If Sen. Bill Rabon is going to start using Seussian allusions, then he might want to make sure he's read more than one Seuss book. Apparently, Rabon called Governor Cooper a "grinch" in reference to the Seuss character who for most of a beloved children's book attempts to steal Christmas from Whoville. From the News … Continue reading Sen. Bill Rabon’s Seussian Problem
North Carolina: General Assembly Allows School to Drop Out of Its “Innovative School District”
New Orleans set a new model for privatization by creating the Recovery School District, which turned almost every public school in the city into a charter school. Tennessee copied the model in part by creating the Achievement School District, which gathered the state’s lowest performing schools, almost all in Memphis, and putting them into the ASD to be turned into charters. The ASD made bold promises but flopped. Of course, North Carolina had to copy the idea, so beloved in red states, so it created an Innovative School District. The legislation was funded by an Oregon tycoon, who surprisingly won the bid to run the new district. Sadly, no one wanted to join the ISD. Finally the state managed to corral one school into giving up its status as a public school, and the ISD was launched, with one school, a principal and a superintendent.
Then the state added another…
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“Children don’t care about Republican or Democrat” – Another Reason That School Board Elections Should Never Be Partisan
The above quote was stated by Malishai Woodbury, the new Chairperson of the Winston-Salem / Forsyth County School System (WSFCS). She is the first African-American female to ever hold the post. Barbara Burke was elected Vice-Chair. She is also African-American. Their election by the new all-female school board this past Thursday has highlighted yet another … Continue reading “Children don’t care about Republican or Democrat” – Another Reason That School Board Elections Should Never Be Partisan
Principles Before Personalities – Crossing Party Lines to Help Our Schools
Yes, public education is political. But it does not have to be partisan. Yet, in the last few years, more and more local school board elections are becoming partisan races steering school systems by a GPS system based on political dogma and controlled in Raleigh rather than what is best for the local school system. … Continue reading Principles Before Personalities – Crossing Party Lines to Help Our Schools
The NCGA’s Vote of No-Confidence in the Innovative School District – What Happened in Wayne County
This week the North Carolina General Assembly delivered a provision in a technical corrections bill that in all intents and purposes ruled against its own educational reform effort called the Innovative School District. As many public school advocates know, Wayne County’s Carver Heights Elementary School was the second school selected by the Innovative School District … Continue reading The NCGA’s Vote of No-Confidence in the Innovative School District – What Happened in Wayne County
North Carolina: Tea-Party Legislature Delivers Gut Punch to Public Schools in Lame-Duck Session
Thanks to Dr. Ravitch.
Stuart Egan describes a parting shot that Tea Party Republicans took, passing legislation to advance charter schools at the expense of public schools.
(A note to the few readers of this blog who continue to believe that charter schools are “progressive,” may I introduce you to the Republican members of the North Carolina legislature? Please be sure to talk to State Senator Phil Berger, who would stamp out public education if he could.)
There are a plethora of ill-fated consequences that can manifest themselves quickly because of this bill. The first three would be felt all over the state. The fourth would only be seen in Charlotte-Mecklenberg Schools as it was originally a local bill.
It could raise everyone’s property taxes in the state. Whatever the state now mandates for public schools and does not choose to specifically fund can now be passed on to local school systems.
It potentially…
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Rep. Moore, Now You Want to Put a School Bond on the Ballot?
Yesterday, during the endless "special session" that the NC General Assembly has been conducting, Rep. Tim Moore brought up his intentions to put a state-wide school bond on the ballot to help with school infrastructure. From Billy Ball of NC Policy Watch yesterday: State House Speaker Tim Moore announced that he would file a bill to put … Continue reading Rep. Moore, Now You Want to Put a School Bond on the Ballot?
The Valuable Lesson That Robin Thicke Taught Students About Plagiarism
I have made the assertion that there are people that I have plagiarized in my life. There’s my uncle Mike, who was a teacher like I am now. There was Ed whose life will always be a living example of what I try and do. Both men have/had something I wanted and wore life the … Continue reading The Valuable Lesson That Robin Thicke Taught Students About Plagiarism
With a Statewide Municipal Charter School Bill, The North Carolina General Assembly Is Setting Our State Back Decades
When Rep. Bill Brawley of Mecklenberg County first championed HB 514, he promoted a bill that allows for cities to use property tax money to fund local schools. It also allows for some select cities and towns to establish their own charter schools with enrollment preference for their citizens using taxpayer money. And because it was … Continue reading With a Statewide Municipal Charter School Bill, The North Carolina General Assembly Is Setting Our State Back Decades
Every North Carolina Lawmaker Should Be a Proctor for a State Exam and Administer the ACT
Of the many incredibly clever, spot-on, and ingenious signs from the May 16th march and rally in Raleigh, this one has remained my favorite. “Can Anyone Here Proctor?” This gentleman was everywhere. That’s what made this sign so powerful – there is always a test to be administered and there is always a need for proctor. … Continue reading Every North Carolina Lawmaker Should Be a Proctor for a State Exam and Administer the ACT
caffeinated rage 