Any public school advocate in North Carolina who has been actively defending our public school system knows the names of Sen. Jerry Tillman and Sen. Ralph Hise. Tillman has been the "grandfather" of the charter school movement and has been a strong proponent of many a "reform" that has hurt public schools: charters, vouchers, ISD, … Continue reading Another “Major Business Tax Cut” Proposed by Those Wanting to Continue Underfunding Public Schools

For those who did not see Susan Foulke's post on NCTU's Facebook page, she references the "Use of Personal Leave Chart" that the state has provided and then linked the file. I am putting it on the blog in case there are some readers who did not see the actual post or do not follow … Continue reading NC’s Personal Leave Policy

Today we teachers and educational staff received this from Mark Johnson: Specifically it says, Educators – When I visit schools around North Carolina, I talk to teachers, hear your concerns, and bring your ideas back to the capital seeking results. These visits and discussions most recently resulted in legislation introduced just this week that would … Continue reading About Mark Johnson’s Timid Letter Concerning May 1st

With a blog that has a few readers, it is humbling to be able to help spread the word about worthwhile causes. It is also wonderful that I have a student who is raising money for this and the person who is coordinating this whole effort is a former student of mine. If you know … Continue reading Students Doing Great Service Work – Help If You Can and Spread the Word

What happened yesterday at Mark Johnson's press conference to introduce ClassWallet and grant the "ability" for teachers to "spend" $400 each on supplies for the classroom should have made every school board, LEA, and superintendent who worries over local school system budgets cringe  a little more. What Johnson and his controllers proposed was allowing almost … Continue reading Why Every School Board, LEA, and Superintendent Should Support ALL OUT FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION on May 1st

This announcement turned out to be another example of bad legislation to take more control over local districts and stifle every LEA's ability to use funds for vital needs. From the N&O this afternoon: North Carolina lawmakers plan to give each teacher $400 to spend on classroom supplies by taking $37 million away from local … Continue reading Thanks to Lisa Godwin, NC’s 2017 TOY For Speaking Out With Words and Actions Against Another Horrible Piece of Legislation

Mark Johnson has a habit of making major announcements as a way of "engaging" the people of North Carolina. Prepared statements on issues that desperately need teacher input but are about crafted legislation put together in back rooms and usually has a glossy outside but rather brittle on the inside. There was the Feb 19th … Continue reading Another Major Announcement for April 3

Last Thursday a bill was filed that would let retired teachers come back to help in Title I schools. From the News & Observer on March 29th: Senate Bill 399 filed Thursday would let retired teachers work at Title I schools or schools that receive a D or F grade under the state’s school performance system … Continue reading “They’re our best teachers” – Then Treat Them Better to Make Sure There Will Always be Veteran Teachers

What is linked to is an an op-ed from a University of Georgia edcuation professor Peter Smagorinski in response to a recent study by Stanford's Eric Hanushek who many may know as the economist who contributed to Waiting for Superman. It starts, Get Schooled recently ran an essay titled “New study: Achievement gap persistent and resistant to … Continue reading “Easier to blame teachers for achievement gap than tackle poverty” – A Must-Read from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

...Angie Scioli, founder of Red4EdNC and fierce public school advocate, penned not only an incredible piece on why we should also march this May 1st, but one tjhat could not have been more perfectly timed. She begins, I went on a “listening tour” this week and talked to some NC teachers.  I sensed some ambivalence … Continue reading The Best Explanation on Why Teachers Should March This Year As Well Is From…