TEACHERS' MESSAGES 2006

OCTOBER 12, 2006

The ABCs of Public Education model has served an important role over the past 10 years by re-focusing attention on achievement for all students and by setting minimum standards for reading and mathematics achievement. Yesterday, in setting the achievement level cut scores for the new mathematics assessments, the State Board of Education raised standards for elementary and middle school mathematics. In taking this action, Board members called the decision a big step toward keeping our schools in line with 21st century skills and demands. I agree that North Carolina must be aggressive in our expectations, but we also must be aggressive in providing professional development and other support to you, the teachers, who deliver the curriculum to students.

Regards,
June Atkinson

In this Biweekly Teachers' Message:

1. State Board Meeting Highlights
2. SBE Ad Hoc Rigor, Relevance and Relationships Committee Meeting Summary
3. Funding Window Closing to Apply for 2006-07 National Board Certification
4. 2006 Report on Education Legislation
5. Grants Supports Mathematics, Science and Technology Projects
6. NC: The State of the Arts - The Arts in 21st Century Education
7. Teaching Fellows Scholarships Applications Available Online
8. Literacy Empowerment Foundation Matching Book Grant
9. "Operations Kids 4 Troops"
10. 2007 Harris Wofford Award

State Board Meeting Highlights

At last week's meeting, Board members approved the 2005-06 High Schools' ABCs results and the list of high schools receiving assistance teams, nutrition standards for elementary schools, graduation project professional development and a pilot for Web-based project management software. Board members also discussed setting mathematics achievement levels for grades 3-8, possible revision of the Social Studies Standard Course of Study, the annual teacher turnover report and results of the 2006 Electronic Textbook Pilot Test. Complete Board highlights are available online at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/sbehighlights by clicking on the appropriate link.

SBE Ad Hoc Rigor, Relevance and Relationships Committee Meeting Summary

The SBE Ad Hoc Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships Committee met on Oct. 3. Items of discussion included an update of the American Diploma Project (ADP), the Graduation Project, the Agricultural Education Alternative Assessment and the birth date cutoff for starting school. The committee discussed the possibility of North Carolina joining a multi-state Algebra II test initiative, and DPI consultants provided updates on ADP's review of North Carolina's English/Language Arts and Math standards. The committee decided to forward a funding request to the Board for professional development and project management software to implement the Graduation Project pilot. It was recommended that a working session on default curriculum convene in the near future. A timeline and status report on the alternative assessment field test for agricultural education was provided to the committee. Committee members will receive additional information on the birth date cutoff for starting school at their next scheduled meeting on Oct. 31.

Funding Window Closing to Apply for 2006-07 National Board Certification

North Carolina teachers planning to seek National Board Certification should complete the online application at www.nbpts.org and then complete the online application for North Carolina funding by Oct. 31. Guidelines for applying for National Board Certification in North Carolina can be accessed at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/nbpts/apply.html. Initial NBC candidates will pay a $65 processing charge to NBPTS before they submit their application. North Carolina pays the assessment fee of $2,500 for all candidates who meet the eligibility criteria.

2006 Report on Education Legislation

The 2006 Session of the General Assembly Report on Education Legislation is now available online at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/legislative/index?view=legislature by clicking on the 2006 Session Report link under State Resources. If you need additional legislative information or would like a hard copy of the 2006 Session report, please contact Rita Joyner, State Board Legislative Liaison, at rjoyner@dpi.state.nc.us or 919.807.4035.

Grants Supports Mathematics, Science and Technology Projects

The Burroughs Wellcome Fund is partnering with DonorsChoose to promote mathematics, science, and technology projects in North Carolina public schools. A grant for $25,000 has been made available to support mathematics, science, and technology projects, with priority given to hands-on, inquiry-based proposals, submitted from Title 1 schools. If you have an innovative mathematics, science or technology project, please submit your proposal to DonorsChoose at www.donorschoose.org as you normally would. DonorsChoose will determine if it fits the Burroughs Wellcome Fund criteria. If it doesn't, it can be funded through the site's regular funding channels. In order to be considered for the Burroughs Wellcome Fund grant, proposals should be submitted by Dec. 31.

NC: The State of the Arts - The Arts in 21st Century Education

Mark your calendars now and plan to attend this statewide collaborative conference in Charlotte on March 29-31. Classroom teachers, arts educators, administrators, central office staff, policy makers, PTA members, parents, arts councils and teaching artists will benefit from the many sessions offered. The early bird registration fee is $90 per person or $65 per person for teams of 3-5 people. Participants will receive a Certificate of Participation for 15 hours (recommended 1.5 CEU credit) if they register and attend the full conference. Partial credit is not available. Participants are responsible for obtaining prior approval from their school systems for CEU credit. For more information, please go to the NC Arts Council Web site at http://www.ncarts.org or contact Christie Howell, NCDPI K-12 Programs, 919.807.3856, or by email, cmhowell@dpi.state.nc.us.

Teaching Fellows Scholarship Applications Available Online

The North Carolina Teaching Fellows Commission recently announced that the application for the 2006-07 North Carolina Teaching Fellows Scholarship/Loan Program is now available online at www.teachingfellows.org for high school seniors. Each Teaching Fellow receives a $26,000 scholarship loan from the state, payable in $6,500 annual increments. The full loan is forgiven after the Fellow has completed four years of teaching in North Carolina public schools. The deadline to return completed applications to the Fellows Liaison Counselor in the high school is Oct. 20. Additional program information also is available on the Teacher Fellow Web site.

Literacy Empowerment Foundation Matching Book Grant

The Literacy Empowerment Foundation has increased the size of its matching grants available to $12,000 per school with any amount purchased from $100 to $12,000 being matched. The Matching Book Grant Program offers Guided Reading and Independent Reading Collections. Guided Reading Collections consist of six copies each of 18 titles and Independent Reading Collections consist of one copy each of 108 titles. With each set of Guided and/or Independent Reading Collections purchased at the regular price, an additional set of books will be included. The Literacy Empowerment Foundation is a 501©3 nonprofit organization. Orders much be received by Nov. 17. Information and a matching book grant order form are available online at http://www.lefbooks.org. For more information, please contact the Literacy Empowerment Foundation at 610.719.6448.

"Operation Kids 4 Troops"

"Operation Kids 4 Troops" is kicking off its third year and looking for student participation. Teachers interested in having their students write letters or send cards of support to United States servicemen and women serving in the Middle East may have them send their correspondence to "Operation Kids 4 Troops," P.O. Box 851980, Yukon, OK 73085 or online at www.kids4troops.com.

2007 Harris Wofford Award

Youth Service America is accepting nominations for the Harris Wofford Award, which recognizes citizens who are making service and service-learning the common expectation and experience of every young person. The Harris Wofford Award, which honors former Senator Harris Wofford, an outstanding public servant, recognizes extraordinary achievements in three categories: Youth (ages 12-25), Organization (nonprofit, corporate, foundation) and Media (organization or individual). Nominations in the Youth and Organization category will be accepted through Oct. 19. Sponsored by State Farm Companies Foundation®, the Harris Wofford Award winners will be announced at the 18th Annual National Service-Learning Conference to be held March 28-31, 2007, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. For more information, including a nomination application, please go online to www.YSA.org/awards.