NC educators, please take the time to read this article about a plan coming before the State Board of Education next week which would transition all North Carolina teachers to a system of “merit pay” as soon as 2023. #nced#ncpol#ncga
This would make North Carolina the first state in the country to stop paying teachers on an experience-based scale that rewards long-term commitment to a career in education and recognizes the importance of veteran educators to a school.
At the center of this plan is the notion that a computer algorithm can accurately measure the value a teacher adds to his/her students' learning just by analyzing standardized test scores.
Here are some thoughts about the very important events playing out in Union County. Pictured here is UC's BOE chair Melissa Merrell. It probably won't surprise you to hear that her leadership as regards COVID/school policy has been highly politicized. 🧵 #nced#ncpol
In fact, all over North Carolina since not too long after the pandemic began, too many local and state policymakers have been downplaying the danger of COVID and casting Governor Cooper as an unAmerican tyrant who doesn't believe in the constitution or freedom.
(I'd argue they were following the lead of President Trump, whose main objective was not safety for Americans but containing political fallout from his disastrous handling of the pandemic and winning reelection in 2020.)
If you believe that North Carolina's children deserve a high quality public education, here's something to put on your radar... #nced#ncpol#ncga
We've been wringing our hands about the teacher pipeline forever, but the wringing got more intense a few years back when the impact of various laws passed by the Republican supermajority on enrollment in NC university teacher preparation programs became clear.
Uncapping charters, eliminating masters pay and longevity, removing class size limits for grades 4-12, slashing budgets for technology/materials, taking away teaching assistants, etc. all have made working in public schools far less attractive.
Yesterday @UCPSNC Board Chair Melissa Merrell berated local educators who participated in statewide social studies standards revisions, suggesting that irate parents follow up with them individually. (Start @ 18:00) cc @AGHoulihan #nced
Merrell demanded to be consulted as a board member and participant in a local curriculum committee and given the opportunity to provide input on revisions in the future.
A few points Ms. Merrell needs clarity on:
Standards revisions occur regularly and consist of multiple drafts of standards created by teams of educators working under the management of DPI. Those teams are not subject to interference by the public.
This bill doesn’t provide “alternative options” for staff who are “uncomfortable returning.” It simply requires LEAs to “have a plan in place to address requests for alternative work assignments.” #nced#ncga#ncpol
In fact, this bill will greatly increase the number of those requests being denied because of the number of staff it will require.
We also have to name that this #NCGA’s consistent refusal to allow a school construction bond on a ballot is one big reason we have so many decrepit buildings with ventilation that doesn’t meet CDC’s recommendations as we face an airborne virus.