TEACHERS' MESSAGES 2009

FEBRUARY 26, 2009 - Teachers' Biweekly Messages

There has never been a time in my life when I heard more conversation about economics, money and budgets than I am hearing today. The economic situation is very tough, and everyone is feeling the effects. I want to thank Gov. Bev Perdue for continuing to keep public schools at the top of her priority list and for helping our state weather this very tough time with as little impact to schools as possible.

On Wednesday, I attended a White House briefing along with my fellow chief state school officers from across our nation. The purpose of the briefing was to meet with U.S. Secretary Arne Duncan and Vice President Joe Biden to discuss the federal stimulus package. While all the answers about this package are not in, we do know that it will provide funding for existing elementary and secondary programs funded by the federal government and it will provide stabilization funds to help states through this rough time. Some of the areas that we know will benefit include data systems, academic assessments, standards development and school improvement. It is very positive that many of the details of the plan mesh well with North Carolina's own goals for our schools and efforts currently underway. I will continue to keep you informed about budget issues and other important matters as they unfold.

Regards,
June Atkinson

In this Biweekly Teachers' Message:

1. State Board of Education Meets Next Week
2. February Edition of NC NCLB News Online
3. Three North Carolina Middle Schools Recognized as "Schools to Watch"
4. 2009 Title I Distinguished Schools Named
5. Johns Hopkins Researchers Rate Reading and Math Programs
6. It's Not Too Late to Register for the Raising Achievement/Closing Gaps Conference
7. Professional Development Opportunity
8. "Fight the Bite!" Poster Contest Open to Fifth and Sixth Graders

State Board of Education Meets Next Week

The State Board of Education will meet next week, March 4-5, in the Education Building, Raleigh. Action items include approval of the location of the 4th Regional Alternative Licensure Center, APA Policies on Teacher Evaluation Process: Public Comments Report, and program approvals under the Innovative Education Initiatives Act. Members will discuss the 2009 invitation to submit textbooks for evaluation and adoption in North Carolina, allowing retest results in the calculation of performance composites of the ABCs and AYP, and lateral entry licenses for NC Virtual public school teachers of critical languages. Board members also will receive a consolidated data report containing information on school crime and violence, suspensions and expulsions and dropout rates and crimes. On Thursday, the Board will swear in a new member, Dr. William Harrison, and elect a new board chair. The complete agenda and executive materials are posted online at www.ncpublicschools.org/sbe_meetings. Also, the State Board's committee meetings and full Board meeting are audio streamed for those who cannot attend. To listen to the sessions, please go online to http://www.ncpublicschools.org/sbe_meetings and scroll to the Live Audio Stream links.

February Edition of NC NCLB News Online

The February edition of the NC NCLB News, available on the Web at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/nclb/news/, features information on the Statewide System of Support (SSOS) developed by the NCDPI to help struggling schools and districts improve student achievement. Other articles address the new North Carolina School Improvement Planning Implementation Guide, new Title I regulations, school funding availability, accountability changes, and more.

Three North Carolina Middle Schools Recognized as "Schools to Watch"

Congratulations to Apple Valley Middle (Henderson County Schools), Crestdale Middle (Ch arlotte-Mecklenburg Schools) and East Wilkes Middle (Wilkes County Schools) for recently being named "Schools to Watch" by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform. They were recognized for their academic excellence, responsiveness to the needs of young adolescents and a commitment to helping all students succeed. To read more, please visit the NCDPI Web site at www.ncpublicschools.org and click on the appropriate link under "News."

2009 Title I Distinguished Schools Named

Congratulations to First Flight Elementary (Dare County Schools) and Forestville Road Elementary (Wake County Schools) for recently being recognized as North Carolina's Title I Distinguished Schools for 2009. First Flight Elementary, a PK-5 school serving 380 students, was selected as a Title I Distinguished School based on high student performance, Adequate Yearly Progress status, and having at least 40 percent of its student population qualifying as economically disadvantaged. Forestville Road Elementary, a PK-5 school serving a diverse 597-member student body, was selected as a Title I Distinguished School based on closing the achievement gap between different groups of students. The Title I Distinguished Schools Recognition Program showcases top schools that are organizing successful academic programs for the state's neediest students. Title I Distinguished schools receive a $7,500 award and school leaders represent the state at the National Title I conference, held this year in San Antonio, Texas, Feb.19-22.

Johns Hopkins Researchers Rate Reading and Math Programs

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have rated dozens of K-12 reading and math programs according to strength of effectiveness. The program ratings are the result of a review by the Johns Hopkins University School of Education's Center for Data- Driven Reform in Education. The ratings, much like Consumer Reports® product reviews, are intended to help educators choose classroom approaches proven to work according to research. Program types include curricula, computer- assisted instruction and instructional process. The Best Evidence Encyclopedia (www.bestevidence.org) presents these reliable, unbiased reviews of research- proven educational programs. To sign up for e- mail updates, contact thebee@bestevidence.org.

It's Not Too Late to Register for the Raising Achievement/Closing Gaps Conference

The date for the annual Raising Achievement and Closing Gaps Conference XIII is quickly approaching. Registration is still open, and we hope that you will be able to join us in Greensboro at the Sheraton Four Seasons/ Koury Convention Center on March 30-April 1. The program includes a wide variety of speakers with up-to-date information that will surely benefit all who attend. Additional information on the conference, including registration, is available online at ncpublicschools.org/racg/conference.

Professional Development Opportunity

Although readers differ in how they approach reading and the meaning they construct from text, good readers use specific strategies. "Promoting Reading Comprehension Skills in the Middle School Classroom," offered by LEARN NC, examines teaching practices that help develop concrete strategies for constructing meaning. Participants also will explore instructional procedures that help students learn how to coordinate key comprehension strategies. The course, which begins March 23, costs $150 and offers 2 CEUs. For more information, including registration, please visit www.learnnc.org/courses/current/eLEPromotingReading_Joslin_03_09.

"Fight the Bite!" Poster Contest Open to Fifth and Sixth Graders

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the DEET Education Program are sponsoring the 2009 "Fight the Bite!" poster contest, which is open to all fifth and sixth graders in the United States. The contest encourages students to use art to show the ways they can protect themselves and their families from the diseases spread by mosquitoes, ticks and fleas by using repellent while outdoors. Two winners from each state - one fifth grader and one sixth grader - will receive a $50 U.S. Savings Bond and an award certificate. The Grand Prize winners from each grade will receive a $1,000 U.S. Savings Bond, a plaque and an all-expenses-paid trip to Atlanta with their parents for the awards presentation at CDC headquarters. Contest submission rules can be found online at: www.fightthebitecontest.org/FB_Rules.html. Information about the contest is available at: www.fightthebitecontest.org/Index.html. More information about diseases from mosquito and tick bites, repellent use and other prevention strategies can be found at the CDC Web sites: www.cdc.gov/westnile, www.cdc.gov/lyme and www.deh.enr.state.nc.us/phpm/pestspecies.htm. The contest deadline is April 3.

 

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