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According to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction's annual budget report, the state receives more than $1.10 billion in federal funding outside of funds from the child nutrition and COVID relief programs. (Michael Ireland/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Parents, teachers voice concerns over rejecting federal funds for NC schools

From gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson to Superintendent of Public Instruction hopeful Michele Morrow, some Republicans running for office have …

Public education advocates believe without adequate funding, North Carolina's public schools will continue to face severe challenges, including teacher shortages, lack of support staff and deteriorating facilities. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

NC voucher bill sparks debate over public school funding, equity

Advocates for public education are reacting to the North Carolina House passing legislation to funnel millions of state dollars into private school vo…

In the past two years, the price of school supplies has gone up about 24%, according to a Deloitte analysis. (Adobe Stock)

NC teachers spend big on classroom supplies amid low pay

Classroom supplies are taking a toll on teachers in North Carolina. A new survey showed despite earning around 5% less than they did a decade ago…

According to a 2023 study, culturally tailored breastfeeding education and support could help reduce disparities around race and ethnicity. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates in NC address racial inequities in breastfeeding

Rates of breastfeeding in the U.S. have more than doubled since the mid-2000s but advocates pointed out racial inequities during Black Breastfeeding …

Students at William Peace University are required to complete an internship or professional experience before graduation. (Adobe Stock)

NC college stresses preparing students for ever-changing workforce

In a fast-changing job market, one North Carolina university is helping students through early engagement and long-term support. A new report …

NC group works to boost financial literacy for youths

Young people are increasingly falling into debt through "Buy Now, Pay Later" apps and cash advance phone offers, much as with payday loans before …

The Leandro Plan calls for at least $5.6 billion in new, annual education spending for North Carolina by 2028. (Adobe Stock)

As court decision looms, a push for better NC school funding

As summer winds down and North Carolina students prepare to return to school, the focus shifts to the urgent need for better public education funding…

Nationally, the child poverty rate decreased from 17.2% in 2021 to 15.9% in 2022, returning to pre-pandemic levels, according to the Annie. E. Casey Foundation. (Adobe Stock)

NC kids face challenges at school, but rising economic well-being

A new report sheds light on children's well-being in North Carolina, and highlights the need for greater academic support. According to the latest …

A new Interdisciplinary Arts degree at William Peace University will be a Bachelor of Arts and replaces the university's Bachelor of Fine Arts, theatre, musical theatre, and arts administration degrees. (Adobe Stock)

NC university introduces customizable degree program

A North Carolina university wants to break the mold for people studying the arts. A new degree program will not require students to narrow their …

Columbus County only has two voucher-accepting schools, according to data from North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority. (Adobe Stock)

Impact of private school voucher funding on rural areas raises concern

Legislation to boost private school voucher funding in North Carolina is raising concerns among educators, particularly in rural areas. Educators say …

A new report says as a result of budget appropriation increases, within a few years, North Carolina taxpayers will be spending more than $520 million per year on private-school tuition. (Adobe Stock)

Report reveals inequities in NC school voucher system

School vouchers in North Carolina were intended to expand educational options for low-income families. However, the report "NC School Vouchers: Using …

According to Thrivent, FAFSA delays are expected to affect more than 17 million students trying to make plans for the 2024-2025 academic year. (Adobe Stock)

NC's college-bound students face FAFSA delays

The revamp of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid - or FAFSA - was supposed to streamline the process for college hopefuls this fall…

North Carolina's public schools earn failing grades in national report

North Carolina's public school system is facing a crisis, according to the recently released "Public Schooling in America 2024" report. It ranks the …

In 2023, the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation awarded students a combined total of $589,000 in scholarship funds. (Adobe Stock)

NC credit unions help students break barriers with scholarships

College application season is in full swing, when prospective students are focused not only on where to enroll but how to pay for it. College can …

A study by the Hope Center for College, Community and Justice found basic needs insecurity, particularly food insecurity, is prevalent among many students of color, with 75% of Indigenous students and 70% of both Black and American Indian or Alaska Native students across two- and four-year institutions experiencing it. (Adobe Stock)

North Carolina university works to fight food insecurity on campus

More than 1 million North Carolinians, including college students, are grappling with food insecurity. Recognizing the urgent need, schools like …

About 1,304,300 student borrowers live in North Carolina. (Adobe Stock)

Expert offers tips to manage college costs, student-loan debt in NC

As student loan payments resume after a three-year halt, experts offer advice on pursuing higher education without accumulating unnecessary debt…

Adult learners represent 40% of higher education's student population. (Adobe Stock)

NC schools look to engage adult learners to improve workforce

Universities in North Carolina are leaning on adult learners to address workforce gaps in the state, specifically in the shortage of teachers and …

According to the Prison Policy Initiative, about one in five young people held in juvenile facilities is awaiting trial and has not been found guilty or delinquent. (Adobe Stock)

Fewer NC youths locked up, but more juvenile justice reforms needed

The number of children behind bars in North Carolina has declined significantly in recent years, but their advocates said more work could be done to …

All types of college transfers, combined, dropped by 2.3% in 2022, resulting in an overall 6.9% decrease in transfer students since Fall 2020. (Aleksandr/Adobe Stock)

NC School Focuses on Boosting Transfer Student Success

As colleges gear up to welcome students for the fall semester, there is a growing focus on supporting students who transfer from one school to …

The average annual cost of child care in North Carolina is $9,255 for an infant and $7,592 for a 4-year-old. (Adobe Stock)

Report Highlights NC Needs for More & Better Child Care

Families in North Carolina are in critical need of more and better child care options, according to the latest Kids Count Data Book, released today …

According to an Annie E. Casey Foundation report, the number of youths in foster care has declined steadily since 2006. (Adobe Stock)

Report Highlights Need for Extended Transition Services for Older Youths

Teenagers and young adults in the foster care system in North Carolina and throughout the nation are not receiving sufficient services to successfully…

Cooperating Raleigh Colleges is a nonprofit consortium. Its members are Meredith College, North Carolina State University, Saint Augustine's University, Shaw University, Wake Technical Community College, and William Peace University. (Drobot Dean/Adobe Stock)

Six NC Colleges Work to Broaden Educational Opportunities

Six colleges in North Carolina have found they can do more to offer educational opportunities when they work together. Cooperating Raleigh Colleges …

Produce Purpose has two goals in mind - to offer meaningful employment to individuals with special needs and to bring healthy, nutritional food to college campuses. (Adobe Stock)

Hydroponic Farm Boosts Healthy Eating, Special-Needs Jobs at NC University

William Peace University is teaming up with Produce Purpose, a nonprofit organization, to install a hydroponic farming operation on campus. The new …

International students comprise 5% of all students in higher education. (Adobe Stock)

Undocumented NC Students Call for Tuition Fairness

Some North Carolina students are calling on legislators to propose a bill to allow undocumented students to pay in-state tuition at community colleges…

Los estudiantes internacionales representan s�lo el 5% del total de estudiantes de ense�anza superior. (Adobe Stock)

Estudiantes indocumentados de NC piden matrícula justa

Algunos estudiantes de Carolina del Norte están pidiendo a los legisladores que propongan un proyecto de ley que permita a los estudiantes indocu…

Hip Hop Higher Ed Symposium programming brings hip-hop culture and scholarship to North Carolina college students. (Stephanie Reed)<br />

Symposium Brings Hip Hop Culture, Scholarship to NC Campuses

An upcoming event in Raleigh hosted in part by William Peace University aims to bring hip-hop arts culture to North Carolina's college students…

The Best Colleges rankings take into account a school's academic outcomes and overall college affordability. (Adobe Stock)

Three NC HBCUs on List of Best LGBTQ+ Campuses

Three North Carolina Historically Black Colleges and Universities are on a recent "best of" list for LGBTQ+ campuses. The Best Colleges Campus Pride …

The National Eating Disorders Association offers a screening tool on its website for someone wondering if they or a family member suffer an eating disorder. (Adobe Stock)

NC Minorities Receive Less Treatment for Eating Disorders

As part of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, specialists are calling for additional funding, research and resources for people affected by …

The proportion of Hispanic K-12 students in U.S. schools has increased threefold, from 9%<br />in 1984 to 28% today, according to UnidosUS. (Adobe Stock)

NC Latino Leaders Call for More Bilingual, Cultural Support

North Carolina's Latino education leaders see a need for more bilingual and cultural sensitivity training in the state's classrooms. The group …

La proporci�n de estudiantes hispanos K-12 en las escuelas de EE. UU. se ha triplicado, del 9 % en 1984 al 28 % en la actualidad, seg�n UnidosUS. (Adobe Stock)

Líderes latinos de Carolina del Norte piden más apoyo cultural bilingüe

Líderes educativos latinos de Carolina del Norte ven la necesidad de más capacitación bilingüe y de sensibilidad cultural en las a…

Around 75% of undergraduates have taken at least one course online, versus 71% of graduate students, according to Best Colleges. (Adobe Stock)

Online Education Boosts Enrollment at Community Colleges

Results of a new study showed community colleges are building on pandemic-era success when more students turned to online education. Enrollment has …

The United States is projected to spend $605 billion to $635 billion on medicine in 2025, according to career company Zippia. (Adobe Stock)

Eli Lilly Invests $450 Million in Jobs-to-Work Pipeline

Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly has announced a $450 million investment in North Carolina's Research Triangle Park to develop new drugs, and put more …

More than half of all public schools in the U.S. reported being understaffed at the start of the 2022-23 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. (Adobe Stock)

NC Colleges Work to Fill Teacher Pipeline

Schools across North Carolina report grappling with severe staff shortages. Districts began the year down more than 4,000 teachers, according to data …

More than one-fifth of all college students are student parents, according to the National Center for Education Statistics and Education Trust. (Adobe Stock)

NC Colleges Boost Support for Black, Native Student Parents

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is boosting support for its student parents - with plans to increase access to childcare an…

More than 80% of businesses say they hire community college graduates, according to a <a href=

survey by the American Association of Community Colleges and Harvard Business School. (Adobe Stock)">

Working Adults Reskilling, Returning to College Amid Recession Talk

Recession forecasts and lives upended by the pandemic have prompted many working adults in North Carolina to consider going back to college. A 2022 …

More than 51% of students tested at grade level in North Carolina last spring. (Prostock-studio/Adobe Stock)

Teach for America Pilot Program Brings High-Impact Tutoring to NC Schools

North Carolina state test results in the wake of the pandemic showed marked reductions in grade-level proficiency, but one high-impact tutoring …

More than 574,000 students were enrolled last year in the North Carolina Community College System. (Zoran Zeremski / Adobe Stock)

Innovations in NC Higher Ed Helping Students Who Transfer

Research says 80% of community-college students intend to transfer to complete a bachelor's degree, but only 14% do so within six years. …

In North Carolina, 57% of incoming college freshmen completed the FAFSA. That ranks the state 23rd in the nation for FAFSA completion, according to MyFutureNC. (Adobe Stock)<br />

FAFSA Changes to Simplify Financial-Aid Process for NC Students

Changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid next year are expected to simplify the process and shorten the amount of time it takes to comp…

The U.S. Department of Education estimates Americans collectively owe more than $1 trillion in federal student loans. (Adobe Stock)<br />

NC Colleges Hope Biden’s Loan Forgiveness Plan Improvess Financial Literacy

Federal student-loan relief applications are expected to be online in a few weeks, and financial-aid offices say this also is an opportunity to …

Around 17% of bachelor's degrees awarded to Black students nationwide come from Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and <a href=

research shows HBCUs boost economic mobility and generational wealth.(Adobe Stock)">

NC HBCU Boosts Resources for Nontraditional Learners

One of North Carolina's oldest Historically Black Colleges and Universities is finding new ways to help students stay enrolled and graduate. Recent …

Colegios comunitarios de Carolina del Norte aportan m�s de $ 19 billones a la econom�a del estado cada a�o, seg�n la Junta de Colegios Comunitarios de Carolina del Norte (Adobe Stock)

Programa de Colegio Comunitario Rural tiene como objetivo cerrar brechas de equidad

Una iniciativa basada en la Universidad Estatal de Carolina del Norte tiene como objetivo ayudar a los colegios comunitarios de servicio rural a cerra…

North Carolina's community colleges contribute more than $19 billion to the state's economy each year, according to the North Carolina Board of Community Colleges (Adobe Stock)

Rural Community College Program Aims to Close Equity Gaps

An initiative based at North Carolina State University aims to help the state's rural-serving community colleges close equity gaps and strengthen stud…

Students in Greensboro, N.C., started an herb garden as a way to learn about how to grow plants and their nutritional benefits. (Sarah Fedele)

Community Herb Garden Reconnects NC Residents with Plants’ Health Benefits

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- A community herb garden in Greensboro is helping students and community members reconnect with plants and stay healthy by …

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends schools have at least one full-time registered nurse available for students' health needs. (Adobe Stock)

Pandemic, State Regulations Create Obstacles for NC School Nurses

WILMINGTON, N.C. -- As the school year gets underway, some school nurses are facing hurdles addressing students' health-care needs. Diane Parker…

Research increasingly points to early childhood, the period from birth through age seven, as the most critical time in a child's life. (Adobe Stock)<br />

NC Grants Focus on Easing Racial Disparities in Early Learning

RALEIGH, N.C. - In some North Carolina counties, high poverty levels mean kids and parents lack access to quality pre-K learning. Some groups are …

T�tulo gr�fico: Las investigaciones apuntan cada vez m�s a la primera infancia, el per�odo desde el nacimiento hasta los siete a�os, como el momento m�s cr�tico en la vida de un ni�o. (Adobe Stock)

Carolina del Norte enfoca subvenciones en disparidades en nivel preescolar

RALEIGH, NC - En algunos condados de Carolina del Norte, los altos niveles de pobreza significan que los niños y los padres no tienen acceso a …

According to the CDC, vaccine-preventable diseases have a costly impact, resulting in doctor's visits, hospitalizations and premature deaths, all of which could be avoided. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Report: Missed Well Visits Put Kids at Risk for Communicable Diseases

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Parents should catch their kids up on missed doctor visits, and in some cases, vaccinations, to protect themselves and their …

North Carolina ranks 34th among states for children's well-being in the 2021 Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, although the state improved on many individual measures in the report. (Adobe Stock)

Pandemic-Relief Measures Can Help More NC Kids

RALEIGH, N.C. -- New survey data offer a clear picture of how North Carolina kids and families are faring, both before and after the pandemic…

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NC: Education