TEACHERS' MESSAGES 2005

NOVEMBER 10, 2005

What should public schools be like in order to meet the needs of students of the 21st century? How should schools be different? How will they be the same? How are technological changes in business, health care, entertainment and other sectors changing the knowledge and skills that students will need to compete and thrive? State Board members will discuss these questions this fall as members consider revisions to the Board's ABCs Plus strategic priorities. Education is at an important crossroads in terms of using technology, adapting to the learning styles and preferences of modern students and preparing young people to be full participants in the global economy. Watch this space in coming weeks for updates on this important discussion.

Regards,
June Atkinson

In this Biweekly Teachers' Message:

1. State Board Meeting Highlights
2. Indian Heritage Month in North Carolina
3. Governor Proclaims Nov. 14-18 as "International Education Week"
4. SBE Ad Hoc Rigor, Relevance and Relationships Committee Meeting Summary
5. Input Sought on 2006-07 Legislative Request
6. Literacy to Learn Open House Extended
7. Building Better Brains Through Movement
8. Kindergarten Health Assessment Report
9. Middle Grades Institute to be Held in December
10. Reading and Writing for Learning
11. Pre-register Now for Stock Market Game

State Board Meeting Highlights

At their November meeting, State Board members continued their discussion on whether to add a sixth strategic priority addressing global preparedness. Board members also approved changes to the 2004-05 ABCs/AYP report, the Annual Teacher Turnover Report, and revision of standards for teacher education programs in Reading, Latin, Visually Impaired, Instructional Technology, School Counseling, School Psychology and School Social Work. In addition, Board members discussed a draft report from their Ad Hoc Committee on Physical Education that included recommendations for an action policy, and a proposed addendum to the Arts Education Standard Course of Study that would add Advanced Placement courses in music and visual arts, including Studio Art (2D, 3D, and Drawing), Art History and Music Theory. Complete Board Highlights are posted online at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/sbehighlights.

Indian Heritage Month in North Carolina

Gov. Easley has proclaimed the month of November as Indian Heritage Month. Local school systems are encouraged to organize events and activities to recognize and highlight North Carolina's rich American Indian heritage. For a planning guide containing lesson plans, field trip opportunities, Web sites and articles on American Indians, please go to the LEARN NC Web site at http://www.learnnc.org or contact Benita Tipton, Division of Secondary Education, NCDPI, 919.807.3933, or by email, btipton@dpi.state.nc.us.

Governor Proclaims Nov. 14-18 as "International Education Week"

Gov. Mike Easley has proclaimed Nov. 14-18 as "International Education Week" and encourages citizens to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. Easley said that international understanding, respect and appreciation begins with education and the exchange of knowledge between students, scholars and the public.

International Education Week is a joint initiative of the U.S. Dept. of Education and the U.S. Dept. of State. This year's theme is "International Education: Improving Student Achievement Around the World." The U.S. Dept. of Education encourages schools to visit the Web at http://iew.state.gov for further information about the event and how students and schools can participate.

SBE Ad Hoc Rigor, Relevance and Relationships Committee Meeting Summary

The State Board's Ad Hoc Committee on Academic Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships met on Thursday, Nov. 3, in Raleigh. The agenda included discussions on recommendations from DPI middle school consultants regarding middle school Algebra I, including the recommendation that Algebra I should not be offered as Algebra IA and IB at the middle school level. The second recommendation of the report was that DPI should continue exploring ways to increase rigor in middle school math. The high school mathematics consultants also responded to the committee on a number of questions that Committee Chair Kathy Taft had submitted to them. Part of the response included a table listing all mathematics courses offered by LEAs and indicating whether or not the courses were part of the Standard Course of Study, tested with an end-of-course test, a requirement of the highest diploma pathway, and eligible for UNC system admission. The high school math consultant staff and Associate Superintendent Elsie Leak and High School Secondary Division Director Wandra Polk committed to a continuing identification of course weaknesses and strategies for strengthening mathematics courses and mathematics delivery. The committee also agreed that strong communication efforts with parents and communities on the importance of multiple rigorous math courses during a child's education, and at appropriate grade levels, is a key task for all involved in education. Healthful Living consultants presented handouts to the committee on proposed changes to the Healthful Living curriculum. These proposed changes include the request that the SBE consider adding three honors-level high school courses. The presenters described how healthful living courses and curriculum dovetail with 21st century skills in that the curriculum in many of these courses address lifelong health issues that all students need to know about for the best lifelong health choices. The next meeting date has not been set.

Input Sought on 2006-07 Legislative Request

It's time to begin thinking about the 2006-07 legislative request. The NCDPI and the State Board of Education would like teachers' input on education policy and finance as we continue to improve our schools. You can participate in this important process by completing the Budget Input Survey available online at http://www.zoomerang.com/recipient/survey.zgi?p=WEB224RRQJB5V4. Please complete the survey by Nov. 23. For more information, please contact Becky McConkey at bmcconke@dpi.state.nc.us or 919.807.3741.

Literacy to Learn Open House Extended

Due to popular demand, the Literacy to Learn Open House has been extended to midnight Nov. 18. Please visit www.usdlc-l2l.org to preview new online courses available free to all North Carolina educators. Visitors who sign the guest book may win an Apple iPod. For more information, please contact Linda Walters, USDLC Professional Development Coordinator, at 919.807.3497, or by email, lwalters@dpi.state.nc.us.

Building Better Brains Through Movement

On Saturday, Nov. 19, Jean Blaydes-Madigan will present her workshop, "Building Better Brains through Movement, " from 8 a.m.-2 p.m., at the Sheraton Four Seasons, Greensboro. Research shows a strong connection between movement and reading. Workshop activities will be tied to reading methods for children through kinesthetic learning. In addition, this movement-oriented workshop will assist classroom teachers in understanding the brain/movement connection and provide resources to implement HSP-S-000, the Healthy Active Children policy. This policy mandates that all students K-8 receive a minimum of 30 minutes physical activity daily and goes into place next school year. Reading renewal credits will be offered to participants. There is no fee to attend the workshop. To learn more on Jean Blaydes-Madigan and "Action *Based Learning" visit www.actionbasedlearning.com and explore the reading connection. Please contact NCAAHPERD (1.888.840.6500 or www.ncaahperd.org ) for more information if you are interested in attending the workshop.

Kindergarten Health Assessment Report

The NCDPI and the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services are in the process of revising and updating the Kindergarten Health Assessment Report. In order to provide the most beneficial information to your school and to your community, it's important that staff receive teacher and administrator input. Please take a moment and complete a short (five questions) online survey available at http://www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi?p=WEB224Q7XZCRJ4. The survey will end Nov. 22. Your participation is greatly appreciated.

Middle Grades Institute to be Held in December

The NCDPI's Middle Grades Division will convene its first Middle Grades Institute Dec. 1-2 at the Radisson in RTP. The Institute's purpose is to increase awareness of the middle grades philosophy; provide content strategies that promote intellectual, social, physical, and emotional growth; share recommendations that connect schools and communities in raising achievement and closing gaps among all students; and to create a venue to discuss issues pertinent to maintaining healthy students in a safe, orderly, and caring environment. Registration forms have been sent to all local superintendents and middle school principals. To obtain additional forms, please contact the NCDPI's Middle Grades Division at 919.807.3914. There is no cost to attend. Space is limited to 200 attendees. The registration deadline is Nov. 21. For further questions, contact Tracey Greggs at tgreggs@dpi.state.nc.us.

Reading and Writing for Learning

Reading and Writing For Learning is a Web-based professional development course for middle grades and high school teachers and administrators. The course is designed for team participation - both on site at school and online - for schools seeking to improve reading and writing instruction and learning. Please go online to http://community.learnnc.org/dpi/ela/archives/2005/10/reading_and_wri.php for more details. The deadline for response is Dec. 15. For more information about cost and registering a school team for this course, contact Vickie Smith, RW4L project manager, at vickiesmith@verizon.net.

Pre-register Now for Stock Market Game

The North Carolina Stock Market Game (SMG) is a motivating, interactive approach to learning about the American economic system. Led by their teachers, teams of students in grades 4-12 compete twice a year in a 10-week stock market simulation during which teams compete for portfolio growth. Teachers are provided with free ongoing promo games. The next two promo periods begin Oct. 31 and Nov. 28. Please go to www.nccee.org and click on the Stock Market Game link to pre-register. The spring session of the SMG will begin Feb. 13, 2006. For more information, please contact Sandy Wheat, North Carolina Council on Economic Education, swheat@nccee.org.