What’s next for our public schools? A conversation with June Atkinson, North Carolina’s Superintendent of Public Instruction.
As all who follow the public policy debates in North Carolina are well-aware, the 2013 legislative session was one of the most controversial in decades. Nowhere was this more clearly the case than in the battles over public education. As NC Policy Watch education reporter Lindsay Wagner recently reported:
“The 2013-15 biennial budget introduces a raft of spending cuts to public schools that will result in no raises for teachers, larger class sizes, fewer teacher assistants, little support for instructional supplies or professional development, and what could amount to the dismantling of the North Carolina Teaching Fellows program. Teachers can also say goodbye to tenure and supplemental pay for advanced degrees.
As public education tries to provide high quality educational services for all of its students in the face of these severe cuts, lawmakers have simultaneously introduced a ‘way out’ for those who can take advantage: school vouchers.”
What are we to make of these changes? And what’s next for our schools?
Please join us as we explore the answers to these and other related questions with North Carolina’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. June Atkinson.
Dr. Atkinson is the first woman elected State Superintendent of the Public Schools of North Carolina and has served in this position since August 2005. Throughout her tenure in office, she has been a vocal and passionate defender of public education.
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from her at this important point in state history.
When: Wednesday, August 21 at 12:00 p.m. — Box Lunches will be available at 11:45 a.m.
Where: Center for Community Leadership Training Room at the Junior League of Raleigh Building, 711 Hillsborough St. (At the corner of Hillsborough and St. Mary’s streets)
Cost: $10—includes a box lunch.
Space is limited – pre-registration required.
Questions?? Contact Rob Schofield at 919-861-2065 or rob@ncpolicywatch.com