In less than two weeks, my high school will play its first football game. In fact, before students even take a class, two games will have been played and put in the record books. And the band will be there with them. There is a tradition at the end of each game in which the … Continue reading In Praise of the High School Band – Again
Author: caffeinatedrage
He Speaks! But Says Nothing – Mark Johnson’s Interview With Carolina Journal
Earlier today, Mark Johnson tweeted the following self-promoting plug that touts the past to explain his lack of action on the present and lack of vision for the future. It doesn't take much to realize that there is nothing Johnson has done that has provided any "change" to the status quo. In fact, he has … Continue reading He Speaks! But Says Nothing – Mark Johnson’s Interview With Carolina Journal
That’s Worth 50K? Really It’s More Money That Could Be Spent on Public Education
Allowing Tom Hofeller to redraw legislative maps for our gerrymandered state is like letting an arsonist loose in a drought-ridden forest and giving him matches to play with. Take a read : http://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/politics-columns-blogs/under-the-dome/article166115407.html. Fifty thousand dollars is above the salary of a highly qualified veteran public school teacher who raises student achievement consistently in a poverty-stricken … Continue reading That’s Worth 50K? Really It’s More Money That Could Be Spent on Public Education
Revisiting That Open Letter to Mark Johnson, Candidate for State Supertintendent, Concerning Remarks on Poverty and Student Preparedness
Below is the transcript of an open letter I wrote to Mark Johnson almost a year ago when he was running for the office of state superintendent. I revisit it to compare what he has done in office in these seven months on the job to what he claimed he was going to do. Judge … Continue reading Revisiting That Open Letter to Mark Johnson, Candidate for State Supertintendent, Concerning Remarks on Poverty and Student Preparedness
Open Letter to the NCGA Concerning Bonus Pay for Teachers
Dear members of the North Carolina General Assembly, This may not be a popular opinion, but it is one that is a matter of principle to me. I will be receiving the maximum in bonuses this year for having a certain number of students pass the AP English Language and Composition Exam for the 2016-2017. … Continue reading Open Letter to the NCGA Concerning Bonus Pay for Teachers
Go Fund Me! – The Lengths That Teachers Go To In Order To Supply Classrooms
Last month I wrote a post referencing a rather ignorant claim by someone who claimed that schools should not be asking for money from the general public to help outfit and supply classrooms or help students in need (https://caffeinatedrage.com/2017/07/02/about-the-civitas-institute-post-on-a-middle-school-asking-for-donations-for-supplies/). In it the writer stated, "If HGMS or WCPSS does not have on hand any of … Continue reading Go Fund Me! – The Lengths That Teachers Go To In Order To Supply Classrooms
Don’t Mistake My “Exaggeration” For Your Active Ignorance – A Somewhat Rational Response to the John Locke Foundation
Reading educational perspectives from John Hood and the John Locke Foundation is like opening a letter with a nice stamp, a handwritten address, and some hearts drawn on the outside. Yet, once you open it up, what falls out is nothing but glitter. No letter. Nothing really of substance. Just a mess on the floor … Continue reading Don’t Mistake My “Exaggeration” For Your Active Ignorance – A Somewhat Rational Response to the John Locke Foundation
What 5.5 Million Could Have Done for Public Schools
The following table was released by the North Carolina Senate Democrats today in conjunction with the first "meeting" of the committee to redraw gerrymandered district lines. That's five and one-half million dollars to defend something that was declared unconstitutional. Last week, the State Board of Education began to initiate cuts in the amount of $3.2 … Continue reading What 5.5 Million Could Have Done for Public Schools
The Onion and Its Take on School Choice
The Onion is a well known satirical news outlet. It recently published a piece on school choice. It is shown below (http://www.theonion.com/infographic/choosing-right-school-your-child-56536). And no, I am not asking for your response to this or your thoughts (although, they are certainly welcome), it was interesting to see the take that a national publication has on school … Continue reading The Onion and Its Take on School Choice
Raises In Stipends For High School Coaches Is a Must Or Else NC Will Pay a Bigger Price
Whether you realize it or not, school started this past Monday, July 31st. Many a student, many a sponsor, and many a coach went back to public school campuses to start official practices for sanctioned and unsanctioned fall sports and other worthwhile activities like marching band, cheerleading, color guard, dance teams, etc. The list goes … Continue reading Raises In Stipends For High School Coaches Is a Must Or Else NC Will Pay a Bigger Price
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