On today’s show, Kelly Kenoyer helps me unpack some of our recent reporting about Novant NHRMC. Over the last several months, we’ve spoken with over a dozen current and former employees — and reviewed the years of safety data. Both showed concerning trends, but the newest leadership team says things are improving.
And, Rachel Keith helps explain FERPA, the federal law protecting student privacy, and how it might be overused to protect public information. The law played a key role in our reporting on the recent attempt to ban the young adult novel Blended in New Hanover County schools — but it’s part of a larger debate over privacy versus transparency.
- NHCS superintendent addresses his decision to overrule committee on “Blended” challenge
- Sunday Edition: Seed Money; On Book Bans and Parents’ Rights
- Wrightsboro parent pushing for book ban, appeals after school committee rejects their challenge
- Love Our Children continues to push for change in NHCS suspension policy, data sharing (FERPA protecting suspension numbers under 10, same goes for test scores for a subgroup)
- Deep Dive: What caused the disruption at CFCC’s marine tech program? (Redacted alumni email, CFCC incorrectly claimed FERPA)
- PIOs: The good, the bad, the ugly (Former Duke professor on FERPA)
- FERPA overused, law’s author says (Crimson White’s reporting)
- Battle of the Books backlash: NHCS students and parents defend program, petition started (Port City Daily)
- New Hanover County school board hears presentation on Battle of the Books
- Books on race, sexuality among most targeted across N.C. schools (Sunshine Week Partners, 2023)
