For years the official state motto for North Carolina has been "Esse quam videri" which is Latin for "To be, rather than to seem." This motto (along with "In God We Trust") is part of a bill that would have all public schools in North Carolina display such words for all to see. The "In … Continue reading “To Seem, Rather Than to Be” – The Motto of the State Superintendent
Poverty
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
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Rep. Larry Pittman, Jesus Would Never Have Sent That Email Concerning Arming Teachers
While evoking the paraphrased words of the NRA’s Wayne LaPierre, Rep. Larry Pittman once again is calling for more guns to be in our schools. And this call had some extra extremism added to them. From an email he sent to all NCGA members on April 16th: “We need to allow teachers, other school personnel … Continue reading Rep. Larry Pittman, Jesus Would Never Have Sent That Email Concerning Arming Teachers
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When Our Secretary of Education Chooses to Remain Uneducated About Public Education
From last Sunday's interview with Betsy DeVos by Lesley Stahl on 60 Minutes: Betsy DeVos: We have invested billions and billions and billions of dollars from the federal level And we have seen zero results. Lesley Stahl: But that really isn't true. Test scores have gone up over the last 25 years. So why do … Continue reading When Our Secretary of Education Chooses to Remain Uneducated About Public Education
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“Emptiness” – Concerning the State Superintendent’s Words on School Performance Grades
It is usually a good feeling that accompanies a “congratulatory” note from someone in a position of authority who recognizes hard work and accomplishment, especially in a field that constantly measures performance in such an arbitrary fashion. School performance grades were released by DPI this week and quick to point out any “successes” that could … Continue reading “Emptiness” – Concerning the State Superintendent’s Words on School Performance Grades
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The NCGA’s Plan to Make School Performance Grades Fuel Voucher Expansion
Public Schools First NC (PSFNC.org), an organization that supports advocacy of public education in North Carolina, regularly sends out very informative factoids through social media that give texture to the landscape of the politics associated with public education. With the current recess of the General Assembly after its disastrous budget proposal for public education, … Continue reading The NCGA’s Plan to Make School Performance Grades Fuel Voucher Expansion
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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
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Open Letter to the Registered Voter Who Believes in Public Schools
Note: I have combed through all of my op-eds, posts, rants, and lists and compiled from them what follows as a last posting to help get people to vote next Tuesday for pro-public education candidates. The current General Assembly and governor are very scared of public school teachers and those who support them. Without their … Continue reading Open Letter to the Registered Voter Who Believes in Public Schools
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Map It And It Becomes Very Apparent That Medicaid Expansion Refusal Affects Schools
On Sept. 5th, I constructed a post concerning the high correlation between poverty, school performance grades, and the gerrymandered districts within North Carolina. Yesterday, NC Policy Watch referenced a study by the North Carolina Poverty Research Fund in Chapel Hill entitled “Putting a Face on Medicaid Expansion in North Carolina.” You can reference it here: http://www.law.unc.edu/documents/poverty/publications/medicaid_report_final.pdf … Continue reading Map It And It Becomes Very Apparent That Medicaid Expansion Refusal Affects Schools
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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
caffeinated rage 