Just got an alert from the Classroom Teachers Association of NC. A bill has been introduced by Republican Majority Whip, State Rep Ruth Samuelson that would take away what little rights teachers have in North Carolina. It's designated as a pilot program, and only applies to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, but don't let that fool you. This is the proverbial foot in the door for the wholseale destruction of public schooling in North Carolina.
North Carolina is a 'right to work' state. Teachers already can't collectively bargain over anything. The superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenberg Schools, Dr. Peter Gorman is known for his short-sighted and tone-deaf administration. Partnering with Bill Gate's MET and the odious federal Teacher Incentive Fund, CMS got our equally short-sighted governor to apply for Race to the Top funds. We were one of the ten states that won moneys, but part of the RttT application was the assertion that North Carolina would adopt a Pay for Performance model of teacher compensation. There were a couple of problems, though.
First only certain subjects and certain years were tested. You can't use PfP if there's no data. At first they were going to only offer bonuses to the teachers of the kids that were tested and pay-cuts to everyone else. So they decided that, starting this year, every subject in every grade from K through 12 would be tested. These tests were supposed to be developed with input from the teachers. In this case input meant asking teachers and then ignoring the answers.
Second, there has been a law since 2007 that gave the teachers the right to refuse changes to their compensation. They still can't bargain for what they want, but it takes 50% plus one to approve new pay. Now they want to take even that slim carrot away. The reasoning is simple. The neo-liberals want to 'reform' the schools a la Michelle Rhee by cutting everyones pay for the promise of a bonus for showing high growth in test scores. Should it be mentioned that CMS hasn't paid out bonuses to teachers in the past few years? Gorman can't get the teachers to cave so now he's trying to ram it through the legislature.
It hasn't been voted on yet and can be read here. Anyone in North Carolina should contact their state representatives. Email works just fine, but don't spam them and please be civil.
*Just an aside. I don't endorse CTANC and personally loathe their association with the generally ant-union AAE, but in an anti-union state you have to take help where you find it.
Updated by Balachan at Fri Apr 01, 2011 at 04:17 AM PDT
Update: NCAE, North Carolina's National Education Association branch has now come out against this odious bill. NCAE also has scheduled the "One Voice" rally for May 3rd outside the NC General Assembly at 16 West Jones Street in Raleigh, NC. Originally this rally was to be just about avoiding more cuts to education, but not any more. Dr. Gorman even gave all the teachers the day off today, probably to try and sneak this through without vocal opposition. It doesn't seem like that part worked so well.