TEACHERS' MESSAGES 2004
TEACHERS' MESSAGES 2004DECEMBER 9, 2004
Last week, educators from across the state participated in one of the two Action Plan for High School Innovation Conferences held in Raleigh or Charlotte. This was a very powerful opportunity for our state to begin a strong effort to re-evaluate high school and to launch important efforts to change high school as we know it. Even for those of us who may have backgrounds in elementary or middle school education, this event was special. I encourage you to take a look at the material on the New Schools Web site, http://www.newschoolsproject.org/ . On that site, you can access action plan materials and other information about why high schools need to change and how communities can get involved in making these positive changes for our students.
Regards,
Tricia Willoughby
In this Biweekly Teachers' Message:
- State Board Meeting Highlights
- SECU Announces Scholarship Program for Seniors
- SBE's Ad Hoc Committee on Academic Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships Meeting Summary
- Celebrate the 101st Anniversary of Powered Flight
- DPI Offers Distance Learning Programs
- 2005 Kenan Fellows
- Registration Deadline for Model Bridge Building Competition is Dec. 15
State Board Meeting Highlights
The State Board of Education approved Disadvantaged Student Supplemental Funding allotments for four school systems, acted on the middle schools and ABCs results issue and attended the Action Plan for High School Innovation Conference as part of its December meeting. Complete highlights will be posted online by Monday afternoon at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/sbehighlights/
SECU Announces Scholarship Program for Seniors
At the December State Board meeting, the State Employees' Credit Union (SECU) and the SECU Foundation announced a scholarship program for North Carolina public school seniors. Beginning in 2005, each North Carolina public high school and public charter high school will select a recipient of a $10,000 SECU Foundation "People Helping People" scholarship. The initial announcement indicates that the scholarships will be awarded to graduating seniors who have been accepted at a four-year degree program at one of the 16 constituent campuses of the University of North Carolina. Eligibility preference will be given to students whose parents are public sector employees and who live and work in North Carolina. The State Board of Education office is working with the SECU to develop the guidelines for school systems and schools to implement this program for scholarship recipients for the 2005 graduating class. Additional information regarding the process will be forthcoming to superintendents and principals.
SBE's Ad Hoc Committee on Academic Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships Meeting Summary
The SBE's Ad Hoc Committee on Academic Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships met on Tuesday, Nov. 30, with its expanded membership that includes a superintendent, a parent, a high school principal, a guidance counselor, and teachers. The committee reviewed the schedule of the statewide meetings planned for public input on proposals for implementing the Board's new high school exit standards on end-of-course tests and successful completion of a senior project. With input from the committee, members decided to delay the public meetings until mid-January to allow adequate time for planning. In addition, the Zoomerang survey that also will be used for public input on these new standards' proposals was reviewed for final approval before being posted online. Listservs will be used for distributing the Zoomerang survey to a wide audience that will include educators, the general public, businesses, parents, and professional groups
Celebrate the 101st Anniversary of Powered Flight
The Wright Brothers invention is just too awesome to celebrate in a big way only once every 100 years, so a celebration is being planned again this year. On Dec. 17, a live, interactive Web cast will be held from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The program will include a videoconference with NASA's Great Shoebox Glider's Challenge Master in which the most outstanding teams from across the state will present their shoebox glider research and fly their gliders in an air show. For more information, please go online to http://www.ncpublicschools.org/distancelearning/eforums/index.html or contact Cris Crissman, Distance Learning Systems, DPI, 919.807.3582, or by email, ccrissma@dpi.state.nc.us.
DPI Offers Distance Learning Programs
Through its distance learning programs, NC DPI provides free or low cost courses and resources for students and teachers. Currently over 70 Internet delivered courses are available to all high school students. Visit the Distance Learning Web site at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/distancelearning to find out what it takes to set up or enhance your distance learning program, as well as learn more about other resources available to public schools or contact Sue Scott, Instructional Technology, NC DPI, 919.807.3429, or by email, sscott@dpi.state.nc.us.
The 2005 Kenan Fellowships' applications are now available online at http://www.ncsu.edu/kenan/fellows/ for downloading. The Kenan Fellows Program promotes teacher leadership, addresses teacher retention and advances K-12 science, technology and mathematics education.
Registration Deadline for Model Bridge Building Competition is Dec. 15
Educators interested in participating in the North Carolina Department of Transportation's Annual Model Bridge Building Competition are reminded that the registration deadline is Dec. 15. The competition is an excellent opportunity for students to work as teams and to get a greater awareness of transportation careers and the services provided by the North Carolina Department of Transportation. For more information, please visit the competition's Web site at www.ncdot.org/kids/BridgeComp/ or contact Amanda Valiquette, NC Dept. of Transportation, 919.733.2210