NCDPI Office of Charter Schools (OCS) Updates
From the Desk of Mr. Dave Machado, Director, Office of Charter Schools
With the beginning of a new school year comes the excitement
of students meeting new teachers and classmates. This year we welcomed seven (7) new schools to our charter school community! There are now 173 charter
schools in North Carolina serving over 90,000 students with a combined waiting
list of over 45,000. We have twenty schools entering their Ready to Open (RTO)
planning year and over fifty people attended the new school application
trainings.
The demand for school choice is alive and well in NC. While the
demand for school choice is high, the demand for quality charter schools is also
high, and I thank you for working hard to make your school the very best it can
be.
I am encouraged by the number of schools that have taken advantage of our
Regional Huddles, Training Camps, monthly Audibles, and Board trainings.
Please
continue to call our office if you need any assistance as we continue to strive
to meet our core values of Service, Teamwork, Accountability, Reliability,
and Accuracy.
Thank you for all you do to, and the best of luck as you
begin the 2017-18 school year!
 Charter Schools Transportation Grant Opportunity
2.5 million dollars was provided to the NC Department of Public Instruction to establish a Charter School Transportation Grant Program for the 2017-18 school year.
The purpose of the Charter School Transportation Grant pilot program is to reimburse a charter school that has a student enrollment of at least fifty percent (50%) of its students residing in households with an income level not in excess of the amount required for a student to qualify for the federal free or reduced price lunch program.
Please see the attached Letter of Intent for more information about the grant opportunity. The Letter of Intent is the first step in the established process.
Contact ocs@dpi.nc.gov with questions or concerns.
Attachment: 2017-18 Transportation Grant Letter of Intent
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Charter School Fees
As the 2016-17 school year
begins, many campuses may collect various forms and supply donations from students.
As you consider collecting fees from students, please revisit NC General Statute 115C-218.50(b) which
provides explicit language on what fees charter schools may charge. Charter
schools may not charge any tuition or fees beyond that which is described in
statute. The statute states:
- A charter school may
charge any fees that are charged by the local school administrative unit
in which the charter school is located.
- A charter school, upon
approval by the board of directors of the charter school, may establish
fees for extracurricular activities, except those fees shall not exceed
the fees for the same extracurricular activities charged by a local
school administrative unit in which forty percent (40%) or more of the
students enrolled in the charter school reside.
The Office of Charter
Schools recommends that any charter school charging a fee ensures compliance
with statute. You should have evidence available for families to
demonstrate compliance and a plan in place for families who may not be able
to afford the permissible fees such that fees are not a burden for
enrollment.
Please contact OCS directly
with questions or concerns at ocs@dpi.nc.gov.
 2018 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher
of the Year Program
NCDPI is pleased to coordinate the 2018 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North
Carolina Teacher of the Year (TOY) Program. The program provides an opportunity
to honor and recognize exemplary teachers in North Carolina and to call
attention to the importance of the teaching profession. Instructions for school
level TOY coordinators can be found HERE, including a timeline for the selection process.
If
you have any questions about this process, please contact craig.tucker@dpi.nc.gov
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NC School Jobs by PeopleAdmin
There are now 124 charter schools live in the system
and many are already posting positions, so we encourage you to take advantage
of this resource as soon as you can. We have thousands of applicants in the
system which your school will have access to when you go live in the system.
The steps associated with implementation are:
-
Contact Craig Tucker at craig.tucker@dpi.nc.gov to request an NC School Jobs workbook
- Complete the workbook and
submit your school’s logo
- Participate in training
- Familiarize yourself with the
system
- Execute a few cutover steps
and go-live in the system
If you have been trained and are not currently scheduled for next steps,
please contact Craig Tucker.
The next webinar training is scheduled for Wednesday,
August 23. Please visit THIS
WEBSITE to learn more about and register
for the training opportunities. Webinars last 1.5 hours with the ability to
continue an additional 30 minutes if requested. Team members from the service
provider, Jeff Davenport and Bill Barry, lead the trainings and are available
to assist you with the implementation process.
 Upcoming OCS Professional Development
Opportunities
Training Camp for Low-Performing Schools
Location: Community School of Davidson
Date: Wednesday, September 20
Time: 8:30-4:00
Registration Information:
Registration is NOW OPEN for
this event! Schools who have received or anticipate receiving a low performing
designation are invited to attend. We have a limited number of spots available
for this opportunity, so please register soon. Registration information must
be received by Friday, September 8. Please register HERE and you can view the agenda HERE. This is a free event.
2017 Charter School Leadership Institute
Location: Voyager Academy, Durham, NC
Date: Thursday, October 12 – Friday, October 13
Registration Information:
Registration is OPEN! Please
register HERE and be sure to read and follow all instructions for
registering. The registration fee for this event is $55. The agenda for the
institute can be seen HERE.
We’re also pleased to offer a limited
number of exhibitor/vendor booths and sessions for purchase at this year’s
institute. Exhibitor/vendor registration options range from $150-$400. Please visit
THIS LINK to learn more.
If you have any questions about these
opportunities, please contact craig.tucker@dpi.nc.gov.
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Free Used Books from the Textbook Warehouse
The Textbook Warehouse has recently received a large shipment of used textbooks.........all subjects/most all grades....and are expecting more this week. These books are available, free of charge, to any charter school with the initiative to drop by and select what they need. Additionally, if the school would prefer to reimburse the Textbook Warehouse for the exact shipping cost (full pallet + $20 up to 100 miles, $40 from 101 to 250 miles and $54 over 250 miles) they will pack and ship to the respective school. Please see the contact information below if your charter school is interested in this opportunity.
Contact:
Drew Fairchild
NC Textbook Warehouse
3905 Reedy Creek Road
Raleigh, NC 27607
919-715-5373
NC Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) Updates
Grant Program to Prepare Future Workforce in Coding and Mobile App Development
State Superintendent Mark Johnson received funding from the General Assembly to establish the Coding and Mobile Applications Grant Program.
The grant program will provide funding to grant recipients to design and implement computer science, coding, and mobile application development curricular program for middle and high school students starting this school year. Local school administrative units and charter schools are eligible to apply for grant funds. Schools are to work with industry partners.
The grant will provide opportunities through the partnerships to at least identify how the partnership will provide increased career opportunities for students engaged in high-wage, high-skill, and high-demand occupations; alignment with Career and Technical Education, Career and College Pathways, and postsecondary program; and create innovative, nontraditional and immediate pathways for students related to mobile software applications.
Applications (see attached) will be accepted through October 15, 2017.
For more information about the grant, please contact Delores P. Ali, CTE Section Chief.
Attachment: (docx, 43kb)
North Carolina Virtual Public School (NCVPS) Celebrates a Decade in Online Learning
The North Carolina Virtual Public School (NCVPS)
is turning 10, and staff are
celebrating a decade in online teaching and learning by inviting you to its
10-Year Anniversary Symposium on Oct. 21-22. Come to
connect, share and learn about online and digital learning as well
as commemorate the past ten years and the future of learning.
Registration
is available online. Please visit the 10-year Anniversary web page for information and
updates. If you have any questions, please contact NCVPS Director of Outreach
and Support Mia
Murphy.
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Autism (AU) PRC 118 Funding
Submissions and AU Professional Learning Opportunity
Please see the attached reminder for AU PRC
118 Funding which is due September 1. Also included are regional AU
Professional Learning Opportunities.
Attachment: Memo-AU+Regional+PD.doc.pdf
 KU-CRL 2017 Learning Conference National Recognition of
NC
Three NC
national recognitions out of a total of 30!
Attached are copies of the pages from the book.
In July, at the 2017 University of
Kansas Center for Research on Learning (KU-CRL) Conference, three
representatives from North Carolina received national recognition out of a
total of thirty nationwide. These recognitions were the result of the work over
the past six years in a partnership between the KU-CRL and NC Exceptional
Children Division sponsored Strategic Instruction Model Content Literacy
Continuum Project (SIM CLC). The stories published and commendations bestowed
on: one NC teacher - Katelyn Hagen, Cabarrus Co. Schools; one SIM Professional
Developer – Dr. Elizabeth Gibbs, formerly with NC DPI Exceptional Children
Division; and one school system – Swain Co. Public Schools. Their stories were
submitted by the SIM professional developer and coach who has worked diligently
with them on the project over its duration and published in a booklet about
student success and the effectiveness of efforts implementing evidence–based
instructional practices. You will find the data that has been collected to
reflect strong student growth. The stories are attached here for you to read.
For further information on how to
implement the evidence-based SIM professional learning strategies instruction,
which are now provided as part of the NC State Improvement Project (NC SIP)
adolescent literacy goal focus, you may contact Dr. Paula Crawford at paula.crawford@dpi.nc.gov.
Attachments:
The+Power+of+One.pdf
Dream+Team+Initates+Big+Changes.pdf
From+Dream+to+Reality.pdf
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Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf Advisory Council to Meet
The Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf Advisory Council will hold
its quarterly meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 30, from 2-5 p.m., in
the Massey Building, Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf Campus, 1311
Highway 301 South, Wilson.
A tentative agenda for this meeting is attached.
American Sign Language and Voice Interpreters will be provided at the
meeting. Prior notice of other languages requested will be required to make
suitable arrangements.
Questions regarding the meeting may be directed Eartha Butler.
Attachment: 083017+ENCSD+Quarterly+Agenda.docx
 Consolidated Federal
Grant Application - Final Reminder - Due Today
Federal Program Monitor and
Support has extended the consolidated application due date to August
18th. We were delayed getting Comprehensive Continuous
Improvement Plan (CCIP) open due to all of the new requirements for the funding
application under Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Schools that have
not submitted their application today must send a request for an
extension to Dr. Chris Vecchione at chris.vecchione@dpi.nc.gov.
Should you have questions
regarding your application, please contact Elaine Ellington at elaine.ellington@dpi.nc.gov
or (919) 807-3894.
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2017-2018 Federal Program Monitoring Webinar
Please see the attached information regarding the the
Consolidated Program Monitoring Review. Should you have questions regarding your application, please contact Elaine Ellington at elaine.ellington@dpi.nc.gov or (919) 807-3894.
Attachment: 2017-2018
Federal Program Monitoring Webinar
 NC
SIP DPI Copyright Permission and Instructor Contracting
Please see the attached regarding NC SIP DPI
Copyright Permissions for Reading Research to Classroom Practice and
Foundations of Mathematics course materials.
If you have any questions, please contact
your regional consultant for literacy or math, or Dr. Paula Crawford at paula.crawford@dpi.nc.gov.
Attachment: Memo-SIP+Copyright+Permissions.pdf
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ESL/Title
III Updates
A new ESL/Title III
Consultant has been assigned to support Charter schools, Mrs. Xatlí Stox. Mrs. Xatli Stox is the newest ESL/Title III Consultant at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Xatli joined the team in February, 2017. She collaborates with Ivanna Anderson and Marshall Foster, ESL/Title III Consultants, in order to support Charter Schools during this time of transition.
Xatli is originally from Colombia, South America. She graduated from Universidad Nacional de Colombia with a Bachelor’s degree in Philology and Languages in 2005. She served as an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teacher in middle and high school in the public schools system in Bogota. After moving to the U.S., she served as a K-12 English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher in Vance County Schools and she earned her master’s degree in Educational Technology in 2014 from North Carolina Central University. She joined Sallie B. Howard School in Wilson County as a K-8 ESL teacher and then served as the EL Coordinator. During this period, she earned her second Master’s degree in TESOL at Greensboro College.
Please Complete the Steps Outlined:
 Required
Changes to Policies Governing Services for Children with Disabilities -
Part One
Please see the attached information regarding
changes to Policies Governing Services for Children with Disabilities.
If you have any questions, please contact the
Policy, Monitoring & Audit Section at 919 807-3455.
Attachment: Memo-Policies+Changes+0817.pdf
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School
Psychology Workforce Report
Please see
the attached report regarding the school psychology workforce in NC public
schools for the 2016-2017 academic year.
If you have
any questions, please contact Lynn Makor at lynn.makor@cidd.unc.edu
or 919 843-7049.
Attachments:
Memo-School+Psych+Workforce+2016-17.pdf
Memo-School+Psych+Workforce+2016-17+Report.pdf
Survey
- Extended Content Standards - New Course Requirement
The Exceptional Children Division is
proposing two elective courses that will be required for students with
significant cognitive disabilities on the Certificate Pathway. These
courses will assist students to be prepared for postsecondary vocational skills
and independent living. Prior to State Board of Education approval, the
EC Division would like for LEAs to identify any concerns or anticipated
resource needs via a survey. The survey will close on August 21, 2017. Thank you in advance for completing the survey.
Please complete the survey linked below to answer
questions surrounding two additional course for high school students on the
Certificate Pathway. Attached are the competencies for these courses. Please
review them prior to completing the survey.
These courses have been presented to the
State Board of Education for consideration to make them required courses. Each
course would be three (3) years or six (6) semesters. A portfolio showcasing
competencies mastered would be the required end product. The courses are
designed to improve student outcomes and ensure students on the Certificate
Pathway have skills for independent living and employment.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScT7frHSRL92vxtJ7CYExlalqHSsYD0kUfFpxscbnFbk9UDog/viewform?usp=sf_link
If you have any questions, please contact Ronda
Layman at ronda.layman@dpi.nc.gov
or 919 807-4059.
Attachments:
0817_SLA03_Attach2.pdf
0817_SLA03_Attach1.pdf
 Testing and Accountability Updates 2017-18
Please
see the attached memo, Testing and Accountability Updates 2017–18, from Dr.
Maria Pitre-Martin and Dr. Tammy Howard to all Charter School Directors.
Attachment: MEMO
- Testing and Accountability Updates 2017-18
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September
2017 Periodic Count - End-of-Year Reporting: Exiting Data
Please see the attached submission schedule
for reporting Exiting Data.
Attachment: Memo-Child+Count-Exit+Data+0917.pdf
 Alternative Accountability Model Options 2017-18
Please
see the attached memo, Alternative Accountability Model Options 2017-18, from
Dr. Maria Pitre-Martin and Dr. Tammy Howard to all Charter School Directors.
Attachment: MEMO - Alternative Accountability Model Options 2017-18
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 Multi-Tiered System of SUpport (MTSS) Updates
The
Integrated Academic and Behavior Systems (IABS) team is pleased to share
the second edition of videos from the “Voices from the Field” project.
MTSS
Cohort team members conducted these interviews in order to provide a
window into Charter School implementation. Thank you to Francine Delany New
School for Children who share how state support allowed them to keep moving
forward as well as the opportunity to track their progress. View their story
here: Why Did We
join a Cohort?
Additionally,
with this video, Benefits of
MTSS, you will see how Forsyth Academy is not only building a system
of support for students, but is also providing a clear plan for teachers which
enables them to increase effectiveness in the classroom. Establishing a
sustainable MTSS requires the vision, teaming approach and a fluid plan as discussed
by North Carolina educators throughout the videos.
For additional
information on joining Cohort 5, please access the MTSS wiki or contact Amy Jablonski, Director,
Integrated Academic and Behavior Systems(IABS).
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Other News
North Carolina Homeless Education Program (NCHEP) -- Upcoming Training Opportunities
Please see the attached document for training opportunities are offered by Lisa Phillips, State Coordinator, NCHEP. Ms. Phillips can be
contacted at 336-315-7491.
Attachment: NCHEP
Announcements
Beginning
Teacher Leadership Network Accepting Applications
The Public
School Forum's Beginning Teacher Leadership Network (BTLN) is currently
recruiting teachers in Cabarrus,
Carteret, Mecklenburg, Onslow, Union, and Wake counties for the
2017-18 cohort. Applications are open through September 8, 2017.
North
Carolina traditional and charter public school teachers in their first three
years of experience are eligible to participate. Participants may remain in the
network for three years, regardless of when they enter the program. The core
program will consist of monthly sessions, one during each traditional teaching
month, during after-school hours. Forums will consist of education policy
briefings, teacher collaboration sessions, and interactive professional
development.
By bringing
together educational practice and policy, BTLN
hopes to produce and retain teachers that are “empowered to lead and informed
to change” in a new era of teaching. BTLN provides unparalleled
access to information and key decision makers in education, while
simultaneously giving beginning teachers high-level professional development.
To apply
for the 2017-18 Beginning Teacher Leadership Network, click here.
Women in
Educational Leadership Symposium
Registration
is open for the second annual Women in Educational Leadership Symposium
(WIELS). The purpose of WIELS is to bring women together to share, learn, and
grow in leadership. Women who are interested in learning from others and those
who are willing to share skills and expertise are urged to attend. This
conference aims to provide personalized learning and mentoring opportunities
for those who aspire to become, or currently serve as educational leaders.
The
symposium will be held September 22 through September 24, 2017 at Appalachian
State University in Boone, NC. This year's conference theme is Advancing the
Leader Within: Building Capacity.
Registration for the
conference is online at https://wiels.appstate.edu/about-us/registration.
Additional information can be found at https://wiels.appstate.edu/.
2017 New Homeless Liaison
Compliance Training
September
7, 2017
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
The SERVE Center at UNCG
5900 Summit Avenue, Dixon
Building
Browns Summit, NC 27214
NCHEP will be conducting its annual New
Homeless Liaison Compliance Training on Thursday, September 7th,
at the SERVE Center at UNCG. Those who are new homeless liaisons
with 2 years’ or less experience for their district or charter
school and who did not attend the new homeless liaison training
during the 2016-2017SY should participate in this all-day
professional development training.
The topics for training
will include:
-
Compliance with the McKinney-Vento Act
-
Non-Regulatory Guidance from the U.S. Department of
Education
-
Roles and responsibilities of the homeless liaison
-
Identification and services for homeless children and
youth
-
The dispute resolution process
-
Subgrant funding and requirements
-
Data collection and reporting requirements from the
state
-
Collaboration with other LEAs, the community, and
NCHEP
For more information
about the New Homeless Liaison Compliance Training, please visit the web page on the
NCHEP website.
This
is a free professional development event, but registration is
required. Register for this event.
If you have questions
about this training, please contact Paullett Wall. If you have
questions about your registration, please contact Beth Thrift.
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