Last Pitch Before Committee!
Governor Daugaard's spokesman and point man on education policy Tony Venhuizen hands out details on changes to HB 1234, the Governor's education reform package. The math/science bonuses change now to 100 scholarships a year for college students who will teach in fields with critical shortages. Merit pay stays and expands to an extra merit bump for top math and science teachers. Continuing contract still disappears. HB 1234 still stinks.
The Senate Education Committee takes up HB 1234 tomorrow morning at 7:45 Central, 6:45 Mountain. Here is the e-mail I just sent to the seven members of that committee, in hopes that they will listen to evidence... and to the voice of the people:
Seven days ago, I started an online petition asking that the Legislature replace HB 1234, the Governor's education reform package, with a task force to study education and propose research-based reforms to improve our K-12 system. In seven days, nearly 2,000 South Dakotans have signed this petition.
The petition explains why HB 1234 is bad policy. In Senate Education tomorrow, please vote to hoghouse HB 1234 and replace it with an education task force, as outlined in the petition. If you cannot hoghouse HB 1234, please send it to the 41st day.
South Dakotans want good schools. They don't want HB 1234.
Sincerely,
Cory Allen Heidelberger, French Teacher
Spearfish High School
SDPB will broadcast hearing audio live tomorrow morning at 6:45 MST. RCJ's David Montgomery will live-Tweet the hearing. Someone buy that man breakfast.
This has been a great exercise in social media activism, Cory. You informed a lot of people and generated a great deal of discussion, for little to no money in the comfort of your own home.
I hope the Education Committee somehow recognizes this on the record. Maybe they'll high-five you for making this issue clear to the Senators.
Regardless, we all see it.
^5
I bet 72% of your petition signers are teachers in the bottom 80%, and the other 28% are crackpots and people like me who made up names. ;-)
Seriously. Stop being so touchy, Mr. Heidleberger. It's time for schools to stop whining and start being accountable. This is the begining. I'm just sayin...
But swell mention on the news again tonight, I hollered at my granddaughter "I know who that guy ranting knows that has a blog!"
I'm not in the 72% or the 28%. I sign my real name, or else don't sign at all. Rarely do I sign petitions of any sort. I signed this one because I agree with Cory on the issue of this particular bill. It could have lots of adverse unintended consequences.
I echo Mr. Giblilisco's post. I am a long way from the 72% that you somehow pulled out of your hat. Actually maybe what you pulled out what your hat size (7 1/2). and I have no time for people who do not use their real name. Anonymity is something I do not care for with the Internet.
Agree with you Wayne---people who hide behind "veils" have opinions that really don't count!!
Dittos: grudz, you can't dismiss a grassroots effort by making up insults about the fellow citizens who have the guts to put their real names on the record in opposition to bad legislation. I don't think you have any idea what makes a good teacher. Why not come to my classroom, grudz, watch me do my job, and then talk about quality teaching?
And I make no apology for being "touchy" about a bill that would hurt our students and our schools. What you insultingly dismiss as "whining," I prefer to think of as a passionate defense of our public school system... which is worth getting passionate about. We're not whining: we're asking for public policy based on facts, not ideology.
And Charlie, that's the point I've been making. Whatever side of the issue you're on, if you don't step out and put your name to it, your opinion doesn't make a difference. Over 2000 people have now put their names to opposition to HB 1234. Show me 2000 people who are willing to stand up for the bill. Anyone? Bueller?
I am not a teacher and have been critical about public education. I am against this bill, but it will pass. The fascists will defeat the socialists in this one.
When you have the Chamber of Commerce testfying in support of a government education plan, you have fascism. The Chamber of Commerce does not represent a competitive free market system.
I am part of the "72%" but I think it's unfair to say "part of the bottom 20%". Most of the teachers I know are hard-working, caring people who give around 110% to their jobs every day and let's face, it-- they're not all going to be in the top 20%. Teachers are not against a plan to improve student achievement. We just haven't seen one yet. We would like to be respected enough to be included in the process.
You know my position on comments on your blog: everyone should use their full name. I am disappointed that you will not do so but it is your blog.