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Though the student population is growing, we've eliminated funding for 5,200 teachers and 3,850 teacher assistants. According to this article, we would have to hire nearly 30,000 to get back up to the employee-per-student ratio the schools had in 2008.
Teachers have more students, there are fewer professionals trained to address special needs, funding for books has been cut drastically. Where is this heading?
I haven't read the article yet, but this really concerns me. I don't know how this is sustainable, honestly. I wish we had realistic options for relocating out of this state, but right now this is where the job is. However, the state of education in NC is one reason we are still holding back from a home purchase. Leasing for three years kind of stinks, but at least if we get an offer elsewhere we can jump ship pretty easily. It's a shame, because there is so much to love about living here. I have grave concerns about my children's education though. If we manage to get into a charter school of our choice I will feel much better. Not likely though
I have always been surprised by the number of people who come to live in NC because they are essentially forced out of their homes by property taxes in New Jersey, and then complain about the level of school funding here.
Another interesting data point is the public school system in Washington DC, which spends about three-times the amount that we do per student, and yet has horrendous outcomes. And then there is Baltimore, just up the road, with essentially the same scenario . . .
Fix local stuff at the local level. The writer of the Slate editorial came to that realization a little late.
Going to Raleigh is not the same as working locally for the teachers they personally admire. The volunteering and infusion of funds into local schools is much smarter and much quicker and efficient than politicking for the cameras.
Jumpin Johnny Edwards' "Two North Carolinas" lives and breathes, in the world where high income demographics would propose to raise state taxes on poorer district residents to increase funding.
Does anyone have figures on which districts contribute the most to the state coffers, and which districts receive more than they provide to state coffers?
North Carolina is doing its best to destroy whatever education system we have left. I know several teachers who have quit after just a few years due to the ridiculous demands and nonexistent pay. Now I'm trying to convince my wife to leave for greener pastures as soon as she's done with her Master's program. Either leave the state or move onto college/university level education. The effort to teach isn't worth it when the students & parents don't care. Good teachers would be better appreciated somewhere else, and that's where the state is sending them.
I do not think that NC is alone in this situation. My brother is a HS science teacher in Mesa AZ. He took a part time teaching job at a local community college to get extra income during the summer, and discovered that his starting pay there would be equal to his pay at the high school after 12 years of service.
If you are working parents with children in the NC school system I don't see how you can be pleased with what the "new" govt. in Raleigh is doing to the education system.
If you are from the Northeast and contemplating moving to NC, wait until your kids finish HS before moving here. There is a good reason you are paying those high property taxes.
I have always been surprised by the number of people who come to live in NC because they are essentially forced out of their homes by property taxes in New Jersey, and then complain about the level of school funding here.
Another interesting data point is the public school system in Washington DC, which spends about three-times the amount that we do per student, and yet has horrendous outcomes. And then there is Baltimore, just up the road, with essentially the same scenario . . .
This. Constantly using the illegitimate force of government to extract more money to throw at an inherently broken system that cannot be fixed by more money is not any kind of sane solution.
Write checks for your local schools and teachers, don't just support yet another unfunded down the road bond measure. Give supplies. Work locally with the teachers that see your kids on a daily basis. Come to them with concerns and encouragement.
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