TEACHERS' MESSAGES 2009

MARCH 26, 2009 - Teachers' Biweekly Messages

I know that all of us are concerned about the impact of the federal and state budget situation on teaching positions and other crucial positions in our local schools. Gov. Perdue's budget reflects the realities of our state's financial picture and continues to keep public education at the top of the agenda. Under her budget, teachers will receive the 2009 step increase on their salary schedules - a recognition of your critical role in our state's economic health. Remember that the students in your classrooms today are the citizens and workers of our state tomorrow. The Governor's budget is now in the hands of the N.C. Senate and we hope to receive the Senate's version of the budget in the coming weeks. Please watch your email for legislative updates.

Regards,
June Atkinson

In this Biweekly Teachers' Message:

1. State Board of Education Meets Next Week
2. NC Highlighted for Improving Graduation Rate Gains
3. New Resources Added to Graduation Requirements' Web Page
4. April 1 is Deadline for Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Nominations
5. LEARN NC Offers Professional Development Opportunity
6. North Carolina Teacher Academy Summer Modules Posted
7. Summer 2009 Biotechnology Workshops for Educators
8. National Weather Service Marks Hurricane Floyd Anniversary with Events

State Board of Education Meets Next Week

The State Board of Education will meet next week, April 1-2, in the Education Building, Raleigh. Action items include allowing retest results in the calculation of performance composites of the ABCs and AYP, proposed revisions to the eligibility requirements for provisional licenses in school counseling and school social work, and the 2009 invitation to submit textbooks for evaluation and adoption in North Carolina. Members will discuss the 2009-2010 writing assessment plan, principal and teacher evaluation instrument state level ratings, and the elementary mathematics program of study and licensure endorsement. The complete agenda and executive materials will be posted online next week 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.

NC Highlighted for Improving Graduation Rate Gains

North Carolina is ranked seventh in the nation in graduation rate gains between 2002 and 2006 according to "Rising Graduation Rates: A Series of Data Briefs," released last week by The Everyone Graduates Center. The report is the first in a series of briefs examining the progress states are making in raising high school graduation rates over the past decade. Although the nation's overall graduation rate was noted as remaining essentially flat at 74 percent, 18 states posted gains in their graduation rates with gains posted by the top 12 states considered "substantial." Tennessee was first on the list with an 11.2 percentage point gain (72 percent graduation rate) followed by Delaware and Kentucky with a 6.8 percentage point gain (76 percent and 78 percent graduation rates respectively). North Carolina's percentage point gain was 3.6 percent (72 percent graduation rate). North Carolina has initiated a number of programs designed to positively impact the state's graduation rate including dropout prevention grants, Learn and Earn Early College High Schools and other dual enrollment programs, credit recovery programs such as those offered through the North Carolina Virtual Public School and public schools, and a number of local initiatives targeting at-risk students including ninth grade academies, alternative dipl oma programs, Learning Centers and graduation coaches. To access the full report, please visit www.every1graduates.org/PDFs/StateProgressReport.pdf

New Resources Added to Graduation Requirements' Web Page

Several new documents including Frequently Asked Questions addressing English language learners, exceptional children and accessing courses not available in districts in addition to materials addressing the Future-Ready Core math sequence have been added to the North Carolina Graduation Requirements' Web site Resources link. This Web site, www.ncpublicschools.org/gradrequirements, was originally developed to assist districts and schools with preparation and implementation of the Future-Ready Core course and credit requirements. The freshman class of 2009-2010 is the first class affected by the Future-Ready Core. Educators and parents are encouraged to visit this site regularly as new materials will be added periodically. For more information, please contact the NCDPI's Communications division at 919.807.3450.

April 1 is Deadline for Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Nominations

April 1 is the deadline to nominate a secondary school teacher for The National Science Foundation's 2009 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) program. PAEMST is the highest recognition that a kindergarten through 12th-grade mathematics or science teacher may receive for outstanding teaching in the United States. This program recognizes teachers for their contributions to teaching and learning and their ability to help students make progress in mathematics and science. To apply, teachers must first be nominated for the award. Teachers may nominate themselves or may be nominated by someone else (e.g., principals, teachers, parents, or other members of the general public). Once nominated, teachers will receive an email with instructions on how to access the online application. The application deadline for secondary school teachers (Grades 7-12) is May 1. Elementary school teachers (Grades K-6) are eligible to apply in 2010. Online nomination forms are available online at www.paemst.org. Presidential awardees receive a citation signed by the President of the United States, a paid trip for two to Washington DC to attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities, and a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation.

LEARN NC Offers Professional Development Opportunity

LEARN NC is offering an online professional development course entitled "A Crash Course in ESL." This course is designed to provide a concise overview for teachers working with ESL students. Among other things, the course will explain testing, policies and procedures for ESL students; assist in understanding second language acquisition, cultural issues and challenges that all play a role in learning English; and explore appropriate strategies for reaching English language learners that are consistent with each student's level of language development, educational background and life experiences. The course also supplies teachers with reliable resources for supplemental information/assistance. The course begins May 6, costs $150, and offers two CEUs. For more information, please visit www.learnnc.org/courses/current/CrashCourseESL_05_09_Hill.

North Carolina Teacher Academy Summer Modules Posted

The 2009 North Carolina Teacher Academy summer modules are now posted online. Participants in this residential program will receive a $400 stipend, unless otherwise specified in the individual application. (Twelve-month participants must take annual leave in order to receive a stipend.) Housing and subsistence for residential academies will be provided by the Teacher Academy. Participants will be required to complete 12 hours of sustained online follow-up activities in order to earn 3.6 CEUs. Applications and additional information are available online at www.teacheracademy.org by clicking on the Summer 2009 Residential Academies' link. The application deadline is March 31.

Summer 2009 Biotechnology Workshops for Educators

The North Carolina Biotechnology Center will again sponsor biotechnology workshops for educators this summer. Five introductory workshops will be offered around the state for high school science teachers, and one workshop for middle school teachers. North Carolina educators receive a daily stipend, room and board, technology or regular CEUs, and access to the Biotechnology Center's free supplies and equipment loan programs. Complete information about the workshops can be found on the Biotechnology Center's Web site at www.ncbiotech.org/summerworkshops.

National Weather Service Marks Hurricane Floyd Anniversary with Events

The National Weather Service is marking the anniversary of Hurricane Floyd by reminding people to be prepared for each hurricane season, and to be aware of the potential for flooding. As part of this effort, the Hurricane Hunter aircraft with NOAA Hurricane Experts will travel to the Floyd impacted cities of Raleigh and Wilmington on May 6 and 7 respectively. For more information, including educational materials on hurricanes and flooding, please visit http://www.erh.noaa.gov/mhx/Floyd/index.php. Lesson plans for grades 4 and 5 are available online at http://www.erh.noaa.gov/mhx/Floyd/PDF/LessonPlan.pdf. Questions may be directed to sarah.jamison@noaa.gov.

 

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