Posts tagged Education
National Attention Placed on NC Superintendent of Public Instruction Race
National Attention Placed on NC Superintendent of Public Instruction Race

One of the most polarizing races on North Carolina’s ballot this year is the fight for Superintendent of Public Instruction, the chief administrative officer for the state’s public school system. Mo Green, the Democratic candidate, is the former Superintendent of Guilford County Schools. Michele Morrow, the Republican nominee, is a registered nurse from Cary who homeschooled her children, running on a platform of parental rights, a reorganization of educational institutions and funding, and opposition to critical race theory. 

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Local, Election 2024Ben JonesNC Elections, North Carolina, North Carolina Politics, Education, LocalComment
Banning AP African American Studies: The Perilous Political Agenda of Governor Ron DeSantis
Banning AP African American Studies: The Perilous Political Agenda of Governor Ron DeSantis

“Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida is facing backlash as he continues to stand by his decision to ban an AP course on African American studies for schools in Florida. It began when DeSantis made his initial announcement of the ban in mid-January with a letter from the state education department to the College Board. This is just the most recent effort by DeSantis to limit the teaching of race in the Florida school system, despite the objection of numerous groups.”

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NationalZoë BrockenbroughEducation, Florida, Critical Race Theory, NationalComment
Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” Law Reveals Schisms in American Socio-political Discourse
Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” Law Reveals Schisms in American Socio-political Discourse

“During his time as governor, Desantis has arguably become the most influential champion of the“anti-woke” agenda . . . . Desantis and others often paint children as particularly vulnerable to unjust indoctrination. They fear schools may be introducing complex topics such as sexuality and race to children who are too young to understand the complexities of these matters. Teaching children that “they can be whatever they want to be” could be particularly dangerous to undeveloped children, argued Desantis at his signing of the legislation.”

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NationalJohn PowersNational, Education, Sexuality and Identiy, Bill, OrientationComment
Governor Cooper Recommends Schools End Mask Mandates
Governor Cooper Recommends Schools End Mask Mandates

“Many states with Republican governors have already ended the mask mandates and now some states with Democrat governors are following suit. There is evidence supporting claims that masks are not effective for young children and therefore there is no need for them. Additionally, there is evidence that shows that masks have harmed children in both educational and social development. Due to this impact, states are having to reevaluate the cost of wearing masks and if the benefits of masks outweigh the educational and social development of children.”

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LocalSeth MooreNC, NCP, NCPOL, Education, NC Education, Mask Mandates, COVID-19Comment
Despite Campaign Promises, the Student Debt Crisis Has No End in Sight
Despite Campaign Promises, the Student Debt Crisis Has No End in Sight

“As midterms loom closer, President Biden is facing considerable pressure to relieve student debt, so Democrats can gain more political favor at the polls. Though the White House remains elusive on what the President will do to follow up on his campaign rhetoric, it is clear that the Biden Administration is coming up short on their promise to alleviate the Student Debt Crisis.”

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FellowsDiane OngStudent Debt, Education, College, university, Campus Issues, FellowsComment
San Francisco’s Recall of 3 School Board Members Underscores Education as a Political Issue
San Francisco’s Recall of 3 School Board Members Underscores Education as a Political Issue

“Education will likely be a potent issue in the leadup to the midterm elections, but the recall in San Francisco was less concerned with alleged culture war items such as critical race theory. Instead, the election focused on government competence and fostering a better educational atmosphere for children.”

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NationalTanner BaileyEducation, California, San Francisco, MidtermsComment
Sickouts Reveal a Larger School Staff Shortage Issue
Sickouts Reveal a Larger School Staff Shortage Issue

“Kids are only in school once, and these beginning years are formative in them becoming capable and functioning adults. In fact, the education that staffing shortages are robbing kids of is considered so fundamental that the North Carolina Constitution recognizes that "the people have a right to the privilege of education.”

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Editor's Picks, LocalJacob WrightNC Education, NCPOL, State Budget, Minimum Wage, Labor, Education, Editor's PickComment
Dispute Over Biogas Facilities in Eastern N.C. Reveals a History of Discrimination with Broader Implications in the Fight Against Global Warming
Dispute Over Biogas Facilities in Eastern N.C. Reveals a History of Discrimination with Broader Implications in the Fight Against Global Warming

“The dispute currently playing out is no isolated incident, but rather the most recent episode in a decades-long fight against a discriminatory system that speaks to broader questions about who bears the burden of ecological crises and the fight against climate change.”

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Local, Editor's PicksCole MurphyAgriculture, North Carolina, Environmental Politics, Environmental Racism, Education, Editor's PickComment
Governor Cooper Vetoes Hotly Contested Critical Race Theory, Destructive Protest Bills
Governor Cooper Vetoes Hotly Contested Critical Race Theory, Destructive Protest Bills

“Cooper’s claim that the bill [regarding protests] is an attempt to deter people from exercising their constitutional rights is highlighted by the timing of the bill’s introduction during a wave of protests in which many of the participants were African-American, alongside the fact that Republicans have passed legislation considered discriminatory against African-Americans before.”

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LocalErich HessCritical Race Theory, Education, NC Board of Education, Roy Cooper, North, North CarolinaComment
NC Opportunity Scholarships: An Ongoing Debate Over School Choice and Discrimination
NC Opportunity Scholarships: An Ongoing Debate Over School Choice and Discrimination

“A debate rages over a program that has distributed over $750,000 in state funds to help low-income families afford private school tuition — North Carolina Opportunity Scholarships. In the 2020-2021 school year, 456 private schools received money from Opportunity Scholarships, with 12,284 families receiving scholarships. Opponents of Opportunity Scholarships argue it is wrong to take public funding and invest it into private schools largely unaccountable to the state.”

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Editor's Picks, LocalNing SoongPublic School, Education, NC Board of Education, North Carolina, School Choice, Editor's PickComment
Multiple Bills in the N.C. State Legislature Would Raise Funding and Lower Eligibility Limits for State-Funded Private School Scholarship Programs
Multiple Bills in the N.C. State Legislature Would Raise Funding and Lower Eligibility Limits for State-Funded Private School Scholarship Programs

“Private school vouchers are a form of state-funded financial aid for K-12 students. In North Carolina, families of low-income students and students with disabilities can apply for private school vouchers. If granted, the vouchers use public funding to offset much of the tuition and fees charged by private schools.”

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LocalAurora CharlowPublic School, EducationComment
N.C. Legislature Introduces School Choice Legislation
N.C. Legislature Introduces School Choice Legislation

“As many state legislatures across the U.S. have introduced “school choice” bills to divert public education funding to private schools, the North Carolina General Assembly has joined the fray. Republicans in the North Carolina State House of Representatives introduced HB 32 during the first week of the legislative session in January. Last week, on April 1st, the bill moved to the Committee on Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House, as it progresses through the governmental process on its way to a vote on the House floor. What exactly is included in this bill and what is its intended consequence for both public and private schools?”

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LocalAdam TatumNCPOL, Education, NCGAComment
Aiming for Excellence: Senate Leaders Pass Bill to Combat Illiteracy in NC Schools
Aiming for Excellence: Senate Leaders Pass Bill to Combat Illiteracy in NC Schools

“On March 30th, the Senate passed the Excellent Public Schools Act. Though Democrats offered some criticism during a rare questioning period held by Sen. Berger, most lawmakers expressed support for the bill and the vote was unanimous. Sen. Gladys Robinson, D-Guilford, pointed out that COVID-19 has only lowered literacy rates and has ‘left behind’ a number of students who may lack technology, parental support, or other resources crucial to staying afloat during remote learning. Robinson argued that ‘The ability to read is the background, the foundation of everything.’”

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LocalEmma CohnNCPOL, EducationComment
Lt. Gov Robinson’s F.A.C.T.S. Committee Seeks to Combat "Indoctrination" in N.C. Schools
Lt. Gov Robinson’s F.A.C.T.S. Committee Seeks to Combat "Indoctrination" in N.C. Schools

“In one of his first official acts as Lieutenant Governor, Mark Robinson has formed a new committee, “Fairness and Accountability in the Classroom for Teachers and Students” (F.A.C.T.S.). This committee is dedicated to giving students, parents, and school faculty “a voice to speak out about cases of bias, inappropriate materials, and indoctrination they see or experience in schools.”

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LocalKatharine KurzEducation, NCPOLComment