year that we can remember, it is very important for us to ensure that student voice is considered and heard through the implementation of our learning environments. During this show, we will do just that - hear directly from students across our state. These students will help us understand what it is like to be a K-12 student during COVID-19 — and how we can best support them this year. Guests: KaLa Keaton, Senior, Middle Creek High School (Wake County) Grace Greenberg, Sophomore, South Central High School (Pitt County) Kaitlyn Decker, 7th Grade, Murphy Middle School (Cherokee County) Clarke Henry, 8th Grade, Waddell Language Academy (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools)

As families and school districts work to provide academic, social, and emotional learning opportunities and support for their students, afterschool, before school, and summer programs are key pieces for many children. As an integral part of the learning process, programs teach children foundational skills, like communication, teamwork, and problem solving, and prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow. Today, we will focus on the North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs at the Public School Forum of North Carolina and the 21st Century Community Learning Center Program, a federal program led by the Department of Public Instruction across the state. Whether remote or in-person, these programs are essential for our students and are an integral part of an important partnership with families, schools and communities. Guests Dr. Sheronda Fleming, Public School Forum of NC Sheneika Simmons, Public School Forum of NC Dr. LaTricia Townsend, Department of Public Instruction

Supporting and Lifting Up Teachers in the World of COVID-19 While this time of year always seems to involve a great deal of back-to-school talk, this year it is even more so with every conversation involving school plans, district or parent decisions, and imaging what school will be like this year. For teachers, these discussions and issues are at the forefront of their minds, as they prepare for a year like no other. Guests Mariah Morris, 2019 Teacher of the Year Maureen Stover, 2020 Teacher of the Year Matt Smith, Principal of the Year Tamika Walker, NCAE President

While schools and districts are struggling to know what to do and how to best meet the needs of our students, the shift to hybrid or remote learning plans have had a dramatic impact on our families and students. During this episode we will meet with four guests who will help us better understand the challenges and also offer some recommendations for how we must continue to improve in our engagement and support of families. Guests Kelley Johnson, Principal/Lead Learner, Innovation Academy at South Campus, Johnston County Public Schools Lisa Godwin, Kindergarten Teacher, Dixon Elementary, Onslow County Schools Dr. Devonya Govan - Hunt, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools Parent and President, Charlotte Affiliate, Black Child Development Institute Leslie Welch, Wake County Schools Parent

This week, our Governor provided more guidance for schools and districts as they plan for the beginning of a school year like none other. As families make complex and sometimes heart-wrenching decisions to meet the needs of their children, today we will talk to education leaders about what they are grappling with when it comes to finding and securing the resources necessary to safely open our schools in just one month. Guests: Dr. Patrick Miller, Superintendent, Greene County Schools Alan Duncan, Vice Chairman, North Carolina State Board of Education Mike Lee, Vice Chair, Durham Public Schools Board of Education

As North Carolina continues to develop plans for safely beginning the 2020-21 school year, we take a look at the possibilities surrounding what next year could bring and what that means for both large and small school districts across our state. Joining us today are Cyndy Bliss, Principal of Myrtle Grove Middle School in New Hanover County, Doctor Barry Williams, Superintendent of Gates County Public Schools, and Cathy Moore, Superintendent of Wake CountyPublic Schools. Guests: Cathy Moore, Superintendent, Wake County Public Schools Cyndy Bliss, Principal, Myrtle Grove Middle School, New Hanover County Dr. Barry Williams, Superintendent, Gates County Public Schools

During COVID-19 and the new remote learning environment that North Carolina’s students are grappling with, our state’s business community has stepped up to bridge the digital divide, forming partnerships with local school districts to provide technology and innovative solutions to access school resources. We’ll talk with representatives from Google and Lenovo today on the show about these partnerships, and in another exciting development, we’ll introduce the Public School Forum’s new President and Executive Director — and future host of Education Matters-- Dr. Mary Ann Wolf. Guests: Mr. John Bischof, Executive Director, North America Commercial Category, Lenovo Ms. Lilyn Hester, Head of External Affairs, Southeast, Google Dr. Mary Ann Wolf, Executive Director, Public School Forum of NC

Judge Lee’s Consent Order of January 21, 2020, it directed the State Defendants (SBE/Gov/DOJ representing the State to submit a status report setting out the “Specific actions that the State Defendants must implement in 2020 to begin to address the issues identified by WestEd.” Since then, in the midst of COVID-19, the State and the Plaintiffs have worked to develop the Joint Report issued on June 15 with the required specific actions and investments. Today on the show we discuss the specific Leandro action plan and our students constitutional right to a sound and basic education. We will hear from the State Board of Education on these plans as well as a superintendent and a former student. Guests Mr. James Ford, Member, State Board of Education and Executive Director, Center for Racial Equity in Education (CREED) Ms. Daisy Almonte, Graduate of Sampson County Schools Dr. Marvin Connelly, Jr., Superintendent, Cumberland County Schools

As COVID-19 continues to present our state and nation with so many challenges with regard to children’s schooling, joining us on the show today is the chair of the North Carolina State Board of Education, Eric Davis, and the Chief Deputy Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Susan Gale Perry, to discuss the most recent guidance released about how to safely re-open North Carolina’s public schools for 2020-2021. Also joining us today is Tabari Wallace, Principal of West Craven High School and Matt Wight, Principal of Apex Friendship High School, who represent our high school principals across North Carolina who have done amazing things to honor the 2020 graduating seniors and help them cap off a year that was anything but normal. Mr. Eric Davis, Chair, State Board of Education Ms. Susan Gale Perry, Chief Deputy Secretary, NC Department of Health and Human Services Mr. Tabari Wallace, Principal, West Craven High School Mr. Matt Wight, Principal, Apex Friendship High School

At a time when COVID-19 still presents a significant public health threat, education leaders are working hard to develop plans to keep students physically safe through a variety of remote and in-person learning options for the upcoming school year. But we must remember that there is work to be done to ensure the social and emotional well-being of our students and educators, as well. Today on Education Matters, we talk with leaders with the Public School Forum’s Resilience and Learning Project as well as school counselors and a social worker to learn more about what we need to do to ensure the social and emotional well-being of our school communities across the state. Guests: Segment 1: Elizabeth DeKonty, Director, Forum’s NC Resilience & Learning Project Stacey Craig Riberdy, LCSW, Consultant, Forum’s NC Resilience & Learning Project Segment 2: Garfield Martin, School Counselor, Cooper Academy, Johnston County Carmen White, School Counselor, McGee’s Crossroads Elementary, Johnston County Yvette Richardson, School Social Worker, Nash Rocky Mount Schools

As the school year ends, planning begins. With the new school year approaching, we look to district and state leaders to decide what guidelines will be in place to keep our students and staff safe. This week we discuss backgrounds, options, and factors surrounding school opening plans with leaders in Edgecombe County as well as state leaders from the Department of Public Instruction. Guests Dr. Beverly Emory, Deputy State Superintendent for School Support Jessica Swencki, DPI Regional Support Team, Sandhills Abbey Futrell, Assistant Superintendent, Edgecombe County

Through community efforts, partnerships, and new funding, many students without broadband access have been provided loaned devices, wifi-hot spots, and community hot spot access in order to complete school work and continue learning. Today we catch up with teachers in Edgecombe County to find out what at home learning and broadband access looks like and take a closer look at a collaboration between Google and Caldwell County and their 31 hotspot school buses. Guests: Kadijah Jordan, Teacher in Edgecombe County Sandy Fulcher, Teacher in Edgecombe County Don Phipps, Superintendent, Caldwell County Melissa Costin, Principal, Caldwell County Norah Cool, Student, Caldwell County Jaime Cool, Parent Gabrielle Pope, Student, Caldwell County Angela Pope, Parent

Recently, in response to COVID-19, much needed additional state and federal funding has been allocated to North Carolina’s public schools. With the use of these funds, combined with state and local partnerships, more efforts are being made to connect students and teachers to broadband internet through allocating $1 million for wifi buses, $11 million for community and home mobile internet access, and $30 million for devices to help address the 197,000 student households still lacking internet access. Over the next two episodes, we will hear from students, parents, teachers, and administrators from across the state in a discussion about how students are learning remotely with no or limited home access to the internet. Guests: Hannah Wirt- Teacher, Catawba County Danielle Eller-Teacher, Catawba County Suzanne Cadwallader-Teacher, Catawba County James Frye-Principal, Catawba County Allison Etheridge-Parent/Administrator, Hyde County Marisol and Teresita Campos-Students, Hyde County Tequila Midgett-Parent, Hyde County

On May second, the North Carolina general assembly approved a pandemic relief package nearing one point six billion dollars in two bills. After compromising, votes in the house and the senate were unanimous in passing the COVID-19 relief package. Here to discuss the impacts of what this funding can bring as well as the state board of education decisions as the school year ends are Freebird Mckinney, Representative Craig Horn, and Senator Don Davis. Guests: Freebird McKenny- State Board of Education’s Director of Legislative Affairs and Community Outreach Rep. Craig Horn- (R) Union Sen. Don Davis- (D) Greene, Pitt

Governor Cooper announced last Friday that our school buildings will remain closed for the remainder of this academic year. and this week, our general assembly members returned to Raleigh to consider Coronavirus related legislation, including a number of policies that will impact our public schools. As we navigate this challenging time, our public schools will continue working to serve our students and families and learning will continue to happen remotely. Today we are fortunate to have parents from around the state on the show to share their experiences and perspectives on schooling during Coronavirus. Guests: Yvonne Seaman Parent, Granville Jenelle Brizendine, Parent Granville Xavier Wortham, Executive Director, Oxford Housing Authority Jessica Wilkins, Parent/PTO president of Granville Academy Alison McCloskey, Moore County Parent Ben Willis, Director of the Education Foundation of Caldwell County

Over and over we have been hearing from North Carolina teachers saying that they have not been able to reach some of their students during this stay at home order, one major reason being the lack of access to broadband. In areas across the state, broadband access is limited, particularly in rural regions, where some students are having to walk to schools or other publically available wifi hotspots just to do schoolwork on their devices. Even when broadband is available, other barriers to adoption prevent many of our households from being connected. This equity issue has been exacerbated in the wake of covid-19 and is leaving some students unable to communicate with their teachers and fellow classmates, unable to complete school assignments, and less able to access digital learning resources as other students staying home. Guests: Jeff Sural, Broadband Infrastructure Office, DIT Amy Huffman, Broadband Infrastructure Office, DIT Dr. Mark Samberg, director of technology programs at the friday institute for educational innovation

Today on the show we are going to provide an update on educating during Covid-19 and discuss meeting the needs of exceptional children and English language learners during this challenging time. here to discuss are three education professionals coming from one side of the state to the other. Guests: Dr. Scott Elliott, Superintendent of the Watauga County Schools Dr. LaChawn Smith, Deputy Superintendent, New Hanover County Schools Dr. Maria Madison, Principal, College Park Elementary School

During covid-19, educator self care is more important now than it has ever been. This week on education matters we’re here to discuss staff wellness from teacher, district, and state wide perspectives and how we are supporting those on the front lines of education. Guests: Chanda Battle- Program Coordinator, NC Resilience and Learning Project Kanika Griffin- Chief Academic Officer of Student Services, Perquimans County Schools Brooke Wester- Teacher at Englewood Elementary school, Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools

While students are staying home, Social Emotional Learning is especially important now more than ever. Today we look at the mental health needs that many kids may be facing at home right now and ways to support social emotional learning from a distance. Guests: Dr. Katie Rosanbalm Senior Research Scientist, Duke Center for Child and Family Policy Cynthia Floyd State Consultant for School Counseling, NC Department of Public Instruction Phil Cook Principal of West Greene Elementary School, Greene County

Right now, the world faces something practically unimaginable-a global pandemic- and its impacts are being felt right here in North Carolina. The Coronavirus is affecting not only our health and business sectors, but it’s also impacting our youth. From online learning, to mental health and food access, schools and families are feeling the effects of the virus and finding ways to adjust to this new reality. On Education Matters we want to provide information on this developing situation and what it means for our education community. Guests include: Dr. Mary Ann Wolf, Senior Director, Professional Learning and Leading Collaborative, The Friday Institute at NC State University Julie Paige Pittman, NC Education Outreach Manager, No Kid Hungry; 2018 Western Region Teacher of the Year Dr. Amanda Allen, Executive Director, Social and Emotional Learning, Johnston County Public Schools

In an era when our ability to collect data is better than ever, policymakers believe it’s critical that to improve our students’ academic success, we must leverage that data in new and innovative ways. So how do we get there? State education leaders believe we must develop a robust statewide longitudinal data system that connects student information from across the educational continuum — and we must develop local data profiles that can help leaders better prepare the next generation for college and careers. Today we will hear from experts and leaders who are doing great work to contribute to these efforts — which will ultimately ensure that all North Carolinians achieve the academic success they deserve.

Anonymous reporting, safety apps, school resource officers. Do you know how your children are staying safe while in school? Today we continue our series looking at how to make our schools safer. Joining us to discuss this important topic is Robert Trumbo, the Director of the North Carolina Center for Safer Schools, and Dr. Will Chavis, Principal at Enloe High School in Raleigh.

Guests: Mr. Alan Duncan, Vice Chairman, NC State Board of Education Ms. Ann McColl, Co-Founder and President of The Innovation Project Dr. Anthony Jackson, Superintendent of the Vance County Schools Mr. Thomas B. Oxholm, Vice President of Finance and Administration, Wake Stone Corporation

The Public School Forum's annual Eggs and Issues event included a live taping of the Forum’s weekly television show, Education Matters. We were joined by four panelists who discussed this year’s Top Education Issue, which focused on the school funding case known as Leandro and the need for our state to take immediate and intentional actions to ensure all NC children receive a sound basic education. Our panelists: Ann McColl, an education attorney, constitutional scholar, and Co-Founder and President of The Innovation Project (TIP); Dr. Anthony Jackson, North Carolina Superintendent of the Year, Vance County Schools; Thomas B. Oxholm, Vice President of Finance & Administration, Wake Stone Corporation; and Alan Duncan, Vice Chairman, NC State Board of Education. Public School Forum Board Chairman and Host of Education Matters, Dr. Thomas J. Williams, moderated the panel.

Today we will dive into digital citizenship and what schools are doing to promote safe and responsible use of the internet with the Assistant Superintendent of Edgecombe County, Abbey Futrell. But first, we close our series of interviewing those who have decided to run for state superintendent with Catherine Truitt, Chancellor of Western Governors University and a Republican Candidate for State Superintendent.

This year, North Carolinians will elect a new State Superintendent of Public Instruction, as the current State Superintendent, Mark Johnson, has announced he will run for Lieutenant Governor. Today we continue our series of interviewing those who have decided to run for state superintendent, and we will talk with Representative Craig Horn, a Republican from Union County who has chaired the Education Committee in the North Carolina General Assembly and recently announced his candidacy for the office of State Superintendent.. We’ll also talk with Constance Lav Johnson, a former educator and consultant who is running as a Democrat. Guests: • Representative D. Craig Horn, Candidate for State Superintendent of Public Instruction • Constance Lav Johnson, Candidate for State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Research tells us our schools can be safer places when we cultivate healthy environments in which our students feel they are able to address bullying and the potential for violence before they result in serious consequences. Today we’ll hear from a nationally known expert on bullying prevention and school safety, Dr. Dorothy Espelage, a professor at UNC-Chapel Hill. We’ll also talk with a student and assistant principal at Knightdale High School in Wake County, where they’ve implemented a “Link Crew” that enables juniors and seniors to support incoming freshmen and create a healthy school climate that deters incidences of bullying. Guests: • Dr. Dorothy Espelage, William C. Friday Distinguished Professor of Education, UNC-Chapel Hill • Ms. Tonya Hannah, Assistant Principal, Knightdale High School • Nadine Jallal, Student and Link Crew Leader, Knightdale High School

From the controversy around reading assessment tools to the release of a court-ordered report on school funding, 2019 has been quite the busy year for education in North Carolina. Today we’ll hear from defendant and plaintiff representatives of the long-running school funding court case known as Leandro, who will give us their insights into the just-released WestEd report. We’ll also hear from two reporters who will talk with us about the biggest K-12 education stories of 2019. Guests: • JB Buxton, Member At-Large, NC State Board of Education • Melanie Dubis, Partner, Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP • Alex Granados, Senior Reporter, EducationNC • Jeff Tiberii, Capitol Bureau Chief, WUNC

Research says students experience significant academic and emotional benefits from having teachers of color, yet in North Carolina the educator workforce comprises a disproportionately low percentage of teachers of color. At a summit hosted this week by the Office of Governor Roy Cooper and partnering organizations, educators and policymakers tackled this issue by brainstorming a new landscape for recruiting and supporting a more diverse teaching workforce. Today we will hear from leaders in the field who participated in that summit and who are directly working to improve educator diversity, support future educators of color and ensure that all new educators are prepared to support a diverse range of students in a culturally competent classroom. Guests: - LaTanya Pattillo, Teacher Advisor, Office of Governor Roy Cooper - Dr. Anthony Graham, Provost, Winston-Salem State University - Kristy Moore, Vice President, North Carolina Association of Educators

Lawmakers recently adjourned their legislative session without reaching a compromise with Governor Cooper on teacher salaries, leaving educators to head into the holidays without pay raises for the 2019-20 school year. On today’s show, we’ll hear from two North Carolina teachers about how the lack of salary increases — along with other challenges — is impacting their lives and classrooms. We’ll also hear from two lawmakers — a Democrat and Republican — about their efforts to negotiate teacher pay raises and how they plan to move forward. Guests: - Rep. Darren Jackson (D-Wake), North Carolina General Assembly - Sen. Rick Horner (R-Johnston, Nash), North Carolina General Assembly - Tamika Walker Kelly, Elementary Music Specialist, Cumberland County Schools - Dane West, History Teacher, Wake County Schools

Nearly a quarter century after a state Supreme Court ruling known as Leandro reaffirmed North Carolina’s constitutional duty to ensure all children -- including those who are at-risk or from rural and underserved communities -- have the opportunity to receive a sound basic education, our state continues to struggle to meet this constitutional obligation. On this week’s episode, we’ll explore the school funding challenges at both the state and local levels that make it difficult to uniformly provide a high quality education for every child, and we’ll also explore how we might overcome these challenges, as the Governor’s Commission On Sound Basic Education and its court appointed expert third party research partner, WestEd, are expected to soon present our state policy leaders with a report detailing what needs to be done to address the educational needs of our children. We are fortunate to be joined today by two attorneys who work on school funding and equity issues at the state level, as well as the Granville County Board of Education Chairman and a Granville County Commissioner. Guests: • Matt Ellinwood, Director, Education & Law Project, NC Justice Center • Mark Dorosin, Managing Attorney, Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights • Dr. Tom Houlihan, Chairman, Granville County Board of Education • Dr. Tony Cozart, County Commissioner, Granville County

Last month, the Public School Forum of North Carolina, along with the Samuel Dubois Cook Center on Social Equity and the Policy Bridge at the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University hosted their second annual Color of Education summit, which focused on racial equity and education in North Carolina. For this week's episode of Education Matters, we’ll talk with representatives from two of the Color of Education partner organizations about the summit and the work that is to come. We’ll also hear from two groups that presented at this year’s Color of Education summit about their racial equity work in schools and communities. Guests: - Patience Wall, Color of Education and Duke Sanford School of Public Policy - Ashley Kazouh, Policy Analyst, Public School Forum of NC - William P. Jackson, Ph.D., Chief Dreamer, Village of Wisdom - Aliyah Abdur-Rahman, Founder and Collaborator, DEI Works

Did you know that North Carolina is home to 568,000 rural students, the second largest rural student population in the United States after Texas? This fall, the Public School forum will convene its seventeenth study group to better understand the unique needs, challenges, and strengths of rural school districts across the state. It’s a critically important undertaking because in the years following a court ruling known as “Leandro,” the state has fallen short of its obligation to ensure that all children, including those who are from rural and underserved communities, have access to a sound basic education. Today we’ll hear from two co-chairs of the Forum’s new study group focused on rural education: Patrick Woodie, head of the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center, and Jeni Corn with MyFutureNC, which aims to close the educational attainment gap by 2030. Also joining us is Alan Richard, board member of the Rural School and Community Trust, a national organization addressing the crucial relationship between good schools and thriving communities. We look forward to discussing how North Carolina can better serve our rural students so that each child can access a sound basic education. Guests: -Alan Richard, Board Member, Rural School and Community Trust -Patrick Woodie, President, North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center -Jeni Corn, Ph.D., MyFutureNC

In 2011, the North Carolina State Board of Education formed a Task Force on Global Education to assess the state's effort to produce "globally competitive" graduates ready to live, work, and contribute in an interconnected world. Thanks to their work, the state signed a series of global commitments to ensure every public school student graduates fully prepared for the world, and has taken action to provide statewide infrastructure that supports and guides educators in a common vision for global education for North Carolina’s public schools. Today we’ll hear about how North Carolina continues to work toward these big goals and how one method, dual language programs, is taking shape across our state and preparing our children to work and compete in a global workplace. Guests: - Bill Harrison, Chairman Emeritus, NC State Board of Education - David Young, CEO, Participate Learning - Jack Davern, Principal, Elon Elementary School (Burlington) - Ann Mailly, Parent, Jeffreys Grove Elementary School (Raleigh)

Every day, youth attend afterschool, before school and summer learning programs across North Carolina, engaging in activities like STEM, physical fitness, literacy, and civic education, to name a few. This week, we will take a look at the impact that afterschool programs have on the lives of youth, and we'll be joined by the Forum's director of the NC Center for Afterschool Programs, Dr. Sheronda Fleming, as well as two directors of local afterschool programs operating in Hyde and Gaston counties. Guests: • Dr. Sheronda Fleming, Director, NC Center for Afterschool Programs • Nancy Leach, Director of Student Services, Hyde County Schools • Roxann Jimison, Academy Director, Dream Center Academy, Gaston County Guest Host: • Tara Lynn, WRAL - TV

In a stunning move last week that sent shockwaves across the political landscape here in North Carolina and nationally, the Republican majority in the NC House overrode Governor Cooper’s veto of the state budget with nearly half of the 120 House members absent, mostly Democrats. With a called vote early on the morning of September 11th, the House voted 55-9 to override the Governor’s veto of the state budget. Democrats accused Republicans of holding a surprise veto override vote despite telling Democrats no votes would be held. Republicans say they never told Democrats there wouldn't be votes. But after all the drama in the House, there is still no final state budget without Senate action now 2 ½ months into the fiscal year. This week on the show we talk about last week’s override and what’s next with Democratic Rep. Deb Butler, who became the face of last week’s fireworks on the House floor, and Democratic Senator Mike Woodard on prospects of a veto override in the Senate. We also talk with two leading political reporters about the fallout from last week. Guests: • Rep. Deb Butler (D-Brunswick, New Hanover) • Sen. Mike Woodard (D-Durham, Granville, Person) • Colin Campbell, Editor, The NC Insider • Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan, Reporter, News & Observer

Last week the NC Department of Public Instruction released its annual A-F School Performance Grades for the state’s public schools and they continue to reflect a clear relationship between poverty and student test scores. This week on the show we discuss the latest school grades and the grading system itself. Why do the school grades correlate to strongly to poverty? Do they provide an accurate assessment of the job our schools are doing educating students? If not, what needs to change? Guests: • Dr. Lauren Fox, Senior Policy Director, Public School Forum of NC • Dr. Helen “Sunny” Ladd, Susan B. King Professor Emeritus of Public Policy, Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy • Michelle Burton, Librarian/Teacher, Durham Public Schools

While the official Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1st through November 30th, September historically has been the most active month for hurricanes affecting North Carolina, with 35 percent of all hurricanes striking the state in that month including Hurricane Florence last year. As a new school year begins, we talk to two education leaders about how these major storms affect our schools and how we can better prepare for the next one. We also talk to a meteorologist on what we might expect for this year’s peak season. Guests: • Dr. Mike Ward, Former State Superintendent of Public Instruction • Dr. Meghan Doyle, Superintendent, Craven County Schools • Mike Maze, WRAL-TV Meteorologist

We know that Adverse Childhood Experiences or ACEs can lead to long-term health issues as adults, but we’re just beginning to understand the impact trauma has on a child’s ability to learn during the critical early years in school. The good news is researchers have identified strategies that help these students learn and they are beginning to be implemented in public schools across North Carolina. Today we’re going to talk with two leaders of the NC Resilience & Learning Project and hear from principals from Eastern North Carolina who are rolling out these game-changing efforts in their schools. Guests: • Elizabeth DeKonty, Director, NC Resilience & Learning Project • Dr. Katie Rosanbalm, Senior Research Scientist, Duke Center for Child and Family Policy • Jessica Parker, Assistant Principal, Phillips Middle School, Edgecombe County Public Schools • Roderick Tillery, Principal, Baskerville Elementary School, Nash Rocky Mount Public Schools

While school choice and education privatization efforts grab headlines and generate a great deal of activity at the NC General Assembly, a wide array of innovative and transformative efforts are quietly underway in public school systems all across North Carolina. This week we’re going to introduce you to the state’s first renewal school district that was granted broad flexibility and local control to redesign how their schools operate. We’ll also meet the co-founder of The Innovation Project that is working with superintendents across the state to implement new practices in the districts they lead. Guests: Dr. Lynn Moody, Superintendent, Rowan-Salisbury School System Ann McColl, Chief Executive Officer, The Innovation Project

Governor Roy Cooper vetoed the budget passed by the NC General Assembly on June 28th and offered up a counter proposal a week later. Now more than a month has passed and the General Assembly has yet to bring a veto override vote to the floor and publicly there seems to be little movement on a budget both sides will accept. This week we sat down with Governor Cooper and discussed the state of the budget, his priorities particularly in education and what’s next now one month into a new fiscal year without a state budget. Guest: Governor Roy Cooper, State of North Carolina