Eight hours of oblivion

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By Eric Johnson CHAPEL HILL (May 9, 2025) – Staring at a phone for eight hours a day is bad, and not just because of the ill effects on test scores or adolescent social life. Staring at a phone for eight hours a day is bad in a first-principles, what are you doing with your… READ MORE

NC teacher pay now ranks 43rd

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RALEIGH (May 1, 2025) – What will it take to make state legislators wake up? The National Education Association released its annual report on teacher pay this week, which found that average teacher pay in North Carolina slid five spots, from 38th to 43rd in the nation. Other states are investing in public school teachers…. READ MORE

Forehead-slapper

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WINSTON-SALEM (May 1, 2025) – It’s a forehead-slapper. At a time when North Carolina desperately needs more public school teachers, the Trump administration cut them off. In February, the U.S. Department of Education announced it would terminate more than $600 million in grants for teacher recruitment and retention programs in Title 1 schools – schools… READ MORE

Hans: Research as a patriotic bargain

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By Peter Hans President, University of North Carolina System RALEIGH (May 1, 2025) – For more than 70 years, federal funding for university research has been a patriotic bargain and a core driver of national strength. Coming out of World War II, American leaders recognized that dominance in emerging fields is key to national power…. READ MORE

Rural resistance: County leaders question private school vouchers

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By Amy Cockerham Public Ed Works TRENTON (April 25, 2025) – Leaders of rural North Carolina counties without any private schools are voicing concerns about the state’s school voucher program. “Opportunity Scholarships” were created in 2014 and expanded last year to no longer have an income limit on who can apply. The scholarships use taxpayer… READ MORE

James Goodnight: Godfather of AI and data analytics

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CARY (April 25, 2025) – James Goodnight, from Salisbury, is a major pioneer in the fields of artificial intelligence and data analysis. He is a co-founder and current CEO of global data and AI leader SAS, and a creator of one of the world’s most renowned employee-friendly workplaces. “The Uncommon Story: Notable North Carolinians” is… READ MORE

WEBINAR: Business Leaders Discuss The Value of NC Public Schools

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In December of 2024 Public Ed Works’ Chairman, Paul Fulton asked; “Do we see the connection between business and public schools?” He concluded his remarks by inviting business leaders to play a bigger role in supporting public education. This webinar will be the first of, hopefully, several conversations with successful North Carolina business leaders sharing… READ MORE

NC business leaders: ‘This state shouldn’t be 49th in anything’

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By Amy Cockerham Public Ed Works RALEIGH (April 16, 2025) – North Carolina business leaders gathered for a webinar hosted by Public Ed Works Wednesday to discuss the vital connection between education and business. Each panelist shared how education has contributed to the success of their business and how they want to support learning in… READ MORE

Paltry

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RALEIGH (April 17, 2025) – At a time when North Carolina is hemorrhaging teachers – when 1 in 10 teachers quit last year1 – the budget proposed by the state Senate offers them paltry raises. More than 10,000 North Carolina teachers left the classroom in 2023.2 And the state is hiring more and more uncertified teachers.3… READ MORE