Chapel Hill Education Leaders Chronicle Participation in Hunt State Policy Fellows Program
July 29, 2021
Cary, NC – The Hunt Institute recently gathered leaders from across the state to form the inaugural cohort of The Hunt Institute’s Hunt State Policy Fellows (HSPF) program, including Rani Dasi of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School Board and Tai Huynh of Chapel Hill Town Council, who have recounted their experience during the first meeting of the program as part a blog series. In addition to Ms. Dasi and Mr. Huynh, the Fellows include county commissioners, school board members, mayors, city councilors, advocates, and other community leaders from across North Carolina.
The Hunt Institute created the HSPF program to provide the resources, space, and expertise needed by state leaders to develop thoughtful positions on a variety of education policy issues. The first meeting took place in Charlotte on July 18th and 19th and focused on early childhood education. Between now and November, The Institute will host two additional sessions discussing North Carolina’s education governance and key policy issues related to K-12 and higher education.
“It was exhilarating to learn from experts in the field and to be given a toolbox of information to take back to the community,” said Ms. Dasi. “With research in hand, I hope to be able to move the needle in terms of creating substantive positive change in our school systems.”
During the two-day program, participants learned about the science behind early learning, the economic case for early childhood investment, the early childhood landscape in North Carolina, and key statistics on the early childhood workforce.
“The research clearly shows that the first three to five years of a child’s life are of life-changing consequence,” said Mr. Huynh. “Investments now in early childhood education will have economic benefits both now and in the future, and we must have that mindset as we move forward.”
In the coming months The Hunt Institute anticipates adding additional perspectives on the HSPF program from Fellows across the state.
About The Hunt Institute
The Hunt Institute, an affiliate of the Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy, is a recognized leader in the movement to transform public education. Marshaling expertise from a nationwide partner network since its establishment in 2001, The Institute brings together people and resources that help build and nurture visionary leadership and mobilize strategic action for greater educational outcomes and student success. For more information, please visit: http://www.hunt-institute.org/
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