TEACHERS' MESSAGES 2009

FEBRUARY 12, 2009 - Teachers' Biweekly Messages

Last week, the 2007-08 dropout report was released and also The College Board reported on how well students are doing with Advanced Placement courses. For North Carolina, there was good news in both areas.

• North Carolina high schools reported that 4.97 percent of students dropped out of school during the 2007-08 academic year, according to the 2007-08 Dropout Report. This means that 1,116 fewer students across North Carolina decided to drop out in 2007-08 than in the previous year. Overall, 22,434 students out of approximately 450,000 North Carolina high school students dropped out of school in 2007-08.This marks the first decrease in the state's rate since 2004-05.
• In the "5th Annual AP Report to the Nation," North Carolina is identified as one of 17 states in which the percentage of students in the class of 2008 that scored a 3 or higher on at least one AP exam exceeds the national average. A total of 23,783 (28.4%) students from the North Carolina's public high school class of 2008 took at least one AP exam during high school, creating an increase of 6,913 students (up 4.2%) from 2003. A total of 14,519 students (17.3%) from the class of 2008 earned a score of 3 or higher on at least one AP exam. This number represents an increase of 4,195 students (up 2.5%) from 2003 and exceeds the national average of 15.2%.

We would not have these successes without your hard work and attention to your students. Thank you for everything you do on behalf of your students.

Regards,
June Atkinson

In this Biweekly Teachers' Message:

1. State Board Meeting Highlights
2. North Carolina General Assembly Convenes Long Session
3. Kindergarten Entry Date Changes in 2009-2010
4. Severe Weather Awareness Week
5. Teachers Can Win a Weather Station for their Counties
6. 2009 Writing Assessment System's Zoomerang Survey
7. National Writing Project Invitational Summer Institutes
8. Worldview March Seminars
9. Denmark Study Opportunity

State Board Meeting Highlights

At this month's Board meeting, members approved select high schools to participate in the American Diploma Project Algebra II exam, the State Evaluation Committee teacher education program and alternative lateral entry program approval recommendations, and the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. Board members discussed revisions to the K-2 Literacy Assessment, North Carolina's Annual Performance Report for Students with Disabilities and the 2007-08 Dropout Data Report. Complete Board highlights are posted online at www.ncpublicschools.org/sbehighlights.

North Carolina General Assembly Convenes Long Session

On Jan. 28, the North Carolina General Assembly officially kicked off its 2009 long session. State Board of Education Legislative Liaison Chris Minard will provide periodic updates to educators during the session. Teachers may want to note the General Assembly's Web address, www.ncleg.net, as another way to keep up with the latest happenings on Jones Street.

Kindergarten Entry Date

As a reminder, the new kindergarten entry date takes effect next school year (2009-10). To access the policy on this new entry date as well as the latest information on NC kindergarten policies and regulations, please visit the NC DPI Primary Education Web site at http://community.learnnc.org/dpi/ec/. A news release on this entry date change is available online at www.ncpublicschools.org under "News."

Severe Weather Awareness Week

Severe Weather Awareness Week is scheduled for March 1- 7. The statewide Tornado Drill will take place at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 4. At that time the National Weather Service will issue a Required Weekl y Test over the NOAA weather radio system. This will serve as a signal for school administrators to begin their tornado drill. The drill will conclude when participants complete their drill activities. No all- clear message will be issued.

Teachers Can Win A Weather Station for Their Counties

In 2008, the Renaissance Computing Institute (RENCI), in partnership with MCNC and the State Climate Office of North Carolina, awarded research-grade weather stations to Alexander, Hyde and Yancey counties in RENCI's inaugural Weather Web competition. RENCI is again challenging North Carolina teachers in counties that lack research and operational grade weather stations to develop curricula that would use a weather station and the data it produces in science education programs. Area students also are being asked to research and write essays on the local benefits of weather stations. Staff at RENCI and the State Climate Office of North Carolina will evaluate the proposals and award the winner with a $12,000 research-grade weather station for their county paid for by RENCI and installed and maintained by the State Climate Office. The winner will be selected by June. For more information, including the call for proposals, please visit http://www.renci.org/focusareas/eduoutreach/weatherweb.php.

2009 Writing Assessment System's Zoomerang Survey

The NCDPI is conducting a Zoomerang survey soliciting feedback regarding the 2008-09 Writing Assessment System Pilot Administration. The purpose of the survey, which is available online at www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB228LNECCAXH, is to collect qualitative data to inform the continuing development of the Writing Assessment System. All K-12 educators who have participated in the 2008-09 Writing Assessment System Pilot are encouraged to complete the survey. The survey will close Feb. 27 at 1 p.m. If you have questions, please contact Jim Kroening at jkroening@dpi.state.nc.us or Phyllis Blue at pblue@dpi.state.nc.us.

National Writing Project Invitational Summer Institutes

The North Carolina sites of the National Writing Project are now accepting applications for Invitational Summer Institutes for K- 12 teachers of all disciplines. Each year, new groups of summer fellows describe their summer institute experience as "a space for critical reflection so essential to good practice," "causing a noticeable and great shift in all of my teaching," and "the best professional development I have had in all my years of teaching." The National Writing Project sites provide full tuition fellowships for teachers to participate in this intensive, six- credit course. Each local site has its own focus, meeting dates, and application process. Please visit the individual sites for more information about these and other opportunities.

• Capital Area Writing Project at NC State University - http://ced.ncsu.edu/cawp/summerinstitues.php
• Tar River Writing Project at East Carolina University - http://www.trwp.org/node
• UNC Charlotte Writing Project - http://education.uncc.edu/wp/inst02_invitsum.html

World View March Seminars

World View is offering two seminars in March: "Latin America and North Carolina" will be held March 24-25, and "Middle East" on March 25-26 at the Friday Center for Continuing Education, UNC-Chapel Hill. Registration is $150 per person or $275 for both seminars. A team of four is $500. Program, registration and hotel information is available online at www.unc.edu/world or by calling 919.962.9264.

Denmark Study Opportunity

The Center for International Understanding, a program of the University of North Carolina, is offering North Carolina principals and teachers an opportunity to study abroad in Denmark. The professional development study program will be held June 13-21 at a cost of $2,750 per person (covers airfare, in-country transportation, double occupancy hotel room, orientation and a follow-up workshop). For more information, please contact Angie Bolin, Denmark Programs Coordi nator, at 919.420.1360, ext. 200, or email asb@northcarolina.edu.

 

If you'd like to review past Teachers' Biweekly Messages sent to the listserv group, just go online to http://www.ncpublicschools.org/teachersarchive/.