PRINCIPALS' MESSAGES 2005
PRINCIPALS' MESSAGES 2005JULY 21, 2005
Over the past two years, NC WISE has experienced many deployment successes in local school districts and charter schools. Although we have experienced the successful completion of Wave 1 and year-end transition, we are at a crossroads with a variety of technical and architecture issues. On Friday, the NC WISE Executive Steering Committee (comprised of local superintendents, associate superintendents and local technology directors) recommended that deployment of Wave 2 be delayed beyond the Sept. 15 initial conversion date for 2005-06. DPI agrees with this recommendation. In my evaluation, we are not yet ready to move forward with Wave 2. A revised deployment plan and schedule will be forthcoming once DPI, the State Chief Information Officer and State Information Technology Services determine that we are ready to set new deployment dates. The decision to delay Wave 2 will not affect the functionality of Wave I school districts or original pilot districts. We are committed to NC WISE and its successful completion for every school district and charter school, and it is DPI's responsibility to ensure that this project's foundation is sound and ready for expansion before we move forward.
Regards,
June Atkinson
On Monday, local school districts released AYP results for individual schools as required by No Child Left Behind. The NCDPI's Web site (www.ncpublicschools.org) under "What's New?" includes a page with all local district links to facilitate dissemination of this information. Some high schools may not have posted AYP because of additional quality control checks that are being conducted concerning student data coding. These schools should be clear to post AYP results no later than July 29. Statewide summary information on AYP will be available on Aug. 4 when the 2004-05 ABCs/AYP Report is presented to the State Board of Education. If your local district has not provided a link to your AYP information, DPI's Web page includes contact information for your district.
Gov. Easley Signs Community College/Lateral Entry Teacher Law
Earlier this week, Gov. Mike Easley signed into law House Bill 563, "An Act Permitting the Community College System to Provide Coursework to Persons Entering the Teaching Profession by Lateral Entry, And to Reduce From Five Years to Three Years the Length of A Provisional Teaching Certificate Issued to a Lateral Entry Teacher." The bill amends North Carolina General Statute 115C-296(c) to "permit the State Board of Community Colleges to provide a program of study for lateral entry teachers to earn a teaching certificate to be implemented no later than May 1, 2006. The bill also rewrites the statute to reduce the length of a provisional teaching certificate from five years to three years to comply with the Federal No Child Left Behind Act." Easley said the bill "expands options for when and where potential teachers can receive their training so we can put motivated, qualified, well-trained teachers in all areas of the state, especially in the more rural areas."
Web Resource Helpful When Hiring New Teachers
The major hiring season for teachers is here. We know that you make every effort to screen new hires to assure that they possess the competence and the character necessary to work with children. Please be aware that one resource available to your systems is our list of license suspension and revocation actions at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/legal/revoketable.html. We are currently updating this link so that you receive the most current information available. For more information, please contact Harry Wilson, State Board of Education, 919.807.3406, or by email, hwilson@dpi.state.nc.us.
National Board Certification Online Application Process
Principals are asked to inform those staff members planning to seek National Board Certification to complete the online application at www.nbpts.org and then to complete the online application for North Carolina funding. Guidelines for applying for National Board Certification in North Carolina can be accessed at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/nbpts/apply.html. Beginning this year, initial National Board candidates will pay a $65 processing charge to NBPTS before they submit their application. North Carolina pays the assessment fee of $2,300 for all candidates who meet the eligibility criteria. The state funding application window for 2005-06 candidates pursuing National Board Certification is March 1 through Nov. 15.
2005 ABCs Background Packet Online
The ABCs 2005 Accountability Report Background Packet is now available online at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/ by clicking on the appropriate link under "What's New?" This packet provides an overview of the ABCs program, highlights program changes, provides a timeline for program events, includes a sample report page, and supplies answers to frequently asked questions. This is a valuable resource for your staff, parents and school community.
Scholarship/Grant Opportunities
Siemens Westinghouse Competition. Through the Siemens Westinghouse Competition in Math, Science&Technology, students have an opportunity to achieve national recognition for science research projects that they complete in high school. Students may submit research reports either individually or in teams of two or three members. Students whose projects are selected for further competition are invited to give an oral and poster presentation at one of the six regional events. Regional finalists receive $1,000 scholarships (including team members) and $3,000 each as an individual regional winner. The winning team will receive $6,000 to be divided among team members. Regional winners advance to the national competition in New York City. The top individual and team winners receive additional scholarships of $100,000. Runners up receive scholarships ranging from $10,000 to $50,000. The entry deadline is Oct. 3. Additional information is available online at http://www.siemens-foundation.org/competition
Recognizing Hispanic Youth: Making a Difference in their Communities. The Líderes de Hoy essay contest is an Allstate and National Council of La Raza (NCLR) initiative to recognize and celebrate the work of Hispanic youth leaders making a difference in the Latino community. Applicants must answer the question, "As a young leader, how have you been a catalyst for positive change and contributed to inspiring your community?" Ten young Hispanic leaders will be awarded a $5,000 academic scholarship and invited to participate in the Líderes de Hoy awards ceremony in Washington, DC in commemoration of Hispanic Heritage Month in September. Applicants must be legal residents of the United States, full-time high school students of Hispanic descent, between the ages of 14 and 18, and have a minimum GPA of 2.0. The entry deadline is July 29. Additional information is available online at http://lideres.nclr.org/opportunities/national_essay_contest_/
Do Something BRICK Awards. The Do Something BRICK Awards honors six outstanding youth leaders who develop projects to improve their community. The maximum award is a $5,000 scholarship and a $5,000 grant. Students who are age 18 and under are eligible. The entry deadline is November 1. Additional information is available online at http://www.dosomething.org/awards/brick/