NCDPI Office of Charter Schools (OCS) Updates
From the Desk of Dave Machado, Director, Office of Charter Schools
This
week, NCDPI Career and Technical Education (CTE) sent non-compliance letters to
several charter schools. Per our office’s protocol, our office sends additional
notification to the respective administrators and board chairs. The ultimate
purpose of the communication was to determine next steps, such as removal from
non-compliance, pending the response and documentation review. We appreciate
your efforts and responses and look forward to resolving this non-compliance
for each affected school.
 Training Opportunity
Board members from
charter schools that are opening in 2018 are
required to attend 5 face-to-face Planning Year Sessions from September to
January. The school leader and some of the board members are also
required to attend the New Charter School Leaders Institute in June.
As a
customer service, the Office of Charter Schools continues to open up these
sessions to all charter schools. If you have a new school leader and/or a
new board member interested in attending any of the sessions, he or she must
register to attend. Please note the schedule below:
Registration is now open for
the September session. Registration ends on Sunday,
September 17th. Please use this Link to register.
For questions, please contact Dr. Kebbler Williams at kebbler.williams@dpi.nc.gov.
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List of Required
Reports and Submission Dates
Each year charter school
directors request a list detailing annual required reports. While not all
reports are required for your charter school, please review the document to
determine which reports will need to be submitted. We are working to develop a
charter specific list for release at a later time.
Please call the contacts
within the attached document or contact OCS directly with questions or concerns
at ocs@dpi.nc.gov.
Attachment:
http://www.ncpublicschools.org/docs/data/calendar/2016-17/requiredsub.pdf
 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 OPEN! 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.
Digital Teaching and Learning: The Charter School
Connection
Location: NC Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT),
Cullowhee, NC
Date: Monday, November 13 – Thursday, November 16
Registration Information:
This is a new and unique collaboration
between OCS/NCDPI, NCCAT and the Friday Institute focused on digital teaching
and learning within the charter school context. There are 24 spots available
for this event. As such, we ask that only one person apply from each school.
Participants will be notified if they are selected to attend. Though primarily
focused on teachers, technology facilitators and administrators can also apply.
Following the event, participants will be expected to be ambassadors for best
practices and strategies for digital teaching and learning. All lodging and meals
will be provided by NCCAT at no cost to program participants; participants will
be responsible for all other travel-related costs. Participants will receive a
certificate of completion for CEU credit. You can see the draft agenda HERE and apply to attend HERE.
If you have any questions about these
opportunities, please contact craig.tucker@dpi.nc.gov.
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 NC School Jobs by PeopleAdmin
There are now 149 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 via the email address above.
The next webinar training is
scheduled for Wednesday, August 30, 2017. 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.
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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.
NC Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) Updates
English as a Second Language (ESL) and Title III Updates
Non-Title III Subgrantees: Complete your Language Instruction Educational Program (LIEP) chart (See template) and share the link with Xatli.Stox@dpi.nc.gov by Friday,
November 17, 2017. Use "LIEP 2017-2018 for (LEA/Charter Name)" in the
name of the document and in the email subject line.
EDDIE Database: Update
the contact information of your EL Coordinator or EL Data Manager in the
Educational Directory and Demographical Information Exchange (EDDIE), the
online application containing LEA (school district) and school information.
These are the steps LEAs/Charters need to update the staff listing.
-Check the list of subscribed users in case you don't know who to contact at
your district to update your information.
PD opportunity for all Teachers of English Learners and
Instructional Coaches: WIDA Language of
Science: An interactive two-day workshop that offers educators time to delve
into combining English Language Development Standards and Science Practices.
Through hands-on experimentation and analysis of language embedded within the
content and practices, participants will have a deeper understanding of how to
engage language learners of a variety of proficiency levels.
September 11-12, 2017 - Wake Tech College Raleigh, NC
and September 14-15, 2017 - Watauga High School Boone, NC
Communication Channels:
Slack Team: NCELs -If you haven't been added to the EL
Coordinator Slack channel or you want to contribute to our
channels, send an email to xatli.stox@dpi.nc.gov
Wikispace: NCDPI ELD Wiki
Facebook Page: NCDPI Growing Success for ELs
Twitter Handle: @NCDPI_ELs #NCELs
 Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) Charter School Message
Thank you to the almost 50 Charter Schools who have submitted Partnership Agreements which confirm their commitment to joining Cohort 5 of the state support.
As these charters consider next steps, one area to investigate is Establishing Readiness for developing an Multi-Tiered System of Support. The video linked here provides an example of how one charter school in the West Region intentionally addressed installation by keeping these priorities in mind:
- Building effective communication systems
- Establishment of a leadership team
- Alignment of the school mission with MTSS
If your Charter School has not submitted their Partnership Agreement, there is still time. You may view this video for more information on Cohort 5 participation. For additional information please access the MTSS wiki or contact Amy Jablonski, Director, Integrated Academic and Behavior Systems (IABS).
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HB1030
- Consent for Release of Contact Information to NCDPI and Residential Schools
for the Deaf and Blind
Please see information and attachments
regarding HB1030.
If you have any questions, please contact
Sherri Vernelson at sherri.vernelson@dpi.nc.gov
or 919 807-3982.
Attachments:
 Comprehensive Continuous Improvement Plan (CCIP) - NC Prayer Certification and Single Set of Assurances
This is written to make you
aware that as part of the development of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
Consolidated State Plan, we have been made aware of an additional requirement
for local educational agencies (LEAs) and charter schools applying for federal
funds. We have been awaiting additional guidance from the U.S. Department of
Education regarding this requirement; however, given the federal application
due date is fast approaching for local staff, we are moving forward with
providing you with a method of meeting compliance.
To that end, we have updated a
template in the Comprehensive Continuous Improvement Plan (CCIP) in the
Consolidated Documents section. We are replacing the March 2017 version of the
Prayer Certification and Single Set of Assurances form to include an assurance
that each LEA and charter school will comply with Section 427 of the General
Education Provisions Act (GEPA).
In short, according to Section
427 of GEPA, enacted as part of the Improving America's Schools Act of 1994
(Pub. L. 103-382), applicants for federal funds must provide a description of
steps that they plan to take to ensure equitable access to, and participation
in, their federally-assisted program. The statute highlights six types of
barriers that can impede equitable access or participation: gender, race,
national origin, color, disability, or age. Based on local circumstances, the
applicant can determine whether or not these or other barriers may prevent
participants from such access and participation and how they intend to overcome
them.
At this time, we will not
collect descriptions during the application process; rather, we will include
the assurance in the CCIP submission. We will provide you with additional
support for developing the description at a later date. If you have already
submitted your CCIP applications, we will request the upload of the updated
document during the review and approval process. Thank you in advance for your
support to ensure compliance with this requirement.
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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Online Child Transfer System for Children with Disabilities Update
The Online Child Transfer System for Children With
Disabilities will be opened to LEAs and Charter Schools for access starting
Monday, August 28, 2017.
For questions, please call Lydia Prude at
(919)218-6416, or Chona Alejandro at (919)807-3732.
 Adherence To The 10/20 Day Rule
Please
see the attached memo, Adherence To The 10/20 Day Rule, from Dr. Maria
Pitre-Martin and Dr. Tammy Howard to all Charter School Directors.
Attachment: MEMO
- Adherence To The 10/20 Day Rule
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Professional
Development on the Topic of Dyslexia
Please see the attached announcement of
professional development on the topic of dyslexia.
If you have any questions, please contact
Lynne Loeser at lynne.loeser@dpi.nc.gov
or 919 807-3980.
Attachment: Memo-PD+for+Dyslexia.pdf
 2017-2018
Class Size/Caseload Waivers
Please see the attached information regarding
2017-2018 Class Size/Caseload Waivers.
If you have any questions, please contact you
assigned monitoring consultant.
Attachments:
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Charter Schools in the News
Number of
Charter Schools, Students in the U.S. Rises
The number
of children attending charter schools in the United States hit a record of
about 6 percent of all students in public schools, according to a federal
education report released on Tuesday.
Charter
schools are publicly funded schools operated separately from local school
districts. They are usually independently run but can also be managed by
for-profit companies or nonprofit organizations running multiple schools.
About 3
million students were enrolled in charter schools in the 2015-2016 school year,
up from roughly 1.8 million students five years prior, according to the report
by the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics.
They
represented 6 percent of the total in 2015-2016, up from 3.6 percent.
Of more
than 90,000 public elementary and secondary schools, charter schools made up
nearly 8 percent, an increase from 5.9 percent five years earlier, the report
said.
To continue
reading the complete article, click here.
Excerpt
from:
Kearney,
L. and Osterman, C. "Number of charter schools, students in U.S. rises:
report." Reuters. 8/22/17.
Envision Science Academy and the Eclipse
Other News
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.
NC Department of Health and Human Services - Charter School Epi-Pen and Diabetes Care Plan Updates
Please see the attached documents for the 2017-18 school year for charter schools. Contact Ann Nichols @ ann.nichols@dhhs.nc.gov with questions or concerns.
Attachment: 2017-18
Charter School Memos
North Carolina Homeless Education Program (NCHEP) -- Upcoming Training Opportunities
Please see the attached documents for training opportunities are offered by NCHEP. Please contact Ms. Phillips at 336-315-7491 with questions or concerns..
Attachment:
NCHEP Announcements
August
Announcements
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