Number 10

NCDPI Receives $1.1 Million Federal Grant for Assessment Initiative

"The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction has been awarded a $1.1 million federal grant to develop an assessment system to support multilingual learners – also known as English language learners – in third through fifth grades. North Carolina is one of 10 states to share more than $29 million under the U.S. Department of Education’s 2022 Competitive Grants for State Assessments program to design new assessments that are more 'high-quality, innovative, and authentic.'

NCDPI will be partnering with the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) on the four-year grant initiative to create an e-portfolio that draws from multiple measures and sources to assess student academic achievement, focusing specifically on science instruction. The project is part of a comprehensive effort to improve teaching and learning and support rigorous academic standards for multilingual learners."

Read the full press release here.

Number 9

Perspective Piece from Superintendent Truitt: One Year into Transforming Early Literacy in North Carolina

"As an educator and veteran high school English teacher, I am passionate about literacy. In fact, that passion is why I chose education as my life’s work.

As educators and as parents, we know first-hand how vital the first few years of a child’s education are, and that learning to read is essential to academic progress and success. We instinctively know that learning to read is an important milestone in a child’s life, and that development of a habit of reading can transform a person’s entire life. It is the foundation of an education, which in turn can enable a child who begins in the most modest circumstances to climb the ladders of prosperity in their social, economic, and spiritual spheres."

Read the full piece here.

Number 8

Ashley Baquero Named as Director of DPI Office of Charter Schools

"The state’s new director of the Office of Charter Schools brings hands-on classroom experience and a diverse skillset to her role. A member of the OCS team since 2018, Ashley Baquero first began working with the state’s charter school office as an education planning and development consultant. But as she steps into the director role this fall, she’ll also draw on her professional background as a former attorney, Teach for America alum, and teacher of disadvantaged students.

Ashley’s educational ethos is fueled by this core conviction: Everyone, regardless of background, deserves access to a good education. Her perspective has been shaped indelibly by personal experience. “I grew up with a single parent; neither of my parents was a college graduate,” she says. 'I knew that education was the route to progressing as a person, from what you’re born into, so that has always been extremely important to me.'"

Read the full story here. Congratulations, Ashley! 

Number 7

2023 School of Character Applications Now Open

Schools and districts that apply to receive the School of Character Certification must meet the rigorous standards articulated in Character.org’s 11 Principles Framework for Schools. Each school is assessed by a team of trained evaluators. 

The deadline to apply is November 11. Apply here.

Number 6

District Highlight: A Program Putting Surry and Yadkin Students to Work

"Dobson Driver Services started over 30 years ago in Surry County with three trucks. One name change, 205 tractors, and over 500 trailers later, Southland Transportation Company continues to be a thriving business headquartered in this rural North Carolina region.

Southland now has 13 offices in eight different states. The main terminal is in Yadkin County’s Booneville, with two others in Knoxville, TN and Laredo, TX. Over 50 percent of their business is in brokerage.

Supporting all this growth is an IT team located in downtown Dobson. That team consists of four employees, and two interns — high school students the company found through their partnership with Surry-Yadkin Works. This program is the first youth-based internship and apprenticeship program in North Carolina."

Read the full story here.

Number 5

Feminine Hygiene Products Grant Program Applications for 2022-23 Now Open

The application for the Feminine Hygiene Products Grant Program for the 2022-23 school year are now available. Per the Feminine Hygiene Products Grant Program for Public School Units of House Bill 103, applications are being accepted for grants of up to $5,000 per PSU to purchase feminine hygiene products.

Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. PSUs that did not receive a grant in the previous fiscal year will be given preference. Please note: If awarded, you agree to complete a brief follow-up survey in early 2023 regarding the grant’s impact on student health and well-being.

Click here to apply. Please reach out to Lillian Pinto with any questions.

Number 4

Reminder: Quarterly PIO Call September 13

As a reminder, our next Quarterly PIO Call will be Tuesday, September 13, 8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m.

If you need the meeting link sent to you again, please reach out to communications@dpi.nc.gov. 

Number 3

Library Card Sign-Up Month

Governor Cooper has proclaimed September Library Card Sign-Up Month in North Carolina! 

Libraries across our state provide opportunities for people to learn, connect and grow. A library card opens a world of possibilities. Stop by your local public library and get a card this month! Find your local library here.

North Carolina residents can also sign-up for a free State Library of North Carolina (SLNC) Government & Heritage Library (GHL) card. With a GHL card, users can watch videos and documentaries, research their family history, access materials in the SLNC GHL circulating collection and more. Learn more here.

Number 2

UNC System Virtual Open House

The UNC System will be hosting a Virtual Open House via Zoom October 3-6. Participants will have the opportunity to travel across the state from the comfort of their home as they hear from students at all 16 UNC System universities as they answer questions live and share about their college experiences. The open house is open to prospective students, their parents, and high school counselors.

Learn more about the open house schedule and register here.

Number 1

Video: One Year LETRS Implementation Anniversary

September marks the 1-year anniversary of the statewide implementation of LETRS professional learning for educators.
Superintendent Truitt reflects on the journey to bring LETRS professional learning to more than 44,000 NC teachers and what its benefits are for North Carolina's youngest learners.

Watch the video here.