Events

Attend an Upcoming Event

Find out about webinars, films, forums, community meetings, and other events occurring across North Carolina. Meet other engaged citizens, build your knowledge and connections.

Previous events

NCGA Legislative “Short Session” Update

NC Senator Jay Chaudhuri and NC Representative Rodney Pierce discuss public education legislation that has passed so far this FY along with a review of bills that are still pending including the stalled 2025-26 budget. What can we expect in the short session that reconvenes on April 21st?

Achieving Educational Excellence: A Conversation with Superintendent Mo Green

The NC PTA and Public Schools First NC talk with Mo Green, NC Superintendent of Public Instruction, about the new strategic plan: Achieving Educational Excellence developed by the NC Dept. of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education. This five-year plan aims to position NC’s public schools as the best in the US by 2030.

Leandro & the Courts: An Update with NC Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls

A discussion with Senior Associate Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court about the history and current status of the 1994 lawsuit (Leandro v. State of North Carolina). This landmark 1994 lawsuit was filed by parents and school districts in low-wealth counties of NC, alleging that their students were denied their constitutional right to a sound basic education. In 1997, the NC Supreme Court affirmed that this right to a sound basic education is guaranteed by the state constitution, but also found the state had failed to meet this obligation, particularly for at-risk students. Associate Justice Earls will explain what has happened since 1997 and the current status of the case. Time will be allowed for Q&A. Please note: Justice Earls can discuss the status of the case and identify the rulings that have already been issued. She will not comment on the pending case.

NC Charters: Undermining Quality Education for All

Take your lunch break with us! Join us for a conversation with Barbara Fedders, UNC Law Professor, about our new report: NC Charter Schools: Undermining Quality Education for All. We will take a close look at charter schools in North Carolina, showing how they fail to meet legislated goals and have evolved to become a separate system of public education at odds with state constitutional mandates. There will be time allowed for discussion with Professor Fedders. 

Public Education Mandates in NC State Constitution: History and Relevance Today

Film screening of “Let History Speak: How 1868, 1901, and 1956 Help Us Find Our Voice Today,” with the author Education Law expert Attorney Ann McColl. The presentation documents the establishment of public education in NC during the challenging times after the civil war. The 1868 North Carolina Constitutional Convention, held in Raleigh from January 13 to March 17, resulted in a new state constitution ratified in April 1868 which included the state’s establishment of a public school system.

A Conversation with Dr. Elena Ashburn, Senior Education Advisor to Governor Stein

NC PTA and Public Schools First NC interview Dr. Elena Ashburn for this next installment in our series of interviews with new public education leaders. Dr. Elena Ashburn is the Senior Education Advisor to Governor Stein.

Conversation with Research and Author, Derek Black

We interview acclaimed author and constitutional law scholar Derek Black, celebrating the release of his latest book, Dangerous Learning: The South’s Long War on Black Literacy.

A Conversation with Superintendent Mo Green

NC PTA and Public Schools First NC host the first in our series of interviews with new public education leaders. Mo Green was elected in November, 2024 to serve as the next NC Superintendent of Public Instruction. We talk to Superintendent Green about his vision for the Dept. of Public Instruction.

The Cost of Conflict: How Culture Wars Cost Taxpayers

Dr. Rachel White (University of Texas at Austin) and Dr. Rebecca Jacobsen (Michigan State University) share their recent work — Dr. White’s study “The Cost of Conflict,” and Dr. Jacobsen’s upcoming book “The Politics of Disruption.”

How to Fight Vouchers in 2025: A Toolkit for Advocates

This webinar is the third in a series hosted by Public Funds Public Schools. It features an overview os PFPS advocacy tools, insights from Education Law Center Senior Fellow Josh Cowen, and a presentation by Nicole Fuller of the National Coalition for Public Education on federal voucher legislation and resources to fight voucher bills.

If you missed the first webinar in the series, What Do We Do Now? No Vouchers! Public Funds Are For Public Schools!, you can access the recording. If you missed the second webinar, What Do We Do Now? Money Matters More Than Ever So States Can Make the Grade!, you can access the recording.

Webinars

Our webinars are free and open to the public but you have to register to attend.

Films

Want to get people involved in learning more about public education in a way that’s fun and engaging? Host your own movie night – in person or virtual! We can show one of the films below to your school, civic organization, your PTA, church or synagogue, or other community venue. After the film, we’ll moderate an audience discussion and allow time for Q & A.

Resilience the film

Join us for this award-winning, 60-minute film, Resilience: The Biology of Stress & The Science of Hope! This powerful movie is a conversation-starter and a perspective-changer. We have several screenings scheduled throughout the year.

Conference

We hold semi-annual conferences for public education advocates to learn more about the issues affecting public schools and how to be a better advocate.

Forums

Public Schools First NC holds candidate forums during important election cycles. In addition, along with our partners, we present, attend, or help our partners share their forums throughout the year.