Terry Stoops

Kristy Moore, N.C. Association of Educators (NCAE): “This is a new year and it’s another chance for us as educators to put into perspective what we need to do to ensure that ALL students have a bright future. The children we serve cannot help in which zip code they live,…

Business.org released a Wallethub-style ranking of “best states for teachers.”  Yes, I know, I clicked on it.  Sorry.  The N.C. Association of Educators had a Facebook post about it, and I just couldn’t help myself.  They complain, “On average, NC teachers make 20% less than the average salary…

Yesterday, I mentioned the controversy over a “diversity inventory” assignment given to 10th graders at Heritage High School in Wake County. Today, I am reading through some Facebook responses from public school teachers.  While most teachers do not appear to object to the “diversity inventory” itself, many objected to…

A 10th grade English teacher at Heritage High School in Wake County distributed a “diversity inventory” to students in her class.  A concerned parent posted an image of the assignment on Facebook. It’s not clear how the teacher planned to use the information or the origin of the worksheet, but…

Last week, Carolina Journal published my op-ed that criticized teacher vacancy panic.  It is refreshing to find news articles that do not follow the media template.  Eric Wildstein of the Gaston Gazette writes, With Gaston’s public schools opening their doors to students Monday, most classrooms will again have permanent…

North Carolina lawmakers are considering legislation that would refund $900 million to taxpayers.  Carolina Journal reporter Lindsay Marchello writes, The bill intends to refund $900 million in surplus tax revenue. Lawmakers learned earlier this summer that income-tax payments and sales-tax collections ran higher than expected. Republican legislative leaders want…

My favorite Facebook page, North Carolina Teachers United, has an interesting thread about no zeros grading policies.  Teachers are not allowed to give students a zero on an assignment, even if they do not complete it. Teachers seem to like it, even though it sends the wrong message to children.

Results from the 13th annual Education Next survey of public opinion have been released.   Here are the top ten findings: 1. Vouchers and tax credits. The percentage of American adults favoring vouchers that help low-income students cover the cost of private-school tuition has risen to 49% in 2019…