1. an assembly or meeting, held with a specific purpose

2. in this case, to better understand the work being done and the work to be done to orient all of our students, educators, and leaders towards readiness and attainment

3. while building relationships between philanthropic and policy leaders working in support of our education continuum

On April 19-21, 2020, invited philanthropists, policyshapers, and educators will join together in Greensboro at the Proximity Hotel to learn about and discuss work being done and the work to be done to orient North Carolina’s students, educators, and leaders towards readiness and attainment.

Where: The Proximity Hotel, 704 Green Valley Road, Greensboro, NC 27408

When: 2pm on Sunday through lunch on Tuesday

What: An opportunity to develop shared understanding of the demographic forces shaping the future of our state; the key strategic initiatives at play within the education continuum; the challenges and opportunities facing the UNC system, our community colleges, K-12 schools, and our youngest learners, as we hear from experts including Paul Tough, author of The Years That Matter Most: How College Makes Us or Breaks Us, and David Lawrence, author of A Dedicated Life: Journalism, Justice and a Chance for Every Child.

Why: In states where “leaps and bounds” are being made, leaders have found ways to work across difference. “It’s a simple litmus test,” says Jeremy Anderson of Education Commission of the States. “Can the people who can move this policy meet for coffee even if they disagree and talk though some of these differences?”

That’s why we held Bridge in 2019. Among 2019 attendees, 94% said EdNC created an experience where they were likely to build relationships.

The stakes are even higher in 2020. Thanks to myFutureNC, North Carolina is working towards an attainment goal and the Governor’s Commission on Access to Sound Basic Education …..

We need to build a shared understanding of North Carolina’s education continuum — what is happening across the education continuum in readiness and attainment and educator and leader preparation, why we need to address these issues, and the possibilities if we get it right.

Over good food, visiting schools and colleges, having coffee, and much more, this experience will remind you why North Carolina is our education state.

Think of Bridge as another way to engage in EdNC’s architecture of participation.

Let’s build a bridge to a greater North Carolina together.