TEACHERS' MESSAGES 2008
TEACHERS' MESSAGES 2008NOVEMBER 13, 2008 - Teachers' Biweekly Messages
Last week's ABCs report represented the first time that we have reported testing and accountability results with the new standards for reading (raised in October 2008) and mathematics (raised in 2006). I know that for most schools, the results showed a drop from 2007. It is important to know that we have worked very hard to communicate with news media and others that this is the first time comprehensive new standards have been set since the beginning of the ABCs and that it is not unusual in the first year of new standards for results to drop and then increase in subsequent years. Standards for proficiency on the reading and math end-of-grade tests were set by panels of practicing North Carolina teachers using methods that are considered industry standards by the testing and measurement industry. Teachers have been an integral part of the standard-setting activities because we know that you are in the best position to know where we should set our student expectations. For complete results and other background information, please go to www.ncpublicschools.org and look under "Highlights."
Regards,
June Atkinson
In this Biweekly Teachers' Message:
- State Board Meeting Highlights
- Personal Financial Literacy Teacher Survey
- Johnston County Teacher Receives "Oscar of Teaching"
- Statewide Conference Addresses the Arts in 21st Century Learning
- NCDPI Arts Education Listserv
- NCSHP Sponsors Workshops
- LEARN NC Offers Online Course
- "Welcome to Your County"
- NCACC Sponsors Essay Contest for 10th Graders
- Middle School Science Competition
State Board Meeting Highlights
At last week's Board meeting, members approved the 2007-08 ABCs/AYP statewide report, definitions for the Teacher Evaluation Instrument Performance Rating Scale, their 2009-2011 Biennial Budget request and Policies Governing Services for Children with Disabilities. Board members discussed allowing retest results in the calculation of performance composites for the ABCs, proposed revisions to the non-teaching work experience and graduate pay policies, and the Annual Report on the Reasons Teachers Leave (formerly known as the Teacher Turnover Report). Complete Board highlights will be posted online late next week at www.ncpublicschools.org/sbehighlights.
Personal Financial Literacy Teacher Survey
Teachers still have time to take the survey on the Department's Personal Financial Literacy (PFL) instruction in Civics and Economics courses. Civics and Economics teachers and Social Studies Department Chairpersons are asked to complete this survey, which is available online at www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB228CCRVA4UL, along with additional information about Personal Financial Literacy. The survey will be available through Nov. 24. Questions regarding the survey should be directed to Esther Dunnegan at edunnegan@dpi.state.nc.us.
Johnston County Teacher Receives "Oscar of Teaching"
Bryan Holley, a fourth grade teacher at Corinth- Holders Elementary School (Johnston County Public Schools), was recently named North Carolina's 2008 Milken Family Foundation National Educator award recipient. Holley is among the nation's approximately 80 most recent recipients of this award, which carries with it an unrestricted financial award of $25,000. Holley is the only North Carolina educator to receive the award this year.
Statewide Conference Addresses the Arts in 21st Century Learning
Registration is now open for the State of the Arts conference scheduled for March 5-7 at Meredith College, Raleigh. Please visit http://www.unitedarts.org or contact stateofthearts@unitedarts.orgfor additional information about this collaborative conference addressing imagination, creativity and inno vation in educating children for their future.
NCDPI Arts Education Listserv
Join the NCDPI arts education listserv to stay informed about policy, legislation, professional development, student opportunities, funding, resources and other relevant information for dance, music, theatre arts and visual arts educators, administrators and other interested parties in the state of North Carolina. Send a message to clynch@dpi.state.nc.us or mcarter@dpi.state.nc.us and request membership to receive these weekly updates.
NCSHP Sponsors Workshops
The North Carolina Society of Hispanic Professionals (NCSHP) is sponsoring the following workshops:
- Response to Intervention and English Language Learners, Dec. 11, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., McKimmon Center, Raleigh. $75 registration fee (includes lunch and materials)
- K-8 Program Design for English Language Learners, Dec. 12, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., McKimmon Center, Raleigh. $50 registration fee (includes breaks and materials)
LEARN NC Offers Online Course
First time teaching E- Commerce I? Learn strategies to make your students competitive in online business. Virtual Mentoring: e- Commerce I will take you through the full course of study for students, and includes discussions and activities for you to explore how best to teach this exciting course, with guidance from the original online course developer. This online course from LEARN NC begins Jan. 5, costs $350, and is worth 3 CEUs. For more information or to register, please go online to http://www.learnnc.org/courses/current/ExploringeCommerceI_01_09.
"Welcome to Your County"
"Welcome to Your County," a publication of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, discusses the history of county government including "What is a County?" "Who Runs a County?" "How a County is Funded" and "What Services Does a County Provide?" Copies are available for $1 from the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners. To request a copy(ies), please go online to http://www.welcometoyourcounty.org/.
NCACC Sponsors Essay Contest for 10th Graders
The N.C. Association of County Commissioners is sponsoring an essay contest on the role of county government and awarding the student with the best essay and his/her teacher $500 each. In addition, the student who writes the winning essay may be invited to the NCACC's 2009 Annual Conference in Catawba County next August to read his/her essay. For complete rules and an official application form, please go online to www.ncacc.org/publications.htm.
Middle School Science Competition
The Siemens Foundation along with Discovery Education and the National Science Teachers Association are sponsoring a middle grades (6-8) science competition for students and teachers. The Siemens' "We Can Change the World Challenge" asks teams of two-three students led by a teacher or mentor to create sustainable, reproducible environmental improvements in their local communities. Competition details are available online at www.wecanchange.com. The competition ends March 15, 2009.
If you'd like to review past Teachers' Biweekly Messages sent to the listserv group, just go online to http://www.ncpublicschools.org/teachersarchive/.