Superintendents Present ESSA Accountability Model Ideas at Special Work Session

Over the winter, a group of local school superintendents worked in conjunction with NCDPI accountability staff to develop models for elementary, middle and high school accountability for North Carolina’s Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) plan. These models were presented and discussed with the State Board of Education at a special May 2 planning session held the afternoon before the usual Board meeting days.

The proposed models would include performance indicators (60 percent minimum) and student success indicators (40 percent maximum) for each level of schooling. For elementary and middle schools, end-of-grade proficiency in English language arts, mathematics, and science continue to be key elements. New measures would include the progress of English language learners (a new federal requirement) and a student survey intended to capture student observations about school climate, safety and the use of digital learning tools. The survey would be piloted before it is used in the model. Student participation in extracurricular and co-curricular activities also would be a student success indicator.

At the high school level, the proposed model would focus on end-of-course proficiency and academic growth rates in English II and Math I, the 4-year cohort graduation rate, and English learning progress as well as biology proficiency and academic growth. To capture student success indicators, the model would use a college and career readiness index to include the attainment of industry credentials, IB diplomas, AP Exam scores of 3 or better, ACT Workkeys silver certificates, college credit, and ACT performance. A student survey on school safety/climate and digital learning and student participation in extracurricular and co-curricular activities also would be in the high school model.

Board members and superintendents discussed these proposals and other details about the state’s ESSA plan. The plan is scheduled for submission to the US Department of Education in September, so the plan will be finalized this summer to provide time for the Governor’s review before submission at the federal level.

Study Presented on Return on Investment for Public School Graduates

Over a 35-year working career, a high school graduate will earn an estimated $311,591 more than peers who did not graduate from high school. In addition, high school graduates have lower incarceration rates, court costs, unemployment costs and health care costs than people who did not graduate from high school.

These findings were presented by NCDPI Intern Harrison Wicker at the May State Board of Education meeting. His work also noted that graduates earn more, spend more and pay more taxes to support services that benefit North Carolinians overall. The overall return on investment for high school graduates is $111,203 because they cost less to the state and contribute more to society.

In considering how to do more to boost high school performance and graduation rates, District and School Transformation (DST) services provided by the Department of Public Instruction can make a difference. In fact, the presence of these services is associated with a 1.75 percent higher graduation rate than in similar high schools without DST support. For the 23 high schools served by DST, that means approximately 54 more students graduating each year.

Revised K-8 Mathematics
Standards Discussed

Since November 2016, NCDPI staff members have been working on revisions to the K-8 mathematics standards beginning with a data review and followed by three drafts informed by teams of classroom teachers, public comments and surveys.

More than 7,000 educators and 830 community members and parents provided survey feedback or participated in focus groups. The third draft was presented to State Board members along with examples of the kinds of revisions that were made. In summary, 16 standards have major changes, 173 standards have a minor change, 19 standards stayed the same, 4 were removed, and 20 standards were integrated into others. Three new standards were added. Revisions were focused on content, vertical alignment, clarity and providing grade appropriate expectations.

Board members will return to the standards for possible action in June, and implementation in the 2018-19 school year with end-of-grade assessments aligned to the new standards for the first time. During the 2017-18 school year, professional development and supporting materials will be developed and distributed statewide.

Charter Schools Recommended to Open in 2018-19

Fifteen new charters are under consideration to open in 2018-19. Board members reviewed the recommendations of the NC Charter Schools Advisory Board to approve the following schools:

• Anson Charter Academy – Anson Academy
• Ascend Leadership Academy – Lee County
• Bonnie Cone Classical Academy - Mecklenburg County
• Carolina Charter Academy – Wake County
• Davidson Charter Academy – Davidson County
• East Voyager Academy – Mecklenburg County
• Essie Mae Kiser Foxx Charter School – Rowan County
• Global Achievers School – Nash County
• Monroe Charter Academy – Union County
• Moore Montessori Community School – Moore County
• Next Generation Academy – Guilford County
• Raleigh Oak Charter School – Wake County
• The Experiential School of Greensboro – Guilford County
• The Paideia Academy – Cabarrus County
• West Lake Preparatory – Lincoln County

National Title I Distinguished School Recognized

Saluda Elementary School, Polk County Schools, has been named a National Title I Distinguished School. Principal Cari Maneen and third-grade teacher Melissa Gillespie were recognized at the May State Board of Education meeting for the school’s honor.

Saluda Elementary is an A+ School with teachers addressing the state standards through interdisciplinary thematic units combined with arts integration and hands-on experiential learning.

North Carolina’s National Blue Ribbon Schools Honored

Eight North Carolina schools have been named as National Blue Ribbon Schools, an honor recognizing schools where students either achieve very high learning standards or are making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap.

The schools and the school representatives who attended the Board meeting to receive these honors are:

•  Bald Creek Elementary School, Yancey County Schools; Sherry Robinson, principal and Lori McCourry, teacher

•  Central Academy of Technology and Arts, Union County Schools; Kim Fisenne, principal

•  Davis Drive Elementary School, Wake County Schools; James Mack, principal; Karen Eck, PTA President; Paige Everson, school counselor; and Dr. Mark Savage, area superintendent

•  Jay M. Robinson Middle School, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools; Michael Milliote, principal, and Meredith Cabana, assistant principal

•  Morrisville Elementary School, Wake County Schools; Michael Matthews, principal

•  Pisgah Elementary School, Buncombe County Schools; Jeanann Yates, principal; Candie Sellers, elementary schools director; and Leslie Cox, teacher

•  The Early College at Guilford, Guilford County Schools

•  Wrightsville Beach Elementary School, New Hanover County Schools; Jackson Norvell, principal