For immediate release
June 2, 2017
State Board of Education Honors STEM Schools of Distinction
The
North Carolina State Board of Education yesterday recognized three public schools
for exemplary leadership and instruction in Science, Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics (STEM) education. These schools are the latest to be recognized
under the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s (NCDPI) STEM
Recognition Program.
STEM Schools
of Distinction for the 2016-17 school year are:
· Hilburn Academy, Wake County
Schools, Model Level of Achievement;
· Weatherstone Elementary, Wake County
Schools, Model Level of Achievement; and
· Hendersonville Elementary, Henderson
County Schools, Prepared Level of Achievement.
The STEM
Recognition Program was developed by NCDPI in partnership with representatives
from schools, business and industry, and postsecondary institutions as a way to
identify and recognize exemplary STEM schools and STEM programs. The
application process rubric is built around NCDPI’s STEM Attributes, which
describe characteristics of a high quality STEM school.
Schools
were recognized as meeting the Prepared or Model Level of Achievement.
Regardless of the status, schools exemplify outstanding leadership and
learning, which empower keen creative thinking, reasoning and teamwork – the
underpinnings of 21st century skills. Schools recognized under the Model Level
of Achievement go even further by systemically interweaving science,
technology, engineering and mathematics into complementary coursework in the
Arts, Career and Technical Education, English language arts, Healthful Living and
World History.
Overall,
11 applications were submitted for possible recognition. Schools pursuing
recognition underwent a rigorous application process that required:
· detailed responses and evidence addressing
each of the 11 attributes of quality STEM education and over 40 key elements
that define the quality characteristics rooted within the attributes;
· a self-assessment of the school
aligning to the Attribute Implementation rubric; and
· identification of their best
practice of educational excellence.
To
receive this honor, schools designated as STEM Schools of Distinction are
rooted in a culture where creativity and inquiry exists between and among students,
teachers, administrators and community members with an emphasis on engaging
students in a way of innovation and problem solving to seek solutions, and
collaborative teamwork. Additionally, schools have established a network of
community relationships and strategies that foster purposeful connections
between student studies and the world outside their classroom. In all, schools
approach education with intentionality to engage and inspire students through
learning experiences that are real, relevant and balanced whereby all content
areas are equally responsive to cultivating growth and success.
In
addition to being honored by the State Board of Education, the schools will be
recognized on the Department’s STEM web page and the NC STEM
Center portal. Schools also will receive a specially designed STEM School of
Distinction banner provided by the NC Science, Mathematics, and Technology
Education Center.
For more
information on the NCDPI STEM Recognition Program, please visit NCDPI’s STEM web page.
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