On this episode of Education Matters we’re joined by some outstanding educators, the 2023-24 North Carolina Regional Principals of the Year. They’ve been recognized for their strong leadership and commitment to student success, and on this episode they’ll share some insight on how they’re striving to lead positive learning environments as well as some words of wisdom.

On this episode of Education Matters we discuss the Roadmap of Need, a whole-child needs assessment that offers county-level data and rankings to help audiences better understand the needs of North Carolina’s diverse communities. Together we’ll explore the methodology, findings and potential uses of the Roadmap.

On this episode of Education Matters we continue our discussion on the recent expansion of North Carolina’s private school voucher program. Commonly referred to as Opportunity Scholarships, school vouchers allow families to use public dollars to subsidize their childrens’ education at private schools. This program used to be specifically for low-income families, but recent legislation has changed that. This episode continues exploring those changes and what exactly they mean for North Carolina students and families.

On this episode of Education Matters we’re joined by Dr. Denna Townsend-Smith, senior director of the Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity & Opportunity along with the Center’s namesake, Dr. Dudley Flood and other education advocates essential to Mapping the Movement, including two student historians from Mecklenburg County. Mapping the Movement is an initiative aimed at building a network of organizations in North Carolina pushing for educational equity; it includes several events throughout the year, including last month’s Color of Education Summit in Raleigh which drew a crowd of over 800.

On this episode of Education Matters we’re joined by Elizabeth Anderson, director of the NC Center for Afterschool Programs along with North Carolina’s 2023 Afterschool Champions to discuss the value of out-of-school time programming in providing students continued learning and enrichment opportunities. This year’s Afterschool Champions were recognized for their contributions to out-of-school time programming as part of Lights On Afterschool, an annual nationwide campaign celebrating after school programs and their important role in the lives of children, families and communities.

On this episode of Education Matters we’re joined by the Forum’s Sr. Director of Policy & Research Dr. Lauren Fox along with two superintendents to discuss the recent expansion of North Carolina’s private school voucher program. Commonly referred to as Opportunity Scholarships, school vouchers allow families to use public dollars to subsidize their childrens’ education at private schools. This program used to be specifically for low-income families, but recent legislation will expand eligibility to all families. This expansion and the accompanying lack of accountability for private schools could greatly impact our education system.

Meet the 2023-24 NC Regional Teachers of the Year by Public School Forum of NC

Meet the 2023-24 North Carolina Teacher, Principal and Superintendent of the Year by Public School Forum of NC

Ep. 224 Back-to-School 2023-24 by Public School Forum of NC

Starting with the graduating class of 2024, North Carolina Public School Students are now required to take an economics and personal finance course to develop financial literacy as a graduation requirement. This curriculum equips students with financial knowledge and skills to navigate their financial futures.

One area included in this requirement is planning and paying for postsecondary education, which has the potential to help students understand Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which serves as a gateway to accessing federal, state, and institutional financial aid for postsecondary opportunities. FAFSA empowers students and families to make informed decisions, comprehend the expenses linked to education, and develop effective strategies for managing their finances throughout their academic journey.

Guests:

Jessica Swencki, Deputy Director, myFutureNC

Kathy Hastings McDonald, Associate Director for Outreach, NC State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA)

Leslie Walden, Vice President, Public Affairs, Fidelity Investments

Dr. Patrick Greene, Principal, Green Central High School, 2022 Wells Fargo NC Principal of the Year