Hundreds of UNC Asheville students walked out to protest plans to develop 45 acres of campus forest for a stadium and housing project. Students and advocates say the woods are vital to campus identity, ecology, and community, and vow continued protests. #NCed

“The function of #education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education.” #MLK

UNCC launched the National Defense and Intelligence Innovation Institute to accelerate military research and support national security partners. The new center connects faculty with government & industry to turn research in areas like AI and cybersecurity into deployable military technology. #NCed

Two weeks into North Carolina’s cellphone-free classroom law, Charlotte teachers report better focus, engagement, and critical thinking, saying consistent enforcement has reduced behavior issues despite lingering parent safety concerns. #NCed

52 UNC Charlotte student and staff groups cleaned 130 acres through the Adopt-a-Spot program, collecting 1,000+ pounds of litter in fall 2025 and boosting campus sustainability through regular volunteer cleanups! #NCed

U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon said federal relief won’t cover NC school districts’ budget gaps from enrollment declines, calling it a local issue. The announcement came during a civics tour stop in Cumberland County that drew partisan concerns. #NCed

Amid student protests, North Carolina’s GOP-led elections board rejected early voting sites at several college campuses and cut Sunday voting in multiple counties, creating barriers for students and voters of color. #NCed

Public Schools First NC and the NC PTA plan rallies at the NC General Assembly urging lawmakers to increase public school funding and require accountability for private schools receiving voucher funds. #NCed

Are North Carolina’s neighborhood public schools failing our children — or are we failing to support our neighborhood public schools? #NCed

A proposed ASL-immersion charter school in New Hanover County aims to open in 2027. It would serve deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing students together in bilingual ASL-English classrooms, pending state approval. #NCed

Dick Christy will step down as UNC Pembroke athletics director after 13 years, moving to deputy chief of staff. He leaves a program with 30 titles, 40+ NCAA trips, record fundraising, and major facility upgrades. #NCed

Facing tight budgets and uncertain state and federal funding, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and Mecklenburg County struck a collaborative tone, pledging shared problem-solving, internal reallocations and long-term efforts to boost teacher pay. #NCed

North Carolina’s State Board approved new English standards starting in 2027–28, expanding reading and writing to include poetry and audio texts. They hope to emphasize complex texts and align instruction with the Science of Reading. #NCed

Dozens of educators demonstrate at the intersection of Green Level Church and Carpenter Fire Station roads in Cary on Wednesday, calling on state lawmakers to provide more funding for public education. Protests were held across North Carolina. (Photo via @vizjourno.bsky.social) #ncpol #nced

Federal science funding cuts under the Trump administration have cost UNC and NC State tens of millions, threatening research and the Research Triangle economy as priorities shift toward AI and nuclear energy amid ongoing budget uncertainty. #NCed

UNCG alumnus Mark Lineberger helped shape the university’s IDEAS program, paving paths for ASL interpreters and advocates. Now a freelance interpreter, he advances language equity across courts, healthcare, and public life. #NCed

At Public Ed Works, we’re stepping into the year with energy, urgency, and deep commitment to North Carolina’s public schools—from pre-K and K-12 to community colleges and public universities. #NCed

Hundreds of NC teachers plan a Wednesday callout to protest low pay and rising health costs. They call on lawmakers to restore master’s pay, unfreeze step increases, cap insurance hikes, and return retiree benefits amid a budget stalemate. #NCed

After a decade as UNCG chancellor, Frank Gilliam has boosted enrollment, fundraising, and social mobility rankings while navigating COVID losses, faculty backlash over program cuts, and political pressures—earning respect as a steady, faculty-rooted leader. #NCed

Wake County schools will hire an independent contractor as an employee ombuds to confidentially resolve staff disputes, build trust outside HR, and flag systemic issues, hoping to prevent formal grievances. #NCed

Public Ed Works thanks you for another year of support for our local public schools. Now, more than ever, it’s important to make your voice heard. Just weeks ago, North Carolina ranked last in the nation for state funding effort. #NCed

NC Attorney General Jeff Jackson is suing the U.S. Department of Education over the abrupt termination of nearly $50M in federal grants. The cuts are unlawful and would disrupt programs serving rural, high-need students mid–school year. #NCed

2025 was noteworthy more for what didn’t happen in North Carolina than what did. In fact, the word of the year for North Carolina might be “failed.” #NCed

An audit found NC Education Lottery revenue rose sharply, but funding for public schools fell by $20M. State Auditor Dave Boliek launched a performance audit to explain why education received less despite higher ticket sales. #NCed

In 2013, the NC General Assembly passed the “Opportunity Scholarship” law to provide scholarship funds for low-income students who wished to attend private schools. #NCed

Former school bus driver Shane Henderson, now a Pittsboro Elementary fourth-grade teacher, won the Milken Educator Award for championing students on and off campus and boosting achievement through strong relationships and deep community roots. #NCed

Public Ed Works is wishing everyone a happy and safe holiday season! #NCed

Parents and researchers argue kids need more unstructured recess, not just PE. Advocates say shrinking playtime hurts learning and well-being, while studies show longer recess improves behavior, skills, and academic outcomes. #NCed

Robert Gaddy, NCCU’s interim police chief, is also a current master’s student in criminology. An alumnus with deep family ties to NCCU, he says leading campus police while studying fulfills a lifelong dream. #NCed

Public schools are grappling with the negative effects of increasing segregation, and North Carolina’s expanded private school vouchers only aggravate the issue. #NCed

An NC principal reflects on teaching leader Kimberly Jones’s idea that “hope is a discipline,” arguing educators must actively practice hope through presence, connection and gratitude to sustain morale and student success. #NCed

NC House Republicans demanded Chapel Hill-Carrboro schools report on student name changes, bathroom use and curriculum, accusing the district of violating the Parents’ Bill of Rights and threatening oversight and funding scrutiny. #NCed

At 90, Winston-Salem neurosurgeon Dr. David Kelly finally received his UNC bachelor’s degree 70 years after leaving early for medical school—fulfilling a lifelong goal at Winter Commencement. #NCed

A new Reason Foundation report ranks North Carolina near the bottom nationally in K-12 funding growth and teacher pay, citing low per-student spending, rising benefit costs, and a sharp inflation-driven drop in teacher salaries. #NCed

Wake County school board will vote on policy changes banning student access to social media unless teacher-approved, restricting hotspot use, and blocking unsafe sites, aligning with new state law taking effect Jan. 1. #NCed

Facing steep enrollment declines and budget losses, Chapel Hill-Carrboro schools may close a campus and cut programs. Superintendent Rodney Trice says a transparent, flexible master plan can guide innovation and preserve education quality. #NCed

MrBeast surprised fans at a UNC basketball game by giving away $250,000 in a postgame free-throw contest, turning a routine nonconference matchup into a viral spectacle that kept the Smith Center buzzing long after the final horn. #NCed

NC’s Child Fatality Task Force warns that addictive social-media algorithms and unregulated AI companions pose growing risks to kids’ mental health. Advocates urge limits on data-driven targeting, regulation of chatbot design, and better real-world support for youth. #NCed

NC’s traditional public schools lost 24,000 students this year, a troubling trend driven by declining birth rates, expanded voucher programs, and the politicization of education at large. Strong, stable investment in our public schools is now more important than ever. #NCed

NC Rep. and teacher Frances Jackson argues the state must raise low teacher pay, noting NC ranks near the bottom nationally and faces high attrition. She urges lawmakers to pass long-stalled raises, saying delays harm students, schools, and communities. #NCed

Pinehurst Elementary was honored as one of four inaugural NC Blue Ribbon Schools, recognized for top academic performance and closing achievement gaps. With three straight A grades, strong leadership, and community support, the school is celebrated as a statewide model of excellence. #NCed

When the Ida and William Friday Building at UNC–Charlotte was dedicated in 1982, Wilma Thornburg—Bill Friday’s elementary school teacher—sat on the platform between the Fridays as their proud guest. #NCed

Wake County Schools warn more budget cuts are likely amid major uncertainty in state and federal funding for 2026. Costs are rising, reserves are shrinking, and leaders say “difficult decisions” and repurposed funds are unavoidable next year. #NCed

NC is launching free Child Care Academies at 16 colleges to quickly train early-education teachers and ease a severe staffing shortage. Supporters praise the effort but warn that better pay, support, and real classroom experience are crucial to keep educators. #NCed

NC has launched a task force to redesign its school letter-grade system, which now relies heavily on test scores. The group will craft a new model by 2027, considering access to AP, CTE, and readiness beyond graduation. #NCed

FTCC EMS students shared how personal challenges motivated them to pursue emergency medicine. Through FTCC’s partnership with a local community center, they’re inspiring teens and showing how empathy and lived experience shape strong future paramedics. #NCed

NC advisors recommend requiring all school social workers to hold a master’s degree to improve direct student support and compete with higher-paying private jobs. The plan would cost about $10.9M but could be partly offset. Current employees would have 5 years to earn a master’s. #NCed

North Carolina educator Rebecca Huggins says she’s seen how easy it is to mistake busy classrooms for real learning. She argues that students thrive not from flashier lessons, but from clear teaching, real thinking, and the confidence that comes from genuine success. #NCed

A new report says many NC teacher prep programs aren’t graduating diverse candidates, worsening gaps as DEI faces political attacks. Advocates warn students lose academic and social benefits when teachers don’t reflect them and urge stronger support and recruitment. #NCed

Unless leaders in the North Carolina General Assembly change course before the end of the year, Jan. 1 will bring unhappy news for North Carolinians fed up with the rising cost of living. #NCed