This week, the NCASA Advocacy Team discusses legislative priorities and expected hot topics in education for the 2024 North Carolina legislative short session beginning on April 24.

This week, Elizabeth Yelverton, NCASA Legal Affairs & Policy Manager, is joined by Tara Thomas, Policy Analyst, AASA, for an update on the latest federal education news.

Follow Tara Thomas on X (formerly known as Twitter) @TaraEThomas1
or get up to date information at the national level by reading The Leading Edge: Policy & Advocacy Blog. You can also listen to her on AASA’s PEP Talk (Public Education Policy) Podcast. 

This week, the NCASA Advocacy Team discusses current legislative and policy hot topics in North Carolina’s education system.

This week, the NCASA Advocacy Team shares highlights of the long-awaited 2023 state budget package and is joined by North Carolina arts educator and state Representative Jeffrey Elmore (R-Wilkes).

As the NC Legislative Long Session continues, there are plenty of K-12 Education Budget issues on the table! This week our NCASA Advocacy Team dives deep into the pages of the competing House and Senate budget proposals for 2023-2025 and their expected impact on K-12 education. We also touch on some of the budget priorities that NCASA is continuing to seek on behalf of public-school leaders, as summarized in the linked document below:

• Public School Budget Priorities For 2023-2024

This week, NCASA’s Advocacy Team reflects on the impact of our recent School Leader Day at the Legislature that took place on April 18th. Our team provides analysis on priorities outlined by lawmakers in attendance: Sen. Amy Galey (R-Alamance); Rep. John Torbett (R-Gaston); and Rep. Ashton Wheeler Clemmons (D-Guilford). The podcast also includes insights from the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Catherine Truitt as well as key takeaways from members on what took place during their visit to the General Assembly.  

This week, the NCASA Advocacy Team goes over the highlights of the first month of session at the NC General Assembly, including an overview of key K-12 education legislation filed so far.

This week, the NCASA Advocacy Team is on the case — NC CASE that is! The Team is joined by Christy Grant, President of the NC Council of Administrators of Special Education (NCCASE), an NCASA affiliate organization, and Executive Director of Special Education and Student Support Services in Nash County Public Schools, as well as Jill McKenna, Assistant Superintendent for Special Education Services in Wake County Public Schools, on ways to support our students with special needs in our public schools.

This week, the NCASA Advocacy Team goes over key take-aways from the 2022 mid-term elections and predicts what effect these results will have on public education in North Carolina.

This week, the NCASA Advocacy Team speaks with Ken Derksen, President of the NC School Public Relations Association (NCSPRA), an NCASA affiliate organization, on how NC public schools not only “talk the talk” but also “walk the walk.”

This week, the NCASA Advocacy Team speaks about the upcoming mid-term elections and what the results could mean for education in North Carolina. In addition, read the recent article from EdNC, entitled “The Politics of North Carolina’s School Boards," which discusses the impact this election will have on school boards throughout our state. Join us in a few weeks for our episode covering key election results too! 

This week, the NCASA Advocacy Team speaks with Marlon Watson, Transportation Director for Johnston County Public Schools and President of the NC Pupil Transportation Association (NCPTA); and Brian McClung, Transportation Director of Rutherford County Schools; about challenges school districts are facing in securing and retaining enough bus drivers, mechanics, and other personnel in this new school year.

This week, the NCASA Advocacy Team speaks with Dr. Patrick Greene,  2022 Wells Fargo NC Principal of the Year, and Mr. Tabari Wallace, 2018 Principal of the Year and State Superintendent’s Special Advisor for Principal Engagement, about recent concerns on a scheduled pay cut for some principals in NC, solutions approved by the State Board of Education, and additional salary schedule changes needed to recruit and retain NC’s best school leaders.

This week, the NCASA Advocacy Team speaks with Mr. Jack Hoke, Executive Director of the NC School Superintendents’ Association (NCSSA), on the new school year, school administrator turnover, and the importance of strong school leadership.

This week the NCASA Advocacy Team speaks with Dr. Patrick Miller, Chairman of NC’s Professional Educator Preparation and Standards Commission (PEPSC), and 2020 NC Teacher of the Year Maureen Stover about the proposed “Pathways to Excellence For Teaching Professionals” model that PEPSC is now developing. The model, if ultimately adopted, could hold major reforms for teacher compensation and licensure.

There is still time to have your concerns addressed about this valuable model. Email your feedback to: pathways.feedback@dpi.nc.gov. 

State lawmakers have reached an agreement on a state budget package for 2022-2023. Join the NCASA Advocacy Team for highlights of what it holds for public schools and their personnel. Click below for references to this podcast:

1.  NC House Bill 103
2.  NCASA 2022 State Budget Summary 

This week the NCASA Advocacy Team speaks with Dr. Shirley Prince, Executive Director of the North Carolina Principals and Assistant Principals’ Association (NCPAPA), about principals’ reflections on the school year that just ended and priorities they have for 2022-23. 

This week the NCASA Advocacy Team speaks with North Carolina State Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt on the school year that just ended, lessons learned, and what’s next for public education in North Carolina. 

Legislation rolled out the week of June 6th proposes new parameters for virtual academies operated by NC school districts and also addresses remote instruction days in the school calendar and other K-12 policy topics. Join NCASA’s Advocacy Team for a closer look at these bills and their next steps.

References:

• NC House Bill 79
• NC House Bill 159
• NC Senate Bill 671

State lawmakers are already busy drafting a state budget proposal for 2022-2023. Join NCASA’s Advocacy Team for a look at the likely path for this spending bill and the key funding priorities they are hoping the General Assembly will include in it for public schools.

This week, the NCASA Advocacy Team discusses House Bill 755: Parents’ Bill of Rights, which was introduced in the state legislature last week and passed in the Senate this week. Make sure to hit subscribe to stay in the loop!

This week Katherine and Elizabeth look at North Carolina's recent primary elections and the impact they already hold for determining control of the 2023 General Assembly. 

This initial podcast introduces you to our hosts, NCASA’s Executive Director Katherine Joyce and Elizabeth Yelverton, NCASA Legal Affairs & Policy Manager. Together, they make up NCASA's Advocacy Team and will update you on current education legislation and policy actions in North Carolina. We hope you will tune in weekly as they share timely information on Public School Matters.