PRINCIPALS' MESSAGES 2006

OCTOBER 5, 2006

Fifty-seven percent of North Carolina high schools made expected or high academic growth under the state's school accountability model in 2005-06 and a total of 71.4 percent of end-of-course tests' scores were reported at the proficient level or higher, according to the 2005-06 ABCs accountability report released today. The results are based on the new ABCs growth formulas, which raise standards for meeting academic growth targets. Higher academic standards and a stronger focus on academic rigor are at the heart of the State Board of Education's agenda for 21st century skills and learning for all students. The good news is that many high schools are demonstrating strong academic performance, but we know that many others need help to improve instruction, to strengthen the academic climate and to provide better opportunities for students. With this focus in mind, the Department of Public Instruction and State Board of Education are providing some level of assistance services to approximately 200 high schools across the state, including the 14 identified as low performing under the ABCs. To read more on this or to see results statewide, please go to http://abcs.ncpublicschools.org/abcs/.

Regards,
June Atkinson

In this Biweekly Principals' Message:

1. State Board Meeting Highlights
2. North Carolina Receives AP Incentive Grant; Funds Benefit Low Wealth Districts
3. 2006 Report on Education Legislation
4. Mathematics and Science Partnership Grant RFP Available
5. “Lights on Afterschool!”
6. NC: The State of the Arts - The Arts in 21st Century Education
7. North Carolina Students Win National SkillsUSA Championships
8. Teaching Fellows Scholarship Applications Available Online
9. 2007 Harris Wofford Award

SBE Meeting Highlights

At today’s meeting, Board members approved the 2005-06 High Schools’ ABCs results and the list of high schools receiving assistance teams, nutrition standards for elementary schools, graduation project professional development and project management pilot, and revocation procedures for John H. Baker Charter High School. Board members also discussed setting mathematics achievement levels for grades 3-8, the annual teacher turnover report and technology requirements for new school construction. Complete Board highlights will be available online by Wednesday morning, Oct. 11, at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/sbehighlights by clicking on the appropriate link.

North Carolina Receives AP Incentive Grant; Funds Benefit Low Wealth Districts

Participation rates and access to Advanced Placement courses in low wealth districts will increase thanks to the state’s recent receipt of an Advanced Placement Incentive Grant worth up to $1.6 million over the next three years. The incentive grant also can be used to develop additional AP online courses, provide targeted professional development to middle and secondary teachers in low wealth districts and develop Summer Pre-AP Academies for middle school students in selected low wealth districts. To read more, please go to the NCDPI’s Web site at http://www.ncpublicschools.org and look under “News.”

2006 Report on Education Legislation

The 2006 Session of the General Assembly Report on Education Legislation is now available online at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/legislative/index?view=legislature by clicking on the 2006 Session Report link under State Resources. If you need additional legislative information or would like a hard copy of the 2006 Session report, please contact Rita Joyner, State Board Legislative Liaison, at rjoyner@dpi.state.nc.us or 919.807.4035.

Mathematics and Science Partnership Grant RFP Available

North Carolina has been allotted funds for fiscal year 2007-08 to continue the six projects already funded under the Mathematics and Science Partnership Grant (MSP) and to begin from one to four new three-year MSP grants. The available funding is targeted to improve mathematics and/or science instruction in elementary, middle and high schools. Proposals are due Jan. 22. The Request for Proposals is available for download at http://community.learnnc.org/dpi/math. For more information, please contact Everly Broadway, NCDPI Secondary Mathematics & Science, ebroadway@dpi.state.nc.us.

“Lights on Afterschool!”

Have you registered your schools’ plans to celebrate “Lights on Afterschool!” sponsored by the Afterschool Alliance? On Oct. 12, school communities across the country will rally for afterschool by participating in this event, which calls attention to the importance of afterschool programs for America’s children, families and communities. “ To register to participate and download event planning materials, go to the Afterschool Alliance Web site at http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/lights_on/index.cfm

NC: The State of the Arts The Arts in 21st Century Education

Mark your calendars now and plan to attend this statewide collaborative conference in Charlotte on March 29-31. Classroom teachers, arts educators, administrators, central office staff, policy makers, PTA members, parents, arts councils and teaching artists will benefit from the many sessions offered. The early bird registration fee is $90 per person or $65 per person for teams of 3-5 people. Participants will receive a Certificate of Participation for 15 hours (recommended 1.5 CEU credit) if they register and attend the full conference. Partial credit is not available. Participants are responsible for obtaining prior approval from their school systems for CEU credit. For more information, please go to the NC Arts Council Web site at http://www.ncarts.org or contact Christie Howell, NCDPI K-12 Programs, 919/807-3856, or by email, cmhowell@dpi.state.nc.us.

North Carolina Students Win National SkillsUSA Championships

Congratulations to the following school systems for having students who were winners in the National SkillsUSA Championships for Skilled Workforce: Bladen County Schools, Cabarrus County Schools, Caldwell County Schools, Haywood County Schools, Johnston County Schools and Union County Schools. Students were recognized for their demonstrated excellence in 84 hands-on occupational and leadership contests such as robotics, criminal justice, aviation maintenance and public speaking. All students received medallions and some received prizes such as tools of their trades and/or scholarships to further their careers and education.

Teaching Fellows Scholarship Applications Available Online

The North Carolina Teaching Fellows Commission recently announced that the application for the 2006-07 North Carolina Teaching Fellows Scholarship/Loan Program is now available online at www.teachingfellows.org for high school seniors. Each Teaching Fellow receives a $26,000 scholarship loan from the state, payable in $6,500 annual increments. The full loan is forgiven after the Fellow has completed four years of teaching in North Carolina public schools. The deadline to return completed applications to the Fellows Liaison Counselor in the high school is Oct. 20. Additional program information also is available on the Teacher Fellow Web site.

2007 Harris Wofford Award

Youth Service America is accepting nominations for the Harris Wofford Award, which recognizes citizens who are making service and service-learning the common expectation and experience of every young person. The Harris Wofford Award, which honors former Senator Harris Wofford, an outstanding public servant, recognizes extraordinary achievements in three categories: Youth (ages 12-25), Organization (nonprofit, corporate, foundation) and Media (organization or individual). Nominations in the Youth and Organization category will be accepted through Oct. 19. Sponsored by State Farm Companies Foundation®, the Harris Wofford Award winners will be announced at the 18th Annual National Service-Learning Conference to be held March 28-31, 2007, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. For more information, including a nomination application, please go online to www.YSA.org/awards.