Legistors Discussion on Policy, Programs and Sustainable Education
November 20, 2003
The Hunt Institute Hosts Legislators to Discuss Policy, Programs and Sustainable Education Improvements
NOVEMBER 20, 2003 – CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – –
Today, more than 50 North Carolina legislators joined former Governors Hunt and Holshouser, other elected officials and education leaders to discuss policy and sustainable improvements for North Carolina’s public schools. Education leaders from the University of North Carolina, the Community College system and the Department of Public Instruction also participated.
The event was part of a two-day retreat organized by the James B. Hunt, Jr. Institute for Educational Leadership and Policy to give legislators an opportunity to examine policies and practices that will keep North Carolina moving forward with education reform.
The NC Legislators Retreat began last night at the UNC Center for School Leadership Development and continued today at the Paul J. Rizzo Conference Center in Chapel Hill.
Three nationally recognized education leaders presented information to legislators on topics ranging from closing the achievement gap between socioeconomic classes to explaining how population trends impact the state’s public schools.
“We are impressed with the caliber of educators and lawmakers who have come together to discuss important education issues for our children,” said Jim Hunt, former NC governor and founder of the Hunt Institute. “Our presenters have given legislators valuable information about ways to continue our state’s education improvements.”
David Grissmer, Senior Management Scientist at The RAND Corporation, kicked off the Retreat last night by presenting research that showed that North Carolina has significantly improved its educational programs.
Grissmer presented the newly released National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores showing the state’s progress across different subjects and grades.
Today, Mark Musick, president of the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB), America’s first interstate compact for education, moderated the Retreat’s events. Kati Haycock, Director of The Education Trust, and Dr. Harold Hodgkinson, Director for the Center of Demographic Information at the Institute for Educational Leadership, also presented. Ms. Haycock discussed ways North Carolina can reduce the achievement gap between the state’s poorest and most affluent students. Dr. Hodgkinson presented information about the changing demographics of the state’s student population and how North Carolina should prepare to address the needs of these students.
During the afternoon session, legislators participated in a panel discussion with John Dornan, Executive Director of the Public School Forum of North Carolina; Jim Johnson, Director of the Urban Investment Strategies Center; and representative school leaders. The group discussed how education reform impacts schools and classrooms and gained new ideas for addressing needed school improvements.
The Hunt Institute organized the NC Legislators Retreat. BellSouth, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of North Carolina and the Burroughs Wellcome Fund contributed to the Retreat.
Working at the intersection of education policy and politics, the James B. Hunt, Jr. Institute for Educational Leadership and Policy, founded in 2001, engages governors and other political, business and education leaders in strategic efforts to advance and sustain state-level education reform. The Hunt Institute is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.