Coffee with Catherine: Superintendent Truitt's Parent Newsletter

North Carolina Public Schools sent this bulletin at 02/15/2024 06:00 PM EST

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February 15, 2024

Coffee with Catherine

Parents and Guardians,

I hope that 2024 is off to a wonderful start for you and your families!

This year has already been a busy and inspiring one here at NCDPI and I am so excited to share some of that excitement with you here.

Thank you for your continued interest in North Carolina's Public Schools.

Catherine Truitt
Superintendent, NC Department of Public Instruction

North Carolina Students Set State Record for CTE Credential Attainment

I could not be prouder to share that more than 325,000 credentials were earned by high school students during the 2022-23 school year - the highest attainment rate in our state's history!

Aligning the K-12 education system with workforce needs has long been a priority for me. The process of earning industry-recognized credentials is so important because it gives students an advantage in a competitive labor market and provides them with real-world work experience. For potential employers, a credential is a sign that a student has both the knowledge and durable skills needed to succeed in the workplace.

top 10 workforce aligned credentials earned

This result is incredible news for the state of North Carolina because it shows the hard work that our Career and Technical Education teachers and students across the state are doing to bridge the skills gap.

See the 2022-23 Credential Attainment Data Report here. Read the press release on the report here.

See the list of credentials available to students here, and encourage your student to reach out to a counselor or CTE educator at their school to learn more about opportunities to earn credentials at their school or through a program in their district.

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K-12 Talent Pipeline Toolkit for Employers

Last week, I joined NC Chamber President and CEO Gary Salamido to unveil a new toolkit we collaborated on to help employers strengthen and grow their talent pipelines.

In my travels across the state, I would often hear from employers who had questions about how to engage or work with a nearby school. Businesses clearly had an interest in offering some one-of-a-kind experiences to students – internships, job shadow, career fairs, field trips… you name it! What was missing was a resource for businesses to help jumpstart that conversation.

In addition to the anecdotal evidence, there was data that backed up the need for this resource also. In the 2022 North Carolina Employer Needs Survey, respondents cited that entry level job applicants lacked employability skills like dependability and work ethic – two traits necessary for every career. This data demonstrated to us that North Carolina's students and families could be better prepared for, or informed on, how to chart a successful path after graduation.

This toolkit is a valuable resource that bridges the gap between schools and businesses. It offers clear guidance on how employers can engage and connect with elementary, middle and high school-aged students. The toolkit also encourages businesses to train and hire locally, allowing businesses to invest in our students while also developing their talent pipeline.

Learn more about the toolkit and the reasons behind it in this video conversation between me and NC Chamber President Gary Salamido here.

Find the toolkit here.

Statewide Year-Over-Year Trends in Achievement: Before, During, and After the Pandemic

Last month, a year-over-year analysis of North Carolina test results was released that indicates clear signs of continued academic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

NCDPI partnered with SAS for a year-over-year analysis of student learning before, during, and after the pandemic. The analysis, which is one of the first of its kind nationwide, measures students’ standardized test scores from 2013 to 2023.

The 2023 Year-Over-Year State Analysis Report indicates further progress toward recovery thresholds, meaning that North Carolina schools are steadily continuing to recover from the pandemic with gains virtually across all grades and subjects. Two of 16 standardized assessments (EOG Reading Grade 3 and EOC English II) already show gains above the recovery thresholds.

On average, the data shows that North Carolina schools are showing signs of academic recovery in nearly every subject – with the strongest gains measured in EOG Reading Grade 3. Notable gains are also found in reading and math for grades 3-5 and science grade 5.

Tracking academic recovery across a decade is something that has enabled our agency to chart a roadmap out of the pandemic and put our students on the path to recovery. North Carolina’s students are resilient, and I know we will continue to see improvements with time.

Learn more about the analysis and find the full report here.

NCDPI Releases Guidance on the use of Artificial Intelligence in Schools

Last month, the agency released guidance on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in our public schools, making NCDPI one of very few state education departments to do so. I believe that, when implemented thoughtfully and responsibly, generative AI has the power to revolutionize student learning and better prepare North Carolina’s students for the jobs of tomorrow.

The guidebook includes an initial set of recommendations that will be expanded in the coming months. We greatly encourage districts to create accompanying guidelines that are specific to their schools, because they know best what works and what doesn't for their students and educators.

The guidebook also discusses some common concerns surrounding AI, such as cheating and the protection of student data.

Find the guidebook here.

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