“The transformation of our public education system will open true pathways out of poverty.” – Mark Johnson, September 7th, 2016 from an op-ed entitled “Our American Dream” (https://www.ednc.org/2016/09/07/our-american-dream/). This week State Superintendent of Public Schools Mark Johnson presented a new school report card interface and “updated features” so that the public can view school … Continue reading The New North Carolina State Report Cards And What They Really Show
EdNC.org
Every Public School Advocate in North Carolina Should Read This Perspective …
...because it perfectly frames the platitudinous, over-cliched, trite, and banal argument offered by those who favor the privatization of public education in North Carolina. It is John Hood's latest missive featured on EdNC.org entitled "Exaggeration won’t stop school choice" (https://www.ednc.org/2017/07/31/exaggeration-wont-stop-school-choice/). And while you may catch the use of words like "choice" and "competition," maybe look … Continue reading Every Public School Advocate in North Carolina Should Read This Perspective …
About That BEST NC Perspective on Shamrock Gardens Elementary – It Was the Community, Not the Model
This past week, BestNC’s president and CEO Brenda Berg published an op-ed on EdNC.org focusing on Charlotte’s Shamrock Gardens Elementary School and its success at transforming itself into a school where all teachers are high-performing and student proficiency has risen “by 15 points – from 42% to 57% – an achievement reached by fewer than … Continue reading About That BEST NC Perspective on Shamrock Gardens Elementary – It Was the Community, Not the Model
Where In The World Is State Superintendent Mark Johnson?
Last week ended the regular school year for at least many of us in the state who teach in traditional public schools and it was ironic to see that many teachers were having to wait until after "grade verification" deadlines passed before they could get test scores back from state and local entities. I understand. … Continue reading Where In The World Is State Superintendent Mark Johnson?
Open Letter to Sen. Bill Rabon – Be a Civil Servant and Allow House Bill 13 to Come to the Senate Floor
Dear Senator Rabon, I was disheartened as a public school teacher to learn that House Bill 13, which earned unanimous support in the state House, has been tabled in the state Senate, a situation that you could easily remedy. And I am incensed as a parent of a special needs child in a public elementary … Continue reading Open Letter to Sen. Bill Rabon – Be a Civil Servant and Allow House Bill 13 to Come to the Senate Floor
For Once I May Have Liked What Lt. Gov. Dan Forest Said – But Not For the Reasons He Would Like
Lt. Gov. Dan Forest’s recent comments concerning “bridging the digital divide” at the “Advocacy Day for Making Rural School Districts a Priority” event were actually very heartening to hear – for more than one reason. If you have followed the North Carolina public school funding discussion, disparities between affluent metropolitan areas and economically depressed rural … Continue reading For Once I May Have Liked What Lt. Gov. Dan Forest Said – But Not For the Reasons He Would Like
Don’t Call a One-Sided Conversation “Civil Discourse” – A Reaction to BEST NC’s Perspective in EdNC.org
Brenda Berg’s recent perspective posted on EdNC.org’s website this past Friday is another example that appearance and reality are not always the same when it pertains to “reforming” the public education system here in North Carolina. “(Not) Taking Sides: Civil Discourse with Michelle Rhee and George Parker” appears as an open missive from the CEO … Continue reading Don’t Call a One-Sided Conversation “Civil Discourse” – A Reaction to BEST NC’s Perspective in EdNC.org
Rep. Paul “Skip” Stam’s Ridiculously Below “Average” Op-Ed on Teacher Pay – I Mean, It’s Not Even Average
Rep. Paul Stam’s recent op-ed in EdNC.org entitled “Teacher Pay: Rhetoric vs. Reality” is yet another example of the strong confirmation bias that the senior Wake County representative suffers from in his explanation of teacher pay. And there are many different aspects of his meandering argument that could be rebutted with ease. Such as the … Continue reading Rep. Paul “Skip” Stam’s Ridiculously Below “Average” Op-Ed on Teacher Pay – I Mean, It’s Not Even Average
Open Letter to Mark Johnson, Candidate for State Supertintendent, Concerning Remarks on Poverty and Student Preparedness
Dear Mr. Johnson, I read with great interest your essay posted on EdNC.org entitled “Our American Dream” on September 7th. Because you are a member of the school board from my own district and the republican nominee for State Superintendent, I was eager to read/see/hear what might distinguish you from Dr. Atkinson. I agree that … Continue reading Open Letter to Mark Johnson, Candidate for State Supertintendent, Concerning Remarks on Poverty and Student Preparedness
Open Letter to Phil Kirk, Chairman Emeritus for the NC State Board of Education
Dear Mr. Kirk, I read with great interest your op-Ed for EdNC.org posted on September7, 2016 entitled “Outlandish myths about NC Republicans and education” (https://www.ednc.org/2016/09/07/outlandish-myths-nc-republicans-education/ ) It originally appeared in The News and Observer on September 6th . Your initial paragraph in which you recount your unparalleled service and experience with education both in public … Continue reading Open Letter to Phil Kirk, Chairman Emeritus for the NC State Board of Education