Class-size phase-in, enhancement teacher allotment and pre-K funding bill passes    A bill that would delay the scheduled class-size caps passed the North Carolina House of Representatives 104-12 today and is headed to the governor. The conference report for House Bill 90, which passed the N.C. Senate 37-5 on Friday, would pause the class size caps in grades K-3 for the 2018-19 school year and phase them in over four years.   The bill also creates a separate allotment for enhancement teachers, funded at a 1:191 ADM ratio with $61.4 million per year of dedicated funding, and provides funds to eliminate the pre-K program wait list by 2021.

Deadline Feb. 14: Cursive writing and multiplication tables The State Board of Education and DPI must develop a report on the implementation of statutory requirements regarding the instruction of cursive writing in grades 3-5 and the memorization of multiplication facts. Each school district is asked to complete a survey regarding the measures taken to implement the requirements.   Your chief academic officer has been sent a short survey for completion regarding the implementation of the cursive writing and multiplication standards in your district. The survey window is open and will close Feb. 14.   The final report will be shared with the State Board of Education in February and submitted to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee by March 30.  Thank you in advance for your help in meeting these deadlines.   Any questions about the survey may be directed to Amy Betsill at amy.betsill@dpi.nc.gov or 919-807-3817.

Spotlight your district’s efforts on gifted education DPI’s Division of Advanced Learning & Gifted Education will have an opportunity at the next State Board of Education meeting to present a “Special Issues session” on gifted education. During this session, we would like to spotlight some of the proven programs, promising practices, and emerging initiatives that are happening in school districts.    If you would like to be a part of this effort, we need your staff to complete the Shining a Light on NC's gifted programs survey. We are looking specifically for efforts around the identification of traditionally underrepresented populations, and how districts are serving gifted students – all day, every day.   Contact Stephanie Cyrus at stephanie.cyrus@dpi.nc.gov or 919-807-3698 with any questions.

NC GreenPower announces year 4 of the Solar Schools pilot program The application period for the 2018 Solar Schools program by NC GreenPower is under way. Solar Schools provides grants for the cost and installation of a small 3-5 kW solar photovoltaic (“PV”) demonstration system with a weather station, monitoring equipment and curriculum. In the fourth year of the pilot program, NC GreenPower estimates there will be funding for a minimum of five and up to seven school grants providing the lesser of 50 percent or $10,000 each.   See more information about Solar Schools here. The deadline for applications is 5 p.m. on Feb. 28..

Deadline Feb. 16:  Girls Go CyberStart online cyber security competition

A partnership between the North Carolina governor’s office, the SANS Institute, and global IT firm Cisco will offer the Girls Go CyberStart online cyber security competition. This unique opportunity allows girls in grades 9-12 to experience being a cybersecurity superhero by competing in a series of online challenges that cover cybersecurity, programming, computer forensics and web attacks. Participating in this challenge will allow girls to explore the field of cyber security and will hopefully spark interest for careers in a sector where women are underrepresented.

High school girls in North Carolina who excel in the Girls Go CyberStart game will have the chance to win tech prizes and gift certificates, as well as a trip to the 2018 Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) Conference in Chicago.

Girls can sign up at https://girlsgocyberstart.com/ until Feb. 16, and the competition will run Feb. 20-25. Contact latanya.pattillo@nc.gov with any program questions. Technical support questions can be directed to support@girlsgocyberstart.com. 

emPoweringSTEM Conference

Nominations needed

Each district superintendent in North Carolina may nominate one middle school teacher to attend the emPoweringSTEM Conference in March.

By bringing together businesses leaders and educators from across North Carolina in a hands-on learning environment, GSK, NCBCE & Kenan Fellows have designed a STEM conference that will enable 115 of the state’s leading educators to connect their classroom environments to career environments.

Participants will receive meals, and – for those traveling more than 50 miles – lodging and a travel stipend. The conference will be held on March 8 at GSK Headquarters in Research Triangle Park.

Superintendents should send teacher nominations to Caroline Sullivan at NCBCE to receive further instructions. More information about the conference can be found at this link.

American Bar Association’s 2018 Law Day Art Contest

Each year, the American Bar Association (ABA) hosts an art contest for students in grades nine through 12 (or the equivalent) in the United States.  Students may compete as individuals or in groups. The ABA is now accepting submissions of artwork for the 2018 Law Day Art Contest until March 31.  The theme for Law Day 2018 is "Separation of Powers: Framework for Freedom."

Please share this information with high school administrators and teachers who may encourage students to enter the 2018 Law Day Art Contest.  Additional information is available at www.ambar.org/lawday . 

Nominations open for national math and science teaching award 

Nominations for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST), the highest honor bestowed by the United States government specifically for K-12 mathematics and science (including computer science) teaching, is now accepting nominations.

Anyone — principals, teachers, parents, students, or members of the general public — may nominate exceptional mathematics or science teachers who are currently teaching grades K-6 for the 2017-2018 award year. Teachers may also apply directly at www.paemst.org.

The nomination deadline is April 1 and the application deadline is May 1 for elementary school teachers (grades K-6). Secondary school teachers (grades 7-12) will be eligible to apply during a future cycle.

N.C. Music Educators Association offers two mini-grant programs

The NCMEA Mini-Grant Program is intended to afford music teachers an opportunity to develop special projects to increase the existing potential for a quality music education program. The total amount of funding requested from NCMEA may not exceed $1,000. Deadline to apply is March 31.  More information is available here.

The Summer Professional Development Grant Award is intended to provide grant funding to music teachers seeking to provide professional development activities specific to music education via an organized event for several teachers from two or more LEAs. The total amount of funding requested from NCMEA may not exceed $4,000. More information is available here.