TEACHERS' MESSAGES 2009

OCTOBER 22, 2009 - Teachers' Biweekly Messages

North Carolina has some good news to celebrate. Our fourth and eighth graders outperformed the nation in mathematics according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, also called The Nation's Report Card. These results are outlined in the second item below. I highlight this because, often, local educators pay little attention to NAEP since there are no local scores available. I encourage you to pay attention, however, because NAEP is the only national state-to-state comparison available to us. What the 2009 results show is that our math curriculum changes are having a very positive impact. The fourth graders reflected in this year's test scores began kindergarten in the year that the last math curriculum revisions were implemented. Teachers have clearly done an excellent job implementing the new standards.

Regards,
June Atkinson

In this Biweekly Teachers' Message:

1. Race to the Top Webinars Scheduled
2. High Graduation Rates Recognized
3. NAEP Math Scores Released
4. Greetings from the North Carolina Teacher of the Year
5. Draft Science Essential Standards Update
6. NC Teacher Working Conditions Survey
7. LEARN NC's Fall Conference Video Online
8. Virtual School Trip for 5-8 Grades Science Teachers

Race to the Top Webinars Scheduled

Grab your calendars and place a hold on the date that will enable you to participate in the statewide Webinar on Race to the Top for teachers. The purpose of the Webinar is to provide information on the state's Race to the Top grant proposal and how teachers can be involved. Complete details, including specific invitations and directions for participation, will be forthcoming as the dates approach. Dates and times are as follows:

• Monday, Nov. 16, - 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, Nov. 18, - 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

High Graduation Rates Recognized

NCDPI recognized 17 schools and 12 school districts in North Carolina at a special reception on Oct. 12 to highlight success in reach a high graduation rate. There are seven high schools with a 100 percent graduation rate and 12 school districts with graduation rates of more than 80 percent. The schools that were recognized varied from small, themed schools to large comprehensive high schools. The keys to their success, according to these schools' principals, include creating smaller learning communities, providing support to students when they show signs of struggling and ensuring that students are engaged in their school work and school community. The full news release is available online at www.ncpublicschools.org.

NAEP Math Scores Released

North Carolina fourth and eighth graders outperformed the nation in mathematics in 2009, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress results released last week by the U.S. Department of Education. North Carolina fourth graders had a particularly strong performance, increasing their average score by two points over fourth grade performance in 2007. The average score among the state's fourth graders was 244 versus 239 for the nation. Only Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire and Vermont performed significantly above North Carolina in fourth grade mathematics. North Carolina's performance at fourth grade was not significantly different from that of 18 other states and was higher than 29 other states or jurisdictions.

Eighth grade students in North Carolina outperformed their national counterparts although their score did not change from 2007. The average score among the state's eighth graders was 284, which is statistically higher than the national score of 282. North Carolina's eighth grade performance was higher than 19 other states or jurisdictions, not significantly different from 18 and lower than 14 states or jurisdictions. Over time, students in North Carolina have consistently improved their performance on the NAEP. When the assessments began in the early 1990s, North Carolina students scored well below the national average. Over time, the state's performance has improved at a faster rate than the nation's performance. The full report are available online at www.ncpublicschools.org under News.

Greetings from the North Carolina Teacher of the Year

Welcome back to the start of a new school year! With the first six weeks or so already behind us, I hope you are enjoying and getting to know your new students. I must admit that I'm a little bit jealous - I really miss being in the classroom this year! However, to this point I have had some wonderful opportunities as North Carolina's Teacher of the Year. I have gotten to attend conferences, speak to many students, teachers, and future teachers across the state, and represent the fine educators of North Carolina as an advisor to the State Board of Education.

I would like to take a moment to encourage you. One of the many privileges for me this year is having the freedom to observe teachers in classrooms across the state. I can tell you firsthand that we have amazing teachers in the state of North Carolina! I have seen a dedicated, hard-working, innovative group of people who are doing their best for our students. I applaud your efforts and urge you to keep up the good fight. As the weather turns colder, don't let your enthusiasm fall with the temperatures and the leaves on the trees. Remember that you have a major impact on the lives of your students, and that they look to you for advice and expertise.

I am honored to represent you, the finest teachers our nation has to offer. Please don't hesitate to contact me if there is anything I can do for you or your school. Feel free to visit my Web site at http://ncteachers.pbworks.com to see what's going on in my journey. Warmly, Jessica Garner, 2009-10 AT&T NC Teacher of the Year

Draft Science Essential Standards Update

The draft Science Essential Standards is currently in the final phase of the revision process. External stakeholders will have an opportunity to review and provide feedback in late October via the Web. Following the final round of review and revision, the NCDPI's Curriculum, Instruction and Technology Division will present the 2009 Science Essential Standards to the NC State Board members at their December meeting for discussion and for adoption at the January meeting, pending SBE recommendations. For more information, please contact NCDPI Deputy Chief Academic Officer Angela Quick at aquick@dpi.state.nc.us.

NC Teacher Working Conditions Survey

The next North Carolina Teacher Working Conditions Survey will be administered March 17-April 16, 2010. Codes to facilitate participation will be mailed to all traditional schools, charter schools and special schools by March 1, 2010. For more information, please contact Carolyn McKinney at cmckinney@dpi.state.nc.us or by phone, 919.807.3424.

LEARN NC's Fall Conference Video Available Online

If you missed LEARN NC's Fall Interactive Conference on Oct. 1, the video archives from all the afternoon sessions are available online. Nine sessions in total covering project-based learning, professional development, free tools for the classroom, and more content designed to save you time and help you teach more effectively. To view the videos, please visit http://www.learnnc.org/lp/editions/fall-conference-2009/5990 .

Virtual School Trip for 5-8 Grades Science Teachers

Fifth through eighth grade science teachers are invited to take a live electronic field trip, "Searching for Life in Great Smoky Mountains National Park," on Tuesday, Nov. 3. The program, developed by the National Park Foundation and Great Smoky Mountains National Park, focuses on the topic of biodiversity and is free to all schools. Online learning modules are available to all teachers and educational broadcasters who register for the field trip. The one-hour program will air from 10-11 a.m. and from 1-2 p.m. Educators can visit http://www.smokymountainseft.org to learn more about the event.

 

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