NC SPIN Podcasts

This week Tom Campbell talks about local journalism disappearing, and why that is bad.

Question to John Hood and Rob Schofield – Superintendent of Public Instruction Mark Johnson has announced he is undergoing a review of Common Core math and language arts standards as well as U.S. History Requirements. He wants the State Board of Education to remove any and all use of Common Core. Is this just a strategy for his Lieutenant Governor campaign or is it a legitimate undertaking?

Question to Bev Perdue and Joe Mavretic – There’s a movement afoot to get rid of homework. Proponents say that with two working parents and already crammed schedules children need time for unstructured activities. What do you think about homework?

NC SPIN episode #1109 Air Date 02/14/2020

What’s Going to Happen with Silent Sam?

Leaders Speak on University Governance

The Budget Surplus

North Carolina’s Environment

Tell Us Something We Don’t Know

Bev Perdue, former Governor of North Carolina

John Hood, Syndicated columnist and author

Rob Scofield, Director, NC Policy Watch

Joe Mavretic, former NC House Speaker

Tom Campbell, Moderator

This week Tom Campbell discusses how to improve political candidate debates.

Question to John and Chris – It’s been several weeks since we discussed the ongoing controversy surrounding Silent Sam. The Board of Governors’ decision is being challenged on all sorts of fronts in the press and the courts. Give us your take and where things stand with Silent Sam and where you see things headed.

Question to Brad Crone and Anna Beavon Gravely -This past week we saw an interesting op ed from former UNC President Erskine Bowles and Senator Richard Burr. In it they admitted that it was difficult in today’s environment to growing the UNC legacy in this complex and politically charged world. They devoted much of the piece to governance of the system, recommending we should debate how to improve the makeup of the board, we should better define proper board activity and shift the focus from short term to long term approaches. Give us your reactions to their article.

NC SPIN episode #1108 Air Date 02/07/2020

Topics:

March Elections

Tell us something we don't know

Panelists:

Anna Beavon Gravely, NC Free

John Hood, Syndicated columnist and author

Chris Fitzsimon, The Newsroom

Brad Crone, communications and political consultant

Tom Campbell, Moderator

Tom Campbell discusses areas being harmed by North Carolina not having passed a budget for the current year.

Question to John and Chris – This past week was National School Choice week. Statistics now show that 20 percent of our k-12 school age children attend a charter, private or home school. Is this a good thing? Why do parents choose these options for their children instead of traditional schools? How is it impacting education in our state?