Tag: Education

Double-standard in defining poverty could limit educational opportunities for some

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May 14, 2013 at 3:36 pmCategory:NC Budget and Tax Center | Poverty and Policy Matters

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Education is perhaps the most promising public investment for promoting long-term economic prosperity. That’s why providing low-income children access to preschool and providing a high-quality education to all students in North Carolina’s public schools is vital to our state’s future.

Yet, policymakers have introduced education bills that inconsistently define “poverty” and “at-risk” in ways that would reduce access to early learning for low-income 4-year olds and divert needed public school funding to private schools. Read More…

Expert unenthusiastic about McCrory’s new education advisor

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May 14, 2013 at 8:20 amCategory:Uncategorized

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Diane RavitchDiane Ravitch, the nation’s leading spokesperson for preserving public education has some scathing words for the latest developments in North Carolina’s education wars. The post is entitled “North Carolina: Public Schools and Students Endangered by Radical Agenda” and it lists the bills to introduce vouchers, reduce teacher due process rights, slash pre-K, and  increase class sizes.

The post also includes the following less-than-ringing endorsement of Governor McCrory’s new education advisor: Read More…

Education sharks continue to circle

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May 10, 2013 at 8:36 amCategory:Uncategorized

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K12 logoThe Wall Street sharks who want to buy up our public education system do not appear inclined to go away quietly. After being rebuffed by state education officials and failing thus far to get what they want in the courts, K-12, Inc. (the troubled, for-profit, “virtual” charter school company) has turned to what it undoubtedly expects will be a more hospitable  forum — the General Assembly.

As N.C. Policy Watch reporter Sarah Ovaska reported yesterday afternoon, K-12 lobbyists have prevailed upon a state lawmaker to enter legislation that would put the company on the path to open its proposed online charter in North Carolina. For people who care about public schools, this should be a very worrisome development. This is from Ovaska’s report: Read More…

New poll results: Lawmakers headed the wrong way on education

May 6, 2013 at 11:47 amCategory:Uncategorized

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The good people at Action NC and Progress NC are out with some new poll results courtesy of Public Policy Polling. The poll asked North Carolina voters four questions about education policy during the last week of  April. Here’s the Action NC release:

Majority of NC voter oppose school vouchers, limiting pre-K
New poll finds strong opposition to many forms of education disinvestment currently under consideration at General Assembly

Raleigh – More than 60 percent of North Carolina voters oppose a school voucher plan currently under consideration at the General Assembly, according to a new poll just released by Action NC and Progress NC. Read More…

Tuition equality is gaining momentum nationally

April 30, 2013 at 3:42 pmCategory:NC Budget and Tax Center

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Colorado joined a growing number of states (16 in total) yesterday in recognizing the importance of an affordable post-secondary education to all their residents, regardless of immigration status. The Governor signed legislation that would allow undocumented immigrants who graduate from state high schools the ability to attend state colleges at the in-state tuition rate.

Meanwhile, a similar proposal in North Carolina is languishing in the Rules Committee, which means young people like Marco Cervantes can’t afford college.

Charging the same tuition rates to all residents is a great way to invest in our state and in our future workforce. The higher tuition rate often charged immigrants—in Colorado the out of state rate is three times in-state tuition—is a barrier for many students and a drain on the economy.  That is because it is increasingly necessary to have some kind of post-secondary degree to attain a family-sustaining job and secure middle-class status.

Today is a great day to call your state reps to voice support for HB 904 and in-state tuition equality. Also, sign the petition here.

As one of the bill sponsors in Colorado noted:  “in Colorado the doors are open and the dream is alive.”

Can North Carolina say the same thing?