education

UNC Centers

Kirk Ross posted some of his thoughts about the recent UNC system center closings. Here are some of his observations:

Although passed by consensus vote, during discussions Tuesday there was a split over the at least some recommendations including one tense exchange over the decision not to close Chapel Hill’s Center for Civil Rights, which is based at the law school.

BOG member Steven Long and Center for Civil Rights director Ted Shaw

BOG member Steven Long said the center was engaging in political activities and said the center’s engagement in school segregation cases in several North Carolina counties was wrong and damaging to the county budgets. Long said he did not think it was right for a part of the university to be engaged in legal actions against the state or local governments.

Economics of Education: What We Owe Our Children & Our Nation

"A panel of our local school district superintendents will discuss the impact of the NC budget on local schools at a public meeting at 7 pm on Tuesday, February 3, 2015.
Expert participants include: Dr. Del Burns, Orange County Interim Superintendent; Dr. Tom Forcella, Chapel Hill-Carrboro Superintendent; Dr. Derrick Jordan, Chatham Superintendent and Dr. Bert L'Homme, Durham Superintendent.

The League of Women Voters of Orange, Durham and Chatham and the North Carolina Central University (NCCU) School of Education are partnering to sponsor the meeting. Dr. Wynetta Lee, Dean of the School of Education at NCCU, will moderate the discussion, which will be held in the School of Education Auditorium in the H.M. Michaux Jr. building on the NCCU campus at 700 Cecil Street in Durham.

Parking is available in any of the campus lots after 5 pm, and elevator access is on the lower level of the building from the front parking lot."

Date: 

Tuesday, February 3, 2015 - 7:00pm

Location: 

School of Education Auditorium in the H.M. Michaux Jr. building on the NCCU campus at 700 Cecil Street in Durham

Recapping the County Commissioners' Budget Debate

Here's the Storify from the Orange County Board of Commissioners' budget debate.

Supporting Teachers

Last evening my son and I attended a forum at Culbreth Middle School about teacher pay. There were a number of panels. First teachers spoke (including one of my son's teachers from Carrboro High School). They shared stories about how hard it was to make it on teacher pay especially since their salaries have been frozen at the same pay scale step since 2007. State statistics show that an unusually high number of teachers are leaving for other states or are quitting the profession. High school and middle school students talked about their teachers and how sad it was that many of their teachers have decided to leave.  Aaron Nelson spoke for the local business community. He mentioned the positive impact a good school system has on the economy and that they support paying more for education. Finally the local superintendent, 3 state reps and 1 state senator spoke about the budgets and politics. A pleasant surprise was that one rep was a Republican from Guilford/ Greensboro who supports increased pay for all teachers.

Punishment and Policing In Our Schools Forum

This forum, organized by the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Citizens Advocating for Racial Equity and co-sponsored by the Community Education Collaborative, the Chapel Hill Town Council's Justice in Action Committee, and the UNC Center for Civil Rights, will feature Orange County Commissioner Mark Dorosin giving the keynote address. Orange County Public Defender James Williams will give opening and closing remarks, and a panel of experts and community will discuss school discipline laws and policies, policing, and their effects on students and families in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and brainstorm possible solutions.

Date: 

Saturday, February 2, 2013 - 1:00pm to 4:00pm

Location: 

Carrboro Century Center

Another attempt to publicly fund a private school

A little bird flew in the window this morning bearing news of the application for a new charter school here in Chapel Hill/Carrboro.  I found that interesting because when I was education chair for the local NAACP the idea was kicked around and found to have many holes in it. For me the expense and building of infrastructure was too great.  This district, although it is failing the majority of the children of color, has a fantastic infrastructure and curriculum that, if improved upon, will do well for all students.

Recently, I and a group of parents from Chapel Hill and Carrboro met with the new school superintendent, Dr. Forcella. As a result I intend to work with him as opposed to funneling money away from the district as a charter school would do, if the application is approved.

So, as what should be normally done when faced with something unexpected, follow the money.  In this case it started with an article from Truthout.org I read yesterday discussing the "pilot" programs in Florida centering around the privatization of education.

Idealist Grad Fair

I thought folks might be interested in this event by Idealist.org for folks looking for careers in social justice.

Idealist Grad Fairs are for undergrads, professionals, and anyone thinking of going to grad school to further their social-impact career.  Programs range from degrees in social work, public policy, environmental studies, public interest law, nonprofit management, public health, and more.

Date: 

Saturday, November 12, 2011 - 9:00am to 12:00pm

Location: 

Friday Center, Chapel Hill

The Fight To Save Our Schools

3,200 UNC System employees lose their jobs under the budget that currently sits on Governor Perdue's desk.

Backers of the budget cuts argue that at a time where unemployment is at near record levels and the state is facing a 3 billion dollar deficit cuts need to be made. By slashing education and other vital public institutions instead of keeping the current sales tax level, the legislature claims to be protecting economic development in NC. They fail to recognize the fundamental role education plays in economic development.

Education rally in Raleigh

Hello NC residents!

    On Tuesday, May 3rd, the North Carolina Association of Educators and the North Carolina Parent/Teacher Association are co-sponsoring a public education rally in Raleigh from 4 pm on.  Buses and carpools of educators, public school employees, parents, students, and concerned citizens are travelling to Raleigh from Murphy to Manteo to show their concern about the 2011-2012 state budget, which cuts public education funding by $1 billion statewide.  Please consider travelling to Raleigh in support of our public school system, its students, and its employees!  And forward this to all your friends and family! I hope you can attend.

Loren
 

Here is a link to the actual budget proposal. http://www.ncleg.net/documentsites/Committees/HouseAppropriationsEducation/2011%20Session/2011-04-12%20Meeting/FRD_House_PropsedEducationBudget_2011-04-12.pdf
Here is a brief description of the impact that this budget proposal will have on public education if passed.
Local discretionary cuts                                    $346.9 million (cuts 7,000 teacher jobs/or 9,000 TA jobs)
Teacher Assistants                                            $258.6 million (cuts 8,000 jobs)
At-Risk Student Services                                   $30.1 million (cuts 602 teacher jobs)
Noninstructional support personnel             (cuts 2,380 jobs)
Academically/Intellectually Gifted                (cuts 168 teacher jobs)
Central Office Administration                         $10.7 million (cut 150 jobs)
Assistant principals                                           $24.7 million  (cuts 329 jobs)
Limited English Proficiency                              $7.5 million (cuts 150 teacher jobs lost)
Transportation                                                    $20.7 million  (cuts 1,035 bus drivers)
Teacher Academy                                            Eliminated
Mentoring                                                          Eliminated
School Technology                                          Eliminated
Staff development                                          Eliminated
NC Science, Math and Technical
Education Center                                             Eliminated
Office of Early Learning                                 Eliminated
Educator Recruitment
and Development                                          Eliminated
Governor’s Education Cabinet                   Eliminated.
NC Professional Teaching
Standards Commission                                  Eliminated
Background Information:  The proposed budget for K-12 education is scheduled for debate in the House Education Appropriations Subcommittee for a week, where changes can be made.  A decision on salary cuts in the House version of the budget will be made once the proposal is forwarded to the full Appropriations Chairs.  A House budget proposal is scheduled for a vote in late April after which the Senate forwards its proposal.
 
Here is a quick link to contact your House member.
http://www.capwiz.com/nea/nc/issues/alert/?alertid=41336506&type=ST&show_alert=1
Here is a link to a video of the debate that took place on the Senate floor over the proposed State Health Plan bill following Governor Perdue’s veto of the bill.  Note the reference to NCAE as the culprit behind the Governor’s veto.  Please join us in thanking Governor Perdue for taking a stand and supporting educators.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8W_Ge5hlu8&feature=player_embedded

Date: 

Tuesday, May 3, 2011 - 4:30pm

Location: 

state legislature and downtown Raleigh

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