Category Archives: NCGA

Rant Mode On: Passing Stopped School Buses

Posted on February 1, 2015 by A.P. Dillon

Rant Mode: ON.

There are some things in this world that really set my hair on fire. Watching people blow by a stopped school bus is one of them. I’ve watched people speed through my neighborhood and I yell at them to slow down nearly every day as I drop off and pick up my son from the bus stop. Often times I see that it is a parent in their mini-van, with their kids inside, blazing up my street doing 45 in a 25. Somehow, that’s worse.

KEEP READING — SEE THE NC LAWS ON PASSING A STOPPED SCHOOL BUS & THE BARRIER ALLOWING DRIVERS TO GET AWAY WITH IT. Continue reading →

Posted in A.P. Dillon (LL1885), EDUCATION, NCGA | 8 Comments

Sen. Tillman Moving Forward With NC Superintendent Bill

Posted on January 29, 2015 by A.P. Dillon

Senator Jerry Tillman has proposed the idea of making the NC Superintendent an appointed position instead of an elected position. As I noted before the holidays, in June of 2014, Senator Tillman filed Senate Bill 880 titled the Education Simplification Amendment.  It … Continue reading →

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NC Bill ” Magistrates Recusal of Civil Ceremonies.”

Posted on January 28, 2015 by A.P. Dillon

Arguably a reaction to North Carolina’s Amendment One being overturned?

“Magistrates Recusal of Civil Ceremonies.”

KEEP READING… Continue reading →

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Sen. Barefoot Receives Key Education Related Appointments

Posted on January 18, 2015 by A.P. Dillon

Senator Barefoot has received some top education appointments for the upcoming session, Chairman of the Senate Education Appropriations Committee and Chairman of the newly created Workforce and Economic Development Committee.

Sen. Barefoot served on the Common Core LRC committee in 2013 and authored SB 815, Ensuring Privacy of Student Records, which was signed into law in 2013.

Press release below.

KEEP READING Continue reading →

Posted in A.P. Dillon (LL1885), EDUCATION, NCGA | 1 Comment

BEST NC’s 2020 Vision Initiative

Posted on December 22, 2014 by A.P. Dillon

Common Core was discussed in North Carolina’s legislature starting in 2013 and running through 2014. The result of the discussion, meetings, hearings and testimony was Senate Bill 812. This bill ordered an appointed commission (ASRC) to review and replace the Common … Continue reading →

Posted in A.P. Dillon (LL1885), Academic Standards Review Commission, Common Core, EDUCATION, EXCLUSIVE, June Atkinson, NCGA | Tagged , | 10 Comments

#SB812 And The Common Core Commission’s Task

Posted on December 20, 2014 by A.P. Dillon

Yesterday, Senator Tillman’s newsletter pressed the Common Core Academic Standards Review Commission (ASRC) on their task of “writing new standards” and not just ‘tweaking’ and/or rehashing them. That’s what Senator Tillman has said for many months now about his bill.

Here’s what SB 812 says about the task of the ASRC, with emphasis added:

SECTION 2.(c) The Commission shall:

(1) Conduct a comprehensive review of all English Language Arts and Mathematics standards that were adopted by the State Board of Education under G.S. 115C‑12(9c) and propose modifications to ensure that those standards meet all of the following criteria:

a. Increase students’ level of academic achievement.

b. Meet and reflect North Carolina’s priorities.

c. Are age‑level and developmentally appropriate.

d. Are understandable to parents and teachers.

e. Are among the highest standards in the nation.

(2) As soon as practicable upon convening, and at any time prior to termination, recommend changes and modifications to these academic standards to the State Board of Education.

(3) Recommend to the State Board of Education assessments aligned to proposed changes and modifications that would also reduce the number of high‑stakes assessments administered to public schools.

(4) Consider the impact on educators, including the need for professional development, when making any of the recommendations required in this section.

The Commission shall assemble content experts to assist it in evaluating the rigor of academic standards. The Commission shall also involve interested stakeholders in this process and otherwise ensure that the process is transparent.

The “writing of new standards” is not among the charges of the ASRC. Making recommendations to the legislature is what they are supposed to do.

Spectators would do well to remember the difference noted above when it comes time for the ASRC to present its findings sometime next year.

KEEP READING… THERE’S MORE… Continue reading →

Posted in A.P. Dillon (LL1885), Academic Standards Review Commission, Common Core, NCGA | Tagged | 2 Comments