Through the work of myFutureNC, the state of North Carolina has set an ambitious goal for 2 million North Carolinians to have a high-quality postsecondary credential or degree by 2030. Today, we will hear more about what opportunities exist in our communities and schools and what we need to do as a state to move closer to achieving this goal.

Guests:

JB Buxton, President, Durham Technical Community College

Cecilia Holden, President and CEO, myFutureNC

Dr. Jeff McDaris, Superintendent, Transylvania Public Schools

Early childhood education, care, and support provide our children with the foundation to do well in school and in life and are critical for our families and our state. Our guests are here today to talk about the importance of early childhood learning and support and what needs to happen across North Carolina to give our children the best chance for success.

Guests:

Michelle Hughes, Executive Director, NC Child

Muffy Grant, Executive Director, NC Early Childhood Foundation

Sen. Jay Chaudhuri (D-Wake)

The data is clear about the importance of children being able to read on grade level by third grade as a foundation of their education and future success. Today, we will delve into some shifts in how we think about early literacy and the direction the state and other partners are heading in regard to reading.

Guests:

Munro Richardson, Executive Director, Read Charlotte

Johanna Anderson, Executive Director, The Belk Foundation

Catherine Truitt, NC State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Our schools require significant human and fiscal resources, and the way our schools are funded is an important key to supporting our schools and ensuring we are able to provide a high quality and equitable education for all students. Here to talk about it are Jim Deal, Chair of the Finance Committee on the Leandro Commission, Patrick Miller, Superintendent of Greene County and Chair of the Principal Committee of the Leandro Commission, and Senator Michael Lee.

Guests:

Jim Deal, Attorney in Boone and Chair of the Finance Committee on the Leandro Commission

Patrick Miller, Superintendent of Greene County and Chair of the Principal Committee of the Leandro Commission

Sen. Michael Lee, Chair of the Senate Education and Higher Education Committee and the Education Appropriations Committee

Teachers are the backbone of society, they inspire, motivate, and educate the next generation, which is why recruitment and retention are fundamental when it comes to our teachers. Here to talk more about this topic are Jennifer Bryan, 2021 Southeast Regional Teacher of the Year, Rep. Jeffery Elmore, and Charlene Pittman, Assistant Superintendent, Edgecombe County Schools.

Guests:

Jennifer Bryan, 2021 Southeast Regional Teacher of the Year

Rep. Jeffery Elmore, (R), 94th district

Charlene Pittman, Assistant Superintendent, Edgecombe County Schools

Today we are coming to you from the second half of the 7th annual Eggs and Issues breakfast presented by the Public School Forum of North Carolina. Today's discussion on Equity and Education Policy will be hosted by Lauren Fox, Senior Director of Policy at the Forum.

Guests:

Maggie Murphy, Teacher, Allegheny County Schools

Reagan Razon, Student, Wake County Schools

Rep. Ricky Hurtado, NC General Assembly

Dr. Anthony Graham, Provost, Winston Salem State University

Today we are coming to you from the 7th annual Eggs and Issues breakfast presented by the Public School Forum of North Carolina. Today's discussion on COVID-19 and Education Policy is part of a two episode series on the Top 10 Education issues for 2021.

Here to talk with us today are Dr. Catherine Edmonds, ECPPS Superintendent and future NCDPI Deputy Superintendent, Daniel Scott, 2020 NC Southeast Regional Teacher of the Year, Onslow County Schools, Sen. Kevin Corbin, NCGA, and Dr. Scott Elliott, Superintendent, Watauga County Schools.

Coming into the new year with an eye toward the transition and recovery from COVID-19 brings changes and challenges to education. Here to speak with us on critical issues are statewide policymakers, State Superintendent Catherine Truitt, State Board of Education Chair Eric Davis, Representative Ashton Clemmons, and Senator Kevin Corbin.

Guests:

Catherine Truitt, State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Rep. Ashton Wheeler Clemmons, (D) District 57, Guilford

Sen. Kevin Corbin, (R) District 50

Eric Davis, Chair, NC State Board of Education

From supporting social, emotional, and academic development, to providing a safe and supportive environment, Afterschool Programs have been a vital resource for students and their parents, especially during COVID-19. North Carolina is ranked among the top 10 states in afterschool programs and number 1 for parent satisfaction. To discuss more about this report and the work that still needs to be done, we have national and statewide leaders and a parent and director from a local program with us today.

Guests:

Jen Rinehart, Senior Vice President of Research and Policy, Afterschool Alliance

Sheronda Fleming, Ph.D., Director, NC Center for Afterschool Programs

Carolyn Ross-Holmes, Program Director, J316 Camp Connect Program

Tracy Thorpe, Parent, J316 Camp Connect Program

While each state determines its own teacher licensure and re-licensure requirements, for over thirty years the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards has worked to advance teaching through a voluntary National Board Certification process. North Carolina is the top state in the entire nation when it comes to the number of National Board Certified Teachers employed in our schools. This week we will hear from the head of the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards and a district and teacher leader to learn more about why National Board Certification is so important for NC.

Guests:

Carolann Wade, NBCT, Administrator for Human Capital and National Board Certification, in Wake County Schools

Peggy Brookins, NCBT, President and CEO of National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

Dr. Kellie Jackson, NBCT, K-12 Certified Reading Specialist, works at GCS as instructional coach and testing coordinator