Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

SEL improves student grades, test performance

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Public Schools First NC @publicschoolsfirstnc.org · 3d

A large-scale study just released shows that when schools provide social-emotional learning programs to all, students perform significantly better academically than peers in schools without universal SEL. No surprise there!
www.k12dive.com/news/sel-imp...

The meta-analysis of its benefits comes after parent and lawmaker pushback against social-emotional learning and as some educators rebrand the practice.

www.k12dive.com

North Carolina child fatality group links social media algorithms, AI chat bots to suicide risks

Public Schools First NC @publicschoolsfirstnc.org · 3d

"Teens like the idea of using a chatbot for emotional support. But really, they would much rather seek support from humans who are close by, like the school counselor or nurse"
www.wral.com/story/north-...

A subgroup of the North Carolina Child Fatality Task Force is scheduled to discuss lawmakers' attempts to regulate social media and artificial intelligence use among young people in the state.

Book Bans Are ‘Common and Rampant.’ So Are Educators and Parents Fighting Them. | NEA

Public Schools First NC @publicschoolsfirstnc.org · 4d

9 in 10 The number of public school parents who are confident that their schools are selecting appropriate books. www.nea.org/nea-today/al...

Banned Books Week 2025 is Oct 5-11. Learn how to advocate for students’ right to read.

www.nea.org

Advanced Teaching Roles program shows improved test scores, but faces funding concerns

Public Schools First NC @publicschoolsfirstnc.org · 4d

Advanced teaching roles, first implemented in 2016, have been a way for educators to grow (and receive more $) professionally as well as keep quality educators in the profession. Unfortunately, state funding to continue the program is in question. #nced #ncpublicschools
www.ednc.org/10-07-2025-a...

The initiative provides salary supplements for highly effective teachers who mentor and support other educators while still teaching.

www.ednc.org

Public Schools First NC @publicschoolsfirstnc.org · 6d

A new law this year (passed over the veto of Gov. Stein) requires traditional public school teachers to catalog their classroom libraries for the public. But charter schools and private schools are excluded from the requirement. Why? #nced #ncpublicschools #ncpol
www.newsobserver.com/news/local/e...

New NC law means teachers are providing fewer books for their students to read

The new state requirement that teachers catalog the names of all the books in their classroom is drawing complaints from educators.

www.newsobserver.com

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Public Schools First NC @publicschoolsfirstnc.org · 10d

This is a classic example of not listening to voters. In Nebraska, voters soundly rejected vouchers in 2024 (That wasn't the first time they had rejected vouchers!). Now, with the help of the federal gov't, they're being shoved into the state anyway.
apnews.com/article/tax-...

Nebraska joins Trump program to use public money for private school tuition

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen has opted Nebraska into a federal program to use taxpayer dollars for private school tuition.

apnews.com

Public Schools First NC @publicschoolsfirstnc.org · 11d

It's true. Lawmakers have strong security measures in place for public schools but are 100% negligent when it comes to private schools. Contact your legislators and urge them to require criminal background checks for private school staff too! #nced #ncpublicschools
www.wnct.com/business/pre...

www.wnct.com

NC education chief Green: State school spending is subpar

Public Schools First NC @publicschoolsfirstnc.org · 12d

Supt. Green tells it like it is! State spending on ed is far too low. “This is an opportunity for our state to rise up” Green said. “Certainly to even come close to reaching even SC and VA would be $3,000 to $4,000 per child more than what we’re funding here in NC.”
www.reflector.com/apgstate/nc-...

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Maurice “Mo” Green championed public education in a visit to Pitt County this week, pointing to the state’s recent record-high graduation rate as evidence th...

www.reflector.com

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Public Schools First NC @publicschoolsfirstnc.org · 17d

This is another blow to our schools from the U.S. Department of Education. Pulling funding for teacher education that is intended to help Pre-K teachers better serve special ed. students is just cruel. #nced #ncpublicschools
www.wunc.org/education/20...

Trump admin cancels special ed grant to UNC-CH to train future Pre-K teachers across NC

It's part of the U.S. Department of Education's crackdown on grants promoting diversity, equity and inclusion.

www.wunc.org

Educators Can Play a Role in Preventing Student Suicide | NEA

Public Schools First NC @publicschoolsfirstnc.org · 18d

It is Suicide Awareness/Prevention Month. Let's help our educators help our students!
www.nea.org/nea-today/al...

Teachers and support staff know that welcoming, safe, and supportive learning spaces that are accepting of all cultures, languages, and identities help students do better in school. They can also help...

www.nea.org

Public Schools First NC @publicschoolsfirstnc.org · 22d

Good news...Bad news. "North Carolina Teaching Vacancies Fall 31%. But Numbers Mask Deeper Problems. Fewer open positions from budget cuts and disappearing fed. relief funds, not from solving chronic recruitment and retention challenges. #nced #ncpublicschools
www.governing.com/workforce/no...

North Carolina Teaching Vacancies Fall 31%. But the Numbers Mask Deeper Problems.

Fewer open positions stem from budget cuts and disappearing federal relief funds, not from solving the state’s chronic recruitment and retention challenges.

www.governing.com

Wake teachers using AI in the classroom set tone for safe, smart learning

Public Schools First NC @publicschoolsfirstnc.org · 24d

Looking for ideas for AI use in the classroom? Here are some good ones! #nced #ncpublicschools
www.wral.com/news/educati...

Wake Schools lacks a comprehensive AI policy, but students and teachers follow one key rule to ensure students’ data is protected.

Border Belt schools start new year with teacher vacancies

Public Schools First NC @publicschoolsfirstnc.org · Sep 11

Districts close to the SC border are facing teacher shortages. Did you know that teacher pay in SC is much higher than teacher pay in NC? Contact your NC legislators. We need to compete! #nced #ncpublicschools
borderbelt.org/teacher-vaca...

School districts in the Border Belt had dozens of teacher vacancies when they welcomed students back to classrooms last month.

borderbelt.org

Public Schools First NC @publicschoolsfirstnc.org · Sep 8

Changing how school performance grades are assigned has had bipartisan support for years. Maybe it fill finally happen. While they're at it, let's get some school performance grades for voucher-accepting private schools too! #nced #ncpublicschools
www.wral.com/story/nc-edu...

NC education leaders want to change how schools are graded. What analysts say is needed

State Superintendent Mo Green plans to form a task force to study revising how school performance is calculated, part of a strategic plan approved by the State Board of Education.

Ribbon-cutting: Trump administration abruptly ends National Blue Ribbon Schools program

Public Schools First NC @publicschoolsfirstnc.org · Sep 8

Guess the fed admin doesn't care what's working in public schools. Dropping the blue ribbon schools program means states will have less info about what's happening in other states and won't be able to learn from good ideas across the nation. #nced #ncpublicschools
www.chalkbeat.org/2025/09/04/b...

Many schools took enormous pride in receiving federal Blue Ribbon recognition, which began under President Ronald Reagan. A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Education said ending the program wo...

www.chalkbeat.org

Public Schools First NC @publicschoolsfirstnc.org · Sep 4

Here's a great idea - put EDUCATORS ON THE BALLOT! What a great way to get elected leaders who understand complex problems and can work with a variety of personalities to get what's needed done for our communities. #nced #ncpublicschools #ncpol
www.wunc.org/education/20...

"NC Educators on the Ballot" urges teachers to run for the state legislature

A group of North Carolina educators is organizing campaigns to challenge incumbent state lawmakers in next year's Republican primary elections.

www.wunc.org

Public Schools First NC @publicschoolsfirstnc.org · Sep 3

Applications for Charter School Program grants are only reviewed based on their submitted contents without thorough verification. This allows false or misleading claims to go unchecked. It's time to get serious about charter school accountability! networkforpubliceducation.org/wp-content/u...

They said they would not cut Title I. They lied. K12 Ed budget SLASHED by the House.

Public Schools First NC @publicschoolsfirstnc.org · Sep 2

House leaders just dropped their FY26 education bill, slashing $12.1 billion (15%) in K-12 funding for public education. It guts the very programs that keep our public schools running. Contact your U.S. Reps to stop the cuts! Use this link to send a letter:
actionnetwork.org/letters/they...
#nced

House leaders just dropped their FY26 education bill, slashing $12.1 billion (15%) in K-12 funding for public education. It guts the very programs that keep our public schools running — while boosting...

actionnetwork.org

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Public Schools First NC @publicschoolsfirstnc.org · Sep 1

The status of labor conditions in NC is bottom-of-the-barrel according to a new report. We can do better, NC! First on the list should be raising the minimum wage (currently $7.25)! #nced #ncpublicschools #ncpol
ncnewsline.com/2025/09/01/n...

NC Labor Day 2025: A state that’s best for business is also ranked worst for workers • NC Newsline

Oxfam America ranks North Carolina 52nd in its new analysis that examines labor policies in all 50 states as well as D.C. and Puerto Rico.

ncnewsline.com

Could Leandro Funds help with Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools' budget deficit?

Public Schools First NC @publicschoolsfirstnc.org · Sep 1

Between 2006 and 2016, 11% of charter schools that received federal funding through the Charter Schools Program never actually opened their doors. This is a WASTE of taxpayer dollars! Read MORE: networkforpubliceducation.org/wp-content/u...
@network4pubed.bsky.social‬ #nced #ncpublicschools

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Public Schools First NC @publicschoolsfirstnc.org · Aug 31

If the state legislature followed the rule of law and funded schools according to the NC Supreme Court's 2022 Leandro ruling, districts would have much more money with which to pay staff, fix HVAC systems, and so much more. #nced #ncpublicschools
www.wfmynews2.com/article/news...

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools faces a massive budget gap, but decades-old court rulings known as the Leandro case could provide funding.

www.wfmynews2.com

Public Schools First NC @publicschoolsfirstnc.org · Aug 29

NC already has the lowest corporate income tax rate in the country. This stalemate is because senate leadership wants to cut them even faster than planned. It's irresponsible and bad for our state's future! #nced #ncpublicschools #ncpol
www.wral.com/story/why-ha...

Why hasn’t NC approved raises for teachers and state employees? GOP stalemate over taxes

Raises for state employees are on hold until Republican leaders in the Senate and House of Representatives can reach a state budget deal.