SPOTLIGHTS on OCS
Professional Learning 101
The Scoop with Coop
The Scoop with Coop is a newsletter that focuses on the North Carolina Charter School Renewal process. In addition, this letter provides insight on a variety of charter school topics to assist our leaders and readers alike! https://www.smore.com/8hcf9
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Did you know……
While charter schools are not required to offer AIG programming in their schools, if they do decide to offer AIG programming, their plans and programming must comply with Article 9B, Academically or Intellectually Gifted Students (N.C.G.S. section 115C-150.5-.8 (Article 9B), which requires local education agencies (LEAs, or in the case of charters, the charter school) to develop three year AIG local plans with specific components, to be approved by local school boards (in the case of a charter, the Board of Directors) and subsequently sent to the State Board of Education and NC DPI for review and comment. Article 9B is the current legislation mandating identification and services for gifted education K-12.
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Performance Framework Report for 2019
Dear Charter School Directors, the 2019 Performance Framework data has been compiled and your individual draft reports will be posted in Epicenter by January 17th. An accompanying Performance Framework Report Verification item will allow you to directly submit evidence of any corrections that you believe need to be made. There will be a 2 week window for correction through evidence submitted in the form that will close on January 31st.
Required Planning Year Sessions Opportunities
Board members from charter schools that are opening in 2020 are required to attend 5 face-to-face Planning Year Sessions from September to January. The school leader and some of the board members are also required to attend the New Charter School Leaders Institute in June. As a customer service, the Office of Charter Schools continues to open up these sessions to all charter schools. If you have a new school leader and/or a new board member interested in attending any of the sessions, he or she must register to attend. Please note the schedule below:
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Date
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Time
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Location
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Topic
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September 25, 2019
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8:00 - 4:15
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DPI: Room 150
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Charter School Governance
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October 30, 2019
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8:00 - 4:15
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DPI: Room 150
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Charter School
Finance
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November 20, 2019
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8:00 - 4:15
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DPI: Room 150
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Charter School Operations & Accountability
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December 18, 2019
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8:00 - 4:30
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DPI: Room 150
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Meeting the Needs of All Students
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January 29, 2020
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8:00 - 4:15
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DPI: Room 150
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Our School Opens in 7 Months! Now What?
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June 9 - 10, 2020
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8:00 - 5:00
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DPI: Rooms 150, 224, 564
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New Charter School Leaders Institute
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Registration is now open for the January session. Registration ends on Sunday, January 19, 2020. Please use this link to register:
https://forms.gle/d445czthdD4GdESGA
For questions, please contact Dr. Kebbler Williams at kebbler.williams@dpi.nc.gov or 919-807-3920.
Professional Development @ Fresh Take Conference Feb 7 in Davidson, NC
Fresh Take: Strategies for Student Success
February 7, 2020 in Davidson, NC
Keynote by Todd Whitaker "What Great Educators Do Differently"
+Over 75 Applicable Workshops. See more...
Sampling of Workshops
Visit the Fresh Take website to see details about
professional development at this year's education conference.
Register before the spaces are all filled!
Register Now
A link to program offerings will be sent to registrants.
SAVE the DATE: March 9, 2020 to March 11, 2020 Charter School Connections Conference-Cullowhee
How can charter school teachers build networks of support for schools, staff, and students? With each charter school operating as an independent LEA, how do we form communities with other charter school educators to share best practices and increase community support?
Explore how teachers can better advocate for their specific school and charters in general and how to develop your own leadership style to help support school initiatives. Learn best practices in connecting students to digital learning and student leadership development through exploring personalized, project-based and flipped learning. Discuss ways to model these practices in your schools. Using a “make and take” model, participants will have time to develop a communication or networking plan, digital lessons, and project-based modules to share with your school.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
FAFSA
Charter High School leaders and counselors:
FINISH the FAFSA!
What is it?
- FINISH the FAFSA Project (FtF) allows school counselors and other college access professionals to track the FAFSA completion status for all seniors in participating high schools.
How does it work?
- The Department of Public Instruction downloads the list of seniors and as one submits a FAFSA, it is also downloaded and matched with the senior list.
How is security of information maintained?
- No income or personal information such as social security numbers are accessible in the database. Only information necessary for a match is available: Student’s name, DOB, address, and school code.
- Authorized users of the database are designated by the superintendent of schools or designated entity (principal, director of guidance, etc.). Security procedures for student data are outlined in the Data Use Agreement.
How does a school district participate?
- In the case of a public charter school, the executive director or chair of the board of directors (the equivalent to a traditional public school superintendent) signs a Data Use Agreement that outlines the project and the use of the database. Articles of Incorporation for the charter school should be submitted with the signed Data Use Agreement
- An Authorized User Form includes the names, emails, and roles of all users. All users must have a CFNC ProCenter account as the ProCenter houses the database.
How is the FAFSA status tracked?
- The following fields are tracked in the data base:
o Name of senior
o Indication of submission of a FAFSA
o Indication of completion of a FAFSA
o Indication of student/parent signed FAFSA
o Errors and how to correct them
o Indication if the FAFSA is chosen for verification
How does this information increase FAFSA completion?
- Many times students will submit a FAFSA and assume it is complete. The FtF database informs the user if there is an incomplete FAFSA and why. The school counselor is then able to work with the student and family to complete or correct information. In the case of verification, many families do not follow through when more information is requested. The school counselor connects the family with the college’s financial aid department to provide information requested.
Some seniors indicate they do not want to continue their education beyond high school. Why should they complete a FAFSA?
- Each year hundreds of FAFSAs are filed a few months after high school graduation. Students change their minds about taking courses or attending a college in the following fall. Filing after grant deadlines reduces grant and scholarship opportunities.
- Filing a FAFSA provides the student and family with the amount of grant aid for which they are eligible. This information may be the impetus needed for a student to decide to continue education beyond high school.
- Filing a FAFSA gives the student an understanding of how to access financial aid resources whenever the student decides to attend a postsecondary educational program.
Who should I contact in order to participate?
The North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA) and College Foundation, Inc. (CFI) partner to offer the FINISH the FAFSA Project. There is no cost to participate.
To receive the Data Use Agreement and Authorized User Form, contact Marcia Weston at mweston@ncseaa.edu. Training and ongoing support is provided by NCSEAA.
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NC Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) Updates
Professional Development Opportunities
See the two opportunities for participation below that you and/or your staff may be interested in.
- The Arc’s Rooted In Advocacy Conference (RIA-2020) at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem. There will be a day-long seminar on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders as the pre-conference event on Thursday, March 12th. That will be followed by the regular conference sessions on Friday, March 13th. Follow this link to register: https://www.rootedinadvocacy.org/
Pre-conference will have CEUs available for educators and professionals. In addition to educators and professionals, families and self-advocates will benefit from the Friday meetings as there will be breakout sessions, information on resources and opportunities for people connected to the Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities community. There will be vendors and booth displays with a variety of resources and services as well.
Financial and Business Services Newsletter
Please click on the link below for important financial information
http://www.ncpublicschools.org/fbs/
CHILD COUNT DUE DATE EXTENDED UNTIL JANUARY 24, 2020
Many districts have informed us that they are still working with data errors on the child count. Due to the holidays and increased absence with the flu season hitting, the EC Division has decided to extend the child count certification due date to close of business on January 24, 2020. This will allow districts who are still seeing missing disability and setting codes to continue to work with records and certify the count. If your count is currently certified there is no need to do anything else at this time. Thank you all for your diligence in working with us as we manage our first child count in ECATS.
Charter School Average Daily Membership (CSADM) Projections for FY 2020-2021 – Phase I Due by January 24, 2020
All Charter, Regional, and UNC Lab Schools with current year enrollment are required to report.
ALL charter school Executive Directors are required to submit between January 13 – 24, 2020 the CSADM, Phase I - ADM Projection Initial Submission for School Year 2020-2021.
Phase I requires the following field to be completed: Requested 2020-21 ADM. This represents a projection of the number of students who will be in membership for the fiscal school year 2020-21.
This submission is required even if your school has requested State Board of Education approval for enrollment increase or grade expansion.
The CSADM Projection System is accessible at any of the following links:
https://www.dpi.nc.gov/districts-schools/district-operations/financial-and-business-services/independent-public-schools-operations
As this impacts your school's funding, we will only accept information submitted by the Head of School.
If you have questions about the CSADM, please contact Angela Harrison, 919.807.3734 or angela.harrison@dpi.nc.gov .
NCDPI ACADEMICS POLICY WEBINAR
January 24, 2020
NCDPI will share information about recent SBE policy changes regarding Graduation Requirements and High School Diploma Endorsements. We will also provide an overview of coding guidance for the Career and College Ready Graduates (CCRG) legislation.
Please register for NCDPI Academics Policy Webinar on Jan 24, 2020 from 9-10 am. https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/953222009933866243
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
If you are unable to attend, please register and you will automatically receive a link to the taped webinar.
Questions? Please contact Sneha Shah Coltrane at sneha.shahcoltrane@dpi.nc.gov
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AP/IB/CIE Program Update - Bonus Reminder for January 2020
Dear AP/IB/CIE Coordinators,
Happy Winter! This communication comes as a reminder of the AP/IB/CIE teacher bonuses that are legislated to be disseminated in January. I am sure you are already working with your Finance and Human Resources Offices to finalize the task of determining this information for Payroll. Please do not hesitate to call or email with questions regarding information shared below.
January's Update includes:
2019-20 AP/IB/CIE Teacher Bonus Pay
Legislation governing AP/IB/CIE Teacher Bonus Pay has been updated by the General Assembly. The updated legislation changes the grade requirement for Cambridge AICE exams bonus program from grade E to a grade C or better. Teachers are eligible for AP/IB/CIE bonus pay if they remain teaching in the same LEA or charter school the following year until January 1 of the corresponding school year that the bonus is paid.
AP Coordinators, please follow up with your Finance Department with a list of teachers who are eligible for the bonus in January, as our division does not maintain or provide a list of teachers eligible. AP Coordinators have access to this information through the College Board Online Reports and AP Course Ledgers for each of your high schools. However, NCVPS provided a list of teachers that is available through the HR secure shell at https://www.rep.dpi.state.nc.us/hrsupport/ which is accessible to HR Directors as listed in EDDIE. Please find attached below the 2019 AP/IB/CIE Teacher Bonus Pay FAQ from Division of School Business.
Thank you all for your dedication and hard work to increase student participation and success in advanced courses in North Carolina. Please continue to reach out to us in the Division of Advanced Learning and Gifted Education at NCDPI whenever we can support your work.
Beth Cross,
NC Department of Public Instruction
State Consultant, Advanced Learning and Gifted Education
Beth.Cross@dpi.nc.gov
919.807.3705
faq-ap-ib-aice-teacherbonuses-fy2020 (1).pdf
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Exceptional Children Distinguished Service Award Nominations
As part of the March Institute, the EC Division will honor individuals who are distinguished for their many years of service and statewide impact on improving the education and lives of exceptional children in North Carolina. The nomination information is attached and must be submitted by January 31, 2020.
2020 Distinguished Service Nomination Letter .pdf
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COMBINED EXPENDITURE REPORTS
Due to the delay in the state budget and allotments, the mid-year Combined Expenditure Report (CER) will not be required.
The 2019-2020 pre-populated CER will be emailed to EC Directors and Coordinators by February 21, 2020.
The only required CER submission for 2019-2020 will be due by July 15, 2020. As in previous years, the document should be submitted via email to CER@dpi.nc.gov in the original Excel format.
More information concerning the submission of the CER will be provided when they are distributed in February. Please direct any questions to Matt Hoskins at matt.hoskins@dpi.nc.gov.
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February EC Director/Coordinator Webinar Registration
Please follow this link to register for the EC Director/Coordinator webinar on Tuesday, February 4th. You will need to register ahead of time in order to connect to the webinar. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Questions to be addressed during the Q & A session should be submitted to Nina Adams – nina.adams@dpi.nc.gov - by 5:00 pm on Monday, January 27th.
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Education and Workforce Innovation Grant applications now available
The N.C. Education and Workforce Innovation Commission invites interested districts and schools to apply for grant support through the Education and Workforce Innovation Fund. The grant program is aimed at developing innovative programs that will lead to more students graduating career and college ready.
This competitive grant is to be used by schools and districts to leverage a partnership with a public or private university or community college and regional businesses and business leaders to foster innovation in education that combines academic rigor and skills development. Grants of up to $60,000 will be awarded for each of the years 2019-20 and 2020-21 or a total maximum of $120,000 for the two-year grant cycle. Successful applicants must prove the ability to provide a 50% match of grant funding for both school years. Matching funds shall not include other state funds, but may include in-kind contributions.
Awarded plans will include accelerated strategies in five core areas:
- Align public schools with business and industry and colleges/universities.
- Provide greater choice for parents/guardians among high-quality education options.
- Enhance teacher and principal effectiveness.
- Ensure all students possess job-ready skills.
- Leverage technology to drive both student and teacher learning.
Applications are due Feb. 28. Applicants may be individual schools, local school administrative units, or regional partnerships of two or more local school administrative units.
Any grants awarded by the Commission may be spent during a five-year period from the initial award. Grants may be awarded for new or existing projects. No later than Sept. 1 of each year, a grant recipient must submit to the Commission an annual report for the preceding grant year that describes the academic progress made by the students and the implementation of program initiatives.
An advisory committee will use the attached scoring rubric in its evaluation of applications for recommendation to the Education and Workforce Innovation Commission.
The application can be found here: https://forms.gle/bG63dA62C9dwa5tS6
Legislation on the grant can be found here:
https://www.ncleg.net/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/ByArticle/Chapter_115C/Article_6C.html
For questions or additional information, please contact Jacqueline Wyatt, Career Readiness Specialist, Career and Technical and Education, NCDPI, at jacqueline.wyatt@dpi.nc.gov
EWIF-Scoring Rubric.pdf
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NC Reading Conference
51st NC Reading & Literacy Conference Spark the Magic: Creating a Passion for Literacy
Geared to K-12 teachers and administrators, the 51st Annual NC Reading Conference will be held at the Benton Convention Center, Winston-Salem, March 22 – 24, 2020. Educators can earn up to 2.0 literacy CEUs attending sessions by NC DPI, nationally recognized professional speakers and authors, college professors, classroom teachers and specialists. NEW THIS YEAR: Leadership track for administrators – sessions by Adam Dovico, Steve Lassiter, Jason Griffin.
Featured professional speakers & authors: Colby Sharp, Tanny McGregor, Adria Klein, Pernille Ripp, Donalyn Miller, Sharon Draper, Sue Soltis, Lester Laminack, Stacy McAnulty, Nora Carpenter, Tracy Deonn Walker, John Claude Bemis, Camille Andros, Kelly Starling Lyons, Jennie Liu.
Sample session topics include:
* Best Practices for Imlementing the Current ELA NC Standard Course of Study
* Using the Best Digital Tools in the Classroom
* Differentiating Instruction for Diverse Classrooms
* Reading Complex Texts
* Fostering Academic Language in the Classroom
* Disciplinary Literacy
* Critical Literacy
* Making Data-driven Decisions for Instruction
* Involving Parents in Literacy
For online registration and detailed conference information, go to Annual Conference at www.ncreading.org. For conference questions, email ncra.execassist@gmail.com or call Jean House at 919-606-3806.
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Other News
Updated Job Openings for Neuse Charter School
Neuse Charter School has the following openings for employment. Please apply through NC Teacher Match.
Primary Academy Leader
6th Grade Social Studies Teacher
7th Grade Math Teacher
EC Teacher - Intermediate Academy
EC Teacher - Senior Academy
Teacher Assistant - EC Department
Teacher Assistant - Testing Asst.
Neuse Charter School is a K-12 public charter that organizes instructional delivery and assessment into three academies focused on providing personalized instruction for each student: Primary Academy (grades K-4), Intermediate Academy (grades 5-8), and Senior Academy (grades 9-12). Each Academy is served by an Academy Leader (Principal) and supported by the Academic Services department.
Neuse Charter School is operated in Smithfield, North Carolina. Our current enrollment is just over 930. Our mission: Neuse Charter School provides innovative approaches to learning by focusing on high academic standards, critical and creative thinking skills, character development, and multicultural experiences for grades K-12. All stakeholders work cooperatively to ensure the NCS community empowers every individual to achieve his or her maximum potential.
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Uwharrie Charter Academy
Superintendent Position
The Superintendent position with Uwharrie Charter Academy (UCA), located in Asheboro, NC is vacant. UCA serves over 1,700 students in grades K-12. Please click on the following link for position details. This position will remain open until filled, but the first review of applicants will take place on February 7, 2020. www.ptrc.org/uwharriecharteracademy
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