Blog entries - November 2009

How Are Budget Problems Affecting Teachers?

Admin — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:16:49 +0100

It is no secret that most Texas school districts, if not all, around the state are tightening their purse strings due to the current economic downturn. A significant amount of school districts' money comes from property taxes, and with a shaky housing market, revenue is not keeping up with the demands.

So how is this affecting Texas teachers? A quick look at news from around the state show a dim and frustrating next school year. Austin ISD Superintendent, MRead more

Does Performance Pay Work?

Admin — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:28:45 +0100

In a recent report from researchers at Texas A&M, Vanderbilt, and the University of Missouri, researchers shared results that found that the Texas Educator Excellence Grant incentive pay program lead to no "impact on student achievement". This means that in the schools where the TEEG performance pay was implemented, student results didn't improve!

In this Dallas News article, you can read how despite these compelling findings, Gov. PeRead more

Just Trying To Make a Buck

Admin — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:00:00 +0100

In the past few months, I have noticed more and more examples of school districts and teachers doing crazy things to raise a buck in these difficult economic times. It started with the uproar last year when teachers were selling advertisements on their tests to afford the copies. Now, Arlington ISD is considering selling advertisements on school busses! You can read about it here.

Personally, advertisements often appear as an endorsement and it seemsRead more