August 2017 NC Public School Partners' Newsletter

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AUGUST 2017

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State Board Scrutinizes Latest Draft ESSA Plan

Plan due to USED by Sept. 18

US Department of Education

Facing a mid-September deadline, members of the State Board of Education raised a host of concerns during their regular August meeting about the state’s latest draft plan under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Among their concerns are too much emphasis on status-quo performance measures such as standardized test scores, too little attention to other measures like chronic absenteeism, and low expectations for gains by historically underperforming groups of students.

The state’s ESSA plan is due to the U.S. Department of Education by Sept. 18, after a final approval by the State Board early in the month. Superintendent Mark Johnson urged board members to weigh in with any additional proposed revisions during the next few weeks. The latest draft has been submitted to Gov. Roy Cooper for his review.

Federal Policy Director Lou Fabrizio cautioned the board that the performance measures included in the current plan were decided by the General Assembly in this year’s budget bill, leaving the board with little latitude to make changes in the ESSA plan. However, Fabrizio said, the board can add other measures, such as chronic absenteeism, to the state’s school report cards or to measures that track statewide performance on a number of indicators in its strategic plan.

Fabrizio said that annual goals for gains by student subgroups have been increased in the latest draft plan, and that the board will be able to request revisions after the first three years of the 10-year plan.

State Board Approves Funding Plan for Advanced Teaching Pilot

Six districts to participate in pilot

NC Elementary

The State Board of Education approved a funding scenario at its August meeting to launch a pilot program in six districts to pay teachers based on advanced leadership roles or student performance. The General Assembly directed the development of the three-year initiative in its 2016 budget bill and provided $10.18 million in funding to begin in the 2017-18 school year.

In response to a request for proposals (RFP) from the NC Department of Public Instruction, 12 school districts submitted bids for funding under this pilot program: Franklin County Schools, Cumberland County Schools, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Pitt County Schools, Washington County Schools, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, Wilson County Schools, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, Vance County Schools, Cabarrus County Schools, Edgecombe County Schools, and Durham Public Schools.

A team of 11 reviewers rated each proposal based on scoring criteria listed in the RFP, and the following proposals were approved for funding: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, Edgecombe County Schools, Pitt County Schools, Vance County Schools and Washington County Schools. 

The initiative is aimed at developing a system that provides more opportunities for teachers to earn higher pay based on performance-related factors instead of years of service.

Divisions Collaborate to Provide Free Math Measures to the State

Measures to be used to screen/monitor progress of K-3 math students

NC Elementary Math Classroom

The Department of Public Instruction’s Integrated Academic and Behavior Systems and Exceptional Children Division staff have been busy training members of district and charter teams statewide on the use of the North Carolina Early Numeracy Skill Indicators (NCENSI) and math computation measures.

NCENSI are measures used for screening and/or monitoring the progress in math of kindergarten through third grade students. The release of these K-3 math measures is part of a larger project begun by the divisions to ensure equitable access to quality universal screening and progress-monitoring tools. There is no fee to use these optional measures.

Through the implementation of Read to Achieve, North Carolina committed to the importance of early identification and prevention activities for reading that begin with valid and reliable screening and monitoring tools. NCENSI provides similar access for mathematics at these same grade levels.

After the initial training, district and charter teams will gain access to the materials. Although no statewide norms are available this year, division staff will assist districts and charters in obtaining local norms for decision-making purposes. Measures will be further studied this school year to make needed modifications based on district and charter feedback.

2017 Governor’s School a Resounding Success

State's brightest and most talented students explore their potential

Governor's School Chorus

The 2017 North Carolina Governor’s School successfully concluded its five-and-one-half-week session July 26.

Administered by the Department’s Exceptional Children division, Governor’s School welcomed 670 of the state’s brightest and most talented high-school students from nearly every public school district and many charter, federal and private schools to its two campuses: Governor’s School East (at Meredith College in Raleigh) and Governor’s School West (at Salem College in Winston-Salem). 

Each student was nominated, competitively selected and invited to attend in one of 10 disciplines: mathematics, natural science, social science, English, foreign language, theater, visual art, choral music, instrumental music and dance. The students were immersed in an innovative residential educational experience with contemporary explorations in their selected discipline. They also attended two other classes exploring concept development, knowledge foundations and personal views, ethics and values. All these classes were complemented by optional electives and seminars, a college fair, campuswide speakers, concerts, performances, recreational activities and more. In total, these gifted students discovered the potential of education, free of tests or grades, and their own readiness for the next step in their educations.

The summer was highlighted with inspiring student presentations and performances in every discipline. Also, Governor’s School East was honored to welcome a visit from Gov. Roy Cooper who attended electives, held a roundtable student discussion, and met scores of students. Governor’s School West was treated with a visit from State Board of Education Vice Chairman Buddy Collins who observed classes and met many students.

No matter their study discipline, all students agreed that Governor’s School offered a challenging curriculum that both interested and challenged them. They also found attending a rewarding experience and would encourage other students to apply.

Additional information on the Governor’s School of North Carolina is available online.

NC Students Do Well in National SkillsUSA Competition

NC had fifth largest delegation and most ever to attend

In June, more than 400 North Carolinians from 19 community colleges, 38 high schools and one middle school traveled to Louisville, Ky to participate in the 53rd annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference. The total attendance for the event topped 16,000, with every state and U.S. territory represented. North Carolina had the fifth largest delegation and the most ever to attend.

North Carolina was very well represented in the SkillsUSA Championships, earning a total of 67 medallions (third highest medal count in the nation). Students earned 30 gold medals (second highest in the nation), 22 silver (third highest in the nation), and 15 bronze. In addition, 12 percent of all NC competitors placed first in the nation; 27 percent finished in the top three in the nation and 62 percent finished in the top 10.

SkillsUSA (formerly known as Vocational Industrial Clubs of America or V.I.C.A) is a national partnership of students, teachers and industry, working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. For more information, visit the Skills USA website.

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State Board of Education Meetings

  • Sept. 6 - 7, 2017
  • Oct. 4 - 5, 2017
  • Oct. 31 - Nov. 2, 2017 (includes planning session)

 

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