Dec 08

A Fact Is a Fact – Unless It’s Based on Faulty Research

Although few would argue that teachers are overcompensated for the important work they perform, a recent report by the Heritage Foundation and the American Enterprise Institute, two conservative enterprises, claims that teachers – educators – are “overpaid,” and “exhibit low cognitive abilities compared to other college graduates,” and that, “once you take this into account teachers suffer no wage penalty.” Many have found fault with this report and question the tool used to make such an amazing assertion (the tool was the Armed Forces Qualification Test). According to the Economic Policy Center, “This exercise by Richwine and Biggs (of Heritage and AEI) is nothing more than generating a result you wish to find even though you violate basic economic thinking and avoid the empirical testing.” In this tight budget era and climate of skepticism, educators throughout the state and the country will likely be called upon to justify their compensation and could be asked about a number of claims contained in the Heritage and AEI report. Go to http://www.epi.org/blog/garbage-garbage-heritage-aei/ and read EPC’s evaluation of the Heritage report and be prepared to go “toe to toe” with those who are willing to believe the questionable “research” and basis for such outrageous claims.

Bet Neale

ELIZABETH HARRELL (“Bet”) NEALE

CAREER HISTORY: Twenty-five years of legislative experience in the Virginia political arena.
Bet began her career in the political arena as a Legislative Research Associate at the Division of Legislative Services, having first been mentored by her father Delegate Lyman Harrell, who served 12 years as a member of the House of Delegates. After moving with her family to West Point, where her husband Mark practices dentistry and where they raised their three children Nancy, Cheryl and Mark, Bet remained active in state legislative work as a consultant for a state commission and as a legislative assistant to Delegate Mary Marshall and Delegate Dorothy McDiarmid, Chair of the House Education and House Appropriations Committees. Beginning in 1990, Bet represented VASS as their lead lobbyist for 8 years, after which she served as executive director of the Henrico Education Foundation for HCPS.
Bet came on board with VASSP in 2000 as Director of Government Relations and lobbies on behalf of Association members during all General Assembly sessions and at meetings of legislative education committees and subcommittees. In her capacity as Director of Government Relations/Lead Lobbyist for VASSP, Bet also represents middle and high school principals and assistant principals at statewide education meetings, seminars and special commissions as well as at meetings of the State Board of Education.
Bet is a graduate of the University of Richmond with a BA in English and a Collegiate Certificate in Secondary Education. She has been a guest lecturer at the College of William and Mary and the University of Virginia as well as a presenter at various state meetings and seminars.