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.
Focus issues for 2021-2022 include advocacy for increased funding and access to quality early childhood education through sharing our research and report on NC Pre-K with legislators, organizations, local leaders and the public; advocacy for increased mental health support for children to combat toxic stress and increase resiliency; and advocating for equal opportunities for a quality education for all children.
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Contact Barbara Carbonaro or Anne Eitelman.

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Presentations

 LWVLCF webinar with Ben David, NHC District Attorney presenting “Fighting Crime by Keeping Kids in School” on 10/19/20

​​ 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

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Current Program Goals

1. Continue to share NC PreK report and position statements with local and state education organizations, leaders, community advocacy groups and the public, and use it to advocate for increased funding and access to the program
2. Through collaboration with the NHC Resilience Task Force, use our advocacy skills to address mental health and resilience needs in the schools
3. At the end of 2020-21 school year, analyze District data on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on students and educators, and advocate for strategies that address the impact of COVID-19 on educational outcomes, especially along racial and socioeconomic lines
4. Monitor and respond to local and state educational issues as they arise

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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/
Coastal Pines Girl Scouts NC - https://www.nccoastalpines.org/

Studies

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

The LWVLCF Education Action Team has completed their study of state-funded Early Childhood Education in North Carolina (called NC Pre-K).   The attached report documents their 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 also 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

Bonnie Bechard, a member of the LWV-Lower Cape Fear Education Action team, has 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. 

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