Within the past five days, the Mike Bloomberg campaign has directly sent to me more fliers than our state superintendent. And while it is safe to assume that the taxpayers of North Carolina did not foot the bill to print and distribute these, there is one particular similarity- After next Tuesday, both may stop sending … Continue reading Just Found Someone Who Sends Out More Glossy Fliers Than Mark Johnson
Are They Willing to Confront State Lawmakers on Behalf of Public Schools? Why Local School Board Elections Are So Important in 2020 for Every NC School System
Throughout North Carolina, 2020 is another big year for many local school board elections and each is of vital importance. Of all the 2018 primary political signs that were spread throughout the city where I reside, at least three of four deal with local school board elections. This is not an anomaly. I cannot remember … Continue reading Are They Willing to Confront State Lawmakers on Behalf of Public Schools? Why Local School Board Elections Are So Important in 2020 for Every NC School System
What Lawmakers Are Really Saying Is That They Actually Fear A Well-Educated General Public
Two quotes highlighted in a July 10th, 2019 WRAL editorial were really glaring. And that editorial should be required reading because it correctly stated that the NCGA powers-that-be are more interested in giving more corporate tax cuts than fully-funding our public schools. It was a stunning confession. It says far more than state Rep. Craig … Continue reading What Lawmakers Are Really Saying Is That They Actually Fear A Well-Educated General Public
Here’s One For Raleigh: “In the long run school spending increases substantially boost test scores and graduation rates.”
Following educational researchers, journalists, and policy analysts on outlets like Twitter can be incredibly useful in gauging the dialogue that helps to drive policy. Many times it can put into your reach studies that are not only revealing but have concrete data that flies in the face of those pushing "reforms" in public education. One … Continue reading Here’s One For Raleigh: “In the long run school spending increases substantially boost test scores and graduation rates.”
The Wayback Machine: What New Teachers Got Then Versus Now in NC
I am currently in my fifteenth year of teaching here in my second stint in North Carolina. Before I moved to the metro Atlanta area, I had taught two other years in the same system where I now work. When I came back as a "new" teacher, Phil Berger and Tim Moore were not in … Continue reading The Wayback Machine: What New Teachers Got Then Versus Now in NC
Thinking About The Leandro Case: What NC Is Spending For Public Schools – 2008-2009 Versus 2019-2020
Last October (10/29), Rob Schofield published a piece on NC Policy Watch explaining the negative effects of the budget that Sen. Phil Berger and others in the NCGA were pushing (and actually are still pushing with the current impasse )in the NCGA. The second effect dealt with public education. #2 – Further undermining the state’s desperately … Continue reading Thinking About The Leandro Case: What NC Is Spending For Public Schools – 2008-2009 Versus 2019-2020
The Only Real Conclusion About NC’s School Performance Grades Is That Too Many of Our Students Live In Poverty in a Gerrymandered State
Below is a map provided by EdNC.org that plots the most recent school performance grades across North Carolina. Next is a map of the economic well-being of each NC county as reported be the North Carolina Department of Commerce. The LIGHTER the shade of blue, the more economic “distress.” This is how it was determined according to … Continue reading The Only Real Conclusion About NC’s School Performance Grades Is That Too Many of Our Students Live In Poverty in a Gerrymandered State
Teachers Should Be Political, Especially Here in North Carolina
In the state of North Carolina, over 56% of the state budget is dedicated to public education, most of which goes to K-12 (and pre-K) education. It’s specifically stated in Article IX of the state constitution that the state establish a free and viable means of educating school age-children. Sec. 2. Uniform system of schools. … Continue reading Teachers Should Be Political, Especially Here in North Carolina
About That Pathetically Inadequate Common Core Survey From Mark Johnson
Last week in a politically motivated stunt, State Superintendent Mark Johnson decided to use DPI's ties to Powerschool's database to send out a survey concerning a fabricated campaign platform. Actually it's a red-herring - a smelly fish meant to distract the senses from the truth. Not to mention unethical. Just look at the survey - … Continue reading About That Pathetically Inadequate Common Core Survey From Mark Johnson
Letting Rep. Tim Moore Become Chancellor Of East Carolina University…
... would be like letting an arsonist loose in a drought-ridden forest and giving him matches and gasoline to play with knowing that someone else would have to pay for the damage. Please do not forget that the assault on public education in North Carolina by people like Tim Moore and Phil Berger has not … Continue reading Letting Rep. Tim Moore Become Chancellor Of East Carolina University…
caffeinated rage 