Education Matters

How does race affect student outcomes in North Carolina? Does race correlate with educational opportunity in ways that diminish the likelihood of success for students of color? We explore this week with three experts. Guests: • Donovan Livingston, Ph.D. Candidate and Asst. Director for Tutoring Services, UNC-Greensboro • James E. Ford, Program Director, Public School Forum of NC • Dr. Rodney Trice, Assistant Superintendent for Equity Affairs, Wake County Public School System

A new study out of Duke University has found the benefits of early childhood education are significant and last up through the fifth grade, contradicting earlier studies that suggested the benefits of pre-k may fade. We talk to the study’s author, as well as other experts about the state of early childhood education in North Carolina. Guests: • Dr. Kenneth Dodge, William McDougall Professor of Public Policy and Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Duke University, Founder, Center for Child and Family Policy. • Tracy Zimmerman, Executive Director, North Carolina Early Childhood Foundation • Cindy Watkins, President, NC Smart Start / North Carolina Partnership for Children

North Carolina’s average pay for principals ranks 50th out of all states and the District of Columbia. The NC General Assembly is expected to focus more attention on principals including pay next session. We talk to the experts including the NC Principal of the Year. Guests: • Melody Chalmers, 2016 NC Principal of the Year, E.E. Smith High School, Fayetteville • Dana King, Principal, Millbrook High School, Raleigh • Dr. Frank Till, Superintendent, Cumberland County Schools • Dr. Shirley Prince, Executive Director, NC Principals and Assistant Principals Association (NC PAPA)

With all the votes cast, what will Election 2016 mean for education policy in North Carolina? We explore with a panel of experts. Guests: • Rick Glazier, Executive Director, NC Justice Center • Dr. Terry Stoops, Director of Education Studies, John Locke Foundation • Mark Jewell, President, NC Association of Educators (NCAE) • Leanne Winner, Director, Governmental Relations, NC School Boards Association (NCSBA)

Three weeks after Hurricane Matthew devastated parts of Eastern NC with historic flooding, Robeson County students returned to class, the last school system to reopen. We visit Lumberton this week and talk with school leaders about the impact, response and what’s left to do. Guests: • Superintendent Tommy Lowry, Public Schools of Robeson County • Tara Bullard, Principal, West Lumberton Elementary • Ben Matthews, Deputy Chief Financial Officer for Operations, NC Department of Public Instruction • Liz Bell, Researcher/Reporter, Education NC

North Carolina’s poorest counties continue to fall further behind our wealthier counties in terms of resources available to their local schools. What is the impact and what we can do to ensure all schools have the resources they need to serve every child? Guests: • Dr. Patrick Miller, Superintendent, Greene County Schools • Ann McColl, Education Law Attorney, Everett Gaskins Hancock • Phillip Price, Chief Financial Officer, NC Department of Public Instruction

There’s probably no subject that has generated more headlines and more debate over the last few years than teacher pay. How much should teachers earn? Where do we rank? Will teachers really make on average $50,000 next year? We explore this week on Education Matters. Guests: • Mark Binker, Reporter, WRAL News • Alexis Schauss, Director of School Business Administration, NC Department Of Public Instruction • Bobbie Cavnar, 2016-2017 NC Teacher of the Year

“Expanding Educational Opportunity in North Carolina” is the title of the just released report and action plan from the Public School Forum of North Carolina and the topic of this week’s show. Looking at the challenges effective teachers and leaders face every day, what would it really take to help them ensure every student in NC has the opportunities guaranteed to them in our state constitution of equal opportunity for a sound basic education? Guests: • Dr. Michael Priddy, Chairman, Public School Forum of NC • Dr. Dudley Flood, Educational Consultant • Dr. Katie Rosanbalm, Research Scientist, Duke Center for Child and Family Policy, Duke University • James E. Ford, Director of Programs, Public School Forum of NC & 2014 NC Teacher of the Year

Across our state, public schools are being asked to do more with less. Eight years after a crippling recession forced significant cuts in state spending, including in public education, many key funding areas still remain below pre-recession levels. We’ll explore with our guests, including two teachers who have felt it in their own pockets. Guests: • Jasmine Lauer, Teacher, Sanderson High School, Wake County • Rahnesia Best, Olive Chapel Elementary, Wake County • Kassandra Watson, Wake County PTA • Ashley Perkinson, NC PTA

With increasing retirements and higher turnover in our teacher workforce — along with steep declines in our teacher preparation programs — how will we ensure we have the teachers our children need? Guests: • Dr. Mary Ann Danowitz, Dean, School of Education, NC State • Dr. Van Dempsey, Dean, Watson School of Education, UNC-Wilmington • Trey Ferguson, Teacher, Leesville Road High School, Wake County • Shemika Banuelos, Teacher, Wilson’s Mills Elementary School, Johnston County