In the weeks following the end of a legislative session, there always are new laws and provisions that we tag for follow-up later. One of those is a class size allotment provision that was included in the budget bill in 2016 and that goes into effect in the 2017-18 school year.

This provision removes the flexibility between teacher allotments per classes and the maximum for a single class or for the district-wide average. The provision states: “The average class size for kindergarten through third grade in a local school administrative unit shall at no time exceed the funded allotment ratio of teachers to students in kindergarten through third grade. At the end of the second school month and for the remainder of the school year, the size of an individual class in kindergarten through third grade shall not exceed the allotment ratio by more than three students. The funded class size allotment ratio for kindergarten through third grade shall be as follows:

(1) For kindergarten, one teacher per 18 students.

(2) For first grade, one teacher per 16 students.

(3) For second grade, one teacher per 17 students.

(4) For third grade, one teacher per 17 students.”

Strict adherence to this change would hurt your ability to staff subjects such as the arts, world languages and physical education. You also may face classroom shortages as well. Cumberland County, for example, estimates that it could lose up to 200 teacher positions unless the district identifies local funding to pick this up. In Buncombe, district leaders estimate the loss of approximately 50 teachers.

I hope that as we begin thinking about the long session of the legislature that you will join us in encouraging lawmakers to reconsider this provision. Students benefit from the opportunity to learn all of these subjects.

State Board of Education
Meeting Highlights

The State Board of Education on Thursday re-elected Bill Cobey as chairman and Buddy Collins as vice chairman and approved a policy clarifying standards for clinical educators who supervise student teachers in residencies or internships. Board members also approved a revision to the policy governing the renewal of teaching licenses keyed to evaluations.

In other action, the board approved a $4.7 million budget for the first year of the state’s Digital Learning Plan and textbook adoption for social studies and healthful living. The board discussed next steps in the development of the new Achievement School District, including the selection of its superintendent and the timing of its start up. The 2015-16 results for the state’s school accountability system, including A-F school grades, were presented to the board (see next item).

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

Low-Performing Districts and Schools Webinars Scheduled

If this is your first experience with the low-performing statute, or reviewing the requirements would be helpful, NCDPI District and School Transformation staff invite you to attend a webinar that will explain in greater detail the specific requirements in the law.

The webinar(s) are scheduled as follows:

*  Monday, Sept. 19, 2-3 p.m., Low-Performing Schools Webinar

*  Monday, Sept. 19, 3-4 p.m., Low-Performing Districts Webinar

*  Monday, Sept. 26, 9-10 a.m., Low-Performing Schools Webinar (Repeat)

*  Monday, Sept. 26, 10-11 a.m., Low-Performing Districts Webinar (Repeat)

Please note the webinars are repeated to help accommodate schedules. It is not necessary to attend all four webinars. Questions may be directed to NCDPI District and School Transformation Director Nancy Barbour.

New NC Digital Learning and Media Inventory (DLMI) Reporting Tool

In April, NCDPI staff began the process of updating the data collection process for digital teaching and learning programs across the state.

This process was implemented in two phases. Phase 1 was to update the survey (former AMTR) by streamlining the data input process, updating the user interface, and aligning questions to the Digital Learning Progress Rubric. Phase 2 was the release of the new NC DLMI reporting tool.

With a few clicks, this new tool now enables you to build a variety of reports regarding state and local data, giving you results within minutes. The reporting tool will be soft launched at the Digital Teaching and Learning Re-Connect meetings this week for technology and media directors. During the Re-Connect meetings, participants will review the tool (see preview page below), exploring its possibilities in detail.

Multi-Tiered System of Support:
Teaming Structures

The professional development model developed by the NCDPI team strategically addresses the need for intentional communication and clear teaming structures. Over the next three weeks, 95 district leadership and District MTSS teams will be attending a preview to MTSS Module 1. Additionally this month, all 57 Cohort 1 and 2 Teams will be introduced to Module 2.

Throughout the course, the district MTSS team will provide the feedback link regarding school-level implementation. The district leadership team, made up of district leadership and cross-departmental representation, serves to:

• establish a vision and mission for MTSS;
• analyze effectiveness of district wide initiatives;
• allocate and align resources to support a MTSS;
• use a district wide, problem-solving model; and
• remove barriers for the district MTSS team.

Thank you for the vital role you play as a member of the MTSS leadership team and for supporting your district team in implementation. More information on teaming structures in a Multi-Tiered System of Support is found on the MTSS wiki.

For questions about North Carolina’s Multi-Tiered System of Support, please contact Academic and Digital Learning’s Integrated Academic and Behavior Systems Consultant Amy Jablonski.

Home Base Update

Welcome back! Many users asked for updated icons to better identify the Home Base applications. Look for these fresh icons that better identify the Home Base products in your NCEdCloud.