OPEN NOW: 2024 NC Charter Applications
The 2024 North Carolina Charter School Application is now open, as of Friday, January 26th at 5 pm Eastern. The 2024 charter application window will close on April 26, 2024, at 5pm Eastern. Applicants who are interested in opening a charter school in 2025 under the accelerated timeline, or in 2026 under the standard timeline must submit their charter applications on or before the April 26, 2024 application close date.
Both the online application and $1,000 application fee must be submitted on or before April 26, 2024 at 5pm Eastern. Applicant boards will be expected to appear in-person for interviews at the Department of Public Instruction in Raleigh, NC that will commence during the monthly meetings of the Charter Schools Review Board meeting beginning September 2024.
For questions about the charter application process, please reach out to Melanie.Rackley@dpi.nc.gov.
The link to the 2024 NC Charter School application is posted on the NCDPI Charter Schools Application page found here.
NC Homeless Education Program
2023-2024SY Mid-Year Data Collection Survey
Annually, the State Coordinator’s office requires all homeless liaisons to submit a mid-year homeless data collection report. This is required even if you have “0” students to report at this time. Click HERE to complete the survey. The deadline for submission is no later than 5:00 PM on January 31, 2024.
Please Note: Completion of the Mid-Year Data Collection Survey does not constitute the required annual submission of homeless data through PowerSchool.
Charter School Learning Series
NCHEP will be hosting a virtual Learning Series for charter and lab school homeless liaisons to expand their knowledge on the McKinney-Vento Act as well as develop practices to best support the needs of their students who are experiencing homelessness. Three different sessions will be offered. Homeless liaisons are encouraged to choose the session(s) that will benefit their homeless education program. The Learning Series is optional for those who attended the required Compliance Forum earlier this school year. Homeless liaisons who did not attend a Compliance Forum will be required to attend two of the three sessions below to remain in compliance. Registration is required.
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Learning Series:
McKinney-Vento 101
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
REGISTER HERE
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Learning Series:
Awareness & Identification
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
REGISTER HERE
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Learning Series:
Transportation
Thursday, February 8, 2024
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
REGISTER HERE
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Please contact the Charter School Program Specialist, Savannah Gay, with any questions or concerns.
Register for OLR's February Regional Data and Planning Sessions
In response to the upcoming ESSER funding cliff, the Office of Learning Recovery and Acceleration at NCDPI will be hosting 10 regional workshops in February 2024 focused on new student outcome datasets and utilizing the ESSER Funding Cliff Toolkit. The purpose of these sessions is to provide PSU leaders with relevant information and data around ESSER expenditures and student outcomes as well as resources to understand which ESSER investments were most effective. Session participants will leave with an understanding of how to use a data-driven approach to evaluate investments and make sound budgeting decisions beyond September 2024. Review the draft agenda for more information about sessions and schedule.
Due to site capacity and funding, these sessions are limited to 6 attendees per district and 3 attendees per charter school. Please work with your district or school leaders to assemble a team of key decision makers around ESSER and budgeting. We suggest including at least the CFO, the Federal Programs Director, and Superintendent or designee.
To register to attend a regional event, please click here: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/11f2369d28fe44db87fda24067f4e4d5.
Once you register, you will receive an automated email that contains the address of the session you registered to attend.
If you have any questions, please contact the OLR Project Manager, Jay Johnson, at jay.johnson@dpi.nc.gov or ARP Program Administrator, Dr. Richard Lewis, at Richard.lewis@dpi.nc.gov
Center for Safer Schools Awards $35 Million in School Safety Grants
Two hundred thirty North Carolina school districts and charter schools will benefit from $35 million in safety grants announced Jan. 24 by the Center for Safer Schools.
The funding will be used for safety equipment, training and services for students in crisis. Safety equipment covered by this grant includes items such as cameras, vape detectors, radios and weapons detection systems. Training can include professional development for school leaders to assist students who are experiencing anxiety, trauma and/or conduct problems. Services made available through this grant can include school-based mental health services.
CFSS Executive Director Karen W. Fairley said each application was thoroughly reviewed.
“It is part of the Center’s mandate and mission to give public-school units the tools they need to help keep their schools safer – that includes grant funding,” she said. “We thank the General Assembly for its generous appropriation that enables us to support North Carolina public schools.”
Funding for the hiring and training of school resource officers was a continuation of the $33 million in SRO funding awarded in October 2022 for the 2022-23 school year.
Awards are subject to all administrative and financial requirements, including timely submission of all financial and programmatic reports; resolution of all interim audit findings; and adherence to allowable expenses.
A list of public-school units that were awarded 2023-24 School Safety Grant funding can be found here.
New Licensure Information
Education Leaders,
We hope this communication finds you well and your new year is off to a wonderful start. As always, our commitment to ensuring the highest quality education for North Carolina’s students remains unwavering. With this in mind, we are excited to inform you of our continued focus on supporting educator licensing and licensure staff training for the current school year. Please see the information in the linked memo on several initiatives, resources, and updated processes to better serve public school units and educators.
If you have any questions or need further information, please feel free to contact Susan Ruiz (susan.ruiz@dpi.nc.gov) or Tom Tomberlin (thomas.tomberlin@dpi.nc.gov).
Webinar Follow-Up and January NC TWC Updates
Charter Leaders and TWC Coordinators,
We have hosted 2024 NC TWC Webinars this week and wanted to flag a few items for you.
January 2024 WEBINARS* to get an overview of the new website, survey update, process for data collection - PRESENTATION AVAILABLE HERE
2024 School-Level NC TWC Survey Coordinator Roles & Responsibilities
The following list outlines the major roles and responsibilities of the school-level NC TWC Survey Coordinator
Before March 1!!
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Serve as the liaison with NCDPI.
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Ask your technology team to flag nctwc@adi.org as a safe email.
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Explore the updated NC TWC website and share resources and new survey with your school staff.
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Confirm accuracy of target number of responses shared via email from NCDPI on February 1.
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Hold a schoolwide meeting to share information on revised survey process and content.
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Discuss the importance of survey participation with educators and emphasize commitment to anonymity.
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Promote 90% target participation in NC TWC.
On March 1!!
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Confirm teachers and student services personnel received the email from nctwc@adi.org with their survey link.
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Contact the NC TWC Help Desk to adjust headcount, report lost emails, or ask questions about the surveys.
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Promote NC TWC SURVEY OPENING DAY!!!!
March 1-31!!
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Promote NC TWC throughout the month.
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Discuss the importance of survey participation with teachers.
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Emphasize commitment to anonymity.
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Monitor and share school-level participation rates for 50% minimum threshold AND 90% target participation.
After March 31!!
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Partner with PSU leadership to develop a plan to share out 2024 NC TWC data.
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Value teacher voice by working with principals and School Improvement Teams to use the NC TWC data in school improvement plans to create and maintain a positive work environment for teachers and other staff.
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Give NCDPI feedback about the new survey process and recommendations for improvement.
NC Teacher Working Conditions Survey Timeline
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February - March 2024: Social media campaign, survey support, and weekly office hours
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March 1, 2024: Emails sent to every classroom teacher and student services personnel with an individualized link to the survey; NC TWC Help Desk Opens
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March 1-31, 2024: NCTWC Survey Open!!
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April 2024: NC TWC local results shared with districts and charter leaders
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May 2024: NC TWC statewide results shared with NC State Board of Education and Charter School Review Board (CSRB).
Threat Assessment Update (House Bill 605)
The Center for Safer Schools wants to update public-school units on processes related to House Bill 605. For more information, see the attached letter from CFSS Executive Director Karen W. Fairley.
If you have questions, send an email to cfss@dpi.nc.gov.
About the Center for Safer Schools
The Center for Safer Schools serves to promote safe learning environments for North Carolina K-12 schools. The CFSS serves as a hub of information and technical assistance on school safety to school faculty and staff, law enforcement, youth-serving community agencies, juvenile justice officials, policymakers, parents/guardians and students. CFSS staff focuses on school climate, school discipline and emergency preparedness concerns for North Carolina’s public K-12 schools. CFSS staff is available to provide training, guidance and technical assistance upon request for school faculty and staff and those working with children and adolescents. The CFSS is headed by Karen W. Fairley, Executive Director.
SBS January 26, 2024
The FBS website continues to be updated with information related to School Business and our ongoing operations. Please check the FBS homepage regularly for updates. Please review the upcoming deadlines for due dates.
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FY24 Federal Initial Allotment Summary (Various PRCs) - All PSUs
A summary workbook of the calculated Federal Initial Allotments has been posted online under the What’s New section. The amounts listed are typically allotted within 10 business days of an approval received from the Federal Program or Consultant. As a reminder, funds that have already been allotted can be viewed on the public Allotment data website.
Additionally, effective fiscal year 2023-24, the Economic Disadvantage Students (EDS) Free Lunch Data was used for Federal Initial Allotments and a shift in allotment trend may be seen as a result.
Improper Payment Review: IDEA & ESF - All PSUs
This year’s U.S. Department of Education (USED) Improper Payment Review studies have started. North Carolina has been selected to participate in the IDEA and Education Stabilization Funds (ESF) studies. USED will be requesting NC DPI to collect documentation used to validate payments for a sample of transactions from various PSUs. Each sample item selected represents a cash draw down and the entire amount must be substantiated.
We expect to receive a list of the sample items for the reviews in February. PSUs selected will be notified of the date that they need to provide supporting documentation. Note there will be a tight timeline for this type of review. PSUs selected must submit a reconciliation of all payments and cash zero outs, if applicable, that make up the amount noted in the cash draw identified. We will publish the expected dates for both studies as soon as the dates are shared.
For questions contact Shirley McFadden at shirley.mcfadden@dpi.nc.gov.
Reminders Concerning ESSER Funds Used for Construction - All PSUs
- Construction Projects require a Certificate of Review prior to beginning construction from DPI School Planning – Applicable to LEA’s Only. Please consider the lead time for the review by School Planning, which is currently 8 weeks.
- ESSER III (PRC 181) projects need to be scheduled with an intention to be complete by the end of the period of performance. The liquidation period expires on December 29, 2024. There will be an opportunity to request an extended liquidation; however, there is no guarantee that extensions will be available or granted.
- Construction work at schools using Federal Funds must comply with Federal regulations including Davis-Bacon wage requirements. For more information please see the ESSER and GEER FAQ and the information on construction in the DPI Website.
- Davis-Bacon wages must be paid for any construction related work paid for with Federal Funds.
- The Davis-Bacon requirement applies to construction, alteration, and or repair of public buildings including painting and decorating (29 CFR 5) over $2,000.00.
- Examples of types of work that required Davis-Bacon includes work over $2,000 for services such as: mounting/installing security systems, installing keyless entry systems, removal of walls, installation of portable classrooms, repair of sidewalks, and similar work on school facilities.
For questions contact Albert Woelfle at albert.woelfle@dpi.nc.gov or Shirley McFadden at shirley.mcfadden@dpi.nc.gov.
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*View prior newsletters online: Newsletters and Guidance | NC DPI.
OCR/CRDC - SY2021-2022 - NCDPI Updates and Reminders
Please inform other staff as appropriate. The SY2021-2022 Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) is due on February 26, 2024.
Note: PSUs that were not open in the school year 2021-2022 are not required to participate in this collection.
Retention Data
It has been brought to our attention that some schools’ retention data may be incorrect in the Federal Submission Tool. NCDPI is conducting a root cause analysis to ensure that retention data is accurate for future collections. Please review and update the RETN section of the CRDC as needed.
CRDC Support
- For CRDC system-related issues, please email CRDC Partner Support Center at CRDC@aemcorp.com.
- For questions regarding the NCDPI data upload, please email nc.ocr.crdc@dpi.nc.gov.
- CRDC Coordinators can book an hour-long meeting to ask specific questions about their CRDC. Office hours will be held Tuesday through Thursday from 1pm to 5pm until February 26, 2024. Book time with Terra
NC CRDC Documentation and Webinars
NC-specific documentation is available in the CRDC Canvas course in NC EdCloud. All documents can be accessed from the Quick List of Resources page, including the NC CRDC Course List, CRDC 2021-2022 Collection by Entity, NCDPI Guidance - LEA Form 2021-2022, and NCDPI Guidance - School Form 2021-2022.
NCDPI completed the final SY2021-2022 CRDC webinar on January 17, 2024. To review the presentation and recorded webinar, visit the Quick List of Resources in the CRDC Canvas course.
NC Workgroup for CRDC
The NC Workgroup hosted at the federal level is not functioning as intended. Please refrain from using this optional workgroup. This feature will not be available for future collections.
Please email nc.ocr.crdc@dpi.nc.gov with any questions you may have.
Want information about the CRDC, but are not the CRDC Coordinator contact? Add your information here: 2122 CRDC – Info Only Contacts List
The NC SECU People Helping People scholarship application is due March 5th
NCSECU Foundation Scholarship
SECU Foundation takes an active role in assisting communities across North Carolina because we believe in “People Helping People®.” To support this commitment, the People Helping People scholarship was established to help North Carolina public high school students attend college. A scholarship award of up to $10,000 over four years will be awarded to 10 Charter High School Seniors across the state. The Application Process will open on December 1st. Please share this scholarship opportunity with your high school guidance counselors and deans to promote this scholarship opportunity. Applications will close on March 5th, 2024, with selection interviews starting March 22nd, 2024. All final nominations are due to Dr. Natasha Norins by March 5th via email with PDF attachments from applicants. For further assistance, please contact Dr. Natasha Norins, natasha.norins@dpi.nc.gov.
Career and Technical Education (CTE) Trainings
Are you new to offering Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs or do you want to know more about CTE? Check out our Charter Schools: Getting Started with CTE guide (https://bit.ly/CTEcharter) to connect with CTE resources, including course standards, required CTE proofs of learning, credentials, and reporting requirements.
The CTE Regional Services team is implementing a charter school user group during the 2023-2024 school year to provide training and support for charter schools who offer CTE programs or have student enrollments in CTE courses through NCVPS. Our charter school user group will meet quarterly to provide CTE updates, information about CTE programs, and training for administering and reporting student results for CTE proofs of learning, credentials, and CTE concentrator status for WorkKeys participation. We invite you to mark your calendar for the following dates and plan to join us online to learn more about CTE.
*This session will include a CTE State Assessment training refresher and full training required for schools administering spring administrations of CTE State Assessments who did not attend fall training
Questions may be directed to Misty Wolfe (misty.wolfe@dpi.nc.gov) or your CTE Regional Coordinator.
NCSBE Rulemaking Information
Below is a link to the website where we post information about SBE Rulemaking. It typically gets updated on the Friday the week after the SBE proposes a rule.
Important MEMOs:
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Office of Charter Schools (OCS) Updates
Charter school in the news:
$6000 raised: Pine Springs Prep holds 'green out' to support classmate with cancer
https://www.wralsportsfan.com/6000-raised-pine-springs-prep-holds-green-out-to-support-classmate-with-cancer/21243679/
These students make us proud! If you have similar stories to share please send to ocs@dpi.nc.gov
January provided a grand opportunity to collaborate with the Office of Learning Recovery & Acceleration on ESSER funding and Program Enrichment support. If you missed us, you can view the presentation HERE.
 On January 24th, OCS held the Ready to Open Planning Session Five for the charter schools preparing to open in August 2024. Presenters included the DPI Homebase team. This cohort will be amongst the first to pilot Infinite Campus SIS in the fall. Other presentations included the NC Health Plan, Marketing Strategies, Teacher Recruitment, and Performance Framework.
February 14th, 10AM; OCS Office Hours
For the Love of Charter School Leaders and Educators.
Hear from our inspiring School Leaders in the Office of Innovation, Learning Recovery, and Principal Engagement; NC State Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Andrew Smith, Dr. Erika Shoulders-Royster, and Tabari Wallace, Ed. S join OCS for an hour of inspiration with the goal of lifting up our Charter School Leaders to inspire their own staff and students! Topics such as ESSER funds, teacher recruitment, innovative college and career readiness programs, and school leadership series sponsored by DPI and Truist Trust
 OCS Lunch+Learn
Mark your calendar! Our next quarterly Lunch+Learn is scheduled for February 19 at Pine Springs Preparatory from 11:30 am-1:30 pm. School tours will begin at 10:30 am. The topic of discussion is Navigating Charter School Legislation. Please RSVP HERE.
We look forward to collaborating with you!
Other Resources from DPI and beyond
NABSE Conference: Please Share
Superintendents, School Leaders, Administrators, Teachers, Support Staff & Parents
North Carolina Alliance of Black School Educators First Annual Statewide Conference -
March 8-9, 2024
REGISTER TODAY At ncabse.org
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION EXTENDED TO February 9, 2024
Theme: "Leading Change & Embracing Innovation: Focus on Accountability,
Evidence of New Mindsets, Positive Results, and Improved Student Achievement."
LEADERSHIP AND ACCOUNTABILITY MATTERS!
High Expectations for all Students
Frequent Monitoring and Adjusting Instruction
Implementation of Effective Educational Research
Strategies and Best Practices
Positive Belief System for Everyone
Nurturing & Building a Positive School Community
You will receive information on the above items and much more at the conference.
There will be a panel for North Carolina TOY and POY focusing on Effective Teaching and Leadership Strategies, plus a Panel on Educational Equity/System Change with focus on "The State of Our Schools."
Tabari Wallace
Special Advisor to the Superintendent for Principal Engagement
NC Department of Public Instruction
(984) 236-2313
Tabari.Wallace@dpi.nc.gov
NCVPS Updates
1. NCVPS Continues Tutoring Program
It is time for yet another upcoming, exciting, and highly beneficial semester of Edvantage Tutoring offered by North Carolina Virtual Public School (NCVPS). As a quick introduction (or reminder) about the program, you may view their infographic for an overview of Edvantage Tutoring.
NCVPS Edvantage Tutoring is offered in the following curriculum areas:
• 7th & 8th Grade ELA
• 7th & 8th Grade Math
• 7th & 8th Grade Science
• 8th Grade Math I
• High School Math I
• High School Math III
• High School Biology
*An asynchronous Writing Lab is offered
*ACT prep sessions are also offered
Tutoring for the Spring begins Monday, January 22, 2024, and will be available Monday-Thursday, 4:00 PM-7:30 PM nightly (through May 23rd). Daytime tutoring is also available per school/district request and may be utilized for students who are in ISS, suspended, homebound, absent, and/or working from home, McKinney-Vento, athletes needing extra support, etc.
2. Earn CEUs with NCVPS Free Professional Development
Each month, NCVPS offers several professional development sessions featuring interactive conversations in our Digital Transition webinars. Sessions feature a wide range of topics and offer CEUs in various disciplines. Sessions are also recorded, archived, and searchable. January sessions include:
“Digital Tools for Core Subject Courses”
Presenter: Nancy Hooper. Target Audience: All Are Welcome. CEU Type: Digital Learning.
Register for January 30th at 7:00pm
WORLD LANGUAGES: “Using Bloom’s Taxonomy to Create Escape Rooms for Language Learners”
Presenter: Elena Allen. Target Audience: Spanish & World Language Teachers; All Are Welcome. CEU Credit Type: Spanish or Digital Learning.
Register for January 31st at 6:30pm
Social Studies Educators,
Recognizing continuities and changes over time is a critical social studies skill students must acquire. So, what are some best practices for teaching Continuity and Change Over Time (CCOT)?
Join us in this webinar workshop to find out!
Use the QR Code Below and Register Today!
Michelle McLaughlin
K-12 Social Studies Consultant; U. S. Senate Youth Coordinator
Office of Academic Standards
NC Department of Public Instruction
(W) 984-236-2827
Michelle.McLaughlin@dpi.nc.gov
School Counselor Cohort resource
Any school counselors who wish to network may share their information in this form.
You may also view the current list through this link.
SEL statewide offerings
The peer-reviewed journal Social and Emotional Learning: Research, Practice, and Policy is seeking submissions for an upcoming special issue on: Adult Social and Emotional Learning: Implications for Educational Transformation. Check out the full guidelines to learn more and view an example Policy article to help you get started! All open-article fees are covered through funding agreements. Authors interested in contributing a manuscript for this special issue are asked to first submit a letter of intent via an online portal. Letters of intent must be submitted online by January 31, 2024. Click here to learn more and submit!
AMCHP has opened the application window for Replication Project grants. NC Project AWARE/ACTIVATE holds a designation as a Best Practice in AMCHP’s Innovation Hub and thus organizations can apply for a grant up to $25,000 to replicate elements of our school behavioral health model. Edgecombe County Schools has previously received an AMCHP Replication Project grant and applied the NC AWARE/ACTIVATE model to their HOPE Alternative Learning Program.
Application deadline is March 1, 2024.
See the Readiness Checklist. Reach out to Heidi.Austin@dpi.nc.gov if you have further questions.
Charter School Job Postings
If you have current teaching/leadership positions open and wish to share them in this newsletter, reach out to Joseph.Letterio@dpi.nc.gov and provide a link to the posting/s.
Lab School Opportunities
Whom Should I Contact at the Office of Charter Schools?
Please forward
School leaders, we encourage you to forward this newsletter on to your staff so they can subscribe to DPI bulletins directly through this link. They will enter their email and then it will bring them to another page where they can select “Charter School Comms Contacts” and any other public listserv to sign up for.
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