SBE HIGHLIGHTS

JULY 10, 2007

Special Note:To review background materials on each item, please go to http://www.ncpublicschools.org/stateboard/meetings/2007/07. Click on the appropriate agenda category: Globally Competitive Students (GCS); Twenty-First Century Professionals (TCP); Leadership for Innovation (LFI); Twenty-First Century Systems (TCS); or Healthy Responsible Students (HRS).

The State Board of Education held a brief meeting by conference call on July 10 to consider three action items.

Action Agenda

Program Approval Recommendations from the State Evaluation Committee on Teacher Education (TCP 1) - The State Board of Education approves teacher education programs at colleges and universities, upon recommendation by the State Evaluation Committee on Teacher Education. This month, the State Board approved the following programs: Barton College (special education, general curriculum/full approval to coincide with the institution's program approval cycle), Guilford College (all programs/full approval through 2010-11), High Point University (school administration, graduate/full approval to coincide with the institution's program approval cycle), the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (all programs/ full approval through 2013/14 except full approval with stipulations for PE, second language, media coordinator and social studies and provisional approval through 2008-09 for auditory-oral/birth-kindergarten), and Warren Wilson College (all programs/provisional approval through 2008-09).

Job Descriptions for Occupational Therapist and Speech-Language Pathologist (TCP 2) - Updated job descriptions were approved for occupational therapists, physical therapists and speech-language pathologists. Input was received from a variety of stakeholders to ensure that the new descriptions reflect the current nature of the work these persons perform and the knowledge, skills, training and licensure needed.

Recommendations from the Advisory Board on Requests for Exception from Teacher Licensing (TCP 3) - Recommendations from the Advisory Board on requests for licensure exceptions were approved during the Board's closed session. State Board of Education policy allows exceptions or an extension of time for individuals who have not met licensing requirements because of extenuating circumstances. Requests are evaluated by a panel chaired by a member of the State Board.