TEACHERS' MESSAGES 2004
TEACHERS' MESSAGES 2004MARCH 11, 2004
Honor Schools of Excellence is the winning name for the new ABCs school recognition category, as a result of action taken by the State Board of Education last week. Teachers who responded to our earlier survey on this issue played a direct role in selecting this new designation, to be given to schools that are Schools of Excellence and that also met Adequate Yearly Progress under federal law. Thank you for responding to this survey in record numbers. I know that many of you share the concerns I have about No Child Left Behind. These concerns reach far beyond the naming of a new recognition category, and I understand your frustration with the "all or nothing" nature of the law, among other issues. In February, the U.S. Department of Education did provide some flexibility in the area of limited English proficient students, their testing requirements and how we count them among our LEP groups for accountability purposes. Last week, the State Board of Education approved changes to our state model that allow us to take advantage of this flexibility. Nonetheless, there are other fundamental issues that also need to be addressed, and I hope that our federal leadership will look at these as we move forward.
Regards,
Mike Ward
State Board Meeting Highlights
The State Board of Education approved modifications to its accountability workbook under No Child Left Behind that provide more flexibility as related to testing limited English proficient students, approved a new top recognition category for the ABCs accountability program and finalized its 2004-05 supplemental budget request. In addition, Board members received the annual study of suspensions and expulsions, which showed that numbers in both of these categories have continued to increase and that minority males are vastly over-represented. The complete SBE Highlights are posted online at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/sbehighlights/ and can be accessed by clicking on the appropriate link.
2004-05 Regional Teachers of the Year Announced
Congratulations to the following eight teachers who were recently selected 2004-05 Regional Teachers of the Year:
- North Central Region: Johnny Gatlin, science teacher, Middle Creek High School, Wake County Schools;
- Northeast Region: Allen Guidry, social studies teacher, J.H. Rose High School, Pitt County Schools;
- Northwest Region: Lizbeth Alfaro, K-6 teacher/ESL, Lyle Creek Elementary, Catawba County Schools;
- Southeast Region: Donna Kay Thompson, 5th grade communication skills&social studies teacher, Waccamaw Elementary, Brunswick County Schools;
- Southwest Region: Betty Clagg, social studies teacher, Highland School of Technology, Gaston County Schools;
- Sandhills/South Central Region: Kem Dudney, Middle Grades physical education/health teacher, Hallsboro Middle School, Columbus County Schools;
- Piedmont-Triad/Central Region: Tommie Evans, 8th grade science teacher, Northern Middle School, Person County Schools; and
- West Region: Peter Bobbe, English teacher, Mountain Heritage High School, Yancey County Schools;
Benefits Manual Available Online
The updated Employee Benefits Manual is available online at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/benemanual/ to the cost of printing and mailing, a manual will not be printed for distribution to schools. Please let your staff know of the availability of this resource
2004 SERVE Senior Project Institutes
The State Board of Education will once again sponsor scholarships for teams from North Carolina public schools or local school systems to attend the 2004 SERVE Senior Project Institutes. This year's training will be held on three separate dates in three separate locations:
- June 23-25 - Ft. Lauderdale, Fla
- July 21-23, - San Diego, Calif
- Aug. 11-13 - Williamsburg, Va
Senior Project Recognition Awards
DPI, SERVE, and the North Carolina Business Committee on Education are coordinating the N.C. Senior Project Recognition Awards program for the State Board of Education. Deserving candidates and programs will be recognized at the August State Board meeting. Eligibility criteria and application guidelines were sent to all local superintendents and high school principals by email last Friday. Please note that applications must be postmarked by June 11. For more information, please contact Mary Anne Tharin, Special Projects Consultant, DPI, 919.807.3658, or by email, mtharin@dpi.state.nc.us.
Arts + Technology = 21st Century Literacy
On March 23 from 4 - 6 p.m., outstanding educators from Dance, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts will share exciting practices that integrate digital technology to teach the arts and improve students' reading and writing skills. The broadcast is accessible to any educator in the state via two-way videoconferencing at NC Info Highway sites or Web cast. Potential CEU credit is available with prior approval by local school systems. Visit DPI's Distance Learning System's Web site at http://video.dpi.state.nc.us/eforums/ for all the details or call Cris Crissman, STAR Schools Consultant, Distance Learning Systems, DPI, 919.807.3582, or by email, ccrissma@dpi.state.nc.us.
The North Carolina Partners of the Americas is offering a Teacher-in-Residence program. The selected English teacher and/or administrator will travel to Cochabamba, Bolivia, to spend one month in a professional development exchange program. The program is funded under USAID and is conducted in cooperation with the bi-national centers of Latin America. Travel costs are covered and a small stipend is provided. The candidate will be housed with a host family. The ability to speak Spanish is a plus, but not required. Selection of the candidate will occur in late April with travel scheduled for June or July. Interested candidates should send a resume and other pertinent details to Sallie Abbas at swabbas@nc.rr.com. For more information call Abbas at 919.467.0382 or go online to http://www.ncboliviapartners.org