If you have been a teacher in North Carolina for at least 20 years, you will remember that public school teachers do not get longevity pay any longer. Similar to an annual bonus, longevity pay is something that all state employees in North Carolina — except, now, for teachers — gain as a reward for continued service. … Continue reading So, Are Public School Teachers State Employees Or Local Employees? (Depends On Who Doesn’t Want To Raise Salaries).

Oftentimes, most of the bills and mandates that get thrown around in Raleigh during the long and short sessions go unseen in the public eye. There is just not enough time and bandwidth to research everything much less know where to investigate. Added to that is the intentional misleading maneuvering that goes into crafting legislation … Continue reading How To Track NCGA Education Bills

Remember that the NC Supreme Court failed to act on the LEANDRO court decision... again. Remember that this has been the trend for over a decade. WFAE's report states: The Education Law Center's 2024 report on "Making the Grade" can be found here. The shift in NC's willingness to fund its public schools came as … Continue reading We Still Suck At Funding Our Public Schools

As we ready ourselves for another new calendar year and return to begin the second half of our school year, please remember all those people who could have done the right thing and helped public education more. From delaying budgets, betraying voters, to expanding nontransparent vouchers, those who qualify for copious lumps of coal are … Continue reading The Lumps Of Coal For 2024

"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