Justin Parmenter
Educator and policy analyst Justin Parmenter on the plans to dramatically expand school vouchers
Under legislation making its way through the General Assembly this session, North Carolina will soon dramatically expand its controversial private school vouchers program so that households of all incomes will be eligible to receive a state subsidy to send their kids to private school. The multi-million-dollar expansion comes at the same moment that the state’s […]
Veteran NC teacher questions Board of Ed chair’s good faith on merit pay plan for teachers
If there is anyone involved in the controversial North Carolina teacher merit pay work who should understand the importance of giving teachers a seat at the table when redesigning how they are paid, it’s the chair of the State Board of Education. After all, the last time Eric Davis tried–and failed–to pass merit pay against […]
State education leaders advance new and controversial teacher compensation proposal
Superintendent Catherine Truitt denies plan would introduce "merit pay," but critics strongly disagree With just a few weeks left before the start of a new school year, districts are scrambling to fill teaching vacancies. North Carolina educators, and those in other states, are leaving the profession in large numbers on the heels of a traumatic COVID-19 pandemic that at its worst led to school closures, remote learning, and unprecedented stress and burnout for teachers.
State Board of Education reviews controversial draft overhaul of teacher compensation
Despite assurances from DPI officials, some teachers worry that the plan would devalue classroom experience in favor of test scores and student surveys A new compensation and licensure proposal that rewards “competency and skill” has some state teachers worried that "classroom experience would no longer be valued in North Carolina,” State Board of Education member Jill Camnitz said Wednesday.
Mecklenburg teacher obtains, publishes comments submitted to Lt. Gov’s education “FACTS” task force
As is his wont, veteran Mecklenburg County public school teacher Justin Parmenter has done the state a valuable service in recent weeks by obtaining and publishing dozens of comments submitted by members of the public to the new “F.A.C.T.S. task force” established by North Carolina’s always embarrassing Lt. Governor, Mark Robinson. (Note to the Lite […]
State Superintendent Mark Johnson says survey results show North Carolinians oppose Common Core standards
Superintendent Mark Johnson said Thursday that 78 % of people responding to a N.C. Department of Public Instruction survey want Common Core removed from North Carolina standards. More than 71,000 people completed the controversial survey, Johnson said in a news release. That means 55,380 of them indicated they oppose Common Core. “These results affirm what I have been hearing across the state for years,” […]
Superintendent Mark Johnson hit with ethics complaint over email, text message blasts
A language arts teacher from Charlotte has filed a complaint with the N.C. Ethics Commission over email and text messages State Superintendent Mark Johnson sent to educators and parents asking them to take an online survey about Common Core standards. Justin Parmenter, a frequent critic of the superintendent who blogs at Notes from the Chalkboard, contends the messages were politically motivated. He said they were sent to aid […]
Effectiveness of ‘Read to Achieve’ called into question after dip in reading scores
“Read to Achieve,” the state’s signature education reform program, was under attack Wednesday after the 2019 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) showed a dip in reading scores for North Carolina students. The state has spent more than $150 million on the program since it was launched by the North Carolina’s Republican leadership in 2012 but has […]
Superintendent Mark Johnson’s letter explaining iPad decision draws a predictable response
Is was predictable. State Superintendent Mark Johnson’s decision to pushback against criticism that he awarded hundreds of iPads to educators without having them apply for the electronic devices through a formal, competitive process produced — well, more criticism. Justin Parmenter, a Charlotte teacher who blogs at “Notes from the Chalkboard,” took a swing at Johnson […]
Ravitch thumps Johnson, Istation over controversial contract award
State Superintendent Mark Johnson’s decision to award an $8.3 million K-3 reading assessment contract to Istation, even though selection committees ranked another vendor higher, is receiving national attention. Noted educational policy analyst Diane Ravitch took Johnson — and Istation — to task Sunday on her blog, after the company threatened critics with legal action. She […]