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For immediate release
Sept. 27, 2018
Three Schools Earn Recognition as Leaders in STEM Education
The
North Carolina State Board of Education recognized three public schools earlier
this month for exemplary leadership and instruction in science, technology,
engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. These schools are the latest
schools to be recognized under the North Carolina Department of Public
Instruction's STEM Recognition Program.
Earning
recognition as NC STEM Schools of Distinction were Greene County Middle School,
Meadowview Magnet Middle School in Surry
County and Yadkin Valley Regional Career Academy in Davidson County.
State
Superintendent Mark Johnson commended the schools for attaining STEM Schools of
Distinction recognition.
“Students
in all schools will graduate into a world where STEM skills already are highly
valued,” Johnson said. “These schools are helping to lead the way with
exemplary instruction that’s preparing students to succeed and thrive in that
world.”
The
STEM Recognition Program was developed by NCDPI in partnership with
representatives from schools, business and industry, and postsecondary
institutions as a way to identify and recognize schools with outstanding STEM
programs. The application process rubric is built around NCDPI's STEM
Attributes, which describe characteristics of a high quality STEM school.
Since
the program was started in 2014, a total of 29 public schools have earned STEM
recognition.
NC
STEM Schools of Distinction exemplify outstanding leadership and learning,
which empower keen creative thinking, reasoning and teamwork – the
underpinnings of 21st century skills. Schools that earn recognition also
systemically interweave science, technology, engineering and mathematics into
complementary coursework in the Arts, Career and Technical Education, English
language arts, Healthful Living and World History. Both Greene County Middle
and Yadkin Valley Regional Career Academy were recognized for Model Level of
Achievement, which perform the attributes to a highest standard as measured by
the rubric used to in the STEM recognition program.
Overall,
12 applications were submitted for possible recognition during the 2017-18
school year. Schools pursuing recognition underwent a rigorous application
process that required:
- Detailed responses and
evidence addressing each of the 11 attributes of quality STEM education and more
than 40 key elements that define the quality characteristics rooted within the
attributes;
- A self assessment of
the school aligning to the attribute implementation rubric; and
- Identification of
their best practice of educational excellence.
To
receive this honor, schools designated as STEM Schools of Distinction are
rooted in a culture where creativity and inquiry exists among students,
teachers, administrators and community members. The schools also emphasize
engaging students in a way of innovation and problem solving to seek solutions,
and collaborative teamwork. Additionally, schools have established a network of
community relationships and strategies that foster purposeful connections
between student studies and the world outside their classroom.
In
all, the schools approach education with intentionality to engage and inspire
students through learning experiences that are real, relevant and balanced
whereby all content areas are equally responsive to cultivating growth and
success.
In
addition to being honored by the State Board of Education, the schools will be
recognized on the department's STEM web
page and the NCSTEM
Center Portal and receive a specially designed STEM School of
Distinction banner provided by the NC Science, Mathematics, and Technology
Education Center. This year's recognized
schools were celebrated also with a reception sponsored by the Public
Consulting Group (PCG), which presented custom plaques to each recipient to
display within their schools and at their district offices.
For
more information on the NCDPI STEM Recognition Program, please visit NCDPI's STEM web page.
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