TEACHERS' MESSAGES 2005

FEBRUARY 10, 2005

There is no singular solution to the problem of recruiting and keeping high quality teachers in North Carolina public schools, but a focus on a variety of strategies is needed to address teacher shortages, according to a report issued last week by the State Board of Education's Task Force on Teacher Retention convened last fall in response to Session Law 2004-51. The report outlined 29 recommendations supporting work around the following issues related to teacher recruitment and retention: teacher working conditions; teacher leadership/differentiated roles; administrator support and accountability; enhancing the image of the profession/barriers to entering the profession; teacher preparation; beginning teacher induction, support and mentoring; and financial incentives. Board members have asked that a plan be developed to implement the recommendations in this report, available online at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/humanrsrcs/. I believe these recommendations have the potential to dramatically improve our efforts at recruiting and retaining quality teachers in the classroom.

Regards,
Tricia Willoughby

In this Biweekly Teachers' Message:

1. State Board Meeting Highlights
2. SBE Ad Hoc Rigor, Relevance and Relationships Committee Meeting Summary
3. Gov. Easley Proclaims Feb. 7-11 "Watch our for the Child" Week
4. Feb. 7-11 is National School Counseling Week
5. National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Newsletter
6. "All Aboard…to the Future"
7. 2005 North Carolina Council for Exceptional Children Fall Conference
8. eMasterClass with the National Symphony Orchestra: Music Standards in Action
9. Mathematics Education Leadership Training
10. Trek North Carolina
11. Mathematics Item Writers Needed

State Board Meeting Highlights

Last week, members of the State Board of Education approved waivers to the calendar law, approved the report and recommendations from its Task Force on Teacher Retention and received the 2003-04 annual dropout data report. (Press releases and full reports on the latter two are available online at http://www.ncpublicschools.org under "In the News.") Complete highlights of the Board's activities can be accessed online Friday afternoon (Feb. 11) at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/sbehighlights/ by clicking on the appropriate link.

SBE Ad Hoc Rigor, Relevance and Relationships Committee Meeting Summary

The State Board of Education's Ad Hoc Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships Committee met last Thursday, Feb. 3, in Raleigh to review the results of the six statewide input sessions on high school exit measures held in January, the results of the Zoomerang survey, and to begin formulating recommendations that will be presented to the State Board of Education at its March meeting. More than 400 people attended the input sessions and more than 2,200 people responded to the Zoomerang survey. At the end of lengthy discussions, the committee appointed a subcommittee of staff to formulate recommendations based on the discussions for the committee's final report to the SBE. For more information, please contact Betsy West, State Board of Education, 919.807.3405, or by email, bwest@dpi.state.nc.us.

Gov. Easley Proclaims Feb. 7-11 "Watch our for the Child" Week

Gov. Mike Easley has proclaimed Feb. 7-11 as "Watch Out For the Child" week in North Carolina and encourages motorists to be mindful of driving laws and safety tips regarding school buses and bus stops. Failure to stop for a school bus is not only dangerous but also against the law. Data collected by the NC DPI's Transportation Services Section found that motorists illegally pass a stopped school bus over 2,000 times PER DAY statewide. Drivers in a private vehicle who are convicted of failing to stop for a stopped school bus will receive five points on their license while drivers of commercial vehicles will receive eight points. For more information on the state's school bus transportation system or stop arm violations, please go online to the School Bus Safety Web site at www.ncbussafety.org or contact Derek Graham, Transportation Services, DPI, 919.807.3571, or by email, dgraham@dpi.state.nc.us.

Feb. 7-11 is National School Counseling Week

Gov. Mike Easley has proclaimed Feb. 7-11 as "National School Counseling Week" to recognize school counselors for their commitment to helping students reach their full potential; helping parents focus on ways to further the educational, personal and social growth of their children; and working with teachers and other educators to help students explore their potential and set goals for themselves. Additional information is available online at www.schoolcounselor.org/content.asp?contentid=271 or by contacting Cynthia Floyd Boyd, Alternative & Safe Schools/Instructional Support Section, 919.807.3942, or by email cfboyd@dpi.state.nc.us.

National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Newsletter

The 2005 administration of NAEP is taking place from Jan. 24 - March 4. The subject areas being assessed are mathematics, reading and science. The state-level results for grades 4 and 8 will be released in fall 2005. You can access the current NAEP newsletter at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/accountability/ by clicking on the appropriate link. In this newsletter, you will see how North Carolina students performed on the 2003 NAEP assessments in reading and mathematics. If you have any questions or concerns regarding NAEP, please contact Marcie Hickman, NAEP Coordinator, NC DPI, 919.807.3768, or by email, mhickman@dpi.state.nc.us.

"ALL Aboard ...to the Future"

DPI's Exceptional Children Division is partnering with the Exceptional Children Assistance Center to sponsor the "ALL Aboard ...to the Future" conference for parents, families, educators, and youth. The conference will be held Saturday, Feb. 26, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., at the Adam's Mark, Winston-Salem. A pre-conference workshop, "Person Centered Planning: A Gateway to the Future," has been scheduled for Friday, Feb. 25. The purpose of the conference is to bring communities together to learn about effective practices as well as state and federal regulations. The focus this year is on Positive Behavior Support. There is a $20 registration fee for families and youth and a $30 registration fee for professionals. Seating is limited and the registration must be postmarked by Feb. 14. For more information, including registration, please contact Jana Kranz or Rita Stokes, 800.962.6817, extensions 19 and 39 respectively.

2005 North Carolina Council for Exceptional Children Fall Conference

The 2005 North Carolina Council for Exceptional Children Fall Conference will convene March 3-4 at the Hilton Riverside, Wilmington. Additionally, two pre-conference sessions are offered on March 2, "Using Peer Assisted Learning Strategies," and "Behavioral Strategies for Developmental Disabilities and Autism: Using the FBA Process." For more information, including registration and hotels, please contact Debbie Rollins, Professional Development Coordinator, NC DPI, 919.807.3356, or by email drollins@dpi.state.nc.us.

eMasterClass with the National Symphony Orchestra: Music Standards in Action

Orchestra and band teachers across North Carolina are invited to participate in an eMasterClass conducted by musicians from the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) on Monday, March 14, from 3-5 p.m. The eMasterClass is an outreach activity as part of the NSO's American Residency in North Carolina. Students from Enloe High School (Wake County Schools), under the direction of Beth McCollum, will be onsite with the NSO members, while other teachers and their students can join and interact with the class via videoconferencing on the NC Information Highway or IP. The master class is designed for teachers; however, students are invited to observe with their teachers. The NSO will demonstrate strategies for working with students in connection with the National Standards for Music Education and the NC Standard Course of Study. For more information or to register, please contact Christie Howell, NCDPI Arts Education Consultant, 919.807.3856 or cmhowell@dpi.state.nc.us. Visit DPI's Distance Learning Systems Web site at http://video.dpi.state.nc.us/eforums for program updates.

Mathematics Education Leadership Training

Registration is open for the Mathematics Education Leadership Training (MELT) Institutes to be held this summer at Appalachian State University, Boone. These week-long institutes are designed to help teachers refine their skills with mathematics content, teaching techniques, and technology use. Eight institutes are scheduled, including five that are co-sponsored by the Texas Instruments Teachers Teaching with Technology program. Teachers interested in an in-depth experience including credit towards the master's degree in mathematics secondary education are encouraged to apply to be a MELT Scholar. Apply early to ensure a space. For more information, please go online to http://www.melt.appstate.edu/ or contact Holly Peters Hirst, Department of Mathematical Sciences, Appalachian State University, 828.262.3050, or by email, HirstHP@appstate.edu.

Trek North Carolina

"Trek North Carolina: A Historical, Geographic, and Cultural Study" will provide up to 30 elementary educators with an opportunity to journey across North Carolina to study, observe, and receive first hand experience on the state's history and culture. Room and board, travel expenses, professional books and reading materials, as well as other project materials, will be covered for selected participants. Teachers will only be required to pay meal expenses, as needed. Participants are required to attend all sessions and to engage fully in activities. The dates for this professional development workshop are June 12-18. Application packets are now available and can be downloaded by going to www.ncpublicschools.org and clicking on Trek North Carolina Project. For more information, please call Tracey Greggs, Instructional Services, DPI, 919.807.3836, or by email, tgreggs@dpi.state.nc.us.

Mathematics Item Writers Needed

NCSU TOPS' ClassScape is still seeking item writers for Grades 5 and 8 mathematics. ClassScape is an online formative assessment system designed to enhance student learning by allowing teachers to monitor student performance on academic indicators set forth by the North Carolina Standard Course of Study and Grade Level Competencies. This project is a collaborative effort between NC State University's Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. ClassScape is specifically seeking retired teachers or teachers who are not teaching for the public school system this year. For more information about the program and about item writing for the program, please visit http://classscape.ncsu.edu.