NCAE SBE REVIEW
Key Items from the December State Board of Education Meeting FAST NC Update:
Recognized the six North Carolina state finalists for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science and the two National Presidential Award Winners for Excellence in Math and Science. Recognized the eight 2018 Blue Ribbon Schools: ➢ Clement Elementary in Sampson County, ➢ Eastover-Central Elementary in Cumberland County, ➢ Glenn Marlow Elementary in Henderson County, ➢ Haywood Early College in Haywood County, ➢ Kitty Hawk Elementary in Dare County, ➢ Socrates Academy Charter School, The STEM Early College at NC A & T and, ➢ Gurganus Elementary in Craven County.
SBE Review
$78,000 has been donated to FAST NC by individuals and the NC General Assembly provided $35,000. The funds will provide supplemental aid to districts, students, and teachers that will not be met by other resources. Dr. Henry Johnston and Phil Kirk presented the first round of grants to the following: Duplin County - $14,000 for elementary instructional rugs; Onslow County, White Oak High School science equipment $14,000; and Pender County, $14,000 instructional supplies. There are over 30 partners assisting with raising funds for FAST NC, including groups such as Faith Communities collecting donations, NC Foundation for Public Schools, and Rotary Clubs. The Foundation for Public School Children was able to provide funds and replacement musical instruments lost because of Hurricane Florence to Jones Middle School. The instruments were provided in time for the band to march in the local Christmas parade.
ISD update: After much discussion and debate regarding an unfair time line, equity, legislation, and actions by Wayne County, the SBE approved the newest ISD school for 2019-20.
Here is NCAE’s statement regarding this action: Carver Heights Elementary should not be taken over by a for-profit charter operator, the community and educators don’t want it. We are grateful the State Board of Education recognizes that it should stay in the hands of the local board. The General Assembly put this Board in a terrible position with a flawed timeline. The Board should put as much pressure as possible on the General Assembly to ensure Carver Heights is operated by the local district with legislative fixes to block the Trump-DeVos style charter takeover. Wayne County has put forward a plan to turn this school around, similar to the other five possible schools that were not selected. NCAE calls on our elected leaders to ensure they have the resources to make sure every student has an opportunity to be successful.
NCAE
December 6, 2018
Key links for information you might need: ➢ Report for General Assembly on Broaden Access to Advance Courses ➢ Report for General Assembly on Local Testing for 2018-19 The true or realistic issue of how much time testing takes away from instruction was not clearly addressed. ➢ NC VPS Annual Report was shared with the State Board of Education with a NCVPS student interview in real time. The NC VPS has seen an increase in membership based on the flexibility of scheduling and courses not often offered in an LEA. ➢ A new Lab School connected to UNC-Charlotte – Niner University Elementary School in Charlotte will open in 2019-20. ➢ Healthy Active Children Report The report has data and best practices taking place in North Carolina. All 115 LEAs completed the survey. An interesting practice shared; one school is having recess time 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes in the afternoon. The school has seen an increase in student success in Read to Achieve and EOG tests. ➢ Chronic Teacher Absenteeism Report uses the definition of more than 10 non-consecutive days being out of school. In 2017-18 the data showed 7 percent of the total teaching population fit that definition. There are really no red flags based on the fact that the majority of educators are female and may be home when a child is ill or have to travel to a health provider.
Happy Holidays and Happy 2019!
SBE Review
NCAE
December 6, 2018