Superintendents' Weekly Message: Feb. 27

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Superintendents' Weekly Message

Feb. 27, 2018

Mark Johnson

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."


NC Teacher Working Conditions Survey

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


Digital Learning Initiative

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


Superintendent's Arts Initiative

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!


A+ Schools

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
  • 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.


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.

US Department of Education

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.