Effective Date: Fall 2016

High School Math Standards (Math 1, 2, and 3) Revised

Revisions were approved in June’s State Board of Education meeting to the primary high school mathematics courses – Math 1, 2 and 3. These courses, which are required of nearly all students, have been under review over the past year by NC Department of Public Instruction mathematics staff, local school district math curriculum staff and classroom teachers. Recommendations generated by the NC Academic Standards Review Commission also were included in deliberations.

The State Board of Education reviewed the proposed revisions in April and May. The revisions modify the sequence of standards covered in these three integrated mathematics courses and improve the clarity of standards where recommended by teachers.

School districts will begin using the new revised Math 1, 2 and 3 courses this fall. NCDPI staff have organized professional development to assist and support local educators during this transition.

To review the revised standards, please see the following documents:

SLA 1 - Attachment 1 - Math 1 Standards

(pdf, 138kb)

SLA 1 - Attachment 2 - Math 2 Standards

(pdf, 245kb)

SLA 1 - Attachment 3 - Math 3 Standards

(pdf, 258kb)

SLA 1 - Attachment 4 - Summary, Overview, and Rationale

(pdf, 72kb)

The General Assembly also has been considering mathematics changes that would require school districts to offer the prior way of organizing high school mathematics (Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II) alongside the revised Math 1, 2 and 3 courses. At publication time, the legislature had not finalized this, but the new revisions approved in June will move forward regardless of whether the previous mathematics organization becomes required. 

STEM Schools Recognized for Excellence

Seven North Carolina public schools were recognized by Board members for their excellence in promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics:

•  JW York Elementary School, Wake County Schools – Prepared STEM School of Distinction – Keith Richardson, principal, and Jim Merrill, superintendent 


•  NC School of Science and Mathematics, Durham – Model Future-Ready STEM High School of Distinction – Todd Roberts, chancellor, Katie O’Connor, vice chancellor, and Geoff Coltrane, NCSSM 


•  Davie County High STEM Center, Davie County – Prepared STEM School of Distinction – Doyle Nicholson, principal, and Darrin Hartness, superintendent 


•  Coltrane Webb STEM Elementary School, Cabarrus County Schools – Model STEM School of Distinction – Tim Taylor, principal, and Christopher Lowder, superintendent

•  Patriots STEM Elementary, Cabarrus County Schools – Model STEM School of Distinction – Steven Bookhart, principal, and Christopher Lowder, superintendent

•  Central Cabarrus High School STEM Magnet Program, Cabarrus County Schools - Model STEM School of Distinction; Andrew Cook, principal and Christopher Lowder, superintendent 


•  Nesbitt Discovery Academy, Buncombe County Schools - Prepared STEM School of Distinction – Nathan Allison, principal, and Tony Baldwin, superintendent

172 Schools to Receive Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Grant from USDA

The US Department of Agriculture awarded $4.047 million to the Department’s School Nutrition Services Section to provide funding to 172 public schools so that they may provide fresh fruit and vegetables to students throughout the day during the 2016-17 school year. The goal of this program is to create healthier school environments by providing healthier food choices, and to increase children’s overall fruit and vegetable consumption while expanding the variety of fresh fruits and vegetables that children experience.

Priority was given to schools with the highest percentage of students eligible for free and reduced price meals or highest identified student percentage as defined by the Community Eligibility Provision. These are the key selection criterion to help ensure the program benefits low-income children who generally have fewer opportunities to consume fresh fruits and/or vegetables on a regular basis. 
A total of 235 applications were received for the program this time, and 172 were initially selected.

The fruits and vegetables purchased with these funds must be in addition to those served as part of the school breakfast and lunch programs. Fresh produce will be available to students in a variety of locations on the school campus. Some schools will provide a basket of fruits and vegetables to students as they come into their classrooms in the mornings while others will locate fresh fruit and vegetable kiosks in corridors to enable students to grab a quick and healthy snack between classes. Ideally, the more students are exposed to fruits and vegetables, the more they will begin to choose them over less nutritious snack foods.

2016 NC Teacher Working Conditions Survey Results Reported

Eighty-six percent of licensed North Carolina educators responded to the 2016 NC Teacher Working Conditions Survey, according to results presented to the State Board in June. Nearly 90 percent of respondents were teachers, while the balance reflected principals, assistant principals and other licensed staff members.