TEACHERS' MESSAGES 2004
TEACHERS' MESSAGES 2004FEBRUARY 12, 2004
Last week, we released the state's latest dropout statistics, which show a fourth consecutive year of decreasing dropout rates. The rate for students in grades 9-12 was 4.78 percent in 2002-03, representing 18,964 times that a student dropped out of school. I am very pleased that our annual rate continues to decrease, although I know that this number does not tell the whole story. Last year, we began work to track each ninth grade class from entry into high school throughout the high school years to determine how many students we eventually lose from each ninth grade class. That number will be available for the first time in 2005-06. It is vitally important for us to know both the annual rate but also the graduation rate over four years. Graduation is a fundamental measure of our success, and I appreciate your work to keep students in school and on track to graduate.
Regards,
Mike Ward
In this Biweekly Teachers' Message:
- State Board Highlights
- Listen in on Future State Board Meetings Via the Internet
- North Carolina Educators Among Technology Leader Finalists
- Registration Closed for Gap Conference
- PRAXIS Assistance
- Holocaust Workshops for Teachers
- Deadline Extended to Register for the Writing Across the Curriculum Institute
- Register Now for Math Matters Workshops
- Experienced AP Teachers Needed to Develop Online Courses
The State Board of Education's February meeting featured a presentation by students and faculty of Spring Creek High School (Wayne County) on the state's only Science National Honor Society, which is on Spring Creek's campus. In addition, the Board approved its study report of the Weighted Quality Point Policy and endorsed the memorandum of understanding that has been signed by the Presidents of the Community College and University systems. Also, the Board approved the revised K-12 Computer/Technology Skills Standard Course of Study and considered recommendations for naming the top recognition category in the ABCs model. This is a new category, which reflects Schools of Excellence that also achieve Adequate Yearly Progress. More complete highlights of these issues and the other items on the Board's agenda are online at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/sbehighlights
Listen in on Future State Board Meetings Via the Internet
For those who are unable to attend State Board of Education meetings but would like to hear the discussion, DPI's Accountability and Technology Services' area is now audio streaming the monthly State Board of Education meetings. To listen to the sessions, please go online to /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.
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.
Registration Closed for Gap Conference
If you haven't already registered for the Eighth Annual Closing the Gap Conference scheduled for March 29-31 at the Sheraton Four Seasons/Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, it's too late as the conference has reached capacity. If you have questions regarding a registration that has already been submitted, please contact Marvin Pittman, Director of School Improvement, DPI, 919.807.3911 or by email, mpittman@dpi.state.nc.us.
The NC Model Teacher Education Consortium has Praxis II Test Preparation Seminars planned for Feb. 21 at Nash Community College in Rocky Mount and Feb. 28 at James Sprunt Community College in Kenansville. Registration forms and specific seminar titles are on the Web at www.ncmtec.org by clicking on "Events Calendar." Each subject will be held in a separate classroom with a master teacher facilitating. The day includes practice content area items as well as pedagogy items or writing as appropriate. Praxis I (Reading, Writing and Math) is scheduled for March 8 (Reading), 9 (Writing), and 10 (Math) at Wayne Community College in Goldsboro.
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 Extended to Register for Writing 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 who 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.
Experienced AP Teachers Needed to Develop Online Courses
LEARN NC is seeking experienced AP 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.