Terry Stoops

According to the latest ranking by McKinsey & Company and U.S. News & World Report, North Carolina is the 21st best state for education.  North Carolina is 12th best for its institutions of higher education and has the 34th best system of pre-K – 12 schools.  Virginia (#10) is…

In “School Vouchers: A Survey of the Economics Literature” (Journal of Economic Literature 2017, 55(2), 441–492), researchers Dennis Epple, Richard Romano, and Miguel Urquiola examine the body of research on school vouchers.  They conclude that “the evidence does not make a case for wholesale adoption of vouchers, but does…

In their NBER Working Paper, “Does Choice Increase Information? Evidence from Online School Search Behavior,” Michael F. Lovenheim and Patrick Walsh find that that parents collect more information about schools when offered educational options.  The authors write, Taken together, our results point to parents responding to increasing school choice…

Gallup released the annual Gallup Student Poll this week.  The poll includes 24 items related to engagement, hope, entrepreneurial aspiration, and financial/career literacy. According to Gallup, students “in upper grades are less likely to be engaged and hopeful than students in lower grades.” Moreover, students “in upper grades are…

Most North Carolinians appear to know how to spell the name of the state. Wisconsin, on the other hand…    …

For the last few months, I have updated Locker Room readers on the financial mess in Bertie County.  Simply put, the district spent a lot more money than they had and, by doing so, violated state law and crippled the district for years to come. This month, district leaders…

Tired of chasing little ruffians around the classroom?  Thinking that the grass is greener on the other side?  Zippia.com lists the 10 most exciting jobs of former teachers to inspire those who have given up on trying to inspire others. Ship Worker President (of something) Bartender Floater (insuring items…

My son’s public school has asked parents to donate items for “care packages” that are designed to “promote a positive and encouraging End of Grade Testing environment.”  They have asked for the following items: two No. 2 pencils, one highlighter, a few peppermint candies, a small bag of chips, a…