By Art Padilla WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH (May 10, 2025) – In his multi-volume A Study of History, Arnold Toynbee argued that civilizations die from “suicide” and not from “murder.” Decline comes from internal rot, not from external conquest. Toynbee wrote that collapse comes when civilizations lose their moral fiber, when they commit stunningly stupid acts. The… READ MORE
School leaders discouraged by low rank of NC teacher pay
By Amy Cockerham Public Ed Works HALIFAX (May 9, 2025) – School leaders across North Carolina are finding ways to cope with recruiting as the latest report released by the National Education Association found that average teacher pay in the state ranks 43rd in the nation. Carolyn Mitchell is the Executive Director of Human Resources… READ MORE
Eight hours of oblivion
By Eric Johnson CHAPEL HILL (May 9, 2025) – Staring at a phone for eight hours a day is bad, and not just because of the ill effects on test scores or adolescent social life. Staring at a phone for eight hours a day is bad in a first-principles, what are you doing with your… READ MORE
NC teacher pay now ranks 43rd
RALEIGH (May 1, 2025) – What will it take to make state legislators wake up? The National Education Association released its annual report on teacher pay this week, which found that average teacher pay in North Carolina slid five spots, from 38th to 43rd in the nation. Other states are investing in public school teachers…. READ MORE
Forehead-slapper
WINSTON-SALEM (May 1, 2025) – It’s a forehead-slapper. At a time when North Carolina desperately needs more public school teachers, the Trump administration cut them off. In February, the U.S. Department of Education announced it would terminate more than $600 million in grants for teacher recruitment and retention programs in Title 1 schools – schools… READ MORE
Hans: Research as a patriotic bargain
By Peter Hans President, University of North Carolina System RALEIGH (May 1, 2025) – For more than 70 years, federal funding for university research has been a patriotic bargain and a core driver of national strength. Coming out of World War II, American leaders recognized that dominance in emerging fields is key to national power…. READ MORE
Rural resistance: County leaders question private school vouchers
By Amy Cockerham Public Ed Works TRENTON (April 25, 2025) – Leaders of rural North Carolina counties without any private schools are voicing concerns about the state’s school voucher program. “Opportunity Scholarships” were created in 2014 and expanded last year to no longer have an income limit on who can apply. The scholarships use taxpayer… READ MORE
James Goodnight: Godfather of AI and data analytics
CARY (April 25, 2025) – James Goodnight, from Salisbury, is a major pioneer in the fields of artificial intelligence and data analysis. He is a co-founder and current CEO of global data and AI leader SAS, and a creator of one of the world’s most renowned employee-friendly workplaces. “The Uncommon Story: Notable North Carolinians” is… READ MORE
WEBINAR: Business Leaders Discuss The Value of NC Public Schools
In December of 2024 Public Ed Works’ Chairman, Paul Fulton asked; “Do we see the connection between business and public schools?” He concluded his remarks by inviting business leaders to play a bigger role in supporting public education. This webinar will be the first of, hopefully, several conversations with successful North Carolina business leaders sharing… READ MORE
NC business leaders: ‘This state shouldn’t be 49th in anything’
By Amy Cockerham Public Ed Works RALEIGH (April 16, 2025) – North Carolina business leaders gathered for a webinar hosted by Public Ed Works Wednesday to discuss the vital connection between education and business. Each panelist shared how education has contributed to the success of their business and how they want to support learning in… READ MORE