Hannah Vinueza McClellan

A look at the Trump administration's changes to education policy for English learners, HSIs, and more Federal changes to HSIs come as the Trump administration is limiting immigrants’ access to federal benefits.

“We must reframe HSI because legislation, policy, and legislators should not dictate the ways we serve students,” said UC Berkeley education professor Dr. Gina Ann Garcia. My latest: www.ednc.org/10-14-2025-h...

General Assembly passes next Hurricane Helene relief bill, with more aid for public schools The General Assembly unanimously passed its fifth round of Hurricane Helene relief aid on Thursday, which allocates $500 million.

The General Assembly unanimously passed its fifth round of Hurricane Helene relief aid on Thursday, following disagreements about a mini budget spending bill and Helene funding priorities. Take a look at what the bill includes. www.ednc.org/06-26-2025-g...

How many teacher vacancies in NC are in Exceptional Children departments? The State of the Teaching Profession report found that there are more vacant positions for special education teachers in NC than last year.

In North Carolina, about one in five teacher vacancies are in Exceptional Children departments, which serve students with learning differences. Read more about the data and trends here. www.ednc.org/06-27-2025-h...

Weekly Roundup: June 13 Here’s the weekly roundup from A Public Witness. In addition to a reflection on Pentecost and protests in L.A.

Our latest news roundup features insights from @bmietana.bsky.social, @jackjenkins.me, @jesus-jimz.bsky.social, @blytheb.bsky.social, @markwingdallas.bsky.social, @hannahvinueza.bsky.social, @kkramermcginnis.bsky.social, and more!

General Assembly moves forward changes in charter school oversight, and other education bills to follow Lawmakers reconvened at the General Assembly to push a flurry of bills through the Senate and House education committees this week. See a look at some of the most notable.

The charter school provisions would shift additional power from the State Board of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction — presently, Democrat Maurice “Mo” Green — to the Charter Schools Review Board. www.ednc.org/06-12-2025-g...

Meet the state lawmakers working on a final budget proposal These North Carolina lawmakers serving on the conference committee will be in charge of making a budget for the next two fiscal years.

While it is generally expected to have a new budget in place by July 1, delays in the negotiation process are expected this year as the chambers discuss disagreements about pay raises, personal income taxes, and more. www.ednc.org/06-12-2025-m...

Meet the state lawmakers working on a final budget proposal These North Carolina lawmakers serving on the conference committee will be in charge of making a budget for the next two fiscal years.

These North Carolina lawmakers serving on the conference committee will be in charge of making a budget for the next two fiscal years.
www.ednc.org/06-12-2025-m...

NOAA's hurricane forecast is 'a call to action.' Here is what families need to do to be prepared Here's a checklist for your family this hurricane season, including knowing the emergency plans for your children’s schools.

The NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) is predicting an above-normal 2025 hurricane season for the Atlantic, forecasting 13 to 19 named storms. www.ednc.org/6-5-2025-noa...

N.C. community college spring enrollment growth outpaces national trends Among public two-year colleges in North Carolina, spring enrollment increased by 8.3%, or by nearly 16,000 students.

Among undergraduate enrollment nationally, community colleges saw the largest growth — a 5.4% increase. In North Carolina, spring enrollment at community colleges increased by 8.3%, or by nearly 16,000 students. www.ednc.org/05-27-2025-r...

In Gaza, Empty Markets and Unaffordable Canned Lentils - Christianity Today A Muslim-background believer describes the worsening hunger crisis, blaming both Israel and Hamas.

Food supplies in Gaza are dwindling. One Christian has only enough flour to feed his family for one more week.

“Our only thought is how to find food for my children,” he said.

House budget calls for master's pay and higher raises for beginning teachers The NC House budget proposal funds pay raises for teachers. Here's a look at the other education items in the bill.

The House passed its version of the budget, which would give an average 8.7% raise for teachers, with higher raises to new teachers, and restore master's pay. Read EdNC's comprehensive look at K-12, community colleges, and early childhood budget items. #nced www.ednc.org/05-21-2025-h...

EdNC's analysis of models to provide early childhood education on the campuses of community colleges Learn about different models of on-campus child care provided at the 58 community colleges across North Carolina.

Efforts to expand child care access for college students are expanding across the country. At the same time, headlines initially indicated that President Trump “wants to gut” certain child care programs. Take a look at promising models in North Carolina. www.ednc.org/edncs-analys...

A Wilkesboro church with empty space, a child care center in need, and a rallied community create a 'miracle' — and a model The new space will allow PlayWorks to expand from serving 55 to 88 children as it adds three new classrooms in the coming months.

“There’s not one of the 100 counties that doesn’t have a church that has an empty educational wing sitting there,” says Todd Maberry, former managing director of the Ormond Center, of a project to save an evicted child care program. www.ednc.org/05-19-2025-w...

Perspective | Strengthening families and shaping futures, one visit at a time The ParentChild+ home-visiting program from Families First in Cabarrus County supports Spanish-speaking preschool students and families.

“I’m helping the kids to have a better future, planting little seeds that will grow into something beautiful,” says Ivanize Villegas about her work with ParentChild+ through Families First. www.ednc.org/perspective-...

Which education bills are still under consideration at the General Assembly? Education bills in the North Carolina legislature deal with teacher pay, school choice, higher education, and child care.

The General Assembly’s crossover deadline was May 8. After that day, most bills that haven’t been passed by at least one chamber are no longer able to become law this session. Here’s a look at the bills that are still on the table. #nced www.ednc.org/which-educat...

Rutherford County Schools launches 'Education Matters' campaign to advocate for funding Rutherford County Schools has launched the “Education Matters” campaign to promote the value of its schools and advocate for resources.

“There is a huge need for people — not just here, but everywhere — to talk about the importance of public education, what it means for their communities, and what would happen if we did not have our schools,” one district leader said. www.ednc.org/rutherford-c...

NC leaders instruct Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools to address $16 million shortfall State leaders sent a letter to the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education, asking members to address a $16 million budget shortfall.

“This communication serves as a warning that you must meet your legal and fiscal oversight obligations to avoid financial sanctions and additional oversight of the district by the State Board of Education and DPI,” the letter says. www.ednc.org/5-7-2025-nc-...

Perspective | AmeriCorps works. Let’s fight to keep it The Trump administration's decision to shut down grants to AmeriCorps will have immediate repercussions for the lives of children and families.

The Trump administration recently cut North Carolina AmeriCorps funding. @bookharvest.bsky.social’s Ginger Young outlines how that will impact communities across the state. www.ednc.org/perspective-...

Teacher of the Year Rachel Candaso will chair the Governor's Teacher Advisory Committee Rachel Candaso, Teacher Advisory Committee chair, and the other members will serve as educational ambassadors in North Carolina.

During Teacher Appreciation Week 2025, Gov. Josh Stein established by executive order the Governor’s Teacher Advisory Committee, to be chaired by Teacher of the Year Rachel Candaso. #nced www.ednc.org/teacher-of-t...

Bilingual afterschool church program highlights need for student supports In March 2024, Boone UMC successfully launched a bilingual afterschool program with 24 students from Hardin Park and Parkway School.

In March 2024, Boone UMC launched a bilingual afterschool program with 24 students from two local schools. "Being able to have these ways to love kids in our communities helps make our community a stronger place," one church leader said. My latest: www.ednc.org/bilingual-af...

‘We do worry, and we live in fear.’ Immigrant moms reassure kids while making plans. One of the mothers told The News & Observer she has been urging her neighbors to learn their rights and create a family preparedness plan in case of an emergency.

‘We do worry, and we live in fear.’ Immigrant moms reassure kids while making plans. A group of moms in a Durham mobile home park say their families worry about running into ‘la migra’ on the street & in their schools. (Via @tammygrubb.bsky.social) #nced #ncpol
www.newsobserver.com/news/local/a...

With federal funding in flux, North Carolina schools brace for possible cuts Celeste Headlee talks federal education funding and state impact with Education NC's Hannah Vinueza McClellan.

The Department of Education provides over $1 billion in funding to schools in North Carolina. I recently spoke to WUNC about what the Trump administration’s plans for the department could mean for North Carolina’s schools. Take a listen: #nced
www.wunc.org/show/due-sou...

Afterschool programs, supplies, and more: Faith groups partner with public schools to serve students This toolkit includes best practices for faith-based collaborations for public schools and their students.

From school supply drives to affordable building space, places of worship can offer extra support and resources to local families and school districts. I've put together a toolkit for how to build more of these faith-based partnerships:

www.ednc.org/afterschool-...

Christian Colleges Continue to See Enrollment Growth - Christianity Today Thirty evangelical colleges and universities saw significant enrollment growth in 2024.

Overall college enrollment has declined by about 2.5 million students since 2010.

But according to enrollment data, religious schools have fared the best.

A source in the #NCGA tells me just now that Republicans are still caucusing — the House was supposed to reconvene for veto override vote at 3 p.m. after their 1:30 p.m. caucus meeting. #ncpol #WNC #helene #SB382

A dive into community college enrollment Following World War II, North Carolina recognized a need for education beyond high school, but shy of a four-year degree. That led to the creation of community colleges. Now, 70 years later, there are...

What's the state of community college enrollment in North Carolina? This morning I joined WFAE’s Charlotte Talks to discuss latest trends and what they mean for the state. Listen here: www.wfae.org/show/charlot...

State Board discusses learning recovery during Superintendent Truitt's last meeting North Carolina students continue, on average, to increase end-of-grade test scores since pandemic lows in 2021, new data shows.

During the 2023-24 school year, most test subjects and levels increased in the right direction, new state data show, though most are still lower than before the pandemic. Take a look at the trends here. #nced

www.ednc.org/12-09-2024-s...

A Hospital Helped a Beloved Doctor’s Practice Flourish Even as It Suspected He Was Hurting Patients Hailed as a savior upon his arrival in Helena, Dr. Thomas C. Weiner became a favorite of patients and his hospital’s highest earner. As the myth surrounding the high-profile oncologist grew, so did th...

Finally, I had to ask, “Are you killing your patients?”

“Well, uh, no. I’m not,” he responded.

“Why did you hesitate?” I asked.

“Well,” he said. “It depends on what you mean by killing them.”

@davidmcswane.bsky.social

Haywood commissioner Ramey rebuked Editor’s note: this story contains strong language.  Since his election in 2022, Haywood County Commissioner Terry Ramey has been known for lying — about his delinquent taxes, about his votes, ab...

Truly one of the most incredible local government meetings I have ever seen. This story has it all — #sovcit arguments, #helene relief bill veto override, a surprise walk-on and multiple anatomical vulgarities.

smokymountainnews.com/news/item/38... #ncpol #ncga

Congregations, agencies race to resettle refugees ahead of Trump inauguration DURHAM (RNS) — Donald Trump returns to the White House on Jan. 20, after which the US policy of admitting refugees is expected to be cut back, if not entirely eliminated.

Some Jewish and Christian organizations are racing to resettle as many refugees as possible before Inauguration Day, Jan. 20, after which the U.S. policy of admitting refugees is expected to be cut back, if not entirely eliminated. religionnews.com/2024/12/02/c...