NCAE SBE Review NEW COLLEGE/CAREER ACHIEVEMENT LEVELS APPROVED In October 2013, the State Board of Education (SBE) adopted college and career readiness Academic Achievement Standards and Academic Achievement Descriptors for the End-of-Grade and End-ofCourse tests and their alternates.
March 2014
With the need to have a more definitive discrimination for the Level 2 and Level 1 range, staff at NC DPI created a methodology to add an achievement level below college and career readiness. This additional achievement level will help identify students who are prepared for the next grade, enabling more accurate identification of students who need additional instruction and assistance. The SBE approved these new achievement levels, and they go into effect for the 2013 –14 school year. The levels are: Level 5 denotes Superior Command and College and Career Readiness. Level 4 denotes Solid Command and College and Career Readiness. Level 3 denotes Sufficient Command. Level 2 denotes Partial Command. Level 1 denotes Limited Command. The scale scores account for Standard Error of Measurement and Level 3 means a student is proficient.
Discussion on Virtual Charter Schools The 2013 General Assembly tasked the SBE to study the implementation of virtual charter schools. The ad-hoc group presented a draft report that contains a recommendation to pilot at least 3 virtual charter schools. The SBE raised major concerns over this report and the lack of data that should take place within a study. Members of the SBE are not in favor of NC embarking on virtual charters at this time. They did not approve this report and will have a conference call meeting on this topic March 19. NCAE is going to provide some research data to support NOT moving forward with a virtual charter school.
Special points of interest:
Received an update from Lt. Governor Forrest on the Digital Learning Grant. Received a report on the success of Teach for America and the expansion into the PiedmontTriad area to meet the legislative mandate of expanding the program. One take away from this program is the strong mentoring and coaching received—that all new teachers need, not just TFA. Received interesting and exciting data on the success CIS programs have had on the improvement of graduation rates and school attendance of students in the community programs.
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NCAE SBE Review
RT3 Initiatives Evaluation Report Over the last three years, the Friday Institute, NC State University, and Carolina Public Policy at UNC-CH have conducted formative assessments for the various initiatives connected to RT3. These research groups will begin to transition from a formative assessment into a more summative approach in order to provide lessons from results of projects and programs. The summative data will also support strategic plans that will be needed in the future. The intervention strategies in the 12 Low-Performing Districts and 118 lowest performing schools were met with
success. Graduation rates have improved, teacher effectiveness has seen an improvement as teaching strategies and Common Core have been implemented. Focused professional development and leadership coaching have improved the teaching and administrative skills and performance.
growth and teacher observations, we find positive signs connected to EVAAS, student surveys and principal evaluation of teachers that demonstrates validity of both the NC Educator Evaluation System and other assessment tools. In the summative evaluation phase the research will focus on the impact of professional development and student achievement. There will be data gathered on the effectiveness of leadership academies and HomeBase.
The supply and distribution of highly effective teachers in low-performing districts and schools is beginning to take place, but there is still a need in some areas of the state. In regards to data from student
Other Issues Taken Up by the SBE 1. 2.
Approved standard six flexibility for 10 charter schools. Approved technical corrections regarding the high school diploma endorsement.
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Approved the amendments to the CTE state plan,.
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Approved the report on Educator Preparation Licensure and Performance in Reading. This involves the changes for required tests for K-6 elementary and exceptional children beginning July 1, 2014.
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Approved the low-wealth and small county allotment non-supplant requirement.
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Approved the process for awarding new four-year contracts for the DHHS residential school staff.
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Received an update on the Troops to Teachers program, a program that helps retired military become classroom teachers.
If nothing ever changed, there would be no butterflies.
8.
Supported a resolution on the authority of local school boards dealing with redistricting. The SBE does not oversee local redistricting issues. The resolution states that local boards of education should be deliberate and provide opportunities for input from the community and parents regarding decisions impacting their schools.
suspended policy GCS-M-001 requiring 135 hours of instruction for a block course for this The SBE
school year only. LEAs have noted they can meet the 185 days or 1,025 hours requirement, but will be short no more than 8 hours in meeting the block course requirement of 135 hours. In April, the SBE will discuss new policy language that would maintain the integrity of courses, but also allow some flexibility to local school systems when faced with weather challenges and little calendar flexibility.