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Volume 15, No. 10 May 15, 2013

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Advocacy group sounds the alarm for public education
Published Wednesday, May 15, 2013 by Taylor Shaw

RALEIGH Public Schools First N.C. believes that families deserve a public education system that is inclusive, innovative, responsive and flexible. On May 13, PSFNC hosted a community event, along with a host of cosponsors, including the Coalition of Concerned Citizens for African American Children and Great Schools in Wake, about the state of public education. The forum was held at Pullen Memorial Baptist Church. PSFNC is comprised of citizens, parents, teachers, businesses and organizations formed out of a deep concern over a perceived threat to privatize and weaken public education. They believe public education systems build strong communities. Adequate and equitable funding for all schools, effective teacher and principal recruitment, retention and support, and rich educational experiences will allow North Carolina to keep its rightful place as a state that leads the nation in excellent schools, PSFNC Board of Director Nick Rhodes said. The organization opposes legislation by the Republican-led General Assembly on eliminating class size limits in kindergarten to third grade, and to reduce eligibility for pre-K courses aimed at helping children at risk of lagging their peers. PSFNC also strongly opposes a proposed school voucher bill. Introduced in April, the legislation has not been officially posted on the House calendar but may be considered by the Education Committee this week. Opportunity Scholarship aims to spend $90 million over the next two years to subsidize private school tuition, which, in turn, takes money away from public schools. What many people dont realize is that vouchers are an effort to educate our kids on the cheap, Rhodes said. H.B. 944 is a blatant attempt to tear apart our communities by privatizing education. Vouchers offer the illusion of greater parental choice, but private schools are under no obligation to accept all students and can even have a religious affiliation, Chair

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The Triangle Tribune | Sports | Black Community Newspaper - Advocacy group sounds the alarm for public education

5/15/13 9:11 PM

accept all students and can even have a religious affiliation, Chair Yevonne Brannon said. North Carolina is ranked 45th in the nation in per-student expenditures, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Most recent data shows that during the 2010 fiscal year, the states public schools spent an average of $8,409 per student, compared to the national per-student spending of $10,615. Now the proponents of this bill are saying our kids can be educated for half that amount, Rhodes said. Why dont our kids deserve a high quality education? The state has almost 20,000 National Board Certified teachers, the largest number in the nation. According to the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, N.C. educators have helped students achieve the highest four-year graduation rate (80.4 percent) in 2012 and the lowest dropout rate in the states history during the 2009-10 school year. PSFNC applauds public school teachers and are concerned the budget cuts and other proposed legislation would impact educators ability to help students succeed. What is remarkable about our public school accomplishments is that they were achieved under the most adverse circumstances, Brannon said.

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