Nov. 24, 2015 Teachers' Biweekly Message

North Carolina Public Schools sent this bulletin at 11/24/2015 12:20 PM EST

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Teachers' Biweekly Message

Nov. 24, 2015
State Superintendent June Atkinson

Over the past few weeks of very sad and frightening news from around the world, it is comforting to once again have Thanksgiving come back around on the calendar.

 

While Thanksgiving may not prompt a lot a store decorations or a shopping frenzy, that is exactly why I like it so much. Thanksgiving is just a chance to pause, to gather with people you love and to enjoy a good meal and each other’s company. It’s a chance to reflect on what is good and how grateful we are. That’s it. That’s the whole holiday.

 

Thank you for your service to North Carolina students. I feel certain that many North Carolinians will give thanks for you this holiday season.    

June Atkinson's Signature

Testing Update


Released Item Sets for Fall Semester 2015 NC Final Exams Available


The NCDPI Test Development Section staff have finalized a set of released items for each fall semester 2015 NC Final Exam (NCFE). Each NCFE received additional released items. All new released items for English language arts, math and science were added to the end. All new released items for social studies were added to the end of the multiple-choice section. 


These released items are available online to the public. Released items for NC Final Exams administered only at the end of the year (i.e., science grade 4, social studies grade 4, and social studies grade 5) will be posted in early 2016. Items cannot be selected for release until the spring test forms are finalized.


The answer key includes the following information for each item:

-  The standard or clarifying objective assessed by the item.

-  The percentage of students who answered the item correctly.

-  The general scoring rubric is provided for released constructed response items.


Questions may be directed to your Regional Accountability Coordinator.


K-2 Mid-Year Assessments Sport New Look


The 2015-16 K-2 Mid-Year Assessments have a new look this year. The mid-year assessment should be formative and guide classroom instruction. When scoring student work, the rubric should assist teachers in identifying student needs. Rubric proficiency levels for the mid-year are “Not Yet,” “Progressing,” and “Meets Standard.” These assessment documents now include “Next Steps” for each task and each level of proficiency to help teachers with instructional decisions as they move students forward with mathematics thinking.


The Webinar describing the changes and answering questions regarding K-2 Math Assessments is located on the Elementary Webinars Wiki.

NC Professional Development

Professional Development Opportunities


Educator Effectiveness Launches Sleek New Online Portal


NCDPI's Educator Effectiveness Division staff have launched a new Online Professional Development Portal that makes it easier for North Carolina educators to find the high-quality professional development they need.


Educators can find self-paced modules and mini-modules, see a schedule of instructor-led courses complete with syllabi, search for professional development by relevant standards, check requirements for credit, and access information about implementing online PD in LEAs.


The new portal replaces the old website.


Fourth GTN Module Available


The fourth installment in a series of action research projects developed by teachers for teachers through the Governor’s Teacher Network (GTN) is now available through the Home Base Professional Development System.


Supporting English Language Learners (ELLs) in the Classroom: Action Research from the GTN Project focuses on instructional strategies for English Language Learners based on current trends in research. Participants will use data to identify the needs of their ELL students and learn about different instructional strategies that support reading, writing, listening and speaking skills for ELL.


This module should take approximately 10 hours to complete and offers 1.0 CEU. For a complete description of this module or more information about the entire series of GTN modules, visit http://rt3nc.org


Educator Effectiveness Releases First Round of Spring Courses


"Seize the Data: Empowering Teachers to Create and Use Assessment" and "Measurement and Implementing Action Research in the Classroom" are two new instructor-led professional development courses that start Jan. 11. Registration for these FREE 14-week online courses opens Dec. 14, and is limited to 35 participants so register early!


Nine FREE 5-7 week instructor-led online courses start Monday, Feb. 8. Registration opens Jan. 11, and is limited to 35 participants per section. Topics span from "Connecting with our 21st Century Learners" to the "North Carolina Teacher Standards and Evaluation Process."


The DPI PD Mooclet, "Effective Digital Strategies for Teaching and Learning in the K-12 Classroom," returns Monday, Feb. 8. Registration opens Jan. 11. The Mooclet focuses on using digital tools and strategies to support teaching and learning and enriching individuals’ knowledge through developing communities of practice across the state. This six-week course is limited to 200 participants.


A full description of all courses and associated CEUs is available online. Contact Geetanjali Soni if you have any questions about any Educator Effectiveness courses, webinars or other professional development resources.

Spotlights

Title I Distinguished Schools Named

Congratulations to District 7 Elementary School (Cumberland County Schools) and Henderson Collegiate Charter School (Vance County) for recently being named North Carolina’s 2015 National Title I Distinguished Schools.


Winning schools are recognized in one of two categories:

-  Category I - schools sustained high student performance over three years; and

-  Category II – schools demonstrated high growth in closing the achievement gap between student groups.


District 7 is being recognized in Category I; and Henderson Collegiate is the winner in Category II.


The schools were selected based on a combination of student academic achievement, stakeholder involvement, and the creative and innovative programs that contribute to their success. 


Guilford County Schools’ STEM Team Places Third in National Competition


Congratulations to Team AeroHead from STEM Early College NC A & T (Guilford County Schools) for placing 3rd nationally in The Real World Design Challenge.


This annual high school STEM competition focuses on Unmanned Aerial Systems and precision agriculture. Teams representing 19 states participated in this year’s challenge.