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. Public Schools of North Carolina . . State Board of Education . . Department Of Public Instruction .

SBE HIGHLIGHTS

APRIL 1-3, 2008

Special Note: To review background materials on each item, please go to http://www.ncpublicschools.org/stateboard/meetings/2008/04. 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).

 

Action Agenda

  • Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006 Five Year State Plan (GCS 1) - Acting as the State Board of Career-Technical Education, Board members approved the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 Five-Year State Plan (2008-2013). The state is currently operating under a transition plan approved by Board members in April 2007. The plan focuses on rigorous academics related to career goals with technical skills to prepare students for high-wage, high-skill, and high-demand current and emerging occupations in the 21st century. The plan will be reviewed annually to ensure that it continues to follow the state's high school reform directives.

  • 2008 Invitation to Submit Textbooks for Evaluation and Adoption in North Carolina (GCS 2) - Board members approved the 2008 Invitation to Submit Textbooks for Evaluation and Adoption in North Carolina for Mathematics K-5, Healthful Living K-12, Career Development 6-12, Health Occupation 6-12, and Trade and Industrial 9-12. The 2008 Invitation will be emailed to all publishers listed on the Publishers Registry and posted on the Department of Public Instruction's Web site.

  • Changes to the Policy Delineating the Components of the ABCs Accountability Program Including Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for 2007-08 School Year (GCS 3) - The following changes to the policy delineating the components of the ABCs accountability program including Adequate Yearly Progress for the 2007-08 school year were approved:
    • including the new reading end-of-grade (EOG) assessments in grades 3-8 in the performance composite only of the ABCs and not in the growth calculation;
    • not using the new reading EOG assessments in grades 3-8 for sanctions for schools based on the AYP determinations of NCLB (pending US Department of Education approval);
    • not including science results in grades 5 and 8 in growth, performance composite or AYP calculations and not including Biology end-of-course (EOC) results in AYP calculations;
    • including new EOC assessment results in Algebra II, Biology, Chemistry, Physical Science, and Physics in the performance composite of the ABCs and not in the growth composite;
    • using the five-year cohort graduation rates for AYP calculations (pending US Department of Education approval) and continuing to report four-year cohort graduation rates; and
    • dropping the Competency Passing Rate from the ABCs due to the new high school exit standards.

  • Standards for School Executive Preparation Programs (TCP 1) - Standards for the new school executive preparation programs were approved. The standards reflect statutory requirements and recommendations from the State Board's Ad Hoc Committee on School Leadership in the 21st Century. The standards outline what school executive preparation programs must provide in order to be approved by the State Board of Education.

  • Addition of Elementary Level (Grades K-6) Licensure Areas in Reading, English as a Second Language, Special Education: General Curriculum, and Special Education: Adapted Curriculum (TCP 2) - A proposal to add elementary (K-6) level licenses in Reading, in English as a Second Language, and in Special Education: General Curriculum and Adapted Curriculum was approved. The approved change will facilitate the licensing of teachers from other states.

  • Revision of SBE Policy EEO-U-006 Policy for Charter Schools on Financial and Governance Non-Compliance (LF1) - The Board approved proposed revisions to SBE Policy EEO-U-006, Policy for Charter Schools on Financial and Governance Non-Compliance. The revisions reflect relevant changes in teacher certification to include financial penalties for those schools that are out of compliance regarding teacher licensure. If the charter school remains out of compliance as of Feb. 1, NCDPI will recommend to the State Board revocation of the school's charter at the end of the academic year.

Action on First Reading

  • Changes to NC's NCLB Consolidated State Application Accountability Workbook (GCS 4) - This item was pulled from the agenda pending official response from the U.S. Department of Education.

  • Approval of Grants - Mathematics and Science Partnership (MSP) Grant Cohort V, 2007-08 Reading First Grant Applications, Title I Distinguished Schools' Recognition (TCS 1) - Mathematics and Science Partnership (MSP) Grant Cohort V grants were approved for continuing projects in Guilford County Schools, Onslow County Schools, Ashe County Schools, Cleveland County Schools, Columbus County Schools, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, Roanoke Rapids City Schools, Avery County Schools, Person County Schools, Durham Public Schools, Union County Schools, Buncombe County Schools, Asheville City Schools, and Weldon City Schools. New projects in the following four districts were approved: Alamance-Burlington Schools, Polk County Schools, Watauga County Schools and Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. The grants, which were approved based on demonstrated need in mathematics and science, totaled $4.9 million.

    Reading First Grants were approved for schools in the following districts: Anson, Asheboro City, Beaufort, Bertie, Bladen, Columbus, Cumberland, Duplin, Durham, Edgecombe, Elizabeth City/Pasquotank, Franklin, Halifax, Hertford, Hoke, Kannapolis City, Lee, Lenoir, Martin, Montgomery, Nash/Rocky Mount, New Hanover, Northampton, Pitt, Robeson, Sampson, Scotland, Thomasville City, Vance, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Weldon City, Wilson, Carter Community Charter, Healthy Start Academy Charter, and Sallie B. Howard Charter School. The grants total $8.9 million.

    Title I Distinguished Schools' Recognition was awarded to Morehead City Primary (Carteret County Schools) and Longview Elementary (Hickory City Schools) for their efforts to organize successful academic programs for the state's neediest students. Morehead City Primary was recognized for exceptional student performance and Longview Elementary was recognized for closing the achievement gap. Each school will receive a grant award of $7,500.

  • Individual Class Size Exceptions Waiver Requests (TCS 2) - An individual class size exception waiver was approved for Sugar Loaf Elementary (Alexander County Schools).

  • Program Approval Exemption Requests Under the Innovative Education Initiatives Act (LFI 2) - Board members approved the exemption requests for Madison County Early College High School under the Innovative Education Initiatives Act.

  • The Cooperative Innovative High School Program Act - Calendar Waivers for Educational Purposes (LFI 3) - Calendar waivers for educational purposes in support of the Cooperative Innovative High School Program Act were approved for identified high schools in the following counties: Beaufort, Cleveland, Jackson, Johnston, Jones, Macon, Rowan, Tyrrell, Vance, Warren, Wayne and Forsyth. The waivers, which are for five years, ensure that these schools' calendars align with their partner post-secondary institution for effective operation.

  • School-Based Calendar Waivers for Educational Purposes (LFI 4) - School-based calendar waivers for educational purposes were granted for Washington Elementary, Brooks Global Studies and Johnson Street Global Studies in Guilford County Schools, and Alamance Burlington Middle College in Alamance-Burlington Schools.

Discussion Agenda

  • Academically or Intellectually Gifted Program Revision Update (GCS 5) - Board members discussed a proposed action plan with suggested strategies and timelines to address changes that need to be made in the state's academically or intellectually gifted program. The action plan is in response to a recent audit by the Office of the State Auditor and addresses the relevant findings in the areas of program development, program monitoring/evaluation, AIG finding, and parent satisfaction. This item will again be discussed in May to allow time for stakeholder input.

  • Approval of Supplemental Educational Services Providers for 2008-09 (GCS 6) - Potential providers of supplemental educational services for the 2008-09 school year were discussed. NCLB requires eligible students attending Title I schools in the second year of school improvement to receive supplemental educational services. Fifty of the 87 applications are being recommended for approval. Local school systems will have choice of providers.

  • Approval/Adoption of the School Executive: Principal Evaluation Instrument (TCP 4) - Board members discussed the proposed School Executive: Principal Evaluation Instrument that was developed, piloted and validated by McREL. The principal performance evaluation will, among other things, serve as a guide for principals as they reflect upon and improve their effectiveness as school leaders; focus the goals and objectives of districts as they support, monitor and evaluate their principals; and serve as a tool in developing coaching and mentoring programs for principals. Board members discussed the need for all superintendents or designees who will be evaluating principal performance to complete the appropriate professional development.

  • Transfer of Charter for Exploris (LFI 5) - The transfer of Exploris Middle School's charter to a new 501(c)3 organization that will be governed by a board of directors solely dedicated to the mission of Exploris Middle School was discussed. The charter currently resides with Marbles Kids Museum whose mission and target age group (preschool/elementary students) are different from the original Exploris concept. The Exploris museum merged with Playspace Children's Museum in July 2007 to create Marbles Kids Museum.

Information Agenda

  • Operating Procedures for the Enrollment of High School Students in Community College Courses (GCS 7) - Dr. Delores Parker, vice president for Academic and Student Services, and Antonio Jordan, director of High School Partnership, with the NC Community College System presented Board members a summary of major revisions to the "Operating Procedures for the Enrollment of High School Students in Community College Courses." The report is the culmination of an initiative that began in 2003 when the community colleges and the NCDPI began work on developing a manual that described resources and opportunities for high school students who wanted to enroll in community college courses.

  • Licensure Update (TCP 5) - NCDPI Licensure Director Susan Ruiz discussed the reorganization of the Department's Licensure Section. The reorganization will streamline communication between stakeholders and Licensure staff, decrease the processing time for licenses, and eliminate unnecessary procedural steps. Internal processes leading to "self service" will be automated and a "one-call, one answer" system will be established. Licensure staff introduced themselves to Board members and were presented with a State Board coffee mug.

Committees' New Business

Globally Competitive Students

  • Update on Graduation Project - NCDPI's K-12 Curriculum, Instruction and Technology Special Assistant to the Director Bryar Cougle briefed Board members on North Carolina graduation project activities. These include an upcoming meeting in May of the North Carolina Graduation Project Advisory Council; communication activities including newsletters, Web site updates, and an awards' presentation in June; update on the graduation project software pilot; and issues for consideration including funding and professional development. Committee members discussed the need to revise the Board's policy to ensure that districts are supporting the graduation project and not using a senior project in its place. This item will be discussed further next month.

  • Update on HSP-M-001 Course for Credit - Recommended revisions of HSP-M-001 addressing the requirements for an online course to qualify for credit were discussed and will be on the Board's May agenda as a discussion item.

  • Dropout Issues - NCDPI Senior Research and Evaluation Coordinator Ken Gattis discussed research results that looked at the relationship between the state's dropout rate and economic conditions (no correlation found), publicity due to election cycle (not enough data), changes in reporting rules (no changes in the dropout definition or reporting rules; data collection reliability critical), and changes in graduation requirements (no changes during study time).

  • Alternative Math Courses for Select Non-Future Ready Core Students - NCDPI K-12 Mathematics Section Chief Everly Broadway discussed the mathematics options to meet the requirements of the Future Ready Core Course of Study. This included what the UNC General Administration recognizes as suitable for meeting the fourth math for high school graduation and admission to UNC institutions, courses that are not accepted by the UNC General Administration for admission to UNC institutions but may be suitable for meeting the fourth math requirement for high school graduation, and proposed non-core (opt-out) mathematics courses. Committee members requested to see a draft outline for the proposed non-core mathematics courses. NCDPI Communications Director Vanessa Jeter outlined communications efforts to ensure rising eighth grade students (2008-09) and parents know of the new core requirements. These efforts include a tool kit for middle school counselors, a chart highlighting core requirements, podcasts, a comic book and email communications.

Business/Finance and Advocacy Committee

  • Pilot Program of Alternative Teacher Salary Plans - The General Assembly allowed for the piloting of alternative teacher salary plans in the 2007 session. To date, only Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools has expressed an interest in participating. In recognition of the complexity of the pilot process and the time involved in creating a proper business plan, NCDPI has extended the development timelines so that the district's business plan must be received by December 31, 2008, with applications presented to the State Board of Education for information in May 2009 and possible approval in June 2009. Implementation could be effective by July 1, 2009.

  • Improving Teacher Quality in the DSSF Pilot Districts: A Comparison of Progress from 2004-05 to 2005-06 - January 2008 - This item was postponed.

  • North Carolina High School Resource Allocation Study - Final Report, February 2008 - Drs. Gary Henry and Charles Thompson presented findings of the High School Resource Allocation Study. The study was commissioned in September 2006 by Gov. Mike Easley and asked that two questions be considered: Can low-performing North Carolina high schools substantially improve students' academic performance by using current funding levels more efficiently? Are high schools across the state getting the most out of the resources that are available to them? The study looked at all traditional high schools in the state and found that four factors make a substantial difference in student learning outcomes: expenditures on regular classroom instruction; the overall quality of teachers in a school as measured by licensure type, general academic ability and mix of experience levels; principal leadership and organizational conditions; and the concentrations of lower skilled students within a school. Researchers looked in more detail at these items and offered to come back to a future Board meeting to explain more of what they learned through the study. For example, the researchers noticed that the teachers with the greatest positive impact on end-of-course test scores were those who have between 0 and 15 years of experience, and that lateral entry teachers and provisionally licensed teachers tended to have a less positive effect on scores than traditionally licensed teachers. Also, advanced degrees and National Board of Professional Teaching Standards certification did not have a visible impact on test scores.

Special Recognition

State Board members recognized the State Employees' Credit Union (SECU) for engaging in and supporting the State Board's work. The Credit Union recently partnered with the Board, the NCDPI and the State Treasurer's Office in implementing the Financial Literacy Curriculum and presenting at regional workshops. State Employees Credit Union representatives Sandra Jones and Gwen Ferrone were both presented with State Board of Education coffee mugs. They represented SECU Senior Vice President Leigh Brady who was a co-presenter at the regional workshops and was unable to attend the SBE meeting.


Good News

Project K-Nect Project Director Shawn Gross updated Board members on Project K-Nect activities. He provided a brief history of Project K-Nect, discussed the digital divide and the need for 21st century skills, highlighted the project's short- and long-term goals, noted interim reports from students and teachers, and summarized what needs to occur to sustain Project K-Nect's momentum. Board members thanked him for his presentation and presented him with a State Board of Education coffee mug. Project K-Nect is underway in four high schools in three districts: Durham, Onslow and Winston-Salem/Forsyth, and is testing the use of smartphones to deliver additional mathematics instruction to Algebra I students. The pilot is evaluating the use of such common digital devices as a way to extend learning, create student learning communities and assist students who may not have Internet access at home and who need a boost to improve their academic performance. Full results of the pilot, funded with a $1 million grant from QualComm, will be available in the summer.


Chairman's Remarks

State Board of Education Chairman Howard Lee noted that the 2008 Wachovia Principal of the Year was being named during a luncheon ceremony occurring April 3 at the Capital City Club in Raleigh. He also commended Wachovia for its long-time support of this program. The 2008 Teacher of the Year would be named on April 29 at the Brier Creek Country Club in North Raleigh. AT&T is sponsoring this year's event, and the North Carolina Automobile Dealers Association will be thanked at the dinner ceremony for its long-term support of the teacher recognition program. May is Student Month and the Board's two student advisors will be making a presentation to Board members at their monthly meeting. Lee concluded by reminding the Board that the July meeting would be held via conference call.

State Board of Education Executive Director Rebecca Garland provided a brief report on legislative activity (continuing to support the legislative education commission/committees) and noted that on April 10-11 the Annual Meeting on High School Reform would be held in Pinehurst and that they expect more business representation. On April 17, the Joint Legislative Technology Commission will meet at the Friday Institute. Garland said she also would be meeting with staff members of the Department and members of the Board to discuss potential non-budget legislative agenda items for consideration during the short session.


Vice-Chairman's Report

Vice Chairman Wayne McDevitt mentioned the importance of supporting global education and, in that spirit, encouraged Board members to adopt "A Resolution in Support of Global Education," which was unanimously approved by Board members. He then shared a copy of a proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the SBE, the NCDPI and Jiangsu Province in China. The MOU seeks to strengthen knowledge and understanding of each other's countries through a variety of means. The MOU will likely be signed on May 1 at the China Summit at NCSU's Friday Institute. McDevitt closed by saying the Board's working group addressing the Blue Ribbon Testing Commission recommendations met again and that they expect to submit a comprehensive review of the report with recommendations for Board members' consideration at their May meeting.


State Superintendent's Report

State Superintendent June Atkinson summarized her attendance of the Education Leaders Institute held March 11-13 in Wheaton, Illinois. State teams convened to discuss arts education challenges such as assessment, curriculum development and access to arts education. She also noted the Superintendents' Quarterly meeting held March 12 in conjunction with the NCASA Conference in Greensboro, presentations she made and schools she visited during March.


Deputy State Superintendent's Report

Deputy State Superintendent J.B. Buxton reported to the Board that Learn and Earn Online is providing students with additional flexibility by allowing courses to be taken any time during the week without the requirement of a facilitator being present, although that is strongly encouraged as best practice. He also mentioned that the Department's cross-functional Councils have been established and that Carolyn Guthrie is the interim director for the Early Childhood/Early Education Council, Elissa Brown is the director for the Middle/Secondary Education Council, and Rob Hines is the director for the LEA Council. These councils will ensure broad cross-functional development of initiatives and accountability during program rollout. He concluded his remarks by stating that four additional districts and as many as 18 additional schools will be added to the Comprehensive Support Model in the 2008-09 school year. The districts are Bertie, Halifax, Hertford and Richmond. Currently, Lexington City Schools and Columbus County Schools are piloting the Comprehensive Support Model.

 

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