Education

From The Charlotte Observer: Aktion Club of Lake Norman donates school supplies

By Eleanore Wood / September 17, 2017 / Comments Off on From The Charlotte Observer: Aktion Club of Lake Norman donates school supplies

Schools this year faced a serious lack of funding for classroom supplies.  When adjusted for inflation and enrollment classroom budgets have been cut by 50% over the last ten years.  Teachers on average are spending $500 of their own money on essential supplies.  Communities are now stepping up to fill in those funding gaps with…

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MARK JEWELL: Standing strong for public schools is best school choice

By Eleanore Wood / September 12, 2017 / Comments Off on MARK JEWELL: Standing strong for public schools is best school choice

With the new GOP budget, North Carolina drops to 43rd in the nation for per student spending.  Legislators in Raleigh continue to give huge tax cuts to corporations, while our classrooms don’t even have pencils and paper.  This is outrageous, as tax payers we expect our public schools to be funded fully, so that we…

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From The Outer Banks Voice: Chamber rounds up supplies for Hatteras, Ocracoke schools

By Eleanore Wood / September 11, 2017 / Comments Off on From The Outer Banks Voice: Chamber rounds up supplies for Hatteras, Ocracoke schools

Due to the fact that school supply funding, when adjusted for inflation and enrollment, has been cut in half over the last 10 years, teachers and parents are struggling to meet the needs of classrooms across the state.  The Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce heard the outcry of area teachers and held a drive to…

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NC Policy Watch: As new school year commences, shortage of basic supplies demonstrates legislature’s failure to invest

By Eleanore Wood / August 30, 2017 / Comments Off on NC Policy Watch: As new school year commences, shortage of basic supplies demonstrates legislature’s failure to invest

Thanks to politicians in Raleigh who continue to give tax breaks to corporations, funding for classroom supplies has dropped over 50%. This year parents and teachers are spending hundreds to provide essentials. Classrooms are lacking even basic items like chairs, paper towels, and bathroom soap. This is a disgrace!  Children in North Carolina deserve a…

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The Charlotte Observer: Classes are getting smaller for NC’s youngest students. But there are trade-offs.

By Eleanore Wood / August 28, 2017 / Comments Off on The Charlotte Observer: Classes are getting smaller for NC’s youngest students. But there are trade-offs.

Smaller class sizes sound great on the surface, however without the proper funding and space to provide for an increased need for classrooms and teachers this spells cuts to important enrichment programs. From The Charlotte Observer Some North Carolina elementary school families may be in for a surprise when they start a new school year…

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WS Journal: Forsyth County teachers get free supplies to help their classrooms

By Eleanore Wood / August 25, 2017 / Comments Off on WS Journal: Forsyth County teachers get free supplies to help their classrooms

Per student funding for public schools in North Carolina continues to drop even though our economy is recovering. Every year teachers are pressured to purchase more and more of the supplies that used to be provided, things like paper towel and copy paper. This is especially problematic for schools in low income neighborhoods. Teachers are…

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From The News And Observer: Tell the truth on NC school funding

By Eleanore Wood / August 20, 2017 / Comments Off on From The News And Observer: Tell the truth on NC school funding

Teachers and parents this year are spending hundreds of their own money to provide students with the essential supplies they need to learn effectively.  School supply lists continue to grow and this year have basic sanitation supplies added to those lists, items like paper towel, tissues, and even bathroom soap.  Lawmakers in Raleigh are continuing…

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Star News Online: What issues will schools face in 2017-18?

By Eleanore Wood / August 14, 2017 / Comments Off on Star News Online: What issues will schools face in 2017-18?

A new school year, the same problems. The North Carolina General Assembly wants smaller K-3 class sizes, however, they refuse to fund smaller class sizes. This means students in grades 4 and above will experience bigger class sizes in the coming years to accommodate this new law that will be put into effect 2018-2019. Teachers will…

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Raleigh News & Observer: More trailers? Shared classrooms? Schools consider ways to deal with new class-size rules

By Eleanore Wood / August 10, 2017 / Comments Off on Raleigh News & Observer: More trailers? Shared classrooms? Schools consider ways to deal with new class-size rules

After the General Assembly announced they want to cut down on classroom sizes, but aren’t willing to fund hiring more teachers, counties across the state are considering what options they have. The politicians in Raleigh passed a bill that will make K-3 class sizes from 19-21 students whereas K-3 classrooms are currently allowed to have…

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Raleigh News & Observer: The NC legislature’s actions are discouraging teachers

By Eleanore Wood / June 29, 2017 / Comments Off on Raleigh News & Observer: The NC legislature’s actions are discouraging teachers

The General Assembly had the opportunity to change how they grade public schools on an A-F scale that typically reflects the level of poverty at the school, rather than their performance. However, the General Assembly did not change this system to reflect the actual level of the educators at the school. In 2014, the General…

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