Thank you for participating in this afternoon’s follow-up webinar to the State Board of Education meeting. This type of follow up will give you additional opportunities to give feedback on some of the most important education policy issues under consideration. 

Last week at NCDPI, we cut 20.5 positions from the Department totaling $2.2 million (with benefits included in the figure) and approximately $300,000 from our operational budget. These cuts were taken from vacancies across our department. As a result of these cuts, as well as others that we have absorbed in the past, we will focus on the most essential functions that are required by state and federal legislation.

I know that many of you have faced similar circumstances in recent years, and it is never easy, but we remain committed to doing our best within our means to provide services to your districts and you. 

Student Survey Update

During the December Superintendents' Quarterly meeting, State Superintendent Atkinson encouraged superintendents to use the student survey instrument that were made available to you. She also indicated that the use of the surveys was totally voluntary.

At the request of the State Board, the use of student surveys was added to the February Board agenda for discussion. Even though it was on the Board's agenda for discussion, its use remains voluntary.

State Board of Education Meeting Highlights

At last week’s State Board of Education meeting, members approved

policies governing services for children with disabilities, recommendations for charter schools expiring in 2016, and a report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee on a multi-year survey of driver education.

They also discussed policy recommendations for the teacher licensure and evaluation process, proposed student perception surveys, reform for continually low-performing schools, and their 2016-17 Supplemental Budget recommendations.

To view the complete list of this month’s Board actions, please visit the Board’s website.

Multi-Tiered System of Support:
Data Evaluation

Implementation data, paired with student data, are essential in a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS). MTSS implementation challenges districts and schools to analyze both in order to determine the effectiveness of implementation, which is driving the outcomes.

The following are recommendations for creating and sustaining a comprehensive, balanced assessment system:

*  District MTSS team determines which district-level support personnel and school-based staff members should understand and have access to this comprehensive, balanced assessment system.

*  School staff understand and have access to data sources that address the purposes of assessment.

*  Clear procedures and protocols are created to administer assessments, use data and allow teams to problem-solve around student data.

*  In addition to student data, district and school leadership collects data on fidelity of MTSS implementation to examine the current academic and behavioral practices and improve MTSS implementation.

Teams representing 10 districts/charters attended last week's first Data-Evaluation Session. In the coming weeks, an additional 175 participants will attend this session focused on data accessibility, outcome data, and student data needed to implement an MTSS. Additionally, registration for teams is now available for "Problem-Solving in a MTSS Framework" taking place in March.

If you have additional questions, please contact Amy Jablonski.

Spring 2016 Principal READY Launches
in March

Spring 2016 Ready sessions will begin in March and extend through April across the state.

Fall Principal READY session participants requested more session choices, more time to discuss information with colleagues from across the region, and more actionable resources to take back to schools. NCDPI Educator Human Capital Policy and Research Director Tom Tomberlin and his team will be back to discuss 2014-15 educator effectiveness data results and State Board of Education student growth updates for the 2016-17 school year.

Please visit the Educator Effectiveness NCEES Wiki to reserve your seat today.

NC Teacher Working Conditions Survey Launches March 1

North Carolina educators are just a month away from making history with the NC Teacher Working Condition Survey (NC TWCS): 100 percent response rate from every school in the state! The window for this anonymous, online survey will run from March 1-25.

For the past 12 years, the survey has been a platform used to amplify educator’s voices concerning working conditions in their schools and districts. It also is used to inform state level policy decisions.

Please visit the NC TWCS website or talk to your school’s NC TWCS representative if you have questions about the survey process. If your school does not have a representative, please contact your Regional Educator Facilitator for assistance

USDA Community Eligibility Provision Webinar Series:
Messaging and Outreach in Your Community

Congress established The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) in 2010 as part of the reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Programs. Today, CEP is reaching over eight million children nationwide, but many eligible schools and districts that stand to benefit are not participating.

This webinar, scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 10, from 1-2:15 p.m., will help local districts launch an effective and well-rounded effort to promote CEP and address common barriers to implementation. Streaming audio is available through your computer or you can call in to listen to the audio via your phone: 303.248.0285 Access Code: 7201000. For technical support, call 800.843.9166.

NC Schools Will “Love the Bus”
Feb. 8-12

All across North Carolina this week school bus drivers will be “feeling the love” as schools and districts celebrate national Love the Bus week Feb. 8-12. 

To find out how districts and schools are honoring their bus drivers, please visit the NC Bus Safety website and select "2016 Love the Bus Events."

Latest Messages Online

Feb. 4, 2016 Principals’ Biweekly Message

Feb. 5, 2015 Finance Officers’ Newsletter