President's Perspective
Mike Long is the President of PEFNC and shares his perspective from his 35-years as an educator with experience as a middle school teacher, an AP US History teacher, a high school principal and a Head of School.
Parents want choice in education, not systems with union priorities
By Mike Long
It’s no secret that COVID-19 has upended nearly every aspect of our lives. But what may surprise many North Carolinians is the pandemic’s impact on education in our state.
Newly released figures from the state show a dramatic acceleration of the decade-long trend of parents moving their children from traditional public schools to home, private, and charter schools.
Mike Long to Secretary Betsy DeVos: North Carolinians want school choice! And you know what—they deserve it!
The following are prepared remarks delivered by PEFNC president Mike Long during a roundtable discussion with U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos on October 5, 2020.
My name is Mike Long, president of Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina. I am dedicated to our mission, which is to promote equal access to educational opportunities across the state—to extend the power of school choice to as many families as possible regardless of income, zip code, or race. Why? Because parents should be able to send their children to the school of their choice—traditional or nontraditional.
Momentum for school choice is growing—let's keep it going
By Mike Long
I have said it before, and I will say it again: School choice is here to stay in North Carolina. A little bit louder for folks in the back? Sure.
School choice is here to stay in North Carolina.
Time for Congress to help low- and moderate-income families at private schools
By Mike Long
For North Carolina’s 1.8 million K-12 students, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an unprecedented interruption of critical classroom instruction time, educational programs, and services. Many students have fallen behind or will not be prepared to advance to the next grade, and many families are struggling to cope with their school district’s reopening plan that does not include fully reopening. Our leaders face the challenging task of keeping students and teachers safe while recovering lost learning time and accommodating working parents.
Supreme Court Affirms School Choice, Tar Heel State Celebrates
By Mike Long
Tuesday, June 30th, was a great day for school choice across America, reverberating right here in North Carolina. In a 5-4 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a Montana tax-credit scholarship program that helps students and their families gain equal access to the private school of their choice.
NC Values Voice: Live with Mike Long
By NC Values Voice
Join us this week for another episode of “The NC Values Voice”, a weekly 30-minute interview by Executive Director, Tami Fitzgerald, with a special guest. The NC Values Voice will be aired on Facebook Live every Wednesday night at 7:30pm. Our goal is to inform and motivate our statewide coalition members with current, relevant information.
Educational Equity and the Fight to End Systemic Racism
By Mike Long
My heart is broken by the senseless loss of life over the past few weeks and months in the tragic deaths of African-American men and women like George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and others.
One loss of life is too many.
I am a 59-year-old white man who has not experienced racism and inequality as some of my friends and peers have. While I cannot fully understand how they feel, I can listen, I can learn, and I can work with my community to make change.
Students attending schools of choice need support during the COVID-19 crisis, too
By Mike Long
As our state continues to move forward with pandemic relief and economic recovery, we must realize that North Carolinians are being impacted every day, including financial hardship for families.
A time to prioritize all makes and models
By Mike Long
On March 27, President Trump signed the CARES Act into law, which includes educational stabilization funds of more than $30 billion. According to initial figures released by the Congressional Research Office, North Carolina is eligible to receive around $857 million of those funds. Good news, to be certain, during these trying times.
Schools up to the challenges of closures
By Mike Long
We are in the middle of an unprecedented virtual learning experience in North Carolina, and quite frankly, beyond our state lines, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Here at home, our public schools are currently closed through May 15 and might be cancelled through the remainder of the school year. That means school, for the majority of our state’s students, might not officially start up again until late August.