#NCED The Forum’s Top Education Issues are now available 📣 Our Top Issues represent the Forum's policy agenda for the 2025-26 biennium which presents a critical moment in which we can serve and uplift every student, family and community. Read more:

Mark your calendars! Eggs & Issues 2026 will be held on April 7 in Raleigh 🍳 Join us to for the latest on the 2025-26 Top Education Issues and much more.

This weekend on @NCEDMatters we’re discussing the NC College Connect Program through which NC high school seniors can receive direct college admission. Tune in to learn more before the Jan. 2 application deadline. Find all viewing and listening options: https://t.co/rwClrlN2AV

As the year ends without a ruling on Leandro, a state budget, or clarity on the future of key federal funding streams, uncertainty continues to ripple across NC's local public schools. Read more:

Applications are open for the Nonprofit Internship Program, an 8 week paid summer internship (beginning around May 31st for most) where students are matched with and work with nonprofit organizations from across NC.

Each Nov. is designated as American Indian Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the histories, contributions, and traditions of Indigenous people across the nation. According to Census data, more than 130,000 Native American and Alaska Natives call NC home.

After 2 years in limbo, the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act was reauthorized for Fiscal Years 2024-26 with bipartisan support. In NC, 26 counties receive this federal funding — impacting some of our most rural school districts.

Applications are open for the Nonprofit Internship Program, an 8 week paid summer internship (beginning around May 31st for most) where students are matched with and work with nonprofit organizations from across NC.

This weekend on @NCEdMatters, we’re continuing our conversation with Jenice Ramirez, Emily Chávez, and Tony Macias about the impact of immigration enforcment activities on school communities. Find all viewing options: https://t.co/rwClrlN2AV Watch pt. 1:

As lawmakers focus on political theater over passing a budget, new reports show North Carolina ranks last in the nation for school funding level and effort.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will partner with 16 higher education institutions to launch free, intensive, short-term training and certification programs to prepare participants for child care careers.

Over the past month, NC has been confronted with a wave of immigration enforcement actions that left families frightened and educators overwhelmed. The headlines have been loud, but the impact on our students has been quieter.

Applications are open for the Nonprofit Internship Program, an 8 week paid summer internship (beginning around May 31st for most) where students are matched with and work with nonprofit organizations from across NC.

Ten school districts across the state will receive grants for school construction and renovation projects funded by a $392 million state lottery fund, according to a press release from the Department of Public Instruction (DPI).

For the first 5 years of children’s lives, many families are experiencing child care challenges — which have been at the center of discussions among the NC Task Force on Child Care and Early Education since Gov. Josh Stein established the group in March.

Starting Jan. 1, families in the bottom 20% of earners in NC will pay a tax rate 134% higher than the top 1%. According to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, NC currently ranks 24th in tax code regressivity, but will drop to 17th with new cuts.

Political disruptions not only force schools to operate with uncertain funding for several education programs, they also pose the risk of increasing food insecurity for students.

A coalition of states that sued months ago to stop mass layoffs at the U.S. Department of Education is now also challenging the department’s recent moves to shift many of its core functions to the U.S. Department of Labor and other federal agencies.

Support from donors fuels the Forum’s work to provide every child in North Carolina with a high-quality, equitable education. This Giving Tuesday, be part of something lasting by joining a community of givers at https://t.co/UgjWSVwVgK

For 40 years the Forum has strived for high-quality, equitable local public schools for our kids. Donate today to support progress towards innovative local public schools that meet the needs of every North Carolina student: https://t.co/UgjWSVwVgK

In case you missed it, on the latest @NCEDMatters we explored the impact of political instability such as the recent federal government shutdown and NC's ongoing lack of a state budget on school nutrition. Watch the full episode now: