House Bill 1333 Options for Teachers Generates Tweets, Clears First Committee
Last week I brought your attention to Denver teacher Ronda Reinhardt’s story of the union denying her ability to opt out. She was excited to see a legislative solution proposed, a bill that succeeded yesterday at its first official hearing yesterday, passing Colorado’s House Education Committee:
House Bill 1333, sponsored by Rep. Jon Becker, R-Fort Morgan, […]
NBC Teacher Town Hall Participant Talks Technology
Branson School Online elementary teacher Christina Narayan talks about her experience as one of 300 Colorado participants at an NBC televised Teacher Town Hall in Denver on April 15. She shares the perspective of a full-time online teacher, explaining the power of technology to enhance parental choice and promote innovative solutions in education.
Dougco, Dougco, Dougco! State Board Reapproves Teacher Licensure Waiver
Before diving in, I have to be up front with you: Yes, this is the third time in less than 10 days I’m writing about Douglas County. (And it has nothing to do with the fact that the first legal documents were filed this week in the appeal of last August’s district court permanent injunction […]
Denver Teacher Tells Frustrating Union Opt-Out Story: Here Comes HB 1333
A 2010 Education Policy Center article highlighted a couple real-life examples of teachers who were harmed by the tight revocation deadlines and burdensome procedures that frustrate those who simply want to end their union dues deduction. A new Denver Post guest teacher commentary provides another example and a strong case for House Bill 1333, which as introduced would allow school district employees to opt in or out of union/association dues any time with 30 days notice.
Event Video: Marcus Winters on Teachers Matter
On Thursday, April 12, Manhattan Institute senior fellow and University of Colorado at Colorado Springs professor Dr. Marcus A. Winters shared the findings from his new book Teachers Matter with an audience of 40 Colorado educators, officials and other interested citizens.
Vincent Carroll Sounds Bold Themes of Dougco School Board Budget Proposal
Last week I brought your attention to the Douglas County school board’s bold proposals heading into historic open negotiations. (Thank you, Parent Led Reform!) While I’m little and sometimes notice things that most big people do not, that’s certainly not the case with the Dougco budget proposal.
In fact, Denver Post columnist Vincent Carroll yesterday delved […]
Teachers Matter Author Headlines First Independence Institute Brown Bag Lunch Event
On Thursday, April 12, the Independence Institute Freedom Embassy hosted its first-ever Brown Bag Lunch event with a presentation on the research that informs educator effectiveness policies. Manhattan Institute senior fellow and University of Colorado at Colorado Springs professor Dr. Marcus A. Winters shared the findings from his new book Teachers Matter with an audience […]
Research Says Teachers (and Teacher Policy) Matter
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs professor and Manhattan Institute senior fellow Dr. Marcus Winters discusses the major themes of his new book Teachers Matter. Learn what research has to say about how to identify, promote and reward effective teachers.
Encouraging News: Performance Pay in Harrison Gradually Gaining Teacher Support
I’m busy tweeting about the landmark first day of open union negotiations in Colorado’s third largest school district — Douglas County — so you’ll have to forgive a shorter post for today.
In my normal brilliantly childlike fashion, I jump at the opportunity to put together two topics I’ve written about recently. What are those two […]
4/10/12
Newsletter April 10 2012
Dougco Board Proposes Teacher Raises, Performance Pay, & Ending Union Privileges
Colorado’s Douglas County school board once again has charted a bold course with its initial proposals for the upcoming open bargaining negotiations with the teachers union. Maintaining a healthy reserve in tight budget times, the Board is offering employees a raise, a restart of the forward-thinking performance pay system, a cutback of union privileges, and a recognition of teachers’ right to choose.
Baseball Season (and the Inevitable Comparisons with Education Reform) is Back
What role should value-added test scores play in evaluating teacher performance? While I’m not going to take both sides of the debate, like the nation’s largest teachers union has done recently, there is more nuance to the question than the purpose of this post is suited to address. Maybe you can come to next week’s […]
