“We will continue to use data-driven analyses, including feedback from classroom teachers, to drive changes ….” – Mark Johnson last October concerning the report on the ineffectiveness of Read to Achieve. The idea of using data to drive policy is not a new occurrence. But it is sometimes hard to quantify the qualitative aspects of public … Continue reading If Raleigh Wants to be “Data-Driven,” Then Those Decision-Makers Might Want to Look at These Data

I have been a public school teacher for over 21 years. I have taught in the Winston-Salem / Forsyth County School System for over 16 years. My job is to teach the very students who come to my classes regardless of where they come from. If they need modifications or extra assistance, I am bound … Continue reading This School System Needs to Get a Better IDEA Of How It Treats Students With Special Needs

In what has become the daily self-affirmation through the misdirected degrading of others, iStation tweeted the following late yesterday: The "other assessment tool?" The governor who vetoed the Read to Achieve Program bill last week? Maybe, iStation needs to read the following post from last fall that talked about the Friday Institute and NC State's … Continue reading Maybe iStation Should Read That “Is Read to Achieve Making the Grade?” Report Before Sending Misguided Tweets

As of this day, I have yet to hear of a parent in this state with a child in K-3 who has received an email from Amplify concerning their mClass product and the recent events that led DPI to "award" a contract to iStation. iStation has sent many. As of this day, I have yet … Continue reading If Anything, It’s iStation That’s Sowing The “Fear, Uncertainty, & Doubt”

When the GOP won control of both houses in the North Carolina General Assembly in the elections of 2010, it was the first time that the Republicans had that sort of power since 1896. Add to that the election of Pat McCrory as governor in 2012, and the GOP has been able to run through … Continue reading As We Start The 2019 – 2020 School Year, Just Remember This Is What Phil Berger and His Cronies Have Done to NC’s Public School System Since 2011

Phil Berger and Tim Moore may push through legislation that would divide up the state's "surplus" from this past year and "send" it back to North Carolinians in the form of individual $125 checks in the name of "fiscal responsibility." The fact that there is such a huge surplus in this state's budget while yet … Continue reading Dear Sen.Berger & Rep. Moore, Keep My Part of the “Surplus” And Invest It In Our Schools

School for many around the state started today after multiple days of pre-panning workshops, open houses, and preparation. And today marked well over fifty days since the North Carolina General Assembly has refused to hold a vote to override Gov. Cooper's veto concerning the budget while spending over 1 million dollars to keep the session … Continue reading Teachers Did Their Job Today. Now Raleigh, Do Yours.

Tomorrow begins my 15th year at my current school, the Home of the Titans. Tomorrow begins my 22nd year of teaching – three schools so far. Hope I stay at my current school the rest of my career. Tomorrow is my 4,501st day in high school as a student and teacher (non-workdays). That does not … Continue reading First Day Back to School, 2018 – Day 4,501– An Open Letter to Teachers

These past few days have seen more and more "communications" from the state superintendent that seek to sporadically dodge the very dialogue he needs to really have with teachers in North Carolina. State Superintendent Mark Johnson sent yet another email to educators this Friday morning. The text is below. Educators – Thank you for everything … Continue reading Yesterday He Was A Lawyer. Today Mark Johnson Sent Out A “Campaign” Email To Teachers.