"School Cuts" story from WRAL television

How long can we continue to take less and make more? WRAL-TV has thisstory its website.  Here are two links: one to the overall story and one to the very detailed table that shows for each LEA what the cuts will cost them regarding the flexibility cuts and the loss of the federal EduJobs funding that is looming.

School Cuts Loom Unless Legislator Act - https://mail.abss.k12.nc.us/owa/redir.aspx?C=7c9a2640d9724883a4e56c2a07009fad&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.wral.com%2fnews%2fstate%2fnccapitol%2fstory%2f10865020%2f

Pending Cuts – Specifics for Each School System - https://mail.abss.k12.nc.us/owa/redir.aspx?C=7c9a2640d9724883a4e56c2a07009fad&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.wral.com%2fnews%2feducation%2fpage%2f10862192%2f

READY Regional Meeting

I want to thank the Department of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education for allowing me to travel to the eight regions as the teacher representative. A special thank you also to the teacher representatives who have attended or will attend one of the READY regional outreach meetings underway across North Carolina this month. We began in Greensboro on Feb. 28 where nearly 800 teacher representatives, principals and other central office staff met with NCDPI and State Board of Education leadership. This week, we are in Elizabeth City, Wilmington and Fayetteville then on to Raleigh, Hickory, Charlotte and Asheville. My message in each region is that the teacher evaluation tool is our blue print as we are  growing to greatness. Education is not broken the challenge before us is to remodel and update our system of public schools to meet student needs today and in the future. Thanks to Race to the Top funding, we do have some resources to help us move our remodeling project more quickly than we could have done otherwise.NC DPI has posted the materials and PowerPoint slides online for you to see at www.ncpublicschools.org/ready. In the next few weeks, video segments of the Raleigh regional meeting will be available too, and we'll advertise the link at that time. Let's do what is best for children always!

North Carolina VPS Teacher wins a National Honor!

NCVPS Teacher Named National Online Teacher of the Year

  

     Congratulations to the new National Online Teacher of the Year Job well done. North Carolina Virtual Public School (NCVPS) biology teacher Leslie Fetzer of Holly Springs has been named America's 2012 "National Online Teacher of the Year" for K-12 education by the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) and the International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL). The 2012 SREB/iNACOL "National Online Teacher of the Year" award recognizes an outstanding online teacher for exceptional contributions to online K-12 education. The review committee selected Fetzer from online educators in public schools and state virtual schools in 26 states. 
     "Much has changed about how, when and where students learn so online education plays a critical role in our public schools today," said State Board of Education Chairman Bill Harrison. "North Carolina is fortunate to have Leslie and other teachers like her working to make a difference for students in the state's virtual classrooms."

NEA Rankings Should Be Viewed in Context

   The NEA (National Education Association) recently released its annual per pupil expenditure rankings. A quick review shows that North Carolina moved from the 47^th ranking in 2010-2011 to the 42^nd ranking in 2011-2012. At first glance, this would seem to be reason for celebration. However, a more detailed review tells a different story. North Carolina’s actual per pupil expenditure fell from $8,763 per pupil in 2010-11 to a projected $8,565 this year. While $198 less per pupil may not seem like much to get concerned about, when you do the math, you see that it could mean over $293 million more for K-12 education than is invested today.
     One could ask “How can North Carolina move ahead in rank and spend $198 less in per pupil expenditures than the previous year?” This requires a look at the other states which have moved up and down and fallen in and out of the bottom ten lowest ranking states in the nation over the past five years. The answer to the question is other states have fallen lower and faster than North Carolina has this year.
       It should not be lost on anyone that North Carolina’s higher ranking came because numerous other states made more arduous cuts to education than we have. The continued placement of North Carolina in the bottom ten ranking states in the nation for per pupil expenditures for education shows that our State continues to be a lower-investment state when it comes to K-12 education. 

Wake County CTE Teacher Receives National Recognition

Congratulations to Tracie Dunlap (Cary High, Wake County Schools) who was recently recognized as the 2012 North Carolina ProStart Educator of the Year. The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s ProStart Educator Excellence Awards recognize an exceptional educator from every state who utilizes the ProStart program in his/her classroom. ProStart is two-year program for high school students that develops the best and brightest talent into tomorrow’s industry leaders. From culinary techniques to management skills, ProStart’s industry-driven curriculum provides real-world educational opportunities and builds practical skills and a foundation that will last a lifetime and culminate with the student earning the National ProStart Certificate of Achievement credential. North Carolina has amazing educators.

NC CAP Leadership Institute

Do you ever wonder how to advocate for your program in your community, reaching out to businesses, elected officials, and community leaders?  Do you ever wish you had a network of peers with whom you could brainstorm challenges and work collectively to advance afterschool programming in your community?  Do you need CEUs (Continuing Education Units) for your career?  If so, the Leadership Institute is for you! 
     NC CAP is partnering with NC State University to conduct a year-long fellowship for afterschool providers, including directors, site coordinators, front-line staff, and administrators.  Sign up to be part of a network of your peers, develop leadership skills, and learn how to advocate for your afterschool program.  The requirement includes participation at SYNERGY, as well as participation in webinars throughout the year, and an at-home project over the course of the year. 
     The 2012 NC CAP Leadership Institute cohort will begin their classes during the SYNERGY Conference (April 15th – 18th, 2012, in Charlotte, NC). During the conference, participants will take part in 16 hours of dedicated program development seminars and workshops with one additional take-home assignment – a professional portfolio (approximately 30 hours of work is expected to be completed re: the portfolio by December 2012).  4.6 CEUs will be given to participants who complete the entire program. CEUs will be issued through the McKimmon Center, NC State University. 
     Complete the application packet and submit a writing sample and at least one (1) letter of recommendation from a current supervisor.  Click here for more information and the application for the Leadership Institute.

State Board Grants Calendar Waiver Requests

The State Board of Education wants to do what is best for LEAs as they continue the core business of educating our students.  At the March meeting, State Board members approved a motion granting authority to the State Superintendent to grant local districts waivers of up to five instructional days for the 2012-13 school year if the days are used for the following purposes:

-  provide additional professional development on Essential Standards and Common Core as described in your LEA or Charter School's approved Detailed Scope of Work under the Race to the Top initiative (Section B3), 

-  train teachers and staff on how to use digital devices to improve instruction, or

-  other targeted staff development with documented results that such training has enhanced student performance (ex.: Responsiveness to Instruction). 

Districts must submit waiver requests by April 30. Waiver requests for any other reason will be considered by the State Board of Education as long as they are submitted by April 30.

ACT Exams

 
For the first time, high school juniors in public and charter schools on Tuesday took the ACT college entrance exam under a state mandate. The state is using the test as a measuring stick in the state's new accountability system to be implemented this year. The scores will be one way of evaluating how well the state's high schools perform, and how North Carolina stacks up against other states. Students also can submit their ACT scores when they apply to college. The test contains four curriculum-based multiple-choice sections in English, math, reading and science. There also is a writing component.

Late last year, the State Board of Education approved the ACT as a requirement for high school juniors. State leaders have said the ACT was chosen in part because it includes a section on science. At least a half-dozen other states require the ACT, including Michigan, Illinois and Kentucky. The test is free for students, but it will cost the state $4.6 million this year. The state will pay for it through savings from eliminating a 10th grade writing test. The federal government allowed North Carolina to eliminate the 10th grade test, which had been required under the No Child Left Behind law. (Jane Stancill, THE NEWS & OBSERVER, 3/06/12).

State Board Meeting Highlights

At last week’s Board meeting, members approved Arts Education courses eligible for Honors Weight, Educator Effectiveness Policies, the Board’s 2012-13 Supplemental Budget request, 21^st Century Community Learning Center Grants, and School-Based Calendar Waiver Requests for Educational Purposes. Board members also approved a resolution reflecting the Board’s position on the importance of pre-K education, a motion stating the application of any “fast track” charter school that cannot open by its set starting date to be null and void, and a motion granting authority to the State Superintendent to grant districts waivers of up to five instructional days if the days are to be used for specific professional development. A summary of Board action items, in addition to the full agenda and executive materials, are available online at www.ncpublicschools.org/stateboard/meetings .

National News

MetLife Survey of the American Teacher: Teachers, Parents, and the Economy



As we continue this journey to greatness how can we stay the course and continue to grow as professionals and create growth in our students? Teachers are feeling overwhelmed and under paid yet, the expextations of this profession is not based on our feelings but on the success of our students. Thank you teachers for the passion that drives you to perform regardless of the hand you are dealt and the resources given. " Don't tell me your values show me your budget and I will show you your values "Joe Biden-

I thought I share a brief overview of the MetLife Survey with the fine teacher of this great state.The MetLife Survey of the American Teacher has been conducted annually since 1984 by Harris Interactive. The survey shares the voices of teachers and others close to the classroom with educators, policy makers, and the public. The survey examines the views of teachers, parents, and students about the teaching profession, parent and community engagement, and effects of the economy on teaching and learning in schools. A link to the full 130 page report of findings is posted below. Key findings of the report (arranged by topic) are as follows:

Teachers are less satisfied with their careers.

• Teacher job satisfaction has dropped 15 points since 2009, from 59% who were very satisfied to 44% who are very satisfied, the lowest level in over 20 years.
• The percentage of teachers who say they are very or fairly likely to leave the profession has increased by 12 points since 2009, from 17% to 29%.
• The percentage of teachers who do not feel their job is secure has grown since 2006 from eight percent to 34%.
• Majorities of parents and teachers say that public school teachers are treated as professionals by the community (71% of parents, 77% of teachers), that public school teachers’ health insurance benefits are fair for the work they do (63% of parents, 67% of teachers), and that public school teachers’ retirement benefits are fair for the work they do (60% of parents, 61% of teachers). 

The effects of the economic downturn are felt widely and deeply in education.

• Three-quarters (76%) of teachers report that their school’s budget decreased during the past year.
• Two-thirds (66%) of teachers report that their school has had layoffs of teachers or other staff, including 44% who report layoffs of classroom teachers. In addition, slightly more than half (53%) of teachers report reassignments of teachers and staff have increased during the past year.
• More than one-third (36%) of teachers report reductions or eliminations of programs in arts or music (23%), foreign language (17%) or physical education (12%) in the last year.
• A majority (63%) of teachers reports that class sizes have increased in the last year.

Parent/community engagement has increased but remains a challenge for many schools.  

• Most teachers (91%) and parents (80%) agree that their/their child’s school helps all parents understand what they can do at home to support a student’s success in school, and 83% of students agree that their teachers and parents work together to help them succeed in school.
  • However, the level of agreement declines for each group from elementary to middle to high school. Secondary school teachers (86% middle school, 88% high school) are less likely than elementary school teachers (93%) to agree that their school helps all parents understand what they can do at home to support a student’s success in school. Parents of high school students (69%) are less likely to agree that their child’s school helps all parents understand what they can do at home to support a student’s success in school than are parents of middle school (84%) or elementary school (86%) students. High school students (71%) and middle school students (89%) are less likely than elementary school students (96%) to agree that their parents and teachers are working together to help them succeed.

     Access the full 2011 survey report as well as previous editions by visiting the MetLife Survey of the American Teacher page on the MetLife Foundation website.