North Carolina Innovative School District Superintendent Eric Hall updated State Board of Education members Oct. 4 on the evaluation process currently underway to select up to two schools to join the newly formed school district beginning in the 2018-19 school year.

Based on the evaluation criteria (including data from last school year and trend data from the most recent three years) and meetings with school officials, local leaders and community representatives, Hall told the Board he narrowed the list of schools identified for initial inclusion from six to the following four:

*  Glenn Elementary, Durham Public Schools;
*  Williford Elementary, Nash-Rocky Mount Schools;
*  Willis Hare Elementary, Northampton County Schools; and
*  Southside Ashpole Elementary, Public Schools of Robeson County. 

The next step in the process is to analyze the final comprehensive needs assessment reports conducted by DPI staff and continue discussions in each community to finalize a recommendation to the State Board at its November meeting regarding which schools represent the best opportunities for positive impact through inclusion in the Innovative School District.

North Carolina students and teachers have earned more than 300,000 professional certifications through the state’s Microsoft Imagine Academy, launched seven years ago as the Microsoft IT Academy.

The Microsoft Imagine Academy offers digital access to instructional curriculum and certifications that enable students to learn productivity applications such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Access, as well as the fundamental skills necessary in the studies of computer science and information technology infrastructure.

North Carolina’s statewide Microsoft IT Academy was the first in the United States and is still one of the largest in the world. The Department of Public Instruction created the framework for the academy and provided the funding for the implementation so that all public high schools in the state could have access to the content. DPI’s involvement also has ensured that the curriculum materials and supporting resources are aligned with the credential standards and are appropriate for high school students. 

In addition to celebrating the 300,000-certifications milestone, 36 North Carolina high school students were recognized during the State Board of Education’s October meeting for placing as the top three finishers in six different categories of the 2017 NC Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) competition.

Six North Carolina public schools were recently named 2017 National Blue Ribbon Schools by U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. The six schools are among 342 schools nationwide recognized for their overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps. 

North Carolina public schools receiving this prestigious recognition are:

*  Brunswick Early College High School, Brunswick County Schools;
*  Clear Creek Elementary School, Henderson County Schools;
*  Davis Drive Middle School, Wake County Schools;
*  Highland School of Technology, Gaston County Schools;
*  Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy (charter school); and
*  Riverbend Elementary School, Haywood County Schools.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools where students achieve very high learning standards or are making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap. The coveted award affirms the hard work of educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content.

North Carolina’s 2017 Wells Fargo Principal of the Year Jason Griffin also is the state’s 2017 National Distinguished Principal. The Perquimans County Schools’ principal will join 61 elementary and middle-level educators chosen by the states, the District of Columbia, and private and overseas schools for their efforts to set high standards for instruction, student achievement, character and climate for the students, families and staff.

A graduate of East Carolina University and Elizabeth City State University, Griffin has worked the majority of his career at Hertford Grammar School, having been a third grade teacher, dean of students and principal. He has served as the school’s principal since 2014. Other recognitions include Teacher of the Year in Martin and Perquimans counties, and National Distinguished Principal in Digital Learning in 2014.

The National Association of Elementary School Principals’ National Distinguished Principals program honors outstanding elementary and middle-level principals who ensure that America's children acquire a sound foundation for lifelong learning and achievement.

Prudential Financial, in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals, is sponsoring its 23rd annual Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.

Students in grades 5-12 are invited to apply for the 2018 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards if they have made meaningful contributions to their communities through volunteer service within the past 12 months. Students must complete the application by Nov. 7 and submit it for certification to a middle or high school principal. Schools will then select the top recipients in early November and submit those names for state-level judging. 

The middle and high school recipients for each state will be named Feb. 6. The top middle and high school candidates in each state receive $1,000, an engraved silver medallion, and a trip to Washington, D.C., with a parent for four days of recognition events scheduled for April 28 to May 1. Ten national honorees will be selected and receive an additional $5,000 in awards.

For more information, please visit the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards website.