An “Opportunity Grant” in North Carolina is worth up to almost $6500 a year to cover (or help cover) tuition at a non-public participating school. According to the Private School Review, there are 93 private schools in North Carolina for which that Opportunity Grant amount could cover the entire tuition for this school year alone. The average … Continue reading North Carolina’s Push To Expand The Least Transparent Financing Of Unaccountable Biased Religious Schools With Taxpayer Money In The Nation

On May 31st, even State Superintendent Catherine Truitt knew that most students who would benefit from expanding vouchers in NC were students already in private schools. In addition, the less than flattering report done by Duke University’s Children’s Law Center called SCHOOL VOUCHERS IN NORTH CAROLINA : THE FIRST THREE YEARS showed us another aspect … Continue reading Private Schools In NC “Have More Vouchers Than Students?” Apparently, Many Do.

Even the State Board of Education is asking the NC General Assembly to not expand the voucher program by eliminating income requirements. From the News & Observer: The article links to the letter that is found on EdNC.org. The entire text of that letter is found below. Most noteworthy in this letter signed by Eric … Continue reading Even The NC State Board Is Against Voucher Expansion

Sen. Phil Berger and his cronies have had 12 years to “improve” our public education system. 12. The number of grades in a standard progression through a public school. Here are a few of the actions taken in those 12 years. 1. Teacher Pay Kept Well Below National Average 2. Removal of Due-Process Rights  3. Graduate Degree … Continue reading They’ve Had 12 Years To “Fix” Public Education In NC & They Never Listened To Teachers.

19 superintendents from 17 rural counties. 1/6 of the public school superintendents in the entire staste of North Carolina. Those 19 school systems reside on 17 counties. 13 of those counties have a republican representative in the NCGA House. 16 of them have a republican representative in the NCGA Senate. All of those republican representatives … Continue reading This Letter From 19 NC Rural Superintendents To Raleigh About Expanding Vouchers Must Be Read

Many times over the last 20-plus summers, I have heard from many well-intentioned people that it must be nice to have a job that allows one to only work 10 months out of a year. Some even think it's a nine month commitment. And most of those people do not understand what all is done … Continue reading Public School Teachers: 10-Month Employees, But 12-Month Educators

State Superintendent Catherine Truitt and DPI are attempting to "change" the school performance grading system. They don't need to be changed; they need to be eliminated. For almost ten years, this system of "measurement" has stigmatized public schools and been used to create a false narrative that has fueled privatization efforts like vouchers. Remember that … Continue reading Go Ahead And Permanently Eliminate School Performance Grades; They Only Map Poverty, Health Care Access, And Food Deserts – Not School Effectiveness

It’s happening. Almost as if it was scripted and arranged beforehand with the switch of Rep. Tricia to the GOP over “personal grievances.” It’s House Bill 823. The ultimate school choice bill. You might want to look at this part: This bill is not something that North Carolina is entertaining alone. These types of bills … Continue reading Expanding Vouchers In NC Is Not About Helping Low Income Families

Ten years ago teachers in North Carolina could receive an increase in salary and a higher certificate if they held graduate degrees. That does not happen any longer. Ten years ago teachers in North Carolina could receive due-process rights after a few years of teaching to allow themselves a chance for defense if their jobs … Continue reading The Endgame: To Make Public School Teaching A Short-Term Contract Job In North Carolina

I have taught in public schools for over 25 years. Thousands of students have come through my classroom doors to hopefully engage in lessons to help them read more closely, write with more voice, speak more eloquently, and listen to others more attentively. And in every class on every school day, each of those students … Continue reading A Tribute To Dr. Joseph Milner – My Favorite Teacher