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We Need Your Help to Answer Key Education Questions for North Carolina

At the State Board of Education planning session last week, the Department of Public Instruction presented key decisions forthcoming for the implementation of North Carolina’s state education plan as outlined in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), a piece of federal legislation passed in 2015 which gives states more flexibility to craft education plans that meet their unique talent development needs. The ESSA gives North Carolina a significant opportunity to develop a plan that maintains high levels of accountability for schools and creates a sustainable talent development pipeline prepared for career opportunities in a modern economy.

The Department will request feedback on the following questions at a series of public hearings it will hold throughout the state beginning this week (see dates and locations below):

What are the public’s expectations from NC’s public schools?

What school characteristics are the most important?

How should school success be measured?

How does North Carolina ensure that all schools are successful?

How should North Carolina recognize and celebrate school success?

Of most importance to the business community is measuring school success. A successful accountability model must measure college and career readiness first and foremost, as well as set clear expectations, and focus attention and resources on closing achievement gaps.

We encourage our members to attend a public hearing session in your area. If you are unable to attend in person, public comments are also accepted and reviewed on DPI’s Let’s Talk online forum.

Wednesday, April 13: Ashley High School, 555 Halyburton Memorial Parkway, Wilmington
Thursday, April 21: Green Hope High School, 2500 Carpenter Upchurch Road, Cary
Tuesday, April 26: Mallard Creed High School, 3825 Johnston Center Road, Charlotte
Wednesday, April 27: North Pitt High School, 5659 NC Highway, Bethel
Tuesday, May 17: East Forsyth High School, 2500 W. Mountain Street, Kernersville
Wednesday, May 18: Charles D. Owen High School, 99 Lake Eden Road, Black Mountain

(*All hearings to be held from 4:00 – 6:00 pm)

As the North Carolina Chamber works to support continued improvements to our state’s public education system, please send feedback regarding North Carolina’s state plan to Meaghan Lewis at mlewis@ncchamber.net or 919-836-1416.

Gary J. Salamido
Vice President, Government Affairs
North Carolina Chamber