Mark Johnson Coverage

Tired of broadband choices? Elon Musk's Starlink offers alternative

Starlink, the satellite broadband service from Elon Musk's Space X, has sent invitations to some North Carolina residents to open an account. For those with excruciatingly slow or no broadband service, it can't happen fast enough.

Full interview: NC schools chief discusses pandemic, reflects on tenure, political future

North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Mark Johnson says steps must be taken to avoid a "COVID generation" of students and discusses his four years in office and his political future.

NC schools chief says all students, not just those in K-5, should return to school

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Mark Johnson discusses the decision to allow elementary school students return to class full time amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Editorial: Support public schools. Don't drive kids away

Wednesday, July 29, 2020 -- It has been clear since March that the COVID-19 virus would have an immense impact on every aspect of life in the state. Yet legislative leaders have squandered more time and effort on opportunities for unproductive partisan extracurriculars rather than working to develop coordinated and effective approaches to educating children and working to keep them - and their classroom teachers - safe.

Reaction mostly positve for state law for students to return to class

WRAL's Kirsten Gutierrez has reaction, including from N.C. Superintendent Mark Johnson, about a N.C. law that says online classes can't be held for the first week of school.

'Monumental challenges' face NC schools as they prepare to reopen

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Mark Johnson says North Carolina school districts have to plan for full classrooms, half-full classrooms and remote learning this fall as schools try to reopen amid the coronavirus pandemic.

NC schools leader discusses challenges of getting students, teachers back into classrooms

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Mark Johnson discusses the issues that need to be addressed in the coming weeks and months before teachers and students can return to schools this fall during the pandemic.

Internet is creaking under growing demand – here’s what could break it

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK – The internet is slowing down under increased demand as more and more people are driven away […]

Editorial: Tillis and Burr need NOW to back coronavirus relief for families

Tuesday, March 17, 2020 -- Who does or doesn't get credit isn't as important as leaders coming together to make sure citizens health and welfare is secure as well as assuring those who can protect us - public health officials, medical professionals and law enforcement - have the resources necessary to direct citizens toward the safest behavior. Sens. Thom Tillis and Richard Burr should back the bill and press for action on it as soon as possible.

NC schools superintendent challenges State Board of Education contract

North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Mark Johnson, who lost his bid for lieutenant governor Tuesday night, challenged the State Board of Education on Wednesday about a contract signed with the Southern Regional Education Board to study recommendations on changes to the state's school performance grade system.

Alex Granados, EducationNC

DRAUGHON DRAWS: Was it spam or scam?

Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020 -- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist.

State official used database of parent contact info to send criticized texts, emails

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Mark Johnson ran a text message that he blasted out to more than half a million parents and educators by a campaign adviser first, who edited the language.

Johnson's campaign 'sounding board' edited text blast to parents, teachers

One day after using a state database to send 1.3 million messages, state schools superintendent stops answering questions.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

NC schools superintendent texted a half million parents and teachers to get feedback on Common Core

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Mark Johnson used a state database of parent and teacher cellphones to send out a survey Tuesday on a key issue in his campaign to become lieutenant governor: Common Core standards.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

NC superintendent wants to 'remove Common Core,' plans to survey educators and parents

North Carolina Superintendent Mark Johnson said Thursday he wants to remove Common Core academic standards from public schools and plans to survey educators and parents about the topic.

State board considers policy changes after NC superintendent signs 'emergency contract' worth $928,000

The State Board of Education is considering changes to how it approves contracts after North Carolina Superintendent Mark Johnson signed a $928,000 late-night contract last month without the board's knowledge.

NC education agency investigating claim that former staffer's texts were illegally monitored

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction is investigating a claim that someone illegally monitored a former employee's personal text messages using her old work laptop, which was still connected to her phone after she retired.

Kelly Hinchcliffe, WRAL education reporter

Education staffer: NC superintendent's participation in reading contract process was odd

Day two of a hearing about which company should have been awarded a contract to test North Carolina public schools' youngest students began with testimony from a state education staffer who helped review the vendors competing for the multi-million dollar contract.

Kelly Hinchcliffe, WRAL education reporter

NC superintendent responds after state IT chief threatens to cancel his 'emergency' Istation contract

State Superintendent Mark Johnson sent a six-page letter to the state's IT chief Tuesday defending his decision to sign a late-night "emergency" contract worth $928,570 to keep a controversial reading program in schools.

Kelly Hinchcliffe, WRAL education reporter

Long-running dispute over NC schools' K-3 reading contract goes before state IT agency

A long-running dispute over which company should have been awarded a contract to test North Carolina public schools' youngest readers went before the state Department of Information Technology for a hearing Monday. The hearing is expected to last through Thursday.

Kelly Hinchcliffe, WRAL education reporter

State IT chief threatens to cancel NC superintendent's 'emergency' Istation contract

On Friday afternoon, North Carolina state information technology leaders sent a memo to State Superintendent Mark Johnson disputing that his payment of almost $1 million to keep a controversial reading program in schools constituted an "emergency," and warning that state IT chief Eric Boyette may cancel it.

Laura Leslie, WRAL Capitol Bureau Chief, and Kelly Hinchcliffe, WRAL education reporter

State board considering policy changes after NC superintendent signs late-night contract worth $928,000

The State Board of Education is considering changes to how it approves contracts after North Carolina Superintendent Mark Johnson signed a $928,000 contract late Tuesday night without the board's knowledge.

Kelly Hinchcliffe, WRAL education reporter

Local school leaders respond after NC superintendent says 70,000 struggling students were improperly promoted

One month after North Carolina Superintendent Mark Johnson claimed that more than 70,000 third graders were "improperly socially promoted" to fourth grade, local school leaders defended how they handle the students who struggle with reading.

Kelly Hinchcliffe, WRAL education reporter

'Emergency purchase' lets schools do mid-year tests amid ongoing battle over state contract

North Carolina Superintendent Mark Johnson announced late Tuesday that he made a $928,570 "emergency purchase" so schools can continue using Istation's K-3 reading test while he deals with an ongoing fight over how the state's students are tested.

NC superintendent makes 'emergency purchase' so schools can continue using reading test as battle continues

North Carolina Superintendent Mark Johnson announced late Tuesday that he made a $928,570 "emergency purchase" so schools can continue using Istation's K-3 reading test while he deals with an ongoing fight over how the state's students are tested.

Kelly Hinchcliffe, WRAL education reporter, & Laura Leslie, WRAL Capitol Bureau chief