State Senate leaders filed legislation Monday (4/23) with a set of measures aimed at reforming public education in North Carolina. The Excellent Public Schools Act would make major changes to public schools, especially at the elementary level. Senate President Pro Tem, Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) the major sponsor of the bill, said the bill hopes to take a more strategic approach in resolving our education problems. “It’s time to stop constantly reaching for our checkbook and focus on reforming our playbook.”
Among the major provisions included in the plan: 1) provide struggling students in grades one through three with intensive classes and instructors to boost reading skills; 2) reward the most effective teachers with bonuses and merit pay increases; 3) employ teachers on annual contracts that are renewed based on performance; and 4) establish a Teacher Corps program that would give college students and professionals a more direct path to teach in schools that need most help.
In the coming weeks the Senate will be meeting with teachers, superintendents and parents interested to discuss the plan.
I am excited that someone is willing to step up
and see that we can’t continue feeding money to the teachers and unions without any responsibility on the part of the system itself. Our teachers, principles, and all school workers need to take ownership of their positions and prove themselves.
As a educator of 37 years, Phil Berger is right. However,I want to see more accountibility on the part of parents, too.
Based on my observations with 37 years of experience in education in three different states, the majority of parents do not support their child’s education. They show up with many times two or more other children with nothing for them to do at parent/teacher/students conferences; no paper to take notes and a “blame the teacher” mentality.
A step in the right direction. Money is not the only driver in academic excellence. Teacher accountability is not the only driver either. Some students can be difficult to teach and require additional help in school and at home. Achievers should not be penalized and should be pushed to do even more. Are we making sure rules and regulations are not tying the hands of our teachers?
I find it amusing that Berger just handed over ALECs education plan… well played Berger.. well played.. just like you are trying to play NC voters –
This bill is nothing more than eyewash. The only way to fix education in this country is to privatize education and make parents pay a higher fee based on number of children in school. Stop the free ride. Charter schools and home schools have been proven to produce higher quality students, yet we insist on letting the government keep control of education. Charter schools get rid of ineffective educators and reward those that excel, have far fewer administrative positions, require students and parents to participate or be removed from enrollment, and use far fewer dollars than any government run public school. It’s a no-brainer!
One poster made the comment about teachers unions. There are none in NC because it is a “right to work state.” Teachers can be fired for incompetence at any time. This bill allows for the dismissal of teachers on June 11th of every year. Since their contract has ended they cannot apply for unemployment and their health insurance ends. Tiss’ an awesome way to cut costs. If a teacher gets seriously ill, dump him. Heck, no chance of NC ever paying unemployment to those laid off…Get this, talk about creating suck up teachers, who is gonna utter a peep knowing their tail could be out the door, with no warning on one day in June and have no chance of getting a job in another school because of how late it is!!!! Also, fire them all on year 29, month 11 and they can’t get the pension they thought they were gonna get! It’s brilliant, except, attracting future math teachers might be problematic.
“Charter schools and home schools have been proven to produce higher quality students”? Really? What sort of proof are we talking about? Could it be that they inherit higher quality students to begin with?
I think this really shows what priority the NC legislature has towards education. How about we base the NC legislature’s pay on the economy and the happiness of the constituents? These politicians are quick to adjust teacher pay but spend little to no time in the classroom. I think teachers in general do the best they can with the resources given to them and the home life that comes with the students. NC already is one of the worst paying states for teachers what else will they offer but a hostile teaching environment?