RALEIGH, NC (January 31, 2023)- The Public School Forum of North Carolina released its Top Education Issues for 2023 today during its ninth annual Eggs & Issues event. This year’s report outlines the Forum’s priorities on what should be at the forefront of education policy decision-making in the coming year.
The challenges and deep inequities facing our schools today are largely the result of decades of disinvestment, compounded by a global pandemic. All of this has led us to a breaking point for our system of public education. In 2023, The Public School Forum of North Carolina urges our lawmakers and stakeholders to recognize the responsibility we all have to act quickly to meet the needs of each and every student in North Carolina. The 2023-24 Top Educational Issues are:
2023 Top Education Issues
- Ensure fair and competitive compensation for educators
- Grow, retain and diversify the teacher pipeline
- Address the root causes of mental health and school safety crises
- Prepare students for the world they live in
- Implement, monitor and evaluate the Comprehensive Remedial Plan
You can view the full report, including the policy action items and background on each issue at ncforum.org/topissues.
“Our 2023 Top Education Issues reflect what the Forum sees as the most pressing issues facing North Carolina’s public education system. Our state currently has a strong economy, but one of the country’s least-funded public education systems. Investing in education to provide students with effective educators and the necessary resources to be successful are steps we must take now – for the future of our students and the state as a whole,” said Public School Forum Senior Director of Policy & Research Dr. Lauren Fox.
During Eggs & Issues, Public School Forum President and Executive Director, Dr. Mary Ann Wolf, and Dr. Lauren Fox, the Forum’s Senior Director of Policy, presented the Top Education Issues to nearly 400 education stakeholders including educators, students, parents, business leaders, and government officials. The full publication is available at ncforum.org/topissues.
The event also included a panel on Teacher Recruitment, Retention and Diversity and another on Mental Health, School Safety and Culture. These panels were accompanied by discussions and reactions from Senator Sydney Batch, Equity Specialist for Instructional Equity– Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Eugenia Floyd, Senator Michael Lee and 2022 BWF NC Teacher of the Year Leah Carper.
“The Forum team is thrilled to have hosted our first in-person Eggs & Issues since 2020. Seeing how many people were here and how passionate they are about improving our schools gives me a great sense of optimism in terms of what’s possible for North Carolina public education,” said Public School Forum President and Executive Director Dr. Mary Ann Wolf. “I believe a major theme of the day was keeping students at the center of our work. If the numerous educators, business and government leaders, and advocates can keep that in mind, together we can provide great opportunities for children across North Carolina.”
Eggs & Issues 2023 was sponsored by Burroughs Wellcome Fund, East Carolina University College of Education, Participate Learning, Learn Platform, Corning, Peter and Sandra Conway, Schwartz Law, Education Policy Initiative at Carolina, The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, The North Carolina Education Lottery, The North Carolina Association of Educators, DLR Group, and Tom and Mary Mac Bradshaw.
Teacher Recruitment, Retention and Diversity Panelists:
Chatham County Schools Superintendent, Dr. Anthony Jackson
Union County Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Drew Houlihan
Edgecombe County Public Schools Educator, Jacqueline Dickens
SAS Education Practice Director, Nadja Young
Mental Health, School Safety and Culture Panelists:
Durham Public Schools Foundation Executive Director, Magan Gonzales-Smith
Johnston County Public Schools Principal, Maritza Rosado
Orange County Public Schools Educator, Xavier Adams
Wake County Public Schools Superintendent, Catty Moore
Duplin County Schools Student, Bushra Elfgeeh
Duplin County Schools Student, Onesty Sutton
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About The Public School Forum of North Carolina
Since our founding in 1985 as a nonpartisan “think and do tank,” the Public School Forum of North Carolina has been a champion of better schools and one of the most trusted sources in the state for research and analysis on vital education issues. In order to provide meaningful action on our state’s most important public education issues, we bring together leaders from business, education and government to study education issues, develop ideas, and ultimately inform and shape education policy. We do this through research, policy work, innovative programs, advocacy, and continuing education for educators and policymakers. Follow us on social media at @theNCForum and visit our website at http://www.ncforum.org/
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