9486 in the collection  

It’s Teacher Depreciation Week in Florida

Weber offers a classic summary of politico attitude toward teachers and then, advising teachers to celebrate teacher appreciation week with a nice meal, delivers a last line zinger that summarizes the teacher's situation. . . not just in Florida but across the country.

by Dave Weber

A glance at the calendar indicates that it is Teacher Appreciation Week across America. But once again this year in Florida, it might more aptly be called Teacher Depreciation Week, falling as it does at the tail end of another state legislative session where teachers took a beating.

How do we love teachers? Let us count the ways:



• You'll be paying 3 percent of your salary toward retirement under a change in law expected to sail through this week as the Legislature wraps up its deeds for this year.



• The school year is almost over, and your job may be, too. Steep cuts to education by the Legislature have school districts considering where to tighten their belts – and some teachers may be let go.



• Even those who survive the budget cuts may no longer be able to count on having jobs, as the state moves toward a new merit pay plan passed by lawmakers and signed by the governor. Teachers' whose students don't score high enough on tests will be shown the door.



• Class sizes are likely to get larger under the Legislature's latest plan to get around voters’ reaffirmation of the Class Size Amendment last fall. Teachers say they do a better job with fewer students.



• Republican lawmakers aim to reduce union political activity by restricting the unions’ ability to collect payroll deductions for member dues.


Education Commissioner Eric Smith has backed most of these proposals. But he's still real proud of teachers, he says. In an announcement he asks "all Floridians to take a moment to thank them for the incredible job they do in cultivating an atmosphere of learning that continues to positively impact our children."

So have a nice day, maybe go out and get a nice meal.

"Would you like fries with that?"

— Dave Weber
Sentinel School Zone blog
2011-05-04
http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_education_edblog/2011/05/its-teacher-depreciation-week-in-florida.html

---

INDEX OF OUTRAGES

Pages: 380   
[1] 2 3 4 5 6  Next >>    Last >>