"We conclude that teacher assistants are a cost-effective means of raising student achievement, especially in reading." North Carolina has over 7400 fewer teacher assistants than it did thirteen years ago. Let me repeat: North Carolina has over 7400 fewer teacher assistants than it did over a decade ago. When study after study published by leading education … Continue reading This New Year Is An Opportune Time To Talk About Investing In More Teacher Assistants

One in five state jobs in North Carolina is vacant. Ned Barnett's op-ed in the News & Observer accurately shows why this is a deliberate problem. "After years of the Republican-controlled legislature handing out stingy raises and short-term bonuses, state employees’ inflation-adjusted pay has decreased, benefits have eroded and job vacancies have soared. Republican lawmakers, … Continue reading 20% Of NC’s State Jobs Are Vacant. And That’s Not Even Counting Teachers.

“Merry Christmas!” from the GOP constituency of the North Carolina General Assembly. In the spirit of giving, they have reminded all of us that the most precious gifts are the ones you give to yourself at the expense of others especially during the holiday season. Besides nothing is more American than Christmas, except maybe backhanded … Continue reading Merry Christmas And Happy Coup Year From The North Carolina General Assembly GOP

The most current numbers for the following: Average Gas Price Average Milk Price Average Egg Prices Average Bread Price Federal Interest Rate Dow Jones Index Inflation Rate NC Tax Rates NC Minimum Wage Unemployment Rates Unemployment Benefits Number of People Who Enrolled in ACA coverage Number of Students in NC Public Schools (K-12) Number of … Continue reading Christmas Eve, 2024: Numbers To Consider

“Let It Go” The super moon hangs on the sky tonightAfter two official election recounts.But the final results seem likeAllison Rigg's lead you won’t surmount. Your blind ignorance is nothing but a thorn in our side.But you won't concede it, pushing voters aside. Avoiding reality, you just didn’t seeHow there are no irregularities.Concede, we plead, … Continue reading Elsa’s Disney Song For Jefferson Griffin – “Let It Go”

When I came back as a “new” teacher twenty years ago for my second tenure in NC, Phil Berger and Tim Moore were not in power. And as a “new” teacher the following was freely given to new teachers as part of the agreement to be employed by the state of North Carolina: A salary … Continue reading The Things Stolen From The Christmas Stockings Of NC Teachers

Two news items that you should have picked up on recently: The first is Joe Killian's report in The Assembly concerning Mark Robinson's use of an old "username" he claimed at one time to not be him. Makes one wonder how that defamation suit against CNN is going. The other (and more important) news item … Continue reading LEANDRO & Minisoldr

When budgets are “made” by lawmakers in North Carolina, there are usually multiple requests for monies attached to “reforms” or investments in resources. Some deal with mentoring and helping younger teachers become more acclimated to the education profession. Some deal with “advanced roles” for teachers. Some deal with curricula that focus on specific “21st century” … Continue reading One Resource All Teachers Should Get For Christmas: TIME

Yes, they need to be called out because they put party over people and used their constituents' misfortune as a ruse to deepen a gerrymandered hold on power that goes against the will of the voters' wishes. These three GOP state representatives voted against SB382, the power grabbing bill masquerading as a hurricane relief bill. … Continue reading These Three Let NC Down.

From April of 2023: A woman who ran for office on a platform of being pro-public schools. For someone who was as accomplished an educator as she was, her move to a party that is embracing the dismantling of public education is rather sadistically ironic. At that time she had retweeted a pro-school choice blurb from … Continue reading I Blame Tricia Cotham