Civic Leaders Talk 'School Choice' In NC

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Durham Association of Educators President Kristy Moore believes it's time to have serious discussions regarding the future of education.

Moore, who represents over 1,000 Durham teachers, will participate in such a conversation tonight along with national education experts and state elected officials. The town hall forum, hosted by Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina(PEFNC), will take place at the North Raleigh Hilton, 3415 Wake Forest Rd. The event will start at 6:30 p.m.

Hundreds of residents will attend to better understand the benefits of, and share their thoughts about, reforming K-12 education and creating more educational options for students. Republicans, who control the state legislature, plan to change state education policy by increasing North Carolina's charter school limit and proposing educational tax scholarships for working middle class families. These efforts come as North Carolina's charter school law ranks 32nd in the country, according to a recent study by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, and the state ranks 46th for overall graduation rates, according to Education Week.

Changing the law will be one of the issues discussed during a panel discussion that will also address educational disparities among African-American students and private education. The town hall forum is PEFNC's final event in its Waiting for Superman tour. PEFNC offered free viewings of the groundbreaking documentary, which details the shortfalls of public education, to nearly 2,000 viewers in cities across the state.

Moore will participate in tonight's discussion along with Sen. Malcolm Graham (D-Mecklenburg); Rep. Paul Stam (R-Wake);Howard L. Fuller, founder of the Black Alliance of Educational Options and Peter C. Groff, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. Attendees will be able to address the panel during the Q&A session.
"Now is the time to discuss innovative and proven methods that ensure every child has an opportunity to receive a good education in North Carolina," said Darrell Allison, PEFNC president.

Other public officials who have confirmed their attendance include Rep. Marilyn Avila (R-Wake), Sen. Dan Blue (D-Wake), Rep.-elect Marcus Brandon (D-Guilford) and Rep. Nelson Dollar (R-Wake).