Mecklenburg GOP: Say that to our face!

Ask the Mayor himself!

Finally someone who understands the educator's point of view...very honest and refreshing.
Good luck b/c it seems that McCrory supporters do not get it at all.
He has no idea what the problems/solutions are and would absolutely destroy what all of us in education have worked so hard to improve.
His people seem to frown upon higher education; now that I don't get!
PS Why do they think giving money to one state group would hurt another...they are different funds!!

"GET your children OUT of government screwls fast as you can!"

FFC, you've once again revealed the reason why your preferred candidate for an elected office is the wrong choice for the majority of voters.

McCrory's school voucher proposals center around the idea that public schools are "failing" to meet the needs of some students, and that is true to a certain extent. But instead of working to improve the current system to the benefit of all students, his focus is to strengthen another, totally private system as a "refuge" from the public school system. To rescue certain children, as it were. It's a "better education for some" as opposed to a "better education for all" approach, and (should) have no place in a Governor's (or a Mayor's) platform of ideas for public improvement.

If this approach was actually tailored to focus on the 30% of students who are likely to drop out, it might have enough merit to pursue. But it isn't, and the demographics of dropouts tell us that a large portion of those 30% come from families that couldn't afford the extra fees (on top of the voucher) that a private school would entail. So, at the end of the day, students who are actually succeeding and providing an example of academic achievement to others will make up a large portion of those "rescued" from public schools.

And who else is going to be "rescued" from public schools? Teachers. Teachers that are already in short supply now will be recruited into the private sector, just as our expensively-trained special operations soldiers are being recruited to fill the ranks of the private army headquartered in Moyock. Whatever. Don't get me started on Blackwater. My point is, there is not an abundant supply of experienced and motivated educators to fill out the ranks of two independent school systems, and taking money out of public coffers (vouchers) to help finance a separate, private school system, will inevitably make teaching in private schools more enticing. The loss of good students and good teachers and money will leave those who are left behind in worse shape than before.

This is the danger that Bev Perdue talked about and Pat McCrory whined about, and if you think recovering from the mental health crisis is hard, you ain't seen nothin' yet.

Please let us know your source for Mayor McCrory's test scores. Thanks.

Your children are probably fine in our schools, but many of you need a remedial course in spelling (including McCrory). "Liberal" elite is not ashamed of a PHD.

You said it! The NTE was too simplistic, and yet, he did not manage to pass. No,you are correct: the NTE has been replaced by the Praxis, much harder and a bear to pass. Doesn't logic tell us that he really would struggle with the newer, harder version? I'm sorry that you contradicted your own point, but, believe me, you did much less harm to us than McCrory would.

I would love to know how Pickingperdue is so sure that she knows that Mayor McCrory 'could not pass the NTE'. But so what?

The NTE is a test that no longer exists and was discontinued at the urging of teachers' unions & other critics, "who [said] the basic examination [was] simplistic and did not measure the diverse knowledge and skills required to be a teacher." (NYT Oct. 28, 1988 http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DEFD9113BF93BA15753C1A96E948260

I value all educators and the role they play in our society. And I believe that education is a basic and fundamental right of us all. However, we are at a difficult time in our state's economy and the challenges facing our next governor are many.

Other governors have had the luxury under very strong economic times to create and expand those programs that rhyme (and many of them are very good programs), but as seasoned educators know - sometimes at the expense of some very basic needs such as special education.

I fail to see exactly how Lt Governor Perdue has been a strong champion of public school education in her role on the state board of education, during her tenure as "referee of the state senate", or as a legislator.

And this post only deals with public schools. Bev Perdue has also voted to raise tuition at state universitites, and has sat idly by as our community colleges gasp for funding. Why on earth should any of us believe she will do anything differently as governor when we know our state is facing $1 billion in revenue shortfall?

NC needs and deserves REAL CHANGE in Raleigh - in education, mental and physical healthcare, transportation, and the economy. I believe Mayor McCrory can bring that change. He is not afraid to ask the hard questions, and take unpopular stands, to reach solutions to complex challenges. So IF he failed an outdated, outmoded test that didn't even meet the muster of the education establishment, I'll take that gamble.

so your Piled Higher and Deeper degree makes you a lieberal elite huh? glad i dont have a child reporting to you for dumbing down socialist government indoctrination classes.

GET your children OUT of government screwls fast as you can!

Well, I have tried to not have to pull this card, but I have a PHD in elementary education and have taught for 20 years. I still teach and have every intention of enjoying my state retirement. I have done my research on McCrory, I realize that he graduated from Catawba College with a degree in education; however, I also know that he could not pass the NTE. He never taught (maybe that student teaching didn't work out too well)...he did referee; did he have a double major? I have mentored student teachers who just did not have the "right stuff", and I can assure you that McCrory, who thinks "calkalators" are ruining our students, would never make the cut. He is so out of touch with education that his ridiculous barbs at our "programs that rhyme" should be enough to convince anyone that Perdue's & Easley's early childhood programs, which won national recognition, are just too sophisticated for the likes of Mr. Reading, Writing, and "Rithmitik" McLoser!

Once again, Bev Perdue has pitted one part of the state against another. This ad is likely going to enrage and galvanize Charlotte to overwhelmingly vote against Perdue...Democrats and Republicans alike

There seems to be a pattern here that PerDONT (I love it) will say about anything in any part of the state, even if it is counter to what she says elsewhere, i.e. I will make Charlotte my 2nd home if elected and then blasts Charlotte everywhere else in the state.

She may have gotten the support of the NEA months & months ago, but I would bet that they are not happy about the reduced time for Highway Patrolmen to get full pensions. And with the budget shortfall, can she even promise that to the Highway Patrol. Maybe at the expense of the teachers across North Carolina..... Beverly, what's your response to our teachers?

PickingPerdue,

Please do your research before you make yourself look silly. What do you think Pat McCrory went to college before he went to work for a Energy company. A TEACHER!!!!!!!!!

I see why you picked Perdue.

I am not worried for myself as I only worked for 13 years in the school system. But many friends in the education profession sweat and scrimp to get to either the 20 year (partial) or 30 year (full) retirement. It seems extremely unfair to set one group, the highway patrol, apart from the others and give them a full early retirement. Why is she so beholden to them anyway? We need to be tightening up the budget reigns if anything.

And there would be strikes by NC's teachers if you move the full pension to 35 years! Don't even think about it Perdue!

Unless I see this ad on Charlotte TV, I will have to assume that you are trying to pit the rest of the state against Charlotte. These are not the actions of someone who wants to govern the entire state. Ms PerDONT, why don't you just run for Mayor of New Bern as that is the only group of voters that you seem to be fighting for.

Pat McCrory...the difference is leadership

Wikipedia states that McCrory graduated in 1978 from Catawba College with a B.A. in political science and education (which meant he also served as a student teacher in order to get his teaching certificate). PickingPerdue, if you haven't done either of these, one could argue that he knows or cares more about educators than you do.

Given limited dollars in the state budget next year ($2 billion dollar projected deficit), if additional dollars are promised to the law enforcement unions, the less that is available to fund the pensions for teachers. Maybe to fulfill her promise to the highway patrol, she will make the teachers wait 35 years for a full pension as compared to their current 30. Soccermom3 should be concerned.

I would be ashamed if I were Bev Perdue. It seems to come so easily to her to tell one part of the state something yet turn around and tell the other side of state something else. Bev Perdue showed her true character when she would not join the statewide debates. She has made this a divisive, negative campaign not McCrory. He has every right to defend himself from her distorted ads, maybe that is what the Perdue backers see as divisive. She has had 8 years in the Lieutenant Governor's office to make a difference in this state but has failed to do so and quite frankly she doesn't deserve a chance in the governor's mansion. This state needs a change - we don't need another Easley! We don't need another 20+ years of Beverly Perdue.

What specifically has Lt Gov Perdue done for education?

With all due respect to picking perdues comments I disagree. I think McCrory cares deeply about educators and students. I agree with soccermom3 the field should be level for benefits for teachers,law enforcment and other state employees.

NC has become a police state...be wary of donating money to these various police type groups who call you begging...

explain to them that you pay their salaries and that their job is their choice...

How does helping the law enforcement cancel all the good she has done for education? Haven't you noticed that the NEA supports Perdue?
What do you honestly think McCrory knows or cares about educators? Remember who stayed on Duke Power's payroll for years after he left, and who supports big business over the rest of us?

As a psychologist in the NC schools for 13 years, I am pleased that McCrory is speaking about the benefits that those in law enforcement are getting after 25 years when my peers have to wait 30 years for full benefits. This seems to be the real example of robbing Peter to pay Paul and it shows that Perdue is the hypocrite. I thought she was for the teachers, but apparently not compared to the unions representing law enforcement officers in North Carolina.

Oh, please! Is McCrory challenging Perdue to a duel? Get real here, McCrory changes his rhetoric to match whomever he is addressing. I just heard him appeal to teachers to be concerned about law enforcement's benefits. Isn't he the one who said teachers were not doing their jobs by using "calkalators" (his pronunciation) and not teaching our young children? Give me a break!
The PHD trumps the referee!