At Thursday’s State Board of Education meeting in Raleigh, members approved policies on mentor requirements for the beginning teacher support program; grants under the Mathematics and Science Partnership program; a report to the NC General Assembly on the costs and effectiveness associated with state prekindergarten slots; and several recommendations for expansions and renewals for a number of charter schools.

The board also heard a presentation on 2015-16 data on dropouts, and crime and disciplinary actions. The annual report showed that the state’s dropout rate for 2015-16 ticked down to 2.29 percent from 2.39 percent the previous year, and that 10,889 students dropped out, compared to 11,190 students the previous year. In addition, numbers of reportable acts of school crime, long-term suspensions, expulsions and corporal punishment decreased, while the number of short-term suspensions increased.

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

Lee O’Neal was selected by her peers as the CTE Administrator of the Year. Currently serving as NCDPI’s Regional CTE Coordinator for the central region, she is applying her experience as a local CTE director to support those in her region.

Michael Holman, who teaches Family and Consumer Sciences education at East Chapel Hill High School in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro school district, was selected CTE Teacher of the Year. His students appreciate his passion for teaching and his commitment to make learning engaging. Holman is active in CTE professional organizations and is a leader in CTE.

Congratulations to the following nine teachers who were recently selected as the state’s regional Teachers of the Year for their dedication, innovation and ability to inspire students. They will now compete for the title of 2017 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year:

*  Northeast: Amy Parker, Hertford Grammar (Perquimans County Schools);
*  Southeast: Lisa Godwin, Dixon Elementary (Onslow County Schools);
*  North Central: Miles MacLeod, Heritage High (Wake County Schools);
*  Sandhills: Juandalynn Ray, Sampson Middle (Clinton City Schools);
*  Piedmont-Triad: Adam Reeder, Asheboro High (Asheboro City Schools);
*  Southwest: Anthony Johnson, Jr., Isenberg Elementary (Rowan-Salisbury Schools);
*  Northwest: Carrie Franklin, Glenwood Elementary (McDowell County Schools);
*  Western: Leslie Schoof, Madison Early College High (Madison County Schools); and
*  Charter Schools: Deborah Brown, Research Triangle High (Durham County).

The 2017 state winner will be announced April 6 at an awards ceremony in Cary.

Gov. Roy Cooper has proclaimed February as Black History Month in recognition of the significant contributions African Americans have made and will continue to make to “remedying the crisis in education, and furthering the ascent of African Americans in the great State of North Carolina and beyond.”

What is Digital Learning Day? It’s a day when thousands of schools and local communities across the nation recognize great teaching practices and showcase innovative teachers, leaders and instructional technology programs that are improving student outcomes with the help of digital tools.

Last year, North Carolina led the U.S. in the number of Digital Learning Day events. Currently, Texas, Wisconsin, and North Carolina have the most events scheduled for 2017.

Interested, but not sure what to do? Visit the Digital Learning Day website for ideas and additional information. Let’s celebrate digital learning in North Carolina!

April 1 is the deadline to nominate secondary teachers (grades 7-12) for the 2017 North Carolina Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). The PAEMST Awards is the highest honor bestowed by the United States government specifically for K-12 mathematics and science teaching.

Anyone – principals, teachers, parents, students, or members of the general public – may nominate a teacher by completing the nomination form available on the PAEMST website. Nominees may recommend more than one educator and must provide each teacher’s name, email address, and school contact information. Teachers also may nominate themselves.

One mathematics teacher and one science teacher will be selected from North Carolina. Each will receive a $10,000 award and a trip to Washington, D.C., to attend the National Awards Recognition Program. Elementary school teachers (grades K-6) will be eligible to apply during a future cycle.

Aric Bostick, the keynote speaker for the 2017 Collaborative Conference for Student Achievement: Champions for Student Success, is ready to fire up conference participants as he has across the country with thousands of students, teachers and parents.

A former high school teacher and coach, Bostick started his Goal Setters Club after-school program. The success of the club model has been highlighted on local news and morning shows, and Bostick has been sharing his approach with schools across the country. His “FIRED UP” message is transforming the climate of schools across the country; and his best-selling book, FIRED UP Success, is changing the culture of every organization that embraces his message that they can truly get and stay FIRED UP for life, for their students, and for all those they serve!

The CCSA conference will be held March 20-22 at the Sheraton Greensboro Hotel & Koury Convention Center in Greensboro. Visit the CCSA website for more information, including registration.