State Board of Education members today unanimously approved revisions to the three high school math courses – Math I, II and III – to go into effect in the 2016-17 school year renamed NC Math 1, NC Math 2 and NC Math 3.

The changes modify the sequence of standards covered in these three integrated mathematics courses and improve the clarity of standards where recommended by teachers. We will follow the same process in the fall and engage mathematic teachers in reviewing K-8 math standards and fourth level math courses AFM, Discrete and Pre-Calculus.

NCDPI’s mathematics team is working in conjunction with district math leaders and other external stakeholders to develop an implementation pacing framework that will provide the following supports for local mathematics leaders and high school math teachers:

•    2016 Summer Information Sessions;

•    In-Person Regional Math Professional Development;

•    Virtual Teacher Support (just-in-time); and

•    Curriculum Leader Implementation Support.

The outcomes of this work will be to provide implementation support for local districts and schools; continuous learning and direct support for classroom teachers; increase district capacity to identify quality classroom resources; support teachers’ understanding of mathematical coherence and the “big ideas” in high school math courses; and build a digital tool for math teachers that is dynamic, sustainable and growth-oriented in years 2 and 3.    

State Board of Education
Meeting Highlights

At today’s State Board of Education meeting, members approved the Math I, II and III draft standards revisions, requests for local flexibility in the Analysis of Student Work, emergency licensure for core subjects, Career and Technical Education licensure revisions, NC Driver Education Advisory Committee recommendations, and the School Nutrition Fresh Fruits and Vegetables grant.

Members also recognized several schools achieving STEM status recognition: JW York Elementary (Wake County Schools) Prepared STEM School of Distinction; NC School of Science and Mathematics (Durham) Model Future-Ready STEM High School of Distinction; Davie County High STEM Center (Davie County Schools) Prepared STEM School of Distinction; Coltrane Webb STEM Elementary School (Cabarrus County Schools) Model STEM School of Distinction; Patriots STEM Elementary (Cabarrus County Schools) Model STEM School of Distinction; Central Cabarrus High School STEM Magnet Program (Cabarrus County Schools) Model STEM School of Distinction; and Nesbitt Discovery Academy (Buncombe County Schools) Prepared STEM School of Distinction.

The complete list of this month’s Board actions is available on the Board’s website. The Board’s June agenda as well as supporting executive summaries are available online by clicking on the SBE Meetings tab.

Educator Effectiveness Webinar Series Survey

NCDPI Educator Effectiveness staff have created a brief survey to allow administrators and teachers the opportunity to provide feedback and input on the 2015-16 NCDPI Educator Effectiveness Webinar series.

The intent of these webinars is to assist educators with using the Home Base Educator Effectiveness and Professional Development Systems. Responses will be used to plan webinar content for the upcoming school year so as to best support educator needs.

Please click here to participate in the survey, which closes June 10.

NC Virtual Public School News

The NCVPS spring semester has ended, and grades are available for schools and the district in the NVCPS registration system. Your advisors and data managers should already be aware of this, but some may be new.

Summer registration is still open and will remain open until the fifth day of class, June 24. Please have your advisors register students as soon as possible. Seating may become limited in certain courses as the start date approaches. Additionally, students who are able to start on the first day of class are more successful in their summer courses.

Please visit the NCVPS Summer School Guide for more details.

Exploring Strategies for
Transformational Change

Are you seeking best practices to Transform School Culture, Empower Teachers and Raise Student Achievement? Then mark your calendar for July 19 or 20, and join NCDPI District and School Transformation staff in partnership with Northeast Leadership Academy (NCSU-NELA) at this hands-on work session with school leaders and their teams to explore strategies for transformational change to impact improvement.

Principal Evelyn Randle-Robbins, author of The Hands-On Guide to School Improvement, will facilitate the one-day session with a keynote in the morning and application break-out sessions in the afternoon.

Connect with practitioners from across North Carolina to engage in the work of transformation to support student achievement. Registration is open and may be accessed here. The July event is being held as a one-day work session in two areas of the state:

*  July 19: Nash Community College

*  July 20: Davidson County Community College

There is no registration fee for this event; however, districts and schools are responsible for travel costs. Questions may be directed to Amelia McLeod.

Latest Teachers’ Message Online

May 25, 2016 Teachers’ Biweekly Message