Too Much Damn Privatization of Public Schools – Reason #7 To March For Students & Rally for Respect On May 16th

Remember Michelle Rhee’s visit to North Carolina last year for a “closed-door” meeting (February 7th  ,2017) with lawmakers brokered by an educational lobbying body of business leaders called BEST NC (coupled with the NC GOP’s invitation to Betsy DeVos who had just been confirmed as Trump’s secretary of education)? It was another ominous omen of what has been … Continue reading Too Much Damn Privatization of Public Schools – Reason #7 To March For Students & Rally for Respect On May 16th

The Stench of SB599 – Teacher Pipeline Shortage Created by Raleigh – Reason #6 To March For Students & Rally for Respect On May 16th

“The overall premise of this bill is to ensure that we have a proper teacher pipeline going into the schools.” – Rep. Jeffrey Elmore, R- Wilkes, in response to questions about SB599 on House floor in Raleigh on June 26. Senate Bill 599 is the bill (as Alex Granados from EdNC.org reports), that, “allows organizations … Continue reading The Stench of SB599 – Teacher Pipeline Shortage Created by Raleigh – Reason #6 To March For Students & Rally for Respect On May 16th

The NCGA’s Plan to Make School Performance Grades Fuel Voucher Expansion – Reason #5 To March For Students & Rally for Respect On May 16th

Public Schools First NC (PSFNC.org), an organization that supports advocacy of public education in North Carolina, regularly sends out very informative factoids through social media that give texture to the landscape of the politics associated with public education. After the last couple of disastrous budget proposals for public education by the North Carolina General Assembly, … Continue reading The NCGA’s Plan to Make School Performance Grades Fuel Voucher Expansion – Reason #5 To March For Students & Rally for Respect On May 16th

Reason #4 To March For Students & Rally for Respect On May 16th – The Need For More Per Pupil Expenditure (Fully Funding Schools)

The argument that the GOP-led General Assembly has made repeatedly is that they are spending more on public education now than ever before. And they are correct. We do spend more total money now than before the recession hit. But that is a simplified and spun claim because North Carolina has had a tremendous population … Continue reading Reason #4 To March For Students & Rally for Respect On May 16th – The Need For More Per Pupil Expenditure (Fully Funding Schools)

Reason #3 To March For Students & Rally for Respect On May 16th – Removal of Graduate Degree Pay Increases

The GOP-led NC legislature’s 2013 decision to end graduate degree pay bumps for new teachers entering the teaching profession was not only misguided, but another wave in the assault on public education here in the Old North State. I confess there exist numerous studies that have shown that advanced degrees do not correlate with higher … Continue reading Reason #3 To March For Students & Rally for Respect On May 16th – Removal of Graduate Degree Pay Increases

Reason #2 To March For Students & Rally for Respect On May 16th – Removal of Due-Process Rights and Career Status for Teachers

If due-process rights are not restored for new teachers, then the idea of having a rally or a march to advocate for students and schools ten to fifteen years from now would likely never happen. They are that important! Their removal was a beginning step in a patient, scripted, and ALEC-allying plan that systematically tries … Continue reading Reason #2 To March For Students & Rally for Respect On May 16th – Removal of Due-Process Rights and Career Status for Teachers

Reason #1 To March For Students & Rally for Respect On May 16th – “Average” Raises and Still Below Average Salaries

It was reported this year that North Carolina finally had an average salary for teachers over $50,000 a year. "Recently released figures from the state Department of Public Instruction put the average salary for a North Carolina public school teacher at $51,214 this school year. That’s $1,245 more than the previous school year. The $50,000 … Continue reading Reason #1 To March For Students & Rally for Respect On May 16th – “Average” Raises and Still Below Average Salaries

More Proof That the Incestuous School District (ISD) of NC is a Pay-to-Play Scheme

Read this only if you want need further evidence that the Innovative School District here in North Carolina is a pay-to-play ploy by privatizers in North Carolina. "An ex-North Carolina lawmaker received financial benefits for his work with a nonprofit that stands to win a state contract with the public school takeover program he helped … Continue reading More Proof That the Incestuous School District (ISD) of NC is a Pay-to-Play Scheme

North Carolina Teacher Pay is Still 39th And Why The Cost Of Living Adjustment Argument is Erroneous

John Hood of the John Locke Foundation tweeted the following yesterday in response to the NEA's recent report on teacher pay that had North Carolina still well below the national average. Interestingly, he tagged it to #nced and referred all readers to a recent post by his colleague Dr. Terry Stoops, the Vice President for … Continue reading North Carolina Teacher Pay is Still 39th And Why The Cost Of Living Adjustment Argument is Erroneous

Happy Birthday to Coach Murphy – The Titan of Titans

A "Happy Birthday" to a multi-sport coach, a man of many hats, a well of positivity, an icon of a school, the most dependable staff member, and a man who defines others by the smiles they give. A "Happy Birthday" to a man who always treats you like it was your birthday - every day. … Continue reading Happy Birthday to Coach Murphy – The Titan of Titans