Advanced Math Courses Legislation Update Webinar

Please make plans to attend a second webinar session to better understand changes that were made to the Enrollment in Advanced Mathematics Courses legislation this summer. (The first webinar was conducted on Tuesday, August 20, 2019 and the recording link is forthcoming to those who registered.) The new SL 2019-120 (Senate Bill 500) goes into effect beginning this school year (2019-2020). During the webinar, we will overview the new legislation, consider best practices around communication, collaboration, and standards compacting in order to most effectively support students and schools with implementing the legislation. We will also examine frequently asked questions and concerns.

If you are unable to make the webinar, we will send out written information for you to register for the webinar and you will receive a recorded version.

Please register for Understanding the Changes to the Advanced Math Course Enrollment Legislation (SL 2019-120) webinar scheduled on:

Thursday, September 5, 2019 3:30 PM EDT

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1618893833794322945

Webinar description:
During this webinar team members from the Math and Advanced Learning and Gifted Education teams will share critical information to help districts understand and implement the new mathematics legislation (SL 2019-120). Team members will share changes to the original legislation, will answer frequently asked questions, and will overview new resources designed by the working group to support effective implementation of the legislation.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

If you have questions, please contact:

Stephanie Cyrus at stephanie.cyrus@dpi.nc.gov with the Advanced Learning team

Beth Cross at beth.cross@dpi.nc.gov with the Advanced Learning team or

Tammy Lackey at tammy.lackey@dpi.nc.gov with the Mathematics team.

Precalculus Teacher Collaboration 2019-20

Providing remote and in-person support for teaching and learning

During the 2019-2020 school year NCSSM is seeking Precalculus teachers to participate in a teacher collaboration program for up to two North Carolina public school teachers in each semester.

In this collaboration, a Precalculus teacher will be working with one other NC Precalculus teacher and a math faculty member from NCSSM. The NCSSM faculty member will serve as a coach and collaborator, co-teaching classes, observing classes and providing one-on-one coaching for one semester.

These interactions will all be through interactive video conferencing or Zoom meetings. Each teacher will have the opportunity to create and share lessons and resources and have access to valuable teaching resources provided by NCSSM. The focus of the lessons will be using student-centered practices and contextual problems that engage students as active learners. The NC teacher must be scheduled to teach in a block schedule during 3rd period.

The program is described in further detail in the attached document. We are very excited to have this opportunity to offer this collaboration for Precalculus public school teachers in NC. We were hoping that you could share this information with folks who might be interested in this opportunity. 

Participating teachers will receive complimentary registration for NCSSM's annual conference, Teaching Contemporary Mathematics Conference held at NCSSM on January 24-25, 2020.

 

If you would like more information about the program, please contact:

Taylor Gibson (gibson@ncssm.edu) or

Maria Hernandez (hernandez@ncssm.edu)

Personalized Learning Opportunity

North Carolina

Please join the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction this fall for an exciting opportunity to connect with practitioners from across North Carolina as we explore Personalized Learning and what it can mean for your district or charter school. Each of the regional events will be held from 9:30 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.

During this time, teams of educators will be guided through:

• An understanding of the working definition of personalized learning (what it can be and what it is not),
• An alignment of current efforts and approaches in your district or charter school, and
• Discussion and planning for next steps for personalized learning implementation through strategic plans and continuous improvement plans.

Each public school unit is asked to send a team of 2-3 staff to participate, so please consider those individuals who are influencers or key decision-makers in your district or charter school. Suggested participants may include those from Academic/Curriculum, Digital Learning or Technology, and a school-level leader.

Registration is open and can be accessed at bit.ly/PLFall2019Registration. Please have each participant complete registration.

• Below are the meeting dates and locations, but you may choose the date and location that best fits with your schedule or travel needs.
• Space is limited, so be sure to register your team as soon as possible.
• Once each meeting location is at capacity, a waitlist will be created for each location.

Please contact Emma Braaten with questions or for additional information at emma.braaten@dpi.nc.gov.

Legislation and Policy 

State Board of Education Approves Standards for 4th Level Mathematics Courses

On August 8, 2019, the State Board of Education unanimously approved the proposed mathematics content standards for 4th Level Mathematics Courses. These standards were created by a committee of knowledgeable and experienced classroom teachers, instructional coaches and specialists, and NC university and community college professors based on research and public feedback. Additionally, an equally qualified team of educators, as well as, members of the business/industry community served as external reviewers throughout the revision process. These evidence- and research-based standards were created by NC educators with the driving question of, “What is best for North Carolina’s students?”

This approval formally ends the standards review and revision processes and marks the start of the implementation phase of new content standards for Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science, NC Math 4 and Precalculus. These courses are designed to prepare students for any entry level post-secondary mathematics course. They are equal in rigor and designed to meet different student pathways into post-secondary education. These courses were developed in adherence to NC General Statute 115C- 12 (9c) and SBE policy SCOS-012 which require all advanced math courses and standards convey that consideration has been given to national standards and federal requirements such as: NAEP (National Assessment for Educational Progress), ACT, OCR (Office of Civil Rights) and other states’ content standards for advanced mathematics courses. Thus, content such as basic trigonometric identities, operations with matrices and vectors, composite functions and complex numbers, is included in all three courses, where appropriate. The new standards will be fully implemented beginning in the 2020 – 2021 school year.

Prior to full implementation, the 2019-2020 school year will serve as the installation period. During the installation phase, the NCDPI mathematics team will seek valuable input from district math leaders and teachers, IHE professors and the NC Business community to develop support materials that will enhance curriculum alignment efforts and finalize the statewide implementation plan.

Additional information pertaining to installation activities will be provided via the Curriculum Leaders Listserv Update and the Mathematics Listserv.

Thank you for your dedicated partnership and collaboration. Your input is vital and greatly appreciated.

Please email questions or concerns to Beverly Vance (Beverly.vance@dpi.nc.gov).