The Friday Report

May 24, 2019

On Education Matters This Week:

The E-Cigarette Epidemic and Students

E-cigarettes, Vaping. Juuling. Whatever you know it by, their use is skyrocketing among students. Last week North Carolina became the first state in the country to file a lawsuit against popular e-cigarette maker Juul Labs, alleging the company is downplaying the potency and danger of nicotine and illegally targeting young people through its marketing and advertising.

This week we’re joined by North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein to discuss the lawsuit his office filed against Juul and what he hopes to accomplish. Then we’ll talk to one of the state’s top public health officials about the growing use and risks associated with vaping, and to a Wake County Public Schools district leader about how they are tackling this epidemic in our schools.

Guests:

Josh Stein, NC Attorney General (Top)
Dr. Susan Kansagra, Section Chief – Chronic Disease and Injury, NC Division of Public Health (bottom left)
Brian Glendenning, Senior Administrator – Healthful Living, Wake County Public Schools (bottom right)

When and Where to Watch Education Matters

Saturday at 7:30 PM, WRAL-TV (Raleigh/Durham/Fayetteville)

Sunday at 8:00 AM, FOX 50 (Raleigh/Durham/Fayetteville)

Sunday at 6:30 AM and Wednesday at 9:30 AM, UNC-TV’s North Carolina Channel (Statewide)

The North Carolina Channel can be found on Time Warner Cable/Spectrum Channel 1276 or check your local listings and other providers here.

Online at ncforum.local.

Education Matters is also available as a podcast on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, Overcast, and Google Play Musi

The Public School Forum’s New Report

More than 80 percent of North Carolina’s school districts report average teacher salaries that are below the state average

A new report by the Public School Forum of NC finds that average teacher salaries in more than 80 percent of North Carolina’s school districts fall below the reported statewide average teacher salary of $53,975.

Why are teachers in the vast majority of North Carolina districts earning less than the state average compiled and reported by the NC Department of Public Instruction?

“Our analysis finds that the state average teacher salary reported by the NC Department of Public Instruction includes calculations that inflate the state “average,” which results in a misrepresentation of what teachers actually earn in most districts,” said Dr. Lauren Fox, Senior Director of Policy for the Public School Forum. “We also find that the reported statewide average includes an average local salary supplement figure that obscures the substantial differences in local salary supplements from one district to another, resulting in large disparities in average teacher pay depending on location.”

In this report, “North Carolina’s “Average” Teacher Pay Myth,” the Public School Forum presents their analysis of North Carolina teacher salary data, highlighting the following key findings:

The average teacher salaries in more than 80 percent of North Carolina’s school districts fall below the reported state average salary.
The gap between the average pay for teachers in the highest and lowest paying districts in North Carolina is more than $10,000.
On average, teachers in North Carolina earn substantially lower salaries than their similarly educated and experienced peers in other fields, ranking 45th in the country for “teacher salary parity.”
Average teacher salary varies widely from district to district due to inequities in local salary supplements that are funded through local property taxes, meaning the lowest paid teachers are typically found in the districts with the highest poverty rates.
The calculation used to determine the statewide average teacher salary reported by DPI includes bonuses and other funds that many teachers don’t receive.

“The state’s reported “average” teacher salary is clearly inflated by the significant supplemental pay provided to teachers by local governments and districts that have the wealth to do so,” said Keith Poston, president and executive director of the Public School Forum. “It’s one reason why the reported average pay leaves so many teachers scratching their heads and looking at their own paychecks because in reality in most school districts teachers earn less than the average.”

“The discussions that policymakers have around the important issue of teacher pay and whether or not we are competitive with both other states and other professions have become distorted over time,” Poston said. “It is critical that we as a state have an honest and accurate conversation about teacher pay, and then all work together to lift up the teaching profession as a whole.”

Download Full Report Here

Legislative Update

Legislative update: Bye -week

The Forum will continue with our Legislative Update next week, in which we will cover the anticipated passage of the Senate budget. Click here to read our analysis of the House budget.

James (Jim) and Barbara Goodmon to Be Honored

May 30th at Jay Robinson Gala

James (Jim) and Barbara Goodmon are the recipients of the 2019 Public School Forum of North Carolina Jay Robinson Education Leadership Award. The Forum established the award in 2000 to recognize leaders who have demonstrated innovative, creative, and effective leadership for public education in North Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. Goodmon will be honored at a gala event on Thursday, May 30, at the Raleigh Convention Center.

Jim Goodmon, chairman and CEO of Capitol Broadcasting Company, and Barbara Goodmon, president of the A.J. Fletcher Foundation, have spent decades finding innovative ways to meet their community’s needs—and public education has been at the top of their agenda. As actively engaged philanthropists and changemakers, the Goodmons have promoted effective and high-quality human services for disadvantaged people and communities and spearheaded efforts to ensure North Carolina’s citizens have access to first-class early childhood education and public schools across the state.

A Few Seats Remain!

If you have not purchased a ticket to join us in honoring the recipients of the 2019 North Carolina Jay Robinson Education Leadership Award, you still have time. The Forum will be selling individual tickets up until Tuesday, May 28th. If interested, please click here to purchase tickets and to learn more about the event. Please contact Irene Mone at 919-781-6833 ext. 102 or [email protected] with any questions.

Event Details:

Thursday, May 30, 2019

Raleigh Convention Center

6:00 p.m. Reception, 7:00 p.m. Dinner and Program

To purchase event tickets, click below.

Purchase Tickets & Tables

If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities, please contact Marisa Bryant at [email protected].

State News

‘The Future of Education’: Rowan-Salisbury Schools Unveils Renewal Plan

Photo Credit: Salisbury Post.

Ask North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Mark Johnson about Friday’s setting of Rowan-Salisbury Schools’ “Renewal Reveal” and he may call the Wallace Educational Forum’s so-called Center for Innovation an apt choice.

Why? Because “the future of education is happening right here in Rowan-Salisbury,” he said.

“Educators in Salisbury are the pioneers in what will be the education system of tomorrow,” said Johnson, who was one of dozens of people in attendance for the reveal.

The “Renewal Reveal,” an invitation-only event held Friday at noon, was the system’s official unveiling of what Rowan-Salisbury Superintendent Dr. Lynn Moody called nine months of hard work: a new, district-wide modus operandi for local education, enabled through the state’s House Bill 986.

To continue reading the complete article, click here.

Excerpt from:

Foely, A. “The future of education: Rowan-Salisbury Schools unveil renewal plan” Salisbury Post. 5/18/19.

Only Low-Performing Schools Can Get Charter-Like

Flexibility. Wake Says That ‘Stinks’

Nearly all of the 840 students at Barwell Road Elementary in Southeast Raleigh stay after school each Thursday to take part in clubs such as running, LEGO construction, robotics, the art of handwriting and step club.
Photo Credit: Chris Seward, The News & Observer

Nineteen Wake County schools are blurring the lines between traditional public schools and charter schools with innovative calendars and grading systems, longer school days and specialized offerings that set them apart.

Those 19 Wake schools are using the state’s Restart model, which allows some low-performing schools to get the same kind of flexibility from state rules enjoyed by charter schools.

The Wake school board voted Monday to ask the State Board of Education for permission to use the restart model at six additional schools — Beaverdam, Creech Road, Forestville Road, Powell, Timber Drive and Wendell elementary schools.

To continue reading the complete article, click here.

Excerpt from:

Hui, K. “Only low-performing schools can get charter-like flexibility. Wake says that ‘stinks.’ The News & Observer. 5/21/19.

Should North Meck Break Away From CMS? A

Huntersville Schools Study Weighs Options

CMS board members voted to block school construction in Matthews, Mint Hill, Cornelius and Huntersville. Members also directed the Superintendent to explore reassigning students in their town.
Photo Credit: Charlotte Observer.

A Huntersville study commission recommended that northern Mecklenburg County form its own school district, but acknowledged likely opposition from state legislators and drew a quick rebuke from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

Huntersville’s town board created the study commission last October and charged it with evaluating five options to reduce overcrowding in its schools. The town expects its population of 64,000 to grow another 34 percent by 2030, driving the need for three new elementary schools by then.

Critics say CMS has for years ignored school overcrowding in the fast-growing northern Mecklenburg suburbs.

The study commission, in a report presented Monday night, recommended that Huntersville partner with other towns to create a Lake Norman or northern Mecklenburg school district, saying that option “provides the greatest opportunity for addressing the long-term capacity needs” of the area.

To continue reading the complete article, click here.

Excerpt from:

Henderson, B. “Should North Meck break away from CMS? A Huntersville schools study weighs options.” The Charlotte Observer. 5/21/19.

Immigrant Students Graduating from NC High Schools

Want In-State College Tuition

Students met with legislators during the 7th annual ‘Undocugraduation’, advocating for a bill that would grant in-state college tuition for undocumented students on Wednesday, May 22, 2019, in Raleigh, NC.
Photo Credit: Casey Toth, The New & Observer.

There are thousands of North Carolina students who were brought to the U.S. as children through illegal immigration. When they graduate from high school, those hoping to attend college aren’t eligible for in-state tuition, as students in 20 other states are.

One them is Rosalinda Patino, a senior at Garinger High School in Charlotte.

Patino immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico when she was 3 years old, and grew up a student in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. She started working with her parents when she was 11, after school. She feels grateful for the things she has, but has sacrificed a lot to keep her parents proud, Patino said.

Patino was among dozens of high school students, college students and those hoping to go to college who held a mock graduation — called “undocugraduation,” a reference to undocumented status — at the state legislature on Wednesday.

To continue reading the complete article, click here.

Excerpt from:

Baumgartner Vaughan, D. “Immigrant Students graduating from NC high schools want in-state college tuition” The News & Observer. 5/22/19

3 Schools in Raleigh, Durham, Fayetteville Named
US Green Ribbon Schools

Photo Credit: WRAL.

Three North Carolina schools were named U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools on Wednesday for their “innovative efforts to reduce environmental impact and utility costs, improve health and wellness and ensure effective sustainability education,” according to the federal education agency.

Abbotts Creek Elementary School in Raleigh
Immaculata Catholic School in Durham
Douglas Byrd High School in Fayetteville

To continue reading the complete article, click here.

Hinchcliffe, K. “3 Schools in Raleigh, Durham, Fayetteville named US Green Ribbon Schools.” WRAL. 5/22/19.

Do Deputies in Schools Help or Harm Students?

A Sheriff and A DA Debate.

“For some kids, school resource officers mean the opposite of safety,” Durham County District Attorney Satana Deberry said during an interview on Tuesday, May 21, the morning after participating in a forum on the issue.
Photo Credit: Casey Toth, The News & Observer.

As Durham County’s new sheriff considers the role his deputies should play in schools, he joined a debate this week about whether school resource officers help or harm students.

On one side were Sheriff Clarence Birkhead, who took office Dec. 1 after promising progressive reform, and Pascal Mubenga, superintendent of Durham Public Schools.

The SRO program should be revamped, Birkhead said, but school shootings nationwide have made having officers in schools necessary.

To continue reading the complete article, click here.

Excerpt from:

Bridges, V. “Do deputies in schools help or harm students? A sheriff and a DA debate” The News and Observer. 5/22/19.

National News

SAT Adversity Index: A Drive Toward Diversity Without Discussing Race

A college counseling office at a California high school. With its new adversity tool, the College Board is joining a broadening movement toward using race-neutral alternatives to affirmative action.
Photo Credit: David McNew, The New York Times.

The decision to give students who take the SAT test a numerical rating that reflects the challenges they have overcome in life is the most telling sign yet that universities across the country are searching for ways to diversify their classes without considering race or ethnicity.

The so-called adversity rating gives admissions officials a way to learn about a student’s neighborhood and school, factors that have been found to help or hurt academic achievement. The score, which does not account for the student’s race, will be part of an Environmental Context Dashboard sent to colleges in addition to test results.

To continue reading the complete article, click here.

Excerpt from:

Hartocollis, A & Harmon, A. “SAT Adversity Index: A Drive Toward Diversity Without Disscussing Race” The New York Times. 5/17/19

Report: The Effect Chronic Stress Has On Children At School — and Why Policymakers Should Care

. Photo Credit: The Washington Post.

One of the most frustrating aspects of many school reforms efforts of the past several decades is the intense focus on test scores with far less attention, if any, on the personal experiences that students bring to the classroom and how those who have suffered chronic stress are affected.

The rise of social-emotional learning in recent years has been seen as a move toward embracing the idea of dealing with the whole child in school, but many SEL programs don’t use trauma-informed instruction.

To continue reading the complete article, click here.

Excerpt from:

Strauss, V. “Report: The effect chronic stress has on children at school – and why policymakers should care” The Washington Post. 5/22/19.

Opportunities

Public School Forum Seeks Program Coordinator

The Forum seeks a Program Coordinator to support the programmatic and policy work of the organization. The Program Coordinator will work with Forum staff in the efficient and high-impact implementation of programs, including the Beginning Teacher Leadership Network, the NC Education Policy Fellowship Program, the NC Center for Afterschool Programs, and the NC Institute for Educational Policymakers. He or she will support major Forum events, including our annual Jay Robinson Awards Gala, Eggs & Issues Breakfast, Color of Education Summit, and Synergy Conference. The Program Coordinator will also contribute to research and communications, as well as the Forum’s social media presence and website.

Interested candidates should submit cover letters and resumes to [email protected] Please include “Forum Program Coordinator” in the subject line.

The full job description can be found on our website here.

Applications Open for 2019-20 NC Education Policy Fellowship Program (EPFP)

The Public School Forum is accepting applications for the 2019-20 cohort of the North Carolina Education Policy Fellowship Program (EPFP).

The North Carolina Education Policy Fellowship Program is the only statewide program of its kind that focuses on leadership and professional development in the context of education policy. Fellows come from public schools, higher education, community colleges, and a diverse array of education organizations across North Carolina. Each class includes a cohort of fellows who focus on education policy issues and the wide range of factors that influence education in North Carolina. Fellows will increase their awareness of how public policy is made, learn whom the key players are in the formation of this policy, and become more confident and involved in the policy-making process.

Application information for both EPFP Central and EPFP West can be found online at https://www.ncforum.org/education-policy-fellowship-program/

Applications are due by June 30, 2019. Contact Lauren Bock, Director of Policy & Programs, at [email protected] with questions.

NCSSM Seeks Assistant Coordinator for Summer Student Engagement

The North Carolina School of Science & Math (NCSSM) is seeking candidates for its Assistant Coordinator for Summer Student Engagement Position. This position is to support, manage, and expand NCSSM’s extended programs, including, but not limited to, already existing summer programs. With a specific focus on student recruitment, enrollment, and communication, the Assistant Coordinator for Summer Student

Engagement’s responsibilities will include:

Admissions and enrollment
Communications and Marketing
Site supervision
Program management

How to Apply:

Submit electronic application via: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/northcarolina/. Please create an account, search for the Assistant Coordinator for Summer Student Engagement position vacancy, and complete/submit online application. Deadline: May 20, 2019.

The Friday Report is published weekly by the Public School Forum of NC and is distributed to Forum members, policymakers, donors, media, and Forum subscribers. Archived editions can be found at ncforum.local.

The Public School Forum of North Carolina, Duke Policy Bridge at the Sanford School of Public Policy and the Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity at Duke University, are proud to announce that award-winning author Ta-Nehisi Coates will headline “Color of Education 2019,” their second annual summit focused on race, equity and education in North Carolina.

Email me when Registration Opens