Opinion
Facts on Teacher Pay, Once Again
Since the early 1990s, politicians have promised to raise NC teacher pay to the national average. And since the early 1990s, teacher pay has already been at or above the average.
News
Union Probe Could Include NCAE
RALEIGH — Landmark Legal Foundation may be looking for new targets in its campaign to bring federal heat on teachers unions that illegally use member dues to fund political activities. Having investigated the powerful National Education Association since the mid-1990s, Landmark may soon be shifting its focus to some of the NEA’s local and state affiliates such as the North Carolina Association of Educators. The NCAE has been mentioned in several of Landmark’s federal complaints, such as an account of a 1999 general conference in which then-NEA President Bob Chase congratulated the NCAE for helping to unseat former Republican Sen. Lauch Faircloth and elect Democrat John Edwards.
Opinion
Easley’s Veto Portfolio
Lawmakers are upset with Gov. Mike Easley for exercising the gubernatorial veto for the second time in history to squash a teacher-portfolio bill. They have a right to be.
News
On Being a Substitute Teacher
RALEIGH — On a typical day in North Carolina, hundreds of substitute teachers take control of classes in the state’s 117 public systems, filling in for faculty that are sick, on vacation, or attending conferences. Parents may hear a passing reference to these stand-ins as children give a synopsis of their day. Other than that, substitutes are largely unnoticed by the public, but they have tremendous responsibility. I know firsthand. For four months last year, I was a substitute teacher in the Orange County School System.
