When Rep. Bill Brawley championed HB 514, he championed a bill that allows for cities to use property tax money to fund local schools. It also allows for cities and towns to establish their own charter schools with enrollment preference for their citizens using taxpayer money. There are a plethora of ill-fated consequences that can … Continue reading The Hypocrisy of Rep. Brawley and HB 514 – It’s More Than “School Choice”
The Secret Algorithms of EVAAS and SAS
In October, the venerable James Ford of the Public School Forum delivered the keynote address at the North Carolina English Teacher’s Association. It was more than exceptional as Ford highlighted that what hurts our schools most are external factors that are not being dealt with such as systemic poverty. Part of his presentation included a … Continue reading The Secret Algorithms of EVAAS and SAS
“Everybody Hurts” – Prioritizing Mental Health In High Schools With Some R.E.M.
Everybody hurts. Sometimes. Teach for twenty years in public high schools and you become entrenched in the lives of young people. Thousands of them. Literally thousands. If you take the avocation of being a teacher seriously, then that investment in young people is not confined to the four walls of a classroom and not restricted … Continue reading “Everybody Hurts” – Prioritizing Mental Health In High Schools With Some R.E.M.
Honestly, In the State Board Vs. Mark Johnson Case NOBODY WON Especially Public Schools, But…
On the very day that the NC Supreme Court handed down its ruling on the lawsuit pitting the state school board against the state superintendent, both sides issued statements that declared victory. Reading the ruling from the supreme court is not as arduous as getting through War & Peace in the original Russian, but it … Continue reading Honestly, In the State Board Vs. Mark Johnson Case NOBODY WON Especially Public Schools, But…
School is Never Really Over – “Summer Vacations” Might Be Another Term For “Pre-Planning”
Graduation ceremonies for my school system have been completed and at this time of year I am reminded of the iconic response to a teacher’s letter back in 2014 by Sen. David Curtis. It’s worth rereading for me in part because Sen. Davis Curtis’s response to Sarah Wiles literally started my foray into public school … Continue reading School is Never Really Over – “Summer Vacations” Might Be Another Term For “Pre-Planning”
If Mark Johnson Wants to be “Data-Driven,” Then He Might Want to Look at the Data
"While it is unfortunate that it took more than a year and hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars to resolve this matter, the positive news is that we will be able to utilize the data-driven analysis to reorganize DPI to help the agency focus on its core mission of supporting educators, students and parents across … Continue reading If Mark Johnson Wants to be “Data-Driven,” Then He Might Want to Look at the Data
A Thank You Letter to Graduates From a Middle-Aged Public High School Teacher
Dear Graduates, Tomorrow, I will be a part of what I believe will be my twenty-first high school graduation as a teacher (student teaching included). And every year, it gets a little different, but for the right reasons. If I do the math correctly, I literally have had thousands of students come through my classrooms … Continue reading A Thank You Letter to Graduates From a Middle-Aged Public High School Teacher
What the NC State Supreme Court Ruling Concerning Mark Johnson and the State BOE Really Means
There is no doubt that Mark Johnson is the most enabled man in Raleigh. There is also no doubt that Phil Berger and Tim Moore are especially happy to have such bundle of legal noodles spun into a ball of knots. It creates ambiguity and gives them a narrative to continue their privatization of public … Continue reading What the NC State Supreme Court Ruling Concerning Mark Johnson and the State BOE Really Means
Something’s Still Wrong With North Carolina DPI’s Teacher Working Conditions Survey
Remember when teachers in North Carolina received an extended deadline to complete the NC Teacher Working Conditions Survey for the Department of Public Instruction. The state was somewhere at 90% of teachers completing it at the beginning of April. State Superintendent Mark Johnson wanted at least 95%. It was to be a badge of honor … Continue reading Something’s Still Wrong With North Carolina DPI’s Teacher Working Conditions Survey
Some Are More Equal Than Others – The Orwellian “Animal Farm” on West Jones Street
Art imitates life. It's one of the reasons why teaching great works of literature is vital in a high school education. One title that is read and taught in many high school English I classes in North Carolina is Animal Farm. Animal Farm is an allegorical fable that Eric Blair (George Orwell was his pen name) … Continue reading Some Are More Equal Than Others – The Orwellian “Animal Farm” on West Jones Street
caffeinated rage 