Enrollment Plunges At UNC Teacher Preparation Programs
Enrollment at the 15 University of North Carolina schools of education has plummeted 30 percent since 2010.
UNC System Vice President for Academic and University Programs Alisa Chapman told the State Board of Education on Wednesday that the decreasing enrollments are making things difficult for local districts that are trying to find teachers.
Hiring math, science and special education teachers has been a challenge for years in some districts, but superintendents say this was the first year that some of them had trouble hiring elementary school teachers.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction June Atkinson says pay, lack of respect, and lack of time for professional development are some of the top reasons for declining enrollment in UNC teacher preparation programs.
Discussion On NC Employee Health Plan Option Delayed
The governing board of North Carolina's health insurance plan for state employees, teachers and retirees is delaying consideration of major cost-saving initiatives that include phasing out its most popular plan.
A spokesman for the State Health Plan Board of Trustees said Wednesday the panel will vote Friday on benefit changes for 2017 but won't go further.
The board's staff had recommended starting in 2018 doing away with the "80/20 plan" — in which members pay 20 percent of health care costs up to a certain deductible. The board will delay that discussion until a later date.
Board spokesman Brad Young also said the board won't discuss Friday whether to recommend to the General Assembly to exclude employee spouses from coverage.
Changes are happening in response to a legislative mandate.
NC Insurance Commissioner Criticizes Health Care Law
North Carolina's insurance commissioner says the federal health care law is causing havoc in the insurance market in the state.
The News & Observer of Raleigh reports that commissioner Wayne Goodwin says the Affordable Care Act might prompt some insurance companies to leave North Carolina.
Goodwin wrote to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvian Burwell this week.
Goodwin is a Democrat who met with Obama administration officials in November, telling them the law is increasing insurance costs, reducing consumer choices and creating unsustainable financial losses for insurance companies.
Supporters of the law say Goodwin is overstating the problems. They say the law has reduced the number of uninsured people in North Carolina.
Goodwin wrote he's worried insurance companies will pull out of the North Carolina individual insurance market.
Charter School Report Rejected As Too Negative Gets Revamp
North Carolina's statewide school board will review changes to an annual status report on public charter schools. This comes one month after Lt. Gov. Dan Forest complained the update wasn't sufficiently upbeat.
The State Board of Education is expected to approve the revised report to the Legislature today. Forest says the addition of charter-school success stories and other updates satisfies his earlier complaints.
The report continues to say that while black and white children attend charter schools and traditional public schools in similar proportions overall, individual charter schools are more racially segmented.
Charter schools operate under fewer rules than other public schools, and some parents believe they offer a better academic and social experience.
Groups Sue Over “Ag Gag” Bill
A new North Carolina law allows companies to sue whistleblowers who use video and other resources to conduct undercover investigations and release that information to the public.
It's known as the Property Protection Act, or “Ag Gag” legislation. A group of consumer protection organizations and animal rights groups has filed a federal lawsuit challenging its constitutionality.
Elon Law Professor Enrique Armijo says there is a risk in closing the doors on public service industries such as agriculture and nursing homes.
Supporters of the law say that it helps protect businesses from activists posing as employees and strengthens private property rights.
Similar laws in Idaho and Utah have also provoked legal challenges.
Lineup Released For Phuzz Phest
An annual music festival in Winston-Salem is revealing its lineup. Phuzz Fest draws thousands to the city, and this April local acts will play alongside some titans of the independent music scene.
More than 40 acts pull from a variety of genres and locales. Headliners will include Austin, Texas-based Neon Indian. Winston-Salem's Cashavelly Morrison, who specializes in Americana.
Festival director Philip Pledger says striking the balance between homegrown music & touring acts is a priority.
Pledger says this year's festival is more streamlined - two days instead of three. The Phuzz Phest music festival takes place across venues in downtown Winston-Salem April 15 and 16th.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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