NCAE State Board of Education Review J U N E
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Assessment Issues: Students and Teachers Two major issues were discussed during the State Board of Education meeting in June. The issues are connected as they impact student growth and impact of growth under Standard Six of the NC Educator Evaluation System. 1. How students are assessed has been a topic for months as the State Testing Task Force has gathered data on how to create a new assessment process that is both formative and summative. The NC DPI has also been working on different methods of how to assess without taking too much time from teaching. A proof of concept on how to approach testing was shared with the SBE. This proposal is similar to a field test where random grades within a school system will be selected to participate. This concept will be shared with the State Testing Task Force.
2. There was discussion on June 3rd regarding revising the Teacher Evaluation Policy as shared in May. NCAE shared feedback to the SBE members and NC DPI staff that was received from members on the proposed changes. One item that changed in the proposed policy referenced Directed Growth Plan that now reads Mandatory Growth Plan if Standard Six is not met. The proposed policy changes begin on p.9 of the link. The SBE has decided to wait until the fall to address this policy, so no vote was taken. NCAE will continue to work on this issue as members have directed.
NCAE State Board of Education Review June 2015
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Charter Schools Updates New Charter Schools – The Office of Charter Schools received 40 applications and the Charter School Advisory Commission selected 26 applicants to be interviewed. Eighteen charter schools were submitted to the State Board of Education for approval. The SBE decided that four applicants needed to be held for further review by CSAC during their June meeting, based on financial concerns and charter boards and management companies capacity. If the Charter School Advisory Commission decides to approve and resubmit to the SBE the vote will be in August. The SBE denied two applicants and approved twelve new charter schools to begin their first year of planning.
Cardinal Charter Academy at Knightdale -- Wake County Central Wake Charter High School -- Wake County Fern Leaf Community Charter School -- Henderson County Gateway Charter Academy -- Guilford County Kannapolis Charter Academy -- Cabarrus County Leadership Academy for Young Women -- New Hanover County Mallard Creek STEM Academy -- Mecklenburg County Matthews-Mint Hill Charter Academy -- Mecklenburg County Mooresville Charter Academy -- Iredell County Peak Charter Academy -- Wake County Union Day School -- Union County Union Preparatory Academy at Indian Trail -- Union County
The SBE voted to revoke the charter of Dynamic Charter School in Raleigh. The SBE is allowing a one-year delay for Ignite Innovation in Pitt with the stipulation that if they do not open in 2016-17 they will have to reapply again to be issued a charter.
NCAE STATE BOARD
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SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS Kudos to the out-going special advisors to the State Board of Education. Karyn Dickerson (2013-15 Teacher of the Year) ended her term on the Board.
As an NCAE member we are appreciative of her voice on the SBE as she shared the reality of how policies would impact school communities.
Carrie Tulbert (2014-15 Principal of the Year) ends her term on the Board.
She shared concerns over how the evaluation process was not as clearly implemented as one might think.
Brady Johnson (2014-15 Superintendent of the Year) ends his term on the Board.
He provided common sense advice on how best to create policy that would support educators to carry out their job. Received information on the Book Harvest project in Durham and Orange Counties. Over 8,500 books have been provided to students who are on Free and Reduced Lunch for their summer reading. Each student “shops” in the Harvest Book event and selects 10 books. For more information on how to get involved or begin a program in your community: www.bookharvestnc.org
Recognized students and teachers who have earned the Microsoft Certification Over the last five years more than 200,000 teachers and students have earned this certification. The SBE recognized 18 high schools students who have placed in the top three tiers of their certification categories within Microsoft. These students will compete in the Certiport’s MOS US National Championship this June in Orlando, Florida. The students are from Wake County, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City and the NC School of Science and Math.
The SBE received the framework addressing how to respond to Leandro Case. The plan includes categories addressing: a) Excellent teachers for every child b) Educator Effectiveness c) Equal Access to Opportunities d) Strong Pre-K programs and Strong K-3 Alignment e) Access to Resources and Classes f)
Access to School Support Services
g) Support for Districts and Schools: Accountability Services, Low Performing Schools, Students with Disabilities and Students who are Advanced Learners
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NCAE Members: Your Input Needed!
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction would like feedback on the 2014–15 end-of-grade and end-of-course test administrations. The purpose of this survey is to gather information regarding testing time and proctors. All results and information obtained from this survey are strictly confidential. The survey will remain open until close of business on Tuesday, June 30. We would greatly appreciate your participation. The survey can be accessed at https://docs.google.com/forms/ d/1PIOydpxBtcj5Vmtqb2K6AXzRUtILyu6K-Ga5iQnU2xQ/viewform If you have any questions, please contact Jaime Kelley at jaime.kelley@dpi.nc.gov.
North Carolina teachers play an important role in the test development process through writing and reviewing test items. For teachers who may be interested in this process, the North Carolina Testing Program is providing information about teachers’ participation in test development and how they complete online training courses to register their interest in writing or reviewing. If you have any questions, please contact Jaime Kelley at jaime.kelley@dpi.nc.gov.
NCAE State Board