Much of our MecklenburgACTS activity was chronicled in the Charlotte Observer, through news articles, op-ed pieces and letters to the editor. These articles give a sense of the various issues we dealt with over the years. After 2012, we turned more attention to statewide issues, particularly legislation that magnified the effects of high-stakes testing.
Note: we’ve recently learned that some of the links on this page are no longer live – we’re working to re-establish them. We apologize for any inconvenience. The full archives of the Charlotte Observer are available through the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library to anyone with a library card (a fabulous resource!), so it would be possible to search the articles out in that archive.
COUNTYWIDE GROUP TO FOCUS ON ACADEMICS – SUPPORTERS SAY THEY WANT IMPROVEMENTS IN CLASSROOM EDUCATION, Ann Doss Helms, Charlotte Observer, May 23, 2006
BUILDING FOR OUR CHILDREN – REAL CMS NEEDS, CONSTRUCTION COSTS REQUIRE MORE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT, Charlotte Observer, Patsy Burkins, Carol Sawyer, Pamela Grundy and Louise Woods, July 12, 2006
“FOR THE RECORD – Outrage should lead to action CMS test score gap demands urgent response by concerned community.” Louise Woods, Charlotte Observer, November 12, 2006
“FOR THE RECORD-Equity, not adequacy, needed. Present information transparently, state how to reach CMS goals.” Charlotte Observer, Carol Sawyer, Pamela Grundy, March 2, 2007
Gorman moves to decrease class sizes. CMS chief reworks budget plan. Ann Doss Helms, Charlotte Observer, March 24, 2007
CMS urged to spend more on teachers. Turn focus on students, not administrative concerns, parents say, Ann Doss Helms, Charlotte Observer, March 28, 2007
SPEAK OUT FOR SCHOOL BONDS – BROAD-BASED COMMUNITY EFFORT IS NEEDED TO SUPPORT BONDS FOR CMS Charlotte Observer, Louise Woods and Carol Sawyer, June 29, 2007
A COMMUNITY WHERE WE CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER – WE PULLED TOGETHER AFTER A STORM WILL WE DO THE SAME FOR OUR SCHOOLS? Charlotte Observer, Pamela Grundy, July 10, 2007
Veteran teachers key to Pinewood’s success, Charlotte Observer, Pamela Grundy, February 16, 2008
GORMAN PROPOSES MAGNET CHANGES – LIST OF POSSIBLE MODIFICATIONS, CLOSURES MEANT TO OPEN TALKS, Charlotte Observer, ERIC FRAZIER, May 21, 2008
WILL FEWER MAGNETS HELP OTHER SCHOOLS? – WITH 90% OF THE MOVES DISRUPTING MINORITY STUDENTS, SOME COMMUNITY ACTIVISTS FEAR CMS LEADERS ARE MOVING AWAY FROM A GOAL OF DIVERSIFYING SCHOOLS. Charlotte Observer, November 14, 2008
CMS Equity Report spotlights shortcomings; don’t eliminate it, TCharlotte Observer, Pamela Grundy, June 25, 2010
CMS finds success of pre-K hard to measure – As school board prepares to vote on $10.4M cut Tuesday, Gorman says research is inconclusive. Charlotte Observer, Ann Doss Helms, February 6, 2011
Stand up for teachers now, Charlotte Observer, Pamela Grundy and Carol Sawyer, March 19, 2011
N.C. House passes bill on CMS pay plan, Charlotte Observer, Ann Doss Helms, April 29, 2011
Who’s the power behind CMS? – If you follow the money, you’ll find the Broad Foundation. And skeptics are questioning its clout. Charlotte Observer, Ann Doss Helms, Thomas Goldsmith and T. Keung Hui, May 8, 2011
School board holds firm on performance pay, Charlotte Observer, Eric Frazier, May 25, 2011
CMS future up for grabs in elections – Balance of power on school board could change in fall. Charlotte Observer, Eric Frazier and Ann Doss Helms, June 12, 2011
New CMS chief wants more test ideas from teachers, Charlotte Observer, Eric Frazier, July 7, 2011
Bill Gates funds CMS PR blitz – Billionaire’s foundation gives $200,000 to help district pitch its Strategic Plan 2014. Charlotte Observer, Eric Frazier, July 19, 2011
“For the Record – Parents and advocates helped save CMS from drastic cuts.” Liz Clasen-Kelly, John Maye, and Louise Woods, Charlotte Observer, August 25, 2011
New CMS PR jobs spark questions, Charlotte Observer, Eric Frazier, September 7, 2011
No clear push to revamp – But some school board candidates favor changes in CMS assignment plan. Charlotte Observer, Ann Doss Helms, October 28, 2011
CMS hopes Morrison can bring unity as leader – Board votes to hire Nevada leader with ‘a certain charisma.’ Charlotte Observer, Ann Doss Helms, April 20, 2012
Protesters rally as conservatives confer – Legislators huddle inside as critics cite corporate collusion, Charlotte Observer, May 12, 2012
“For the Record – Stop testing madness, create culture to truly prepare students.” Charlotte Observer, Pamela Grundy and Carol Sawyer, May 17, 2012.
Politics-Driven Read to Achieve a Path to Failure for NC. Raleigh News & Observer, Janna Siegel Robertson and Pamela Grundy, April 30, 2014.