Congratulations to NCAE member Jim Brooks, of Wilkes County for being inducted

into the National Teacher Hall of Fame. Jim is one of 5

teachers receiving this recognition this year based on

his outstanding work in the classroom, school

community and contributions to the profession. You

may recognize his name, as he was the 2009 NEA

Teaching Excellence Winner.

The Teacher Hall of Fame is located in Kanas.

N C A E M e m b e r R e c o g n i z e d a t S B E M e e t i n g

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U p d a te o n s ta te A c c o u n ta b i l i t y P l a n

The NC DPI continues to move forward with the NC Accountability model, to many known as ACRE. The 2012-13 school year will be a standard setting year due to the new assessments being generated based on the Essential Skills and Common Core in grades 3-8 and the new high school model. The schedule includes new assessments, compiling data and building the new developmental scale. There will be teacher panels recommending achievement levels and working with vendors to prepare assessment standards for the SBE to approve in Fall of 2013.

Because of the new standard setting—there will be no retesting in 2012-13 ! There will be no retesting because benchmarks for proficiency will not be set.

In the Fall of 2012 for high school assessments that currently count 25% of EOC grade, N C DPI will provide a score 0-100 for calculation with delay and the same in Spring of 2013 without delay for high school courses impacted by revised and new assessments.

Jim Brooks center with Superintendent Atkinson and

President Strickland at Wilkes High School

Received an update on the

STEM Affinity Network that

includes four anchor schools

and 16 STEM themed

schools.

Received positive news on

Halifax County schools and

the progress being made in

3rd grade reading, high

school achievement levels

and leadership skills

impacting the necessary

change. It was noted that

the County Commissioners

have begun discussing the

possible merger of the three

LEAs in Halifax.

The NE Regional Bio Tech

High School has selected a

principal; Hal Davis of Martin

County. Recruitment for

staff and students has

begun. This regional high

school will be connected to

NCUS.

R a c e t o t h e To p U p d a t e

Other Actions at the April State Board Meeting

1. SBE members discussed a policy regarding Charter Schools and how to mini-

mize fiscal impact on large student populations transferring from LEAs to Char-

ter Schools. There are five LEAs that have less than 3,000 students and the es-

timated cost to hold the LEA harmless for students who transfer to a Charter

School is a little over $7million. There are 8 LEAs that have over 10% of the

student population now attending a Charter School.

2. Approved standards for both Instructional Technology Specialists and School

Library Media Coordinators. These are two areas not yet on the new NC Edu-

cator Evaluation System. These new standards will assist in the development

of a new evaluation process.

3. Approved a new Alternative Learning Program for Catawba County. The LEA

had been collaborating with the Hickory School System for an ALP, but will now

have their own program.

Received

information on the

NC Teacher Working

Conditions Survey:

As of 4/4/12 there

was a 38% response

rate, better than 2

years ago. Over

45,000 have

responded thus far.

If you want to see

where your school is

with the survey: http://

www.ncteachingconditions.

org/

If you need

assistance the Help

Desk number is

1 888 601 5826

Survey ends April

20th.

State Literacy Plan Discussion

The SBE discussed the five priority action steps of the proposed new Literacy Plan.

1. Ensure that implementation of the revised standards includes literacy strategies in

each content area, focuses on digital literacy and that all Pre K-12 teachers have an in-

depth understanding of the K-12 College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards and the

Common Core Literacy Standards for Science, Social Studies, History, and the Technical

subjects and how they apply to each content area, specific grade-level content

requirements and the 21st Century Skills and Themes.

2. Continually update the student assessment processes to provide open-ended and

performance assessments. Assessments should be Internet-based and provide data for

teachers to diagnose and address student literacy problems. Focused interventions for

individualized education should serve as a guide for each student to receive appropriate

assistance.

3. Provide opportunities for leadership development for principals, central office staff and

literacy coaches, using the online blended model of professional development when

appropriate.

4. Enhance preparation and professional development for pre-service and in-service

teachers; with additional literacy coaches and consistent emphasis on teaching research-

based reading foundations in all teacher preparation programs.

5. Analyze the need (s) for policy revision and development which included ideas on initial

licensure, continuing licensure, balanced assessments, and teacher preparation.