PRINCIPALS' MESSAGES 2004

FEBRUARY 5, 2004

In 2002-03, local school districts reported 19,834 "dropout events," or times when an individual student in grades 7-12 dropped out of school. While this number is still too high, it represents a lowered rate of annual dropouts. For grades 7-12, the rate is now 3.23 percent per year. For grades 9-12, the annual rate is 4.78. This is the fourth consecutive year that rates have declined. (The 2002-03 Dropout Report and press release are available online at http://www.ncpublicschools.org) I know that you and your faculties are working very hard to keep students engaged in their learning and on track to graduation. I also know that you cannot do it alone. The decision to drop out is complex and usually based on many different factors, but I am grateful that you are doing your best to keep every student in school.

Regards,
Mike Ward

In this Biweekly Principals' Message:

1. Principals' Biweekly Listserve Updated
2. State Board Meeting Highlights
3. Listen in on Future State Board Meetings Via the Internet
4. Gov. Easley Announces Grants for High School Innovation
5. Mathematics and Science Partnership Grant Deadline Extended
6. North Carolina Educators Among Technology Leader Finalists
7. Tutorial Program Opportunity for Elementary Schools
8. Instructional Technology Staff Development Opportunities
9. Holocaust Workshops for Teachers
10. Deadline to Register for AP Forum Approaching
11. Deadline Extended to Register for the Writing Across the Curriculum Institute
12. Register Now for Math Matters Workshops
13. Suicide Intervention Skills Training Offered
14. AP-Certified Teachers Needed to Develop Online Courses

Principals' Biweekly Listserve Updated

The Principals' Biweekly Email Listserve was recently updated to ensure that as many principals as possible are receiving this email message. Some of you may be receiving this message for the first time and, if so, welcome! This biweekly message enables us to send information to you in a timely manner. The items contained in the message relate directly to you as a school administrator and will hopefully help ensure that you stay current on programs and policies of particular interest to you. We are always open to feedback and want to hear from you if you have concerns you'd like to share or issues you'd like to see addressed in future emails. We also hope to include a brief survey in a future message that will help us make sure that we remain on target as to what you'd like to receive from this newsletter. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact either Vanessa Jeter (919.807.3469) or Lynda Fuller (919.807.3475) in DPI's Communications Division.

State Board Meeting Highlights

The State Board of Education approved the study report of the Weighted Quality Point Policy issue at today's meeting, as well as the revision of the NC K-12 Computer/Technology Skills Standard Course of Study and a special provision budget bill request for school nurse services. In the Board's Issue Session, members continued their discussion of testing issues and received a detailed report of how North Carolina public education is funded, along with highlights of the current public school budget. Complete highlights of the State Board meeting will be posted online by Monday afternoon at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/sbehighlights

Listen in on Future State Board Meetings Via the Internet

For those unable to attend State Board of Education meetings but who would like to hear the discussion, DPI's Accountability and Technology Services is now audio streaming the monthly State Board of Education meetings. To listen to the sessions, please go online to http://www.ncpublicschools.org/sbe_meetings/ and scroll to the Live Audio Stream links. To play the stream, your computer will need: - an Internet connection; - a free media player (Windows Media Player, Real One, or Real Player); and - speakers or headphones. If you need appropriate player software, you may download and install the free application from the links on the page. If you are uncomfortable installing software or encounter problems, please contact your technology support staff.

Gov. Easley Announces Grants for High School Innovation

Gov. Mike Easley today announced the first round of grant recipients from the N.C. New Schools Project. The funding will be used to create new, smaller high schools that will focus learning and will motivate students to make connections with both their teachers and to the world beyond high school. The eight school systems receiving grants are: Asheville City Schools in Buncombe County, Cumberland County Schools, Durham County Schools, Granville County Schools, Newton-Conover City Schools in Catawba County, Scotland County Schools, Wake County Schools and Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. The N.C. New Schools Project, an initiative of Gov. Easley and his Education Cabinet, is being coordinated by the Public School Forum of North Carolina. It was begun with an $11 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The project aims to create 40 to 50 new and redesigned high schools across the state. To view the full release, please go online to http://www.governor.state.nc.us/News/PressReleases/Default.asp

Mathematics and Science Partnership Grant Deadline Extended

Due to recent inclement weather, DPI's Mathematics and Science Section has extended the deadline to submit a request for proposal for the Mathematics and Science Partnership Grant from Feb. 5 to Feb. 10. The goal of these grants is to improve mathematics and science knowledge of North Carolina students in high need school districts by providing professional development for mathematics and science teachers who are not yet designated as "Highly Qualified." For complete information regarding the RFP process and this grant, please go to http://www.ncpublicschools.org/superintendents/mathscience/

North Carolina Educators Among Technology Leader Finalists

"Technology&Learning" magazine recently recognized two North Carolina Educators among its semi-finalists in its 2003 Education Technology Leader of the Year. Congratulations to Nancy Sands, Media and Technology Director (Davidson County Schools), who is recognized for leading a collaborative program in Davidson County; and Gregory Decker, Principal, Lead Mine Elementary School (Wake County Schools), who is being recognized for his data-driven approach to building high student performance.

Tutorial Program Opportunity for Elementary Schools

Elementary schools are invited to submit a proposal to Social Excellence, Inc., for CHANCE TO SUCCEED, a cross-age peer tutorial program. Funds are available in the amount of $8,000 per year per school for three years. It is expected that schools will have co-investment strategies in place to support the project. The deadline for submission of the Grant Application/Request for Proposal is 5 p.m., Friday, May 7. Detailed information on how to apply can be found online at http://www.pfse.org

Instructional Technology Staff Development Opportunities

DPI's Instructional Technology Section is pleased to announce that they have hired four new Teachers-on-Loan to provide instructional technology staff development for schools: Glen Buck, Pitt County Schools; Gail Holmes, Guilford County Schools; Jeanne Powell, Pender County Schools; and Deborah Goodman, Edenton/Chowan Schools. Possible staff development topics include NCWiseOwl, Kaleidoscope, and SASInSchools. Trainers will work with a school for up to four days. To find out how to request their services, please contact Wynn Smith, Technology Planning and Support, 919.807.3270, or by email, wsmith@dpi.state.nc.us.

Holocaust Workshops for Teachers

Middle and high school social studies and English teachers may be interested in attending a one-day, multi-county workshop on the Holocaust. Participants will receive a copy of "The Holocaust - a North Carolina Teacher's Resource," a guide for teaching about the Holocaust at the middle and high school levels. Workshop dates and locations are as follows: Feb. 12, Williamston; March 4, Wilkesboro; March 11, Salisbury; March 16, Eden; March 30, Wadesboro; April 22, Enka; and April 26, Murphy. Substitute teacher pay is provided, but space is limited. For more information, including registration, please contact Linda Scher, Holocaust Teacher Workshop Coordinator, at Brisket234@aol.com.

Deadline to Register for AP Forum Approaching

Principals are reminded that the deadline to register to attend the AP Forum is Feb. 13. The Forum, which will be held March 10 at Duke University, will provide an in-depth survey of effective ways to start and support an AP program. In addition, this workshop will help administrators learn how to use data effectively to promote equitable growth, and will provide tools for assessing strengths and weaknesses of existing AP programs with an emphasis on areas of future growth. The $100 registration fee includes materials and lunch. For additional information, please contact Wandra Polk, Instructional Services, 919.807.3816, or by email, wpolk@dpi.state.nc.us.

Deadline Extended to Register for the Writing Across the Curriculum Institute

Because space remains available in the High School Writing Across the Curriculum Institute, DPI staff has extended the registration deadline to Feb. 20. An updated Web site with the agenda, a link to the Institute registration form, and information on hotel reservations, has been posted at http://www.radisson.com/ncdpihswac

Register Now for Math Matters Workshops

NC DPI and TEAM II (Teaching Excellence and Mathematics II) will be sponsoring a series of two-day workshops in June and July for K-8 teachers focusing on the implementation of the 2003 NC Mathematics Standard Course of Study. TEAM II, a National Science Foundation funded project, includes a cadre of elementary-certified teachers that have acquired an increased knowledge of mathematics content, pedagogy, and classroom assessment practices as a result of participation in this project. These teachers will be presenting the K-5 sessions at these summer workshops. Teachers from the North Carolina Middle Math Project, another National Science Foundation funded project, will serve as presenters for the 6-8 sessions. Registrations are currently being taken for the grade level sessions: Grades K-1, Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grades 6-8. All the grade level sessions will be offered at 22 sites located across the state. Site locations and dates, cost, and a registration form are available online at http://www.learnnc.org/. Once at the site, select Announcements/Calendar and then select Staff Development for the 2003 Mathematics Standard Course of Study. The sessions are first come, first served, so don't delay in reserving your place. If additional information is needed, please contact Linda Patch, Mathematics and Science Section, DPI. 919.807.3841, or by email, lpatch@dpi.state.nc.us.

Suicide Intervention Skills Training Offered

The North Carolina Youth Suicide Prevention Task Force is offering local school systems Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST). The two-day workshops conducted by "LivingWorks" trainers will provide educators, particularly those who are most likely to observe at-risk groups, a better understanding of suicide, help in identifying those at risk, and how to assist students in crisis until a professional arrives. If you are interested in bringing an ASIST workshop to your school system, please contact Jane Ann Miller, Injury and Violence Prevention Branch, NC DHHS, 919.715.6452, or by email, jane.miller@ncmail.net.

AP-Certified Teachers Needed to Develop Online Courses

LEARN NC is seeking AP-certified teachers to develop online courses in AP World History and AP Human Geography for the 2004-05 academic year, in addition to an AP study skills course for delivery in summer 2004. In conjunction with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, LEARN NC is creating these two new AP courses to supplement the AP courses already offered to low-wealth school systems across the state. Course developers will spend the spring and summer designing and building instruction. LEARN NC offers the training and content conversion assistance necessary to deliver the courses online through Blackboard. Course developers will be compensated for completing the course, and will then be offered the opportunity to teach the course online in 2004-05 for additional compensation. For more information, please contact Jim Barber, Executive Director, LEARN NC, 919.843.8659, or by email, jbarber@learnnc.org.