Advocacy Bites

Susan fills us in on a glimmer of hope for one type of school funding, where the legislature may actually be considering making things better.     Article that inspired this episode: https://www.wunc.org/education/2024-01-08/state-education-officials-recommend-changes-to-special-education-funding-services?fbclid=IwAR2cLQMP4vYjHAy9a-vkxz4S6Bv6zWl8QCsKnWRDjSeUAv7a1CQSCx5o7ls   Postcard event: https:...

Renee and Susan talk about what's coming in 2024 and what they think voters should look out for. 

Renee and Susan break down the year in education.

Susan and Renee welcome special guest Sarah Montgomery for a discussion of the importance of working in coalition.     Resources:  www.everychildnc.org  

Susan and Renee discuss the importance of local press and provide some tips and how-tos for handling the press and writing Letters to the Editor.

Susan and Renee do a deep dive on the ties between the state lottery and education funding.  Show links: https://www.npr.org/2023/01/ 12/1148167357/lottery-money- state-by-state-mega-millions- powerball   https://themissouritimes.com/ press-release-floor-leader- john-j-diehl-jr-proposes- putting-state-lottery-back- ballot-calls-games-dishonest- way-fund-public-education/   https://publicschoolsfir...

Susan and Renee dive into the deep need for school construction bond in NC, and what's happened to previous efforts to pass one. 5 Year School Facilities Needs Report: https://wwwcache.wral.com/ asset/news/education/2021/08/ 31/19852081/2109_BSOP_8_FNS_ 2020_Report_FINAL_-_2021-08- 25_ 2755693hvsgnrblescr15gd3kacqoz -DMID1-5s26byplt.pdf   Every Child webinar: Cracks in the Foundation: Facing NC's...

Susan and Renee break down S49, what it does and doesn't include, and what to look for as schools try to make sense of it all. Links: https://www.ncleg.gov/ Sessions/2023/Bills/Senate/ PDF/S49v4.pdf   https://ncnewsline.com/briefs/ school-leaders-want-delay- implementing-parents-bill-of- rights-requirements/ https://www.wunc.org/ education/2023-10-04/nc-board- of-education-schools-parents- bill-of...

Susan and Renee share five action items to help determine which candidates are untrustworthy.  https://www.politico.com/news/2023/08/09/party-flippers-democrats-becoming-republicans-00110334

Info about accessible voting:   Accessible Voting - DRNC (disabilityrightsnc.org)   Info about anti-voter bills:   5 Things to Know About This Week in North Carolina Politics (Aug. 28, 2023) - YouTube   Voter ID Info:   Voter ID — You Can Vote

Susan and Renee celebrate their 50th episode with a discussion of how civility is weaponized to stop discourse and to protect bad actors.

Renee and Susan highlight some education news coming from outside of NC, but that reflect trends we're either seeing here to expect to see soon. Links: Lawsuit aims to halt opening of St. Isidore, a Catholic charter school - The Washington Post PragerU's whitewashing of Frederick Douglass is exactly how you indoctrinate children with falsehoods about Black history - TheGrio

Everyone needs a break once in a while, so Susan and Renee talk about the books, tv shows and podcasts that we use when we want some mental downtime.   Books Jesus and John Wayne:   Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation (Paperback) | Quail Ridge Books One Nation Under God:   One Nation Under God: How Corporate America Invented Christian America (Pape...

Susan and Renee discuss why just showing up can make a big difference.  

In Part 4 of our series on privatization, Susan and Renee take on the idea of "competition" and why it can't work when applied to education.     Plus, show notes, for once!   Contact information for House Members, downloadable in Excel:   House Member Information - North Carolina General Assembly (ncleg.gov) Contact Information for Senate Members, downloadable to Excel:  Senate Master Directory -...

Our series on vouchers continues with an exploration of the very different meaning of "accountability" applied to private schools as opposed to public schools.

In part 2 of our series on vouchers, Renee and Susan discuss why "school choice" really isn't for most families.  

Renee and Susan kick off a series of episodes diving into private school vouchers. 

Susan and Renee welcome guest Kris Nordstrom to talk about the (very bad) school funding overhaul bill filed by the GOP.  Read Kris' report on the bill here: https://www.ncjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Senate-Bill-670-Policy-Brief-4-13-23.pdf?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=f029d843-21dd-4fab-bb4a-3b514812d240  

Susan and Renee discuss the House Budget which has more re-runs than late-night cable.

Renee and Susan provide an overview of the themes emerging at the General Assembly this year.

Renee and Susan talk about the toll that fighting against an endless stream of bad bills can take, and provide tip on how to stay ready to fight. 

Renee and Susan talk about the recent demands that advocates not use the word Leandro at the legislature, and what that says about the people who set limits on why and when they'll listen to their constituents. Head here to send a note to your own legislators urging them to fund Leandro now: https://p2a.co/JRQd3gl

Susan and Renee discuss an exciting opportunity Susan had to discuss what we really need to make public schools succeed, and we muse about the goal of public education.  

The NCGA is back in session!  Want to visit your legislators?  Susan and Renee give you the rundown on where to park, how to get around, and what to expect during your day on Jones Street.   Show Notes:  Parking Map:  https://docs.google.com/ document/d/ 136L6qw6p3B0xLzFPevr9EoU7zC67i sNmkSpM7fRyDAI/edit?usp= sharing   Legislative Building Map:  https://docs.google.com/ document/d/ 1ZU9I2HUbf2Z7M4...