What will it take for Hoosier teachers to stand up?
NO TEACHER PAY INCREASE
Yesterday the Indiana State House of Representatives passed a budget…without adding more money specifically for teacher pay.
The House included an increase for education funding of 2.1% for the first year and 2.3% the second year. Given the recent inflation rates, this will allow school systems to add next to nothing. The inflation rate for the previous two years, 2018 and 2017, was 1.9% and 2.1% respectively. Republican legislators have suggested that teachers could get more money in their pockets if school systems budgeted better…spent less money on administrators and other “frills.”
Their criticism of school spending has raised the ire of superintendents and educators who say they have little left to cut after years of increasing costs and state revenue that has barely kept pace with inflation.
The test score bonus is still in effect, however, so those teachers who teach in low-poverty schools are guaranteed a cut from an extra $30 million. Perhaps we could cut the millions we waste on the “state test.”
Not all of this paltry increase in education funding will make its way to public school classrooms, however. The House has chosen to spend more on school privatization. They decided that charter schools deserve an increase from $500 to $1000 per student, and have increased voucher costs by adding a new tier worth 70% of state tuition support.
…and we’re still waiting for someone to evaluate the charter and voucher entitlements.
CHARTERS
Are students offered a better education in charter schools? That was the original selling point. Charter schools were supposed to improve all schools through competition.
Not anymore…now it’s all about choice. Unfortunately for some children, however, the “best” charter schools refuse to “choose” them.
This country is nearly 30 years into an experiment with charter schools, CONTINUE READING: What will it take for Hoosier teachers to stand up? | Live Long and Prosper