In an email I received today (NCAE Daily Political Briefing); these are the TOP (and bottom) facts all educators and parents should know about this budget. I also have taken the liberty to provide a little feedback on each one. There's are just my personal opinions. I'm not a polticial analyst, a politician, or anything high up. I am a first year teacher who is terrified about the future of my students' education. It just makes me truly question the Legislation at this current moment. As a new teacher, I'm already stressed with getting my classroom, decorating, meetings and training, planning accomadations (since I'm an EC teacher) and everything in between; this just adds to the hot mess of my summer.
Now, to the nitty gritty.
1. Eliminates 9,306.5 education positions -- 5,184.5 teachers, 3,850 teacher assistants, and 272 Support Personnel (guidance counselors, psychologist, etc.).
My reaction: What happened to education being important? What happened to wanting to mold the futures in a positive light? If this budget gets approved, lots of people with potential and knowledge to assist with our ever-growing school systems will be denied and deemed inadequate because people who aren't in the classroom everyday, deem them that way. How unfortunate?
2. Provides NO pay increases for educators, continuing North Carolina's race to the bottom of national salaries. In 2007-08 North Carolina was ranked 25th in the nation in teacher pay, last year our state was 46th. With no additional pay, next year North Carolina undoubtedly will be at the bottom.
My reaction: Fan-freaking-tastic. I already knew, as a teacher, that I wouldn't get paid much. I know the true meaning of education is the outcome of the students and not the income (and I stand by that), but, in reality, I have to survive in this world. This cruel world isn't fueled by love and passion; it's driven by dollar bills. While the Legislatures sleep happily knowing their pay is "A-Okay!", myself and my colleagues have to be stressed because life and classroom stuff ain't cheap.
3. While gutting public schools and educators, the legislature adopted a $50 million school voucher program ($10 million 2013-14, $40 million in 2014-15).
My reaction: To be honest, I don't know much about vouchers, but, from what I do know, public schools could definitely benefit from that money.
4. The North Carolina Budget eliminates career status for all teachers. Senate legislation, that received no public hearings in the House, was placed in the budget to eliminate career status for teachers. The new standard requires each school district to identify the top 25% of effective teachers without providing any criteria on how to accomplish this ranking of professionals. Teachers will be placed on a 1, 2, or 4 year contract. The top 25% will be given the option of receiving $500 to compensate them for the loss of due process rights. NOTE: the new system will be phased in over the course of the next five years.
My reaction: NO CAREER STATUS! :( While I was doing my student teaching, all of my teachers had to have career status to have student teachers. I WANT A STUDENT TEACHER someday to guide them and I don't get to do that. Also, there is no criteria deeming how these "top 25%" of effective teachers is ridiculous. If there's not criteria, anyone can get up there. What sense does this make? Teachers don't have due process rights....WHAT? Is that legal? You're trying to compensate me to temporarily not have my 5th and 14th Amendment...yeah..okay...how about not?
5. North Carolina no longer values educators who work on their continuing education through Masters or Doctorate level degrees. Beginning in the 2014-15 school year, educators will receive no additional pay for additional degrees unless your job requires (counselors, school psychologists, etc.)
My reaction: Goodbye future plans of possibly going to grad school. What if I did decide I wanted to go back to school? Oh yeah, I forgot, it's education....NC doesn't know what that is.
6. Grades Schools (A-F), 80% based on standardized test scores, 20% based on growth. No other variables will be considered in this grading.
My reaction: DEFINITELY, ABSOLUTELY, POSTIVITELY ridiculious. We don't need to put that much emphasis on standardized testing. Some students aren't good test takers. What about students with disabilities? I definitely thought education was about growing upon knowledge that you already have. Guess not. I definitely disagree with this and standardized testing is another topic of discussion altogether.
7. Eliminates the Teaching Fellows Program, once heralded as a national model for recruiting teachers into the classroom, the program is no longer funded.
My reaction: As a Teaching Fellow alum, this makes me very sad. I personally believe without Teaching Fellows, I wouldn't be the teacher I am now. This program provides pre-service teachers with so much knowledge and experience that you don't receive sitting in a standard college lecture hall.
8. Reduces targeted education funding:• Cuts Textbook funding by $77.4 million dollars;• Cuts Classroom supply funding by $45.7 million dollars;• Cuts Limited English Proficiency funding by $6 million dollars.
My reaction: Guess we don't need books, ELL assistance, or classroom supplies. Let's just teach our kids in a colorless, unimaginative prison. I refuse to do that.
9. Retired educators will receive NO Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA).
My reaction: I really don't know what to say. I feel so bad for retired teachers.
10. The General Assembly will be back next year.
My reaction: Are we supposed to throw them a party? Wooohoo! *sarcasm*
