NEWS RELEASES 2010-11

EDUCATORS RECEIVE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CERTIFICATION;
SECOND CERTIFICATION CLASS UNDERWAY

Sixty-five local school superintendents and technology directors from across the state are more technologically savvy thanks to their recent completion of the Leaders for the 21st Century and Certified Educational Chief Technology Officers program. The certification program is offered through a partnership between the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI), MCNC and the UNC School of Government’s Center for Public Technology. (A list of graduates by district is available at the end of the release.)

"Congratulations to our newly-minted graduates. It was an absolute pleasure to have such talented and inspiring participants in our inaugural class and we thank each of them for their tireless commitment to North Carolina public school students, teachers, parents, and communities," said UNC School of Government Center for Public Technology Director Shannon Tufts. Tufts went on to say that she looks forward to working with educators participating in the second certification class. "We are so proud of our public school superintendents and CTOs for their willingness to learn and improve in order to positively impact student near-term and lifelong education and attainment," Tufts said.

NCDPI Chief Information Officer Peter Asmar also congratulated program graduates. "Technology is an integral component of a 21st century education, and it is essential that our superintendents and Chief Technology Officers have the skills and knowledge to effectively incorporate technology in all aspects that supports student learning," Asmar said.

The certification programs’ goals are to help school leaders manage the expanding role of information technology, protect the district from security threats, and keep pace with new technology trends. Superintendents participate in the Leaders for the 21st Century certification program – a 20-hour instructional program. Technology directors participate in the Certified Educational Chief Technology Officers certification program – a 240-hour instructional program.

Superintendents and technology directors from 18 school districts and principals and technology directors from two charter schools are participating in the second information technology certification program. The format for the program remains consistent with the inaugural program with minor changes based upon participant program feedback. Instruction for this class began Feb. 8 and will conclude with a graduation ceremony on Nov. 9. (A list of program participants by district/charter school is available at the end of the release.)

For more information, please contact the NCDPI’s Communications division at 919.807.3450 or Shannon Tufts, director of the UNC School of Government Center for Public Technology, at 919.962.5438.

2010 Certification Program Graduates:

2011 Certification Program Participants:

About the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction:
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction provides leadership to 115 local public school districts and 107 charter schools serving over 1.4 million students in kindergarten through high school graduation. The agency is responsible for all aspects of the state's public school system and works under the direction of the North Carolina State Board of Education.

For more information:
NCDPI Communications and Information, 919.807.3450.