RALEIGH, NC (May 7, 2024)– The Public School Forum of North Carolina shared the 2024-25 Top Education Issues brief today during the tenth Eggs & Issues breakfast event. The annual Top Education Issues brief outlines the Forum’s priorities for what should be at the forefront of education policy decision-making in the coming legislative biennium. This year’s edition serves to measure progress on the priorities identified in 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, progress measurements and background on each issue at ncforum.org/topissues.
The challenges and deep inequities facing our schools today are largely the result of decades of disinvestment, but public schools are the hearts of our communities. Today, over 400 people from communities throughout the state gathered to explore what’s working and the issues facing our schools, demonstrating that for people across North Carolina, public schools matter.
“Our Top Education Issues reflect what the Forum sees as the most pressing issues facing North Carolina’s public education system,” said Public School Forum Sr. Director of Policy & Research Dr. Lauren Fox. “Disinvestment in public education has led us to be one of the country’s least-funded public education systems. For the future of our students and the state as a whole, we must act now to provide students with effective educators and the necessary resources to be successful.”
Being that it is an election year, there is great opportunity for further supporting and improving our public education system this year by electing candidates who prioritize education. In addition to the Top Education Issues presentation, this year’s Eggs & Issues included candidate forums featuring gubernatorial candidates Attorney General Josh Stein and Lt. Governor Mark Robinson, state superintendent of public instruction candidate Mo Green, NC House District 24 candidate Dante Pittman, and NC Senate District 13 candidates Sen. Lisa Grafstein and Dr. Scott Lassiter.
The event also included special remarks from Governor Roy Cooper and Superintendent Catherine Truitt on why education is the top issue in 2024.
“It is truly remarkable to see the success of our public schools given a lack of funding. And here’s the tough part, but also the good part: the money is there. It is there to invest in our public schools without raising taxes,” said Governor Cooper. “The future of our state goes to class in a public school. We have to invest in that future”
“The Forum team is thrilled to have hosted our tenth annual Eggs & Issues breakfast. Seeing over 400 people gather to explore ways we can improve our schools gives me a great sense of hope regarding what’s possible for public education in North Carolina,” said Public School Forum President and Executive Director Dr. Mary Ann Wolf. “Today education, business, community, and policy leaders came together. If each of those groups can remember to keep students at the center of our work, we can provide great opportunities for children across North Carolina.”
To close attendees participated in breakout sessions on teacher recruitment, retention and diversity; school safety and mental health; preparing students for the world they live in; and school funding.
Eggs & Issues 2024 was sponsored by Participate Learning, First Citizens Bank, RTI International, Truist, Carolina Hunger Initiative, University of North Carolina School of Education, Appalachian State University Reich College of Education, Schwartz Law P.L.L.C., Advanced Learning Partnerships, Ward and Smith, P.A., North Carolina Association of Educators and East Carolina University College of Education.
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About the Public School Forum of North Carolina
Since our founding in 1986 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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