State superintendent comments on firearms in schools
State Superintendent Mark Johnson
commented this week on the conversations about arming teachers, saying he
thinks educators already had enough to do and calling for more funding for
School Resource Officers.
“We already ask so much of our
educators,” Johnson said in response to a question from Spectrum News. “I do
not believe we should ask them to take on another massive responsibility of
having firearms in the classroom. As State Superintendent, I am working to
reduce additional burdens on teachers so that they can spend more time focused
on teaching.
“The
General Assembly will be looking at all options in ensuring school safety here
in North Carolina, and I look forward to working with them to determine the
best ways to keep our students and educators safe,” Johnson said, referring to
a bipartisan committee being convened by state House Speaker Tim Moore.
“I
support the expansion of funding for School Resource Officers,” Johnson
continued. “Firearms on school grounds should be in the hands of these trained,
uniformed law-enforcement professionals who courageously choose a career
protecting citizens from violent threats."
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This March: Teacher Working Conditions Survey
The North Carolina Teacher
Working Conditions Survey opens March 1. Our goal is to hear from every
school-based educator in the state. To increase the percentage of educators
that participate, we have provided a number of survey enhancements:
- A longer survey window, March 1-March 31
- Anywhere, anytime access
- A robust, one-stop-shop website: www.ncteachingconditions.org
- Archived instructional webinars for School-Based
Coordinators and Principals (https://ncteachingconditions.org/resources)
- Recognition/prizes for the first elementary, middle,
high, charter, and district
- Two school-based coordinators where applicable
(School Improvement Chairs & NCAE Reps)
- Live helpdesk for school-based coordinators
In
addition to the enhancements above, we have created a number of tools to help
school leaders understand changes made in 2018. Please visit https://ncteachingconditions.org/resources
for a 2016 vs. 2018 comparison table, 2018 survey questions, and/or details
about scoring changes. Any schools experiencing difficulties can contact the Regional
Education Facilitator for their region or DPI’s survey coordinator, cynthia.martin@dpi.nc.gov.
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Surveys
on digital-age teaching and learning
As part of the Digital-Age
Learning Initiative (DLI), the NC Department of Public Instruction and the
Friday Institute at NC State University have been collaborating to provide
professional learning on digital-age teaching and learning. We have offered
professional learning opportunities for educators across the state, from
classroom teachers to superintendents. To best meet the needs of our
stakeholders, we are surveying educators to identify high-priority areas for
professional learning support.
As superintendents, you are
receiving this information first. Please complete the superintendents’
professional development needs assessment. Respond based on your needs as
well as your district needs. Secondly, we will survey CTOs and tech directors.
We will also survey all previous DLI professional Learning participants.
Finally, we will reach out to various teachers groups including the Friday
Institute’s NC Digital Leaders Coaching Network (NCDLCN), the Hope Street Group
fellows, teachers of the year, and teachers who have participated in DLI
professional learning previously.
The surveys will be open through
March 9. If you have any questions, contact Verna Lalbeharie, director,
Digital Teaching & Learning. The surveys are linked below:
Superintendents
and CTO/Tech Directors PD Needs Assessment
School
and District Administrator PD Needs Assessment
Teacher
PD Needs Assessment
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State Superintendent’s Arts Initiative
State Superintendent Mark Johnson is sponsoring a statewide arts initiative. The Superintendent’s Arts Initiative is an opportunity to recognize student artists and to encourage participation in all of the arts throughout the state, as well as in each school district and charter school. The initiative is open to all K-12 public school students in all arts disciplines (dance, music, theatre arts, and visual arts.) All two-dimensional artwork, such as painting, drawing, printmaking, and photography, will be displayed permanently at the Department of Public Instruction building in Raleigh.
Look for more information about the initiative in next week’s newsletter!
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A+ Schools of North
Carolina
A+ Schools of North Carolina is the nation’s
longest-running, most successful arts-based whole school transformation model. Newly
released research on A+ demonstrates impressive results in school growth,
student proficiency, and narrowing the achievement gap. Additionally, A+ helps
schools to build creative, engaging learning environments that allow students
to master the state standards while developing their 21st century skills.
Want to learn more?
A+
is hosting two informational meetings for schools interested in joining the A+
Network:
-
Tuesday,
March 6, 5 to 7 p.m. at the Wayne County Arts Council 102 N. John Street,
Goldsboro
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Wednesday,
March 7, 5 to 7 p.m. at the Salt Block, 243 3rd Ave NE, Hickory
These
free regional meetings will offer information to school and district
representatives about A+ Schools of North Carolina and the process for becoming
a part of this highly successful, nationally recognized network of creative
schools. To RSVP to attend one of the meetings or for more information, please
contact A+ Schools Program Director Michelle Burrows at 919-807-6503 or michelle.burrows@ncdcr.gov.
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Student-centered funding system application period
The U.S. Department of Education has
posted information regarding a new pilot program to afford LEAs flexibility to
create equitable, student-centered funding systems.
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) authorized the pilots, and
USED has posted the official
application on Feb. 9. The application deadline is Monday, March 12 for those LEAs planning to implement in school
year 2018-19 or July 15 for those LEAs expecting to implement in school year
2019-20.
With
this flexibility, LEAs can combine eligible federal funds with state and local
funds to create a single, student-centered funding system. In the context of
the pilot, a student-centered funding system is a system based on weights that
allocate substantially more funding for students from low-income families,
English learners, and other educationally disadvantaged student groups. USED
can approve not more than 50 LEAs to participate in this pilot. If you
have questions about the webinars or the application, please contact WeightedFundingPilot@ed.gov.
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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 see
the attached contest guidelines and flyer, linked below, and 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 (NCMEA) 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.
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