PREVIOUS HIGHLIGHTS 2008

MESSAGES 2008 :: DECEMBER 19, 2008

DECEMBER 19, 2008 - NCDPI WEB HIGHLIGHTS

CTE Site Redesigned
The Career and Technical Education (CTE) site offers a new look that includes improved navigation features to help visitors locate resources and materials faster and easier. Check out the changes at: http://www.ncpublicschools.org/cte/.

Teacher Turnover Report for 2007-08 Now on the Web
The 2007-08 Annual Report on The Reasons Educators Leave Teaching is online at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/recruitment/surveys/turnover/. State legislation (G. S. 115C-12(22),) requires the State Board of Education to monitor and compile an annual report on the decisions of teachers to leave the teaching profession. School districts complete a survey on an annual basis to comply with this law. The survey for the 2007-08 school year asked school districts to report the total number of teachers employed in the system between March 2007 and March 2008, the total number of teachers leaving the system, the number of teachers with tenure who were leaving and the reasons given by teachers for leaving.

Spring Tuition Awards Available for Special Education Teachers
Limited spring tuition awards are available for special education teachers working toward meeting provisional license requirements. Under this tuition program, employed Bachelor-level special education teachers with a provisional license may receive the actual cost of tuition for one approved spring course up to $140 per semester hour with a final grade of a "B" or higher. These costs are paid by the Exceptional Children Division on a reimbursement basis. If the tuition is above the $140 per semester hour rate, it will be the responsibility of the recipient to pay the difference. These awards are made on a first come, first served basis while the federal grant funds are available. Copies of this application packet are available to download at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/ec/development/training/. Spring allocation awards will end May 15. Supporting documentation should be received by June 12. For additional information concerning this program, contact Susan Davis at 919. 807.3985.

RACG's Newsletters Cover TV and Technology
Do you know the average number of hours American children watch television daily? How does excessive television viewing affect a child's ability to learn? What can parents do to encourage alternative activities? Read more on our children's television viewing habits in the "Back to School" newsletter from the Raising Achievement and Closing Gaps (RACG) section at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/racg/resources/newsletter/. In addition, the 2008 fall/winter newsletter for the RACG also is available at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/racg/resources/newsletter/.

E-Newsletter for Student Support Services now Online
The December edition of the Student Support Services e-newsletter is available online at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/studentsupport/enewsletter/. The newsletter provides a wealth of information for professionals providing support services to students.

Professional Development Material for Teachers and Principals Revised
Several resources for the North Carolina Evaluation and Instrument Process have been updated and are available on the Professional Development Web site.

Teacher Professional Development Plan - http://www.ncpublicschools.org/profdev/training/teacher/.
Presentation for three-day training session for the Teacher Evaluation and Instrument Process - http://www.ncpublicschools.org/profdev/training/teacher/.
Template for the Principal Goal Setting Worksheet - http://www.ncpublicschools.org/profdev/training/principal/.

RACG Section Hosts Poverty Workshop
The Raising Achievement and Closing Gaps Section is hosting a two-day professional development opportunity, "Ruby Payne's workshop, A Framework for Understanding Poverty©," April 28-29, at the NCDPI in Raleigh. More information is available at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/racg/training/rubypayne/.

Featured Publications at NCDPI

To order, please call 800.663.1250 or visit Publication Sales on the Web at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/publications/.

NC WISE Pocket Folders
Pocket folder with tips for NC WISE users on basic navigation, support contacts and troubleshooting tips. Price listed is for 25 pocket folders per package.
WS101, 2008, $20

Education Directory
The Public Schools of North Carolina Education Directory is a comprehensive guide to the professional staff in the state education department, education associations and organizations, individual school systems, and all public elementary and secondary schools in the state. The directory includes materials and equipment vendor listings. The directory is spiral bound with tabs for easy access.
DR101, 2008, $17

Did you know that NCDPI sells a variety of publications to educators, administrators, school and central office staff, students and parents? Check out the agency's inventory of more than 200 manuals, brochures, posters, CDs, videotapes and more at our Publications Sales site at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/publications.