TEACHERS' MESSAGES 2006

OCTOBER 26, 2006

When the ABCs model was first in place, about 56 percent of North Carolina's K-8 schools made expected or high growth (called exemplary at that time). One hundred and twenty-three schools were identified as low performing. Since then, many things have changed in our schools and in the larger world. This year represents a year of raising standards, and the results may remind us of the first year of the ABCs. Between the more rigorous mathematics curriculum and assessments, the new ABCs formulas and the new achievement level cut scores set Oct. 12 by the State Board of Education, the 2006 standards are new and at a higher level. This is the first time standards have been raised in a decade. I know it is tough to change expectations and to recognize that what was once sufficient no longer is sufficient to be competitive. We all face that reality in our professional careers, and our students will live with this dynamic throughout their lives. The new math standards are rigorous and will be difficult for some students and schools initially. I have every confidence, however, that North Carolina teachers and schools will rise to this challenge. Ten years from now, in 2016, we will look back at today and see a positive trendline in learning that resulted from setting high expectations.

Regards,
June Atkinson

In this Biweekly Teachers' Message:

1. Stone Named 2006 Milken Family Foundation National Educator
2. Mathematics Curriculum Revision
3. More Mandarin Chinese Language Classes to be Offered
4. Workshop Addresses Reading Literacy and Physical Activity
5. Registration Open for Raising Achievement and Closing Gaps' Conference
6. November Fitness Calendar Activities
7. National Student/Parent Mock Election
8. Funding for Hands-on Math, Science and Technology Programs
9. Submit Now for Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching
10. Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, Inc.

Stone Named 2006 Milken Family Foundation National Educator

Congratulations to Tanglewood Elementary School (Public Schools of Robeson County) third grade teacher Kristen Stone who last week was named North Carolina's 2006 Milken Family Foundation National Educator. Stone received an unrestricted check in the amount of $25,000 and an all-expense paid trip to Los Angeles, Calif., in April where she will attend the annual Milken National Education Conference and network with past recipients. To read more about her selection, please go online to www.ncpublicschools.org and click on the appropriate link under "News."

Mathematics Curriculum Revision

It is once again time to review the 2003 Mathematics Standard Course of Study to determine if it should be revised. Staff would like your input in order to make a better determination of the status of the math curriculum and what should be done to make it more relevant and rigorous. Please let us know your thoughts, concerns and opinions by completing a very short survey available online at http://www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi?p=WEB225PLUBJB2W. The survey link will remain active until Nov. 15.

More Mandarin Chinese Language Classes to be Offered

More high school students across North Carolina will be able to take Mandarin Chinese language and culture classes, thanks to a new federal grant awarded to the NCDPI. Level I and II Chinese classes will be developed as distance learning in Year 1 with course offerings planned in Year 2. There is an increased demand for Chinese language instruction due to national attention on critical languages, the impact of China in the global marketplace, and the increase of Chinese speakers in North Carolina. For more information, please contact Helga Fasciano, Curriculum and School Reform Services, NCDPI, 919.807.3865 or by email, hfascian@dpi.state.nc.us.

Workshop Addresses Reading Literacy and Physical Activity

The North Carolina Alliance for Athletics, Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (NCAAHPERD) is sponsoring a free workshop for teachers, administrators and parents regarding the link between movement and reading literacy. Jean Blaydes Madigan developed this workshop to help schools implement the Healthy Active Children policy, which mandates 30 minutes of physical activity daily in grades K-8. The workshop will be held Saturday, Nov. 18, beginning at 8 a.m., at the Koury Convention Center, Greensboro. Participants will receive .5 contact hours of credit toward reading strategies. Although the workshop is free, registration is limited to 200. Registration is available online at http://www.ncaahperd.org as well as additional workshop details.

Registration Open for Raising Achievement and Closing Gaps' Conference

Local educators are invited to attend the eleventh annual Raising Achievement and Closing Gaps Conference to be held March 26-28 at the Sheraton Four Seasons/Joseph F. Koury Convention Center, Greensboro. You can register online at www.ncpublicschools.org/racg/conference by clicking on the appropriate link. The registration fee is $115 per person. For additional information, please go online to www.ncpublicschools.org/racg/conference or call the RACG Conference Hotline at 919.807.3844.

November Fitness Calendar Activities

"Be Thankful" is the theme of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education's (NASPE) November Fitness Calendar. Published in English and Spanish, the fitness calendar is one of many popular items featured this month in the Teacher's Toolbox. Don't miss the fall bulletin board, turkey toss, puzzle, and much more. For all of these great resources, visit http://www.aahperd.org/naspe/template.cfm?template=teachers_toolbox_nov06.html

National Student/Parent Mock Election

The National Student/Parent Mock Election, the nation's largest voter education project, will be held Thursday, Nov. 2. On this day, votes will be cast on state and national issues that concern Americans the most and on national candidates. Educators and parents can enroll at www.nationalmockelection.org, by mail to the National Student/Parent Mock Election, P.O. Box 36653, Tucson, AZ 85704; by fax to 520.742.3553; or by phone 520.877.VOTE (8683). Free K-12 curriculum materials are available online at the above address or by contacting Gloria Kirshner, President, National Student/Parent Mock Election, at nspme@aol.com.

Funding for Hands-On Math, Science and Technology Programs

The Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Science and Math Programs' grants assist educators in presenting mathematics, science, and technology principles to K-12 students in an exciting, hands-on manner. The maximum grant award is $1,000. For eligibility criteria, please go online to http://www.aiaa.org/content.cfm?pageid=216. The deadline to apply is Dec. 30.

Submit Now for Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching

The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics & Science Teaching, the nation's highest honors for mathematics and science teachers, is now open for nominations. The Presidential Awards program allows outstanding mathematics and science teachers to be recognized for their subject area content knowledge and the ability to motivate students. Nomination (teachers may self-nominate) and application forms for 2007 are available online at www.paemst.org. Teachers in grades 7-12 who meet specified requirements are eligible to apply. For further information, please contact either Carmella Fair, (919.807.3840, cfair@dpi.state.nc.us) or Bonnie Curtis (919.807.3932, bcurtis@dpi.state.nc.us).

Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, Inc.

The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, Inc., provides guidance and support to teens for whom creativity may be a life path. The Alliance brings together a community for creative youth with resources to encourage, connect and empower them through networking, workshops, scholarships and career exploration with alumni role models and industry mentors. The Alliance also presents special exhibitions and publications, which provide additional opportunities for creative expression in the visual and literary arts. For more information on the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, please visit their Web site at http://www.artandwriting.org.