Education Action Team 

About Us

The purpose of the Education Action Team is to monitor education policy and issues at various levels of government and then take relevant action.  We seek opportunities to educate ourselves and others on issues of importance to our team, and then we conduct research or plan advocacy activities aligned with our State and National League positions.
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Focus issues for 2022-2023 include collaboration with the NHC Resilience Task Force and other community organizations to address mental health and resilience needs in the schools; support of teachers and school staff by adopting a school without a PTA (Johnson PreK) for teacher appreciation activities; advocacy for increased funding and access to quality early childhood education; and support of state and local advocacy groups working towards the provision of equal opportunities for a quality education for all children.

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Contact Barbara Carbonaro or Anne Eitelman.

Presentations

​​ LWVODC forum on Early Childhood Education:  What we Know and What We Can Do” with Anne Eitelman presenting on our Action Team's NC Pre-K study together with Representative Ashton Clemmons on 3/7/21.
LWVLCF webinar on Critical Race Theory with Dr. Kim Cook, UNCW, presenting on 7/27/21

Current Program Goals

  1. In collaboration with the NHC Resilience Task Force, NC Child’s Child Advocacy Network (CAN) and other community organizations, use our advocacy skills to address mental health and resilience needs in the schools
  2. Support teachers and school staff by adopting a school without a PTA (Johnson PreK) for staff appreciation activities.
  3. Monitor access to and adequate funding of quality Early Childhood Education programs in Brunswick and New Hanover Counties.  Explore possible solutions to access issues in Brunswick County.   
  4. Monitor school and community organizations in New Hanover County whose goal is to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion in schools, and support these efforts where possible.
  5. Support efforts by the LWVNC Education AT and other state advocacy groups towards funding and implementation of the Comprehensive Remedial Plan (Leandro).
  6. Monitor and respond to local and state educational issues as they arise

Partners

​NHC Resilience Task Force – https://www.nhcbouncesback.org/
NHC Smart Start – https://www.newhanoverkids.org/
NC Child – https://ncchild.org/
YWCA – https://www.ywca-lowercapefear.org/
NHC-NAACP Parents’ Council - https://nhcnaacp.org/parents-council/
Love our Children - https://www.love-our-children.com/
Dorothy B. Johnson Pre-K Center - - https://johnson.nhcs.net/

Studies

State-Funded Early Childhood Education in North Carolina(NC Pre-K):Position Statements and Study

In October 2019 the LWVLCF Education Action Team completed a study of state-funded Early Childhood Education in North Carolina (NC Pre-K). The attached report documents the research showing that participation in a high-quality preschool program enhances children’s development and reduces achievement gaps in kindergarten, leading to greater success later in school and life.  To ensure that all qualified children in North Carolina receive the opportunity to attend this program and enter kindergarten ready to learn, our LWVLCF has adopted a series of position statements

Read the study and position statements here.

Read the position statements here.

NC Private Schools Receiving Vouchers: A Study of the Curriculum

In 2018 Bonnie Bechard, a member of the LWV-Lower Cape Fear Education Action team, conducted a comprehensive study of the NC "Opportunity Scholarship Program" which was established in 2013 to provide government-funded vouchers for students to attend private schools.  The study found that 76.7% of voucher funding is going to schools with a literal biblical worldview that affects all areas of the curriculum. This amounts to an estimated $997.1 M over 15 years. Expert educators have concluded that this biblical worldview curriculum does not prepare these students for 21st century colleges or careers.   

Read the study here. 

Teacher Appreciation Luncheon

Teacher appreciation luncheon at Johnson PreK May 2022 (Lynn Anderson, Jackie Bonenfant, Barbara Carbonaro)

The Education Action Team meets the third Thursday of the month at 10:00am

We welcome visitors and new members. 
Would you like further information?  Add your name to email list? 
Contact Barbara Carbonaro or Anne Eitelman