If we want to pay teachers more, we need fewer of them

From TN Edu Independent:

TNTP is out with a good report on why the teaching profession's antiquated step and ladder pay system doesn't cut it any more.

You can read it here: http://tntp.org/assets/documents/TNTP_Shortchanged_2014.pdf

They identify a number of problems that are accurate, and that need to change, but I want to explicitly add something to the conversation. Many of the solutions that TNTP suggests I think will make a difference, and they get at this idea, but I think many of their proposals won't fully address the underlying structural issue as to why teachers don't earn more: If we want to pay teachers more, we need fewer of them.

If we think about the supply/demand economics of the labor pool of teachers, we have far too great a supply than there is demand.

If you remember from economics class, quantity demanded is your x-axis and your y axis is price, or wage paid. At some point, there's this "ideal" equilibrium out there...in this case, 100 for demand, paid at .50 pence each (sorry, best graphic I found was British). When the supply offered increases, it depresses the price, or in the case of teachers, wage paid.

To make this more concrete, if you are a school district, and you have 10 teacher applicants for every 1 open position, why pay more? You're in the leverage position to pay as low as you can. Now, legislatures, unions, and city councils are constantly engaged in politics to provide a minimal floor to teacher salaries, but in terms of economics, the minimum salaries set by politics are often above what the market would pay. This comes from the National Council on Teacher Quality blog (this is specifically for elementary teacher production):

I imagine you'd see something similar in Tennessee for elementary teachers.

I'm being simplistic, but overall, we do have an oversupply of teachers for the demand that's out there. What would be better is if we were more precise and broke it down by student need or subject area.  There are certain specialties within teaching where it's opposite, the demand is greater than the supply.  There is a good report from Minnesota that they produced for their Legislature (would be great to see a report like this for Tennessee), and it found the teacher shortage areas were as follows:

Emotional behavior disorders (294 permissions) 

• Learning disabilities (265 permissions) 
• Developmental disabilities (145 permissions) 
• Early childhood special education (91 permissions) 
• English as a second language (86 permissions) 
• Mathematics (78 permissions) 
• School psychologist (66 permissions) 
• Spanish (64 permissions) 
• Physics (50 permissions) 
• Developmental/adapted physical education (45 permissions) 
• Chemistry (43 permissions) 

Areas of teacher surplus:

• K–6 elementary 
• Physical education 
• Social studies (high school and grades 5–8) 
• Communication arts and literature (high school and grades 5–8)

I think much of the same would apply to Tennessee.

For those with Finland fever...the people that like to say places like Finland and Germany have the secret sauce when it comes to education, how they treat teachers, why they pay them more, value them better as a profession, etc.  Ever looked at their teacher labor pool demand/supply market? 

They have very rigorous entrance standards for teacher training colleges. Only the top high school graduates get in to teacher training colleges and the programs are rigorous. This serves to keep a check on their labor supply of teachers. Here in America, to get into a teacher training college, you basically need to be able to spell your name, have a low GPA, and a low ACT or SAT score (that's a simplistic generalization and not all teacher training colleges are like this). 

If we want to pay teachers more, school districts and political leaders will need to challenge higher education institutions and the higher education political lobby to modify their teacher training college business model, which for many higher ed institutions, is lucrative.

It's high time in American public education this happen, because 1. our students need better teachers, and 2. teachers deserve to be paid more for the incredibly hard work they put into their profession each day.

So if we want to do something, really do something about how much teachers make, we need to do something about the teacher labor pool supply/demand economics.

Top Stories

Metro Councilman Megan Barry raised more than $317,000 for her Nashville mayoral campaign.

In case you missed it: Megan Barry raises more than $317,000 for mayoral run.

Top Stories

Vote Marian Cheadel Fordyce for Judge

Top Stories

Update: Caffeinated Conservatives host candidates Debate! July 26th

When: Saturday, July 26, 12:00pm - 2:00pm

Where: Bagel Face Bakery, 700 Main St, Nashville, Tennessee 37206

These people want to represent you, so we want to watch them fight it out for the right! Join us as we host a head-to-head match-up between contenders for the GOP nomination on August 7th.
For the US House-5, we have Bob Ries versus Big John Smith!
For the TN House-51, we have Brian Mason versus Joshua Rawlings!
 
Please submit questions you want them to answer ahead of time to have them included in the debate, to be moderated by Stephen Clements.

UPDATE: Chris Carter, another candidate for the 5th Congressional district will be joining Ries and Big John for the debate. 

Top Stories

Council Meeting of July 15: The not-much-happens short council meeting.

At one hour long, this is a short council meeting. Normally announcements are made prior to the Council being called to order and announcements are recorded as a separate video. This time, announcements and the Council meeting are combined in one video. The actual business of the Council starts as time stamp 7:07. Not much happens at this council meeting so unless you just love watching council meetings you can skip it.

To view the agenda, the staff analysis and my comments follow this link.

Surprisingly there is opposition to allowing an establishment to have a beer permit that already has a liquor permit. This is rare. Most of the opposition is concern about parking. The resolution is deferred two meetings.

BILL NO. BL2014-772 on third reading adds new regulations for Construction and Demolition  land fields. The regulations seem reasonable and will provide some protection for residence living near one of these facilities. A modified version of the bill passes.

BILL NO. BL2014-776  on third reading is the bill to create the Music City Cultural Heritage Overlay District to protect our honky tonks. It would require all businesses on lower Broadway, 2nd Ave and Printers Alley to have live music or sale merchandise reflective of Nashville culture- think boots, cowboy hats, tee shirts, and tacky souvenirs. It would also ban chain establishments. This was spurred by the threat of Walgreens to open a store on Lower Broad. The buildings are already protected and this would apply to use. I love lower Broad and the honky tonks, but this is just too restrictive. People may want a nice meal without live music after visiting the honky tonks all day and night. If this was already in place we would not have the Hard Rock Café. If this was in place, we would not have the ice cream store on lower Broad. We would not have the Merchants Hotel restaurant.  We once had a Planet Hollywood on Lower Broad and while I did not particularly like it, it was better than an empty building. Do we want to stop House of Blues from opening in Nashville, if they wanted to do so?

While I would not want to see it on Lower Broad, a sports memorabilia store, an art gallery, or a good antique store, or a candy store on Second Ave, may provide a better experience for tourist.  This is just too restrictive. If I were in the Council, I would have to vote against it.  This has been disapproved by the Planning Commission and it will take 27 votes to pass. The bill is substituted and again deferred for two meetings and rereferred to the Planning Commission. For the discussion and explanation see time stamp 37:35.

Below is the Tennessean's report on this Council meeting:
Downtown business bill changes, but opposition remains

Top Stories

Ray Stevens: Come to the USA

This is good. This is Ray Stevens' humorous contribution to the debate about illegal immigration. 

Top Stories

Bob Schwartz for State Executive Committee

Bob Schwartz is a man of principle and integrity and solid conservative values who has worked hard for the Republican Party and the conservative movement. He is the kind of person we need on the Republican Party State Executive Committee. If you vote in Tennessee's 20th Senate District, I urge you to vote for Bob Schwartz. Rod Williams

Top Stories

National Association for Gun Rights Political Action Committee (NAGR-PAC) endorces Joe Carr

Joe Carr Press Release, Nashville, TN – The Joe Carr for Senate campaign today announced that the National Association for Gun Rights Political Action Committee (NAGR-PAC) has endorsed the campaign responding to his record of sponsoring and pushing strong Second Amendment legislation that showcased his willingness to fight for our most basic rights.

“Carr has gone on the record to protect gun owners from any policy, bill or backdoor gun control scheme that seeks to infringe upon our constitutionally, guaranteed freedoms,” says Dudley Brown, Executive Vice President of the National Association for Gun Rights PAC.  “Now more than ever we are in need of pro-gun representatives in the U.S. Senate.”

“Every day, our constitutional rights are under attack from this lawless President and his radical agenda,” said Carr.  “President Obama has made it very clear that he intends to continue using his executive authority to erode our most fundamental rights and we need representatives in the Senate who will take a stand and fight this President’s lawlessness.”

Top Stories

Laura Ingraham "all in for Joe Carr"

Joe Carr Press Release, Nashville TN - Nationally syndicated conservative talk radio show host Laura Ingraham today announced that she was “all in for Joe Carr” in his campaign to defeat Tennessee incumbent Senator Lamar Alexander.

“Lamar Alexander, the August primary is coming up, Joe Carr is his challenger.  I’m all in for Joe Carr,” Ingraham said on her show today.  “I think he’s, look, he’s no nonsense, a citizen legislator he’ll be and he’ll be someone who will actually listen to the people, politicians at some point do have to listen to the concerns of the people, not just the concerns of one or two, big, fat, interest groups like either LaRaza or the Chamber of Commerce, the people still count, don’t they Lamar?”

“Laura Ingraham was one of the very first national voices who felt that our campaign against Lamar Alexander’s brazen support of amnesty was credible and viable,” said TN State Rep. and U.S. Senate candidate Joe Carr.  “After seeing the significant impact Laura had on the Dave Brat-Eric Cantor race, we believe this can be a game-changing moment in this campaign.”

Just last week, the Tea Party Patriots Citizens Fund, led by Jenny Beth Martin, announced their support of Carr saying, “While Joe Carr has been a genuine leader – not just a reliable vote – in the fight against illegal immigration, Lamar Alexander voted with Chuck Schumer, Harry Reid and John McCain for the Gang of Eight amnesty bill.  Joe wants to preserve American sovereignty; Lamar Alexander’s policies are producing a human wave of criminality and disease on the Rio Grande.”

The Joe Carr for Senate campaign has received the endorsement of 20 members of the Tennessee State Legislature and more than 60 conservative groups in Tennessee.  This month, the campaign has also gone up statewide with two television ads -“Listen”  and “Crisis in America.”

Top Stories

Candidates Forum in Old HIckory July 17th

A message from Stephen Clements of Caffenated Conservatives:

Hi everybody,

There is a Candidates Forum going on Thursday night for the Metro School Board and Council races, and this is a great opportunity to vet the candidates for yourself. Here are the details for that: 

Where: Old Hickory Presbyterian Church

When: Thursday, July 17th, 2014

Time 6:00-8:00 P.M.

Sponsor: Old Hickory Area Chamber of Commerce

Also, I had the pleasure of meeting and talking with Bob Schwartz, a candidate for the TN GOP State Executive Committee in district 20 (which includes Old Hickory), this past Saturday, and he sounded like he had a good plan to me: the state party should focus on training candidates for office to win. I know that might seem like a "well duh" idea, but you'd be surprised with how little of that happens. In Davidson county particularly, the GOP needs every tool it can get to become relevant. Bob has served on the Davidson County GOP Executive Committee, served as a delegate to the Republican National Convention twice, and was the Executive Director for Newt Gingrich's bid for the GOP presidential nomination in 2012.

Top Stories

Council Budget and Finnace Committee meeting video available.

To have a proper understanding of the city's financial matters one needs to pay attention to what goes on in the Budget and Finance Committee of the Council. The real work of the Council and the place were questions are asked is in committees. To view the B&F Committee meeting of July 14th follow this link.

Top Stories

Self promoters, Scams, Hustlers and opportunist on the right. Contributors beware.

It seems every few days a new conservative/tea party group pops up that I never heard of before and they all want me to send them money to save the republic and reelect a good Republican or elect a conservative challenger to a sitting Republican who is deemed insufficiently conservative.  A few months ago I got a passionate appeal to give to Patriots for Economic Freedom to help reelect Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina.  I almost did.  I really like Tim Scott. Just before I hit the "contribute" button however, I thought I would do a little research and I found that Tim Scott has only token opposition in the Republican primary and he will have a very weak challenger in the general election.  Tim Scott does not really need my money. (link)

As of the last report March 31,2014, Patriots for Economic Freedom had raised $224,747 and spent $215,015 this year. $119,501 of what they spend was for "unclassifiable consulting," $18,849 for Accountants, compliance and legal service, and a little over $25,000 on fundraising. Amagi Strategies was paid $109,856.  Only $3,125 was spend for or against candidates.

Last week I reported that Joe Carr who is challenging Lamar Alexander for the Republican Senate nomination had received the endorsement of Tea Party Patriots Citizens Fund and how that may or may not result in money flowing into his campaign. Tea Party Patriots is another one of those groups that spend an awful lot of money on over head and salaries for staff and very little on behalf of candidates. (link)

Today I got a solicitation from Conservative America Now asking me to send them a donation to help reelect Senator Mike Lee.  Mike Lee is another Senator who I like and admire and want to see reelected. I will not be sending money to Conservative America Now, however. Conservative America Now as of the last filing period of March 31, 2014 had receipts of only $16,541 and expenditures of $12,140. They have not yet spend anything on or against candidates. Amagi Strategies was paid $7100. 

I don't know if Mike Lee has a serious primary challenger or not, or if he is likely to have a serious Democrat challenger.  If he does, I may send Mike Lee a modest contribution but I will send it directly to his campaign are a trusted PAC and not to Conservative America Now.  

There may be as many hustlers and opportunist on the left as the right, but I don't know the left. It angers me to see passionate political activist give their hard earned money to support the cause when they are being taken advantage of and the money they give goes to support some one's little political empire and maybe none of it goes to support the candidate they think they are supporting. Please find out who you are giving to before you give.  There are a lot of PAC's and organizations that are effective and influential and have integrity and most of what is given actually is spend on behalf of the candidate for which they claim to be raising money. Please do a little research before giving. One good source for finding out how good an organization is, is Open Secrets.

Below is the solicitation I got today urging me to contribute to Conservative America Now to support Mike Lee.  I have disabled the links so no one will accidentally contribute to that organization. 

Mike Lee Has Been A True Conservative Hero In The Senate! His Re-Election Is Vital To The Conservative Movement!

Mike Lee is a true conservative hero. In the Senate, Mike Lee has battled Harry Reid and Barack Obama's liberal agenda every step of the way. Mike Lee is making a big difference in the Senate. He needs your support to keep up the fight! Please contribute $25, $50, $100, $250, $500, $1000 or more today for voter outreach and advertising to help re-elect Mike Lee to the U.S. Senate!

In the Senate, Mike Lee has fought to repeal ObamaCare, reject all amnesty efforts, and cut out of control spending. Mike Lee is also working hard to lower taxes, bring back limited government, and protect the Second Amendment. He refuses to allow liberals to destroy the constitution! Please contribute $25, $50, $100, $250, $500, $1000 or more for voter outreach and advertising efforts to re-elect Mike Lee.

Liberals know that Mike Lee will fight against radical attempts to pass amnesty, grow the government, and increase debt. The left will stop at nothing to beat and silence Mike Lee.

Liberals are already working hard to discredit Mike Lee and take back his seat. This election will be one of the most important in recent memory and Mike Lee needs your support. Please contribute $25, $50, $100, $250, $500, $1000 or more to support Mike Lee with voter outreach and advertising!

Mike Lee is dedicated to fighting the radical liberal agenda in Washington. He will stop the out of control spending and put an end to the left's trampling of the constitution. He will continue to bring conservative leadership to the Senate and stand up for limited government policies. Mike Lee has proven that he will hold Washington accountable! This race can help end the radical liberal agenda in Washington! Help keep conservative hero Mike Lee in the Senate!

Top Stories

What is on the Council Agenda for Tuesday July 15?

The Metro Council agenda and staff analysis are now available for the July 15th Council meeting. Council meetings are really, really boring if you don't know what is going on; with an agenda and a staff analysis they are just boring. Follow the above links to get your own copy.

Below is my summary of the agenda. I am only listing specific legislation when  I find of interest or think  may be important or controversial. To know more of what is on the agenda, read the agenda and staff analysis for yourself. Thee is not a lot of interest on the agenda and I suspect this will be a sort meeting.

There are three appointments to boards and commissions on the agenda for council confirmation. The council always rubber stamps them and never ask hard questions of the appointees.

There is one of those bills on public hearing to allow a beer permit for a location that already has a liquor by the drink permit, that violates the distance requirement of the regulation for a beer license, meaning it is too close to a park or school or resident or church. Rather than waste the Council's time with this, I think the law should be changed so that if you have a liquor by the drink license then the distance requirement for a beer license would not apply.

There are seven resolutions on the consent agenda and I don't see any of them as controversial and suspect they will stay on the consent agenda. A resolution is put on the consent agenda if it is expected to be non-controversial and it stays on consent if it passes the committee to which it was assigned unanimously. The consent agenda is passed by a single vote of the council. Any member may have a bill pulled off of consent and considered individually.

RESOLUTION NO. RS2014-1157 appropriates $2.15 million to various non profits to do such things as provide emergency food boxes, help disabled people paying their house payment or utilities, $78.8000 to help victims of AIDS, nursing assistance for kids in after and pre school programs, and a lot more. To see which agencies got the money, see the staff analysis.

First reading is a formality to get the bill on the agenda. Bills are normally not discussed on first reading and are passed as a group. There are six bills on First reading, so these means next Council meeting will also probably be a short meeting because what is on First reading this time will be on Second reading next time. I don't carefully review the bills on first reading.

There are only ten bills on Second readings and I don't find any of particular interest.

Here are bills of interest on Third reading:

BILL NO. BL2014-772 on third reading adds new regulations for Construction and Demolition  land fields. The regulations seem reasonable and will provide some protection for residence living near one of these facilities.  

BILL NO. BL2014-776  on third reading is the bill to create the Music City Cultural Heritage Overlay District to protect our honky tonks. It would require all businesses on lower Broadway, 2nd Ave and Printers Alley to have live music or sale merchandise reflective of Nashville culture- think boots, cowboy hats, tee shirts, and tacky souvenirs. It would also ban chain establishments. This was spurred by the threat of Walgreens to open a store on Lower Broad. The buildings are already protected and this would apply to use. I love lower Broad and the honky tonks, but this is just too restrictive. People may want a nice meal without live music after visiting the honky tonks all day and night. If this was already in place we would not have the Hard Rock Café. If this was in place, we would not have the ice cream store on lower Broad. We would not have the Merchants Hotel restaurant.  We once had a Planet Hollywood on Lower Broad and while I did not particularly like it, it was better than an empty building. Do we want to stop House of Blues from opening in Nashville, if they wanted to do so?

While I would not want to see it on Lower Broad, a sports memorabilia store, an art gallery, or a good antique store, or a candy store on Second Ave, may provide a better experience for tourist.  This is just too restrictive. If I were in the Council, I would have to vote against it.  This has been disapproved by the Planning Commission and it will take 27 votes to pass.  It was on Third reading last meeting and I thought it was deferred for two meetings at that time, however I must have been mistaken, because the minutes simply say it was deferred.

While there are several zoning bills on Third reading that may be of interest to neighbors in the area of the rezoning, I don't see any other bills of general interest that are worth noting.

Top Stories

Nashvillle Tea Party presents Pastor Rafael Cruz July 19

 From Nashville TEA Party:

Pastor Rafael Cruz, father of US Senator Ted Cruz-TX, will be our featured speaker at the We The People Rally on Saturday July 19 at 2PM.

Pastor Cruz was imprisoned and tortured in Cuba but escaped to the US. His extraordinary story will give you new inspiration and energy to carry on the fight for our conservative principles.

Click HERE to make your FREE Reservation.

Top Stories

Washington Post says Joe Carr can't win

The Fix’s top 10 primaries of 2014

By Aaron Blake and Sean Sullivank, Washington Post, July 12
....
9. Tennessee Republican Senate primary (Aug. 7): Sen. Lamar Alexander is in strong position to defeat his main primary challenger, state Rep. Joe Carr. Carr has been running to Alexander's right on immigration. But he simply hasn't raised the money or built the kind of support from national tea party groups he needed to make this a really close race. Anything can happen, as Rep. Eric Cantor's (R-Va.) race taught us. But if you're looking for the next incumbent upset, this probably isn't it. (link)

Top Stories