Once again, for the second time in seven years, the NC General Assembly has failed to pass a budget. Our state stands alone as the only one in the country unable to complete its most basic responsibility. #NCed https://www.publicedworks.org/2025/12/no-christmas-for-north-carolina/

Former Onslow County teacher and coach Nicholas Bailey shares a hard truth-- North Carolina is losing passionate teachers to neighboring states with better benefits. The NC legislature must step up. #NCed

A Winston-Salem conference highlights how involved fathers and male caregivers boost children’s social, emotional, and cognitive growth. Leaders from Smart Start urge more men to enter early education and are creating paid pathways and certifications to help. #NCed

With your support on #GivingTuesday, we will continue to highlight the positive role that public education plays in North Carolina and the importance of keeping it accessible and well funded for all. Please make an investment in our children’s future today! www.publicedworks.org/donate/

NC’s new law lets private schools arm teachers and volunteers. Parents and advocates say this puts kids in danger, could confuse police during emergencies, and adds undue stress for students. #NCed

The Trump administration’s loan reform redefines “professional degrees” to exclude vital programs like nursing. This change not only diminishes the hard work being done by nurses, but would undermine efforts to grow the workforce amid a national nurse shortage. #NCed

ESL classes for documented immigrants in Greensboro—once a joyful experience for all involved—were abruptly ended due to fear of ICE raids. This climate of fear harms learners of all ages and tarnishes the American Dream of a hopeful, patriotic immigrant experience. #NCed

Former Apex Friendship Elementary School Teacher of the Year Kate Franzen shares a teacher's perspective on what lawmakers can do to help our public schools. #NCed

NC’s Scholarship for Children of Wartime Veterans is facing deeper budget cuts: benefits for current students will drop 25% this spring, after earlier cuts halted new awards for many disabled-veteran families, leaving students uncertain about continuing college. #NCed

North Carolina teachers and administrators are packing their bags and hitting the road after finding they can almost double their income in other states. #NCed

Dr. Cristy Page, longtime UNC Health leader and educator, has been named CEO of UNC Health, Dean of UNC School of Medicine, and Vice Chancellor for medical affairs. Page has served as interim CEO since April. #NCed

More than 200 Durham School of the Arts students walked out to protest Border Patrol and ICE activity, saying it fuels fear and disrupts education. Students reported classmates carrying documents and avoiding certain streets amid rising anxiety. #NCed

When Walmart made the bold decision in 2015 to raise its starting hourly wage by 24% – impacting nearly half its more than 1 million U.S. hourly employees –investors initially reacted with shock. Shares fell 10% in a single day, erasing $21.5 billion in market value. #NCed

Shane Henderson, a former bus driver turned fourth-grade teacher at Pittsboro Elementary, won the prestigious Milken Educator Award, which includes a $25,000 prize. Celebrated for his impact, leadership, and rising student achievement, he’s NC’s sole 2025 honoree. #NCed

North Carolina awarded $42M in state lottery funds to Rockingham County Schools to build a new Reidsville Elementary, replacing two schools. The grant is part of needs-based funding to help economically distressed districts upgrade or replace aging school facilities. #NCed

CMS reported 27,000+ student absences Monday—nearly triple from the prior week. As families kept children home amid Border Patrol activity in Charlotte, ICE presence causes a significant disruption to students and schools. #NCed

A Charlotte nonprofit is nearing $1M in awards helping moms earn college degrees. Founded by Susan Andersen, it offers scholarships, mentoring, and support across the Carolinas, enabling hardworking mothers to finish school. #nced

Many people claim that public schools are "indoctrinating" students for political gain. I don't know about you, but I think if our teachers could get all students on the same page about anything, these would be way higher on the list 👇

In today’s polarized, uncertain, and resource-constrained environment, colleges and universities face a convergence of challenges: declining public trust, financial strain, political scrutiny, and shifting student and employer expectations. #NCed

MacKenzie Scott, billionaire philanthropist and author, donated $63M to N.C. A&T, the school’s largest gift ever. The no-strings funding will boost research, growth, and student support. It follows her $45M gift in 2020 and a recent $50M donation to WSSU. #NCed

New H.O.P.E. Community Development Corporation will open applications on November 17 for families with children in select New Hanover County schools to receive help with past-due rent, overdue utility bills, and essential car repairs. The income-limited program supports family stability. #NCed

UNC-Chapel Hill trustees narrowly approved raising in-state tuition 3%, out-of-state 10%, and fees 3%, reversing a committee vote. The increase adds $264 for the class of 2026 as the university faces major budget cuts and declining federal research funds. #NCed

Teacher pay remains an essential issue in North Carolina – an issue ultimately for our most precious resource: Our children. And it’s not going away. #NCed https://www.publicedworks.org/2025/11/a-pay-cut-for-teachers/

Interim Supt. Catty Moore says Forsyth schools cut their deficit from $37M to $13.3M but face years of recovery. She is urging for continued fixes to staffing, enrollment, and finances before stepping down Nov. 30. #NCed

NC’s new licensure rule adds pressure on teachers by making them take certification exams in their first year instead of giving them time to settle into the classroom. Critics say it risks driving more teachers away at a time when the state already faces thousands of vacancies. #NCed

Rural schools like in Halifax County, N.C.—where 101 of 156 teachers are international—face crisis-level shortages. A new $100,000 H-1B visa fee and cuts to rural teacher grants could halt hiring of international educators, worsening the shortage nationwide. #NCed

UNC-Chapel Hill and NC State are proposing 3% tuition hikes for incoming in-state undergrads amid expected state budget cuts—the first UNC increase since 2017. Nonresident tuition could rise 10% at UNC, with both boards voting on the plans this week. #NCed

Guilford Tech and Guilford County Schools are launching five new tuition-free career pathways for high school juniors and seniors to earn college credit in fields like aerospace, aviation, fire service, mechatronics, and pharmacy tech. Apply by Jan. 30, 2026. #NCed

Lately, we've seen some comments from people who believe their tax dollars shouldn't be going to public schools since they don't have school age children. Here's what that argument looks like in different scenarios & why investing in your community matters. #NCed

The Piedmont Triad is surging into a new era of green, fuel-efficient cars and planes. And Forsyth Tech helps supply workers to fill the new jobs. #NCed

More NC students are taking and passing AP exams than ever, thanks to state investment, free test fees, and teacher training. Enrollment rose to 97K students, with 72% of exams earning college credit — saving families an estimated $92M in tuition. #NCed

Air Force Lt. Col. Alison Cruise, now pursuing a Ph.D. at UNC-Chapel Hill, applies her military experience to research how psychological readiness can strengthen and support the development of future cadets and leaders. #NCed

Four North Carolina schools—Apex Friendship Middle, Henderson County Early College, Mills Park Middle, and Pinehurst Elementary—were named the state’s first Blue Ribbon Schools by NCDPI, honoring excellence in academics and closing achievement gaps. #NCed

UNC Charlotte’s English Learning Community hosted its 4th annual poetry reading on Oct. 22, celebrating Jane Austen’s 250th birthday. Students and faculty shared original and classic works in a welcoming space that fostered creativity, community, and literary passion. #NCed

Former UNC basketball captain Marcus Ginyard ’10 was named UNC’s director of special projects, supporting Public Affairs and Finance & Operations. After a pro career and work in real estate, he returns to lead strategic initiatives and campus growth, including Carolina North. #NCed

Happy Halloween from all of us here at Public Ed Works! We hope everyone has a safe and fun holiday.

Lenoir Community College and Elizabeth City State University signed a new transfer agreement allowing LCC criminal justice graduates to seamlessly earn an ECSU bachelor’s degree, fully online if desired. The NC Promise program keeps tuition at just $500 per semester. #NCed

Forsyth Tech President Dr. Janet Spriggs eases into it. She first thanks the NC General Assembly in the accompanying video for providing enrollment growth funds for community colleges – Forsyth Tech’s enrollment was up 13% this fall alone. #NCed

UNC Pembroke received $5 million in new state funding to create a Campus Security and Regional Emergency Operations Center, bringing total support to $9.5 million. The upgraded facility will modernize campus police and serve as a disaster response hub for southeastern NC. #NCed

A viral post urges NC teachers to call out Nov. 7 and 10 to protest low pay and lack of a state budget. The NCAE says it’s not behind the call and warns real change needs organized effort. It’s unclear who started it or how many teachers will join. #NCed

They’re called community colleges for a reason – because they meet the needs of the communities they serve in oh-so-many ways. #NCed https://www.publicedworks.org/2025/10/forsyth-tech-you-can-find-a-path-to-accomplish-it/

We often get asked about the NC Education Lottery and how that money gets used in our schools. Check out this infographic to learn more about the lottery's role in funding public ed. #NCed

Thousands celebrated NCCU Homecoming in Durham with new safety measures after last year’s shootings. Limited parking, early event closures, shuttles, and heavy police presence ensured a safe, festive weekend filled with Eagle Pride. #NCed

All 58 NC community colleges have joined Wolfpack Connect, guaranteeing NC State admission for students with an associate degree, 3.0+ GPA, and on-time application. The statewide program starts Jan. 2026, creating a clear path from community college to NC State. #NCed

Blue Ridge Community College is launching 4-week December courses (Dec. 1–31) so students can earn credits fast over winter break for the first time. Classes include Art, ASL, Theatre, Psychology, and Education among others, allowing students to take pacing into their own hands. #NCed

A new telehealth pilot in four rural NC districts will bring virtual medical care to seven schools, aiming to improve health access, cut absenteeism, and ease burdens on families in areas with severe doctor shortages. #NCed

The mess at Carolina’s new School for Civic Life and Leadership goes on. And on. The creation of the new school is an experiment that has proven to be a bad idea. Not least among the school’s problems are its vague and unrealistic goals. #NCed

UNC Pembroke will host a free, two-week bioprocessing course Dec. 8–19 to train adults 18+ for entry-level biomanufacturing jobs. Limited to 12 spots, the program offers hands-on training, certifications, and industry partnerships. #NCed

North Carolina’s budget impasse will likely stretch into 2026 as GOP House and Senate leaders remain divided over taxes, raises, and Medicaid funding. The stalemate leaves teachers, state workers, and key projects waiting while lawmakers focus on redistricting. #NCed

Guilford Tech and NC State launched Wolfpack Connect, a new program guaranteeing NC State admission for GTCC students who earn an associate degree with a 3.0+ GPA and meet transfer requirements. It's GTCC’s fifth guaranteed transfer partnership. #NCed