Carolina Journal Weekly Report

For the week of July 08, 2011 - carolinajournal.com

Reaction of the Week

RALEIGH — North Carolina should dump certification and licensing rules that place artificial limits on the number and kinds of teachers who can work in state-managed virtual schools. The John Locke Foundation’s top education expert recommends that change in a new Spotlight report.

“Teacher certification requirements are among the most onerous rules enforced by state education agencies,” said Dr. Terry Stoops, JLF Director of Education Studies. “Those requirements have the potential to place serious limits on the scope, quality, and accessibility of virtual schooling for years to come.”

Stoops labels state teacher certification mandates “the most serious barrier to the widespread adoption of virtual schooling.”

“This type of instruction allows qualified instructors to deliver lectures, content, and assessments using Internet-based communications tools,” Stoops said. “What’s standing in the way of this innovative approach? It’s not an antiquated technological infrastructure or inadequate funding. It’s the application of one-size-fits-all teacher certification rules and regulations designed to maintain the educational status quo.”

CJ: Job plans abound, but do any work?
RALEIGH — It seems that everyone has a “jobs plan” — a set of policies intended to jump-start employment and help the recession turn toward recovery. The outlines of the plans generally center on philosophical views of the economy.

CJ: Open-government backers disheartened by NCGA session
RALEIGH — Republicans pledged to use their new clout in state government to blow away the storm clouds and let in the sunshine, but government-transparency advocates say the 2011 legislative session was a disappointment overall.

CJ: Stripped-down safe students act becomes law
RALEIGH — House Bill 744 requires parents and guardians of incoming public school students to furnish a certified copy of the child’s birth certificate, as well as proof of immunization. The bill became law last week without Gov. Bev Perdue's signature.

CJ: Bill ending NCAE dues check off X-ed out
RALEIGH — Gov. Bev Perdue used one of her record 15 vetoes on Senate Bill 727, a measure eliminating the dues check off option for the 60,000-member North Carolina Association of Educators. The bill passed the Senate 31-16 and the House 62-52.

CJ: Hope-ful dreams fill charter school
RALEIGH — Deep in the historic district of Raleigh, along streets of older and newer homes alike, is a place of hope. Eager children scamper across creaky wooden floors, past outdated radiators in the basement of the old Barbee Elementary School building to go from one class to another.

Monday, July 11, 2011 at 12:00 PM, Noon
A meeting of the Shaftesbury Society
with our special guest Dr. C. L. Gray
"The Battle for America's Soul"

Capital Quotes

“This is their gem, their ace… This is Republican redistricting bonanza.”
— David Wasserman, an analyst with the Washington-based Cook Political Report, talking to the Raleigh News & Observer about congressional redistricting in North Carolina.

“We all want it to be better for [our children] than it was for us. North Carolina, my friends, is going backward on making it better for them.”
— Gov. Bev Perdue, as quoted by the Winston-Salem Journal, talking about the state budget passed over her veto.

“Anytime we push decision making and money away from a few powerful people in Raleigh who think that government creates jobs, and not private industry, that will strengthen job creation.”
— Rep. Dale Folwell, R-Forsyth, as quoted by the Winston-Salem Journal, talking about economic development policy.

“I think it’s about educating the legislators. Our work is cut out for us.”
— Sen. Ellie Kinnaird, D-Orange, talking to the Wilmington Star-News about a proposal to raise the age at which teens are automatically tried as adults instead of sent to juvenile court to 18 from the current 16.

This week on C J Radio…
JLF’s Daren Bakst discusses the state’s eugenics program and the potential of compensating living victims; Elaine Riddick, Melissa Hyatt, and Australia Clay testify before the governor’s task force on eugenics; Sens. Tom Apodaca, R-Henderson, and Martin Nesbitt, D-Buncombe, debate conduct of oversight boards; Duke University professor John Staddon discusses “market failure”; Jenna Ashley Robinson of the Pope Center for Higher Education Policy analyzes the value of a college degree.

This week on NC Spin…
Join moderator Tom Campbell for another week of political discussion and debate on the most intelligent television talk show in the state. Topics this week: 9.7 percent unemployment; medical competition and certificate of need laws; 5 more school days; and CEO compensation. This week’s panelists: John Hood, president of the John Locke Foundation; Chris Fitzsimon of NC Policy Watch; former House Speaker Joe Mavretic; and political consultant Brad Crone.