“The state’s funding formula does not adjust for the severity of a disability; there is a flat rate provided for each child, in spite of the fact that the cost per year for a student with profound needs can skyrocket to as high as $100,000 or more.” The above excerpt is from Lindsay Wagner’s report … Continue reading If You Are A Parent or Advocate of a Special Needs Child in NC Public Schools Then Read This

Today Billy Ball posted as the lead education report on NC Policy Watch a piece concerning an ethics inquiry about the relationship between Mark Johnson and other lawmakers with Apple in the time before a magical purchase of iPads were made this past month with "discovered" funds. It is damn fine journalism and it highlights … Continue reading Mark Johnson Might Have an Apple Problem and Rep. Craig Horn Unintentionally Gets It Right

When teachers come together and act as a cohesive group to affect positive change, it does scare the hell out of some who benefit from privatization efforts. Multiple times the NC General Assembly has tried to weaken any group like NCAE through stopping automatic dues payments and other things such as what the Civitas Institute tried to do here … Continue reading About That Carolina Journal Piece Concerning Red4EdNC – Proof That Many Fear The Power of Teachers Who Come Together For Schools

If Sen. Phil is going to brag about what wonderful actions he and his cronies have performed to strengthen the public school system and make teaching in public schools rewarding in North Carolina, then can he explain… Why our college teacher preparation programs are seeing a decline in candidates of over 30%? Why we have … Continue reading Sen. Phil Berger and the #NotAnNCSucessStory

Sen. Phil Berger is playing politician again. In this election year, he and his GOP comrades have ramped up their “strong talk” on their commitment to adequately fund public schools and pay teachers a comparable salary on the national level. And part of his talk is defending himself against the vicious attacks from those who … Continue reading The Lie of #NCSuccessStory – Sen. Phil Berger’s Latest BS Propaganda

Work or volunteer in a public school for a period of time and you will see there is so much that needs to be maintained and financed in order to just give our kids a place where they can learn. Did you ever think of: upkeep of athletic facilities grounds maintenance fuel bus maintenance and … Continue reading Fully Funding Schools Means So Much More Than Salaries. It Means…

Tomorrow begins my 14th year at my current school, the Home of the Titans. Tomorrow begins my 21st year of teaching – three schools so far. Hope I stay at my current school the rest of my career. Tomorrow is my 4,321st day in high school as a student and teacher (non-workdays) That does not … Continue reading First Day Back to School, 2018 – Day 4,321– An Open Letter to Teachers

I did not always agree with Sen. John McCain’s assessments of how our country should act in many situations, but I have never doubted that he  had only the best in mind when it does come to our country. Political affiliations aside, he is (yes, still present tense) a true patriot. I do not believe … Continue reading Godspeed, Sen. John McCain

"Like a dull knife Just isn't cutting Just talking loud Then saying nothing.  - "Talkin' Loud and Sayin' Nothing" - James Brown, 1970 True to form, teachers received a "back to school" pep talk from Mark Johnson that leans more heavily on air than on substance. The text of it is below. Educators: Welcome back … Continue reading “Talkin’ Loud and Sayin’ Nothing” -A James Brown Dedication to the State Superintendent’s Latest Message

From the New York Times on August 22nd: "The Education Department is considering whether to allow states to use federal funding to purchase guns for educators, according to multiple people with knowledge of the plan. Such a move appears to be unprecedented, reversing a longstanding position taken by the federal government that it should not … Continue reading Still Not For Arming Teachers And Never Was For Betsy DeVos