TEACHERS' MESSAGES 2006
TEACHERS' MESSAGES 2006AUGUST 10, 2006
What does it mean to be “future ready?” How should schools and teachers
prepare students for a technology-driven, complex and dynamic global
economy? To begin to move North Carolina schools forward toward being
“future ready,” the State Board of Education approved a new mission
statement and goals this month. The guiding mission of the North Carolina
State Board of Education is that every public school student will graduate
from high school, globally competitive for work and postsecondary education
and prepared for life in the 21st century. To support this mission, the
Board identified five goals: NC public schools will produce globally
competitive students. NC public schools will be led by 21st century
professionals. NC public school students will be healthy and responsible.
Leadership will guide innovation in NC public schools. NC public schools
will be governed and supported by 21st century systems. Department of Public
Instruction staff will flesh out this list with measurable benchmarks to
help assure progress toward these goals. This statement and goals are the
first steps toward addressing the needs of the 21st century’s economic and
societal demands. The complete document is available on the State Board of
Education’s Web page under About the NC SBE
(http://www.ncpublicschools.org/state_board/AboutSBE.html).
I hope you will review these carefully as they will have strong implications
for local school district planning and school improvement plans in the future.
Regards,
June Atkinson
In this Biweekly Teachers' Message:
State Board Meeting Highlights
At last week’s State Board meeting, members approved a new guiding mission statement and supporting goals focusing on 21st century education, AYP results for high schools and AYP reading results for elementary and middle schools and alignment of the Initial Licensure Program Policy with Standard Professional 1 License Requirements. Board members also discussed a strategic plan for literacy, and its Ad Hoc Committee on School Leadership’s report recommendations that reflect the knowledge, skills and dispositions that school leaders must have if all students are to leave school prepared for successful participation in the 21st century economy. Complete State Board Highlights are available online at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/sbehighlights by clicking on the appropriate link.
Governor’s School Auditions Set
The NCDPI Exceptional Children Division has scheduled performing/visual arts auditions for the 2007 Governor's School program to be held on the campus of Meredith College in Raleigh. Please note that auditions will be held on two separate dates due to space availability. Students auditioning in Choral Music, Drama and Instrumental Music should attend auditions on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2007. Students auditioning in Visual Art and Dance should attend auditions on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007. Nomination packets for the 2007 session of Governor's School will be mailed the second week in September. The deadline for submitting nominations is Nov. 22. For more information, please call Mary Watson, Exceptional Children Division Director, at 919.807.3969, or by email, mwatson@dpi.state.nc.us.
Cumberland County Web Academy Seeks Teachers
The Cumberland County Web Academy is searching for highly qualified teachers across the curriculum to begin part-time work this fall instructing students across the state. Teachers are needed as part of the collaboration among the NCDPI, the Web Academy and the North Carolina Virtual Public School. If interested, please visit www.ccswebacademy.net and click on "Employment" and fill out the online application. For more information, please contact Allan Jordan, Director of Online Teaching and Learning/Principal Web Academy, 910.484.3391, or by email, ajordan@ccswebacademy.net.
Integrating K-12 Computer/Technology Skills and Information Skills
Educators may want to take advantage of instructional resources and activities found online at http://community.learnnc.org/dpi/tech when integrating K-12 Computer/Technology Skills and Information Skills with content areas in a real world context. For more information, please contact Martha Campbell, K-12 Information/Computer Skills Consultant, NCDPI, mcampbel@dpi.state.nc.us.
TheTeacherCenter.org
The Southern Regional Education Board would like to remind North Carolina educators of its online resource that makes available hundreds of online courses, licensure and certification resources and much more. From searching for a program or course, understanding highly qualified standards, preparing for a test, or finding a job, it’s all available online at www.TheTeacherCenter.org.