Teachers have their pay raise. I fully expect that monies to districts will increase in the 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 budgets with the revenue/tax and budget adjustments. Congratulations! Great job! You have done wonderfully. You have accomplished something very special and have acted as advocates for the children of this state in regards to education. It may not be everything you wanted, but it is a still a great accomplishment and you should be proud of what you have done.
With this accomplishment comes a responsibility. I am sure you are up to the task. I challenge you to go back to your school districts and set very specific goals that you can use this money to meet. Maybe things like higher test scores, higher graduation rates, higher percentage of students going on to college/university, lower incarceration rates within 5 years of graduation, etc. Not only set these goals but create a system to measure progress towards these goals so that we can continue to support you both verbally and financially as a state when you show us what you are accomplishing with this money.
I have had continuous conversations with my area's state rep's, senators, school board members, and school administrators urging, convincing, begging, planning, and being very vocal that we as a state need to make this happen now. However, if in 5 years over 60% of our children are still test below a proficient level in reading, math, and science, graduation rates have not improved, and nothing has changed it will be very a very different voice the people speak with. If you come back demanding more in 5 years and cannot show how you have made significant progress towards the goals and objectives you have set; I will be just as active and loud saying you do not get any more as I have been these last few months trying to get you more. I know you can do it. I really do have faith and I will continue to work to make the system of education in our state and my district better, more modern, flexible, and adaptive to assist you in meeting these goals. Thanks for all you do and I look forward to seeing the great results.
With this accomplishment comes a responsibility. I am sure you are up to the task. I challenge you to go back to your school districts and set very specific goals that you can use this money to meet. Maybe things like higher test scores, higher graduation rates, higher percentage of students going on to college/university, lower incarceration rates within 5 years of graduation, etc. Not only set these goals but create a system to measure progress towards these goals so that we can continue to support you both verbally and financially as a state when you show us what you are accomplishing with this money.
I have had continuous conversations with my area's state rep's, senators, school board members, and school administrators urging, convincing, begging, planning, and being very vocal that we as a state need to make this happen now. However, if in 5 years over 60% of our children are still test below a proficient level in reading, math, and science, graduation rates have not improved, and nothing has changed it will be very a very different voice the people speak with. If you come back demanding more in 5 years and cannot show how you have made significant progress towards the goals and objectives you have set; I will be just as active and loud saying you do not get any more as I have been these last few months trying to get you more. I know you can do it. I really do have faith and I will continue to work to make the system of education in our state and my district better, more modern, flexible, and adaptive to assist you in meeting these goals. Thanks for all you do and I look forward to seeing the great results.
