North Carolina Public Education Task Force

Advocating for educational excellence for all children in North Carolina, with a special focus on children of color, children with special needs, and other historically underserved children.

We are a group of education experts, advocates, and allies working toward a North Carolina in which all children are afforded the supports and tools they need to access an exceptional education.

Our Three Principle Areas of Focus:

We carefully select the key challenges that impact the learning outcomes of students in North Carolina. Then, we conduct thorough research to identify the barriers that hinder our students from achieving their educational goals. Our focus is on finding evidence-based solutions that can enhance student achievement and support their academic progress. To achieve this, we explore alternative theories of teaching, both nationally and globally, that have undergone rigorous analysis and have demonstrated success. Through our research, we aim to identify effective strategies and best practices that can be replicated and help our students succeed, reaching their full potential.

  • Research.

    Our approach to research is guided by the identification of obstacles that impede the provision of a supportive and fruitful educational experience for our students. We investigate empirically grounded educational interventions and approaches that effectively address those impediments, leading to marked enhancements in both academic achievement and social and behavioral outcomes.

  • Advocacy.

    As education research professionals, we engage in a comprehensive stakeholder analysis to identify individuals and groups who are most invested in and impacted by the delivery of pre-K through 12 education. These stakeholders include the students themselves, their families and loved ones, state legislators, policymakers, education administrators, and education advocates.

    We recognize the critical role of effective communication in promoting awareness and catalyzing action to improve NC’s public education system. As such, we employ a diverse range of communication strategies through news articles, op-ed pieces, academic journals, live presentations, and virtual events. Our goal is to disseminate information in a clear and accessible manner to inform public decision-making and facilitate positive change in North Carolina's public education.

  • Access.

    Our overarching objective is to promote equity in North Carolina's public education system by ensuring that it meets the diverse learning needs of all students. To achieve this goal, we recognize the importance of building a robust coalition of stakeholders that includes students, families and community members, policymakers, educators, research scholars, and other influential figures.

    We understand that effective collaboration and knowledge-sharing among stakeholders are critical to advancing the movement for educational equity. To this end, we prioritize the dissemination of relevant research, updates, and information on reform initiatives to a broad audience. By making such resources accessible and engaging, we aim to foster a vibrant community of advocates and practitioners committed to transforming North Carolina's education landscape for the better.