Plan due to USED by Sept. 18
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.
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Six districts to participate in pilot
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.
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Measures to be used to screen/monitor progress of K-3 math students
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.
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State's brightest and most talented students explore their potential
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.
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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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