The powers that rule in the North Carolina General Assembly have been waging a war against public schools in our state for the last four years. Under the guise of “reform,” GOP conservatives driven by ALEC-crafted policies have successfully enabled and instituted privatization efforts in many forms: unregulated charter school development, expansive growth of unproven … Continue reading Rep. Tim Moore and the North Carolina General Assembly’s Quest to Make Veteran Teachers Extinct

I believe Rodney Ellis would be proud of us. While it has been over a year and a half since we lost this leader, father, and tireless public school advocate, there is still his unmistakable presence among us here in North Carolina. Think of all that has occurred in past few years with the continued … Continue reading Remembering Rodney Ellis – He Would Be Fighting For Public Schools in Raleigh on May 16th

There are no “silver bullets” or “magic pills” when it comes to changing a school. There is no one thing that can be done, no standard blueprint, no Harry Potter spell that can be executed that will make a struggling school turn its fortune around overnight. Rather, transforming schools is a process – one that … Continue reading Human Capital: People Make Schools Work – Ask the NCGA to Invest in Them (Reason #34 To March For Students & Rally for Respect On May 16th)

(1) General and uniform system: term. The General Assembly shall provide by taxation and otherwise for a general and uniform system of free public schools, which shall be maintained at least nine months in every year, and wherein equal opportunities shall be provided for all students.  – NC State Constitution. There is one thing that the … Continue reading Combating The NCGA’s Fear Of A Well-Educated General Public – Reason #33 To March For Students & Rally for Respect On May 16th

Memes- a new best friend. And the movie 300 - spray-painted abs and the best collection of one-syllable words in one movie.  

“Less than stellar.” That’s what State Superintendent Mark Johnson said about his January 2018 comments concerning teacher pay in rural counties. It’s one of the first times that he has been correct in gauging his performance as the top public school official in the state. But in truth, Johnson’s entire tenure as state superintendent has … Continue reading The “Less Than Stellar” Comments About Teacher Pay From the State Superintendent – Another Reason to March For Students & Rally for Respect On May 16th

Rally (noun) – 1a : a mustering of scattered forces to renew an effort 2: a mass meeting intended to arouse group enthusiasm (merriam-webster.com) It is the right of every American to come together and peacefully speak out for an issue. What someone rallies for speaks for their interests and values. When a lawmaker or an elected official attends a … Continue reading When Your State Superintendent Won’t “Rally” For Public Schools – Reason #31 To March For Students & Rally for Respect On May 16th

By now many of you have read a recent op-ed printed by the Raleigh News & Observer entitled “Why this Durham teacher isn't going to Raleigh May 16.” It is written by a Math I teacher named Terry McCann who makes the argument that teachers who will be protesting on May 16th are doing so … Continue reading About That “Why this Durham teacher isn’t going to Raleigh May 16” Op-Ed in the N&O

Raleigh, N.C. – North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore noted Monday that North Carolina’s teacher income is rising faster than any state in the country since 2014, according to available data. Over the combined period of 2014, 2015 and 2016 budget years, North Carolina gave the largest percentage salary increase to teachers in the United States, … Continue reading When Tim Moore Says, “North Carolina’s Teacher Income is Rising Faster Than Any State in the Country Since 2014,” Then Consider This