Friday Report - December 14, 2018

The Friday Report

December 14, 2018

Forum News

2019 Eggs & Issues Breakfast

Tickets are going fast for our 2019 Eggs & Issues Breakfast! Don’t miss out on one of the most anticipated education events of the year!

This year’s event will include a special taping of the Public School Forum’s weekly TV show “Education Matters” featuring an All-Star student and educator panel, as well as the release of our Top 10 Education Issues for 2019.

Event Details

Date: Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Time: 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM

Location: Marbles Kids Museum

201 East Hargett Street, Raleigh, NC

To purchase tickets for this event, click here. Sponsorship info available here.

Education Matters: Encore Episodes

Due to preemptions and holiday schedules Education Matters will be airing encore episodes over the next 3 weeks. New episodes will return January 5th.

December 15-16: Episode 77 – Interview with New York Times Magazine’s Nikole Hannah-Jones

Guest: Nikole Hannah Jones, New York Times Magazine (pictured above, left)

December 22-23: Episode 84 – Importance of Principal Leadership

Guests: Tabari Wallace, 2018 NC Principal of the Year (pictured below, bottom left); Dr. Shirley Prince, Executive Director, NC Principals & Assistant Principals’ Association (pictured below, top left)

December 29-30: Episode 82 – The New State Board of Education

Guests: Eric C. Davis, Chairman, State Board of Education (pictured above, right); James E. Ford, Southwest Education Region, State Board of Education (pictured below, left); J.B. Buxton, Member-At-Large, State Board of Education (pictured below, right)

When and Where to Watch Education Matters

Saturday at 7:30 PM, WRAL-TV (Raleigh/Durham/Fayetteville)

Sunday at 8:00 AM, FOX 50 (Raleigh/Durham/Fayetteville)

Sunday at 6:30 AM and Wednesday at 9:30 AM, UNC-TV’s North Carolina Channel (Statewide)

The North Carolina Channel can be found on Time Warner Cable/Spectrum Channel 1276 or check your local listings and other providers here.

Online at ncforum.local.

Education Matters is also available as a podcast on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, Overcast, and Google Play Music.

State News

NC Lawmakers Won’t Force State to Take Over Low-Performing School

Photo Credit: Wayne County Schools.

State lawmakers will allow Wayne County Public Schools to keep a low-performing elementary school in Goldsboro instead of having to turn it over to the state and potentially to a for-profit company to run.

A bill approved Thursday by both the House and Senate would keep Carver Heights Elementary School from being taken over by the Innovative School District for the 2019-20 school year. The bill says that the State Board of Education can allow Wayne County Public Schools to operate Carver Heights under the “restart model,” a program that gives low-performing schools some of the same flexibility that’s given to charter schools to try to improve performance.

To continue reading the complete article, click here.

Excerpt from:

Hui, K. “‘NC lawmakers won’t force state to take over low-performing school.” The News & Observer. 12/13/18.

NC Lawmakers Rejected a $2B Bond for School Building. Now They Want to Bring It Back.

Photo Credit: Kyo Azuma, Unsplash.

When teachers protested by the thousands in Raleigh this summer, one of their demands was for voters to have the chance to approve additional state spending for education funding, like building new schools.

Republican leaders in the N.C. General Assembly shot that idea down at the time. But they appear to have now changed their minds, with House Speaker Tim Moore announcing his plans to support a $1.9 billion education bond next year. If it passes the legislature in 2019, it would be on the ballot in 2020 for voters to decide on.

To continue reading the complete article, click here.

Excerpt from:

Doran, W. “NC lawmakers rejected a $2B bond for school building. Now they want to bring it back.” The Charlotte Observer. 12/13/18.

‘Segregated Schools Are Bad.’ Snow Day Sparks Wake Defense of Countywide Schools.

Wake County school board member Christine Kushner thanked the school system on Dec. 4, 2018 for helping her children become “anti-racist, anti-misogynist, anti-homophobic fully formed adults.” Photo Credit: Wake County Public Schools.

The Wake County school system defended diverse schools Sunday in the face of critics who said the cancellation of classes due to inclement weather shows the district is too large and should be split up.

The decision on whether to close school often sparks debate about whether it would be better to break up the 857 square-mile district into smaller school systems. In a lengthy Twitter thread that drew a lot of reaction on social media, Wake school officials explained how they decide to close school and why the community benefits from having a countywide system.

To continue reading the complete article, click here.

To read more about this topic, see the following article:

North Carolina’s School Take-Over Model Could Become Friendlier WUNC

Excerpt from:

Hui, K. “‘Segregated schools are bad.’ Snow day sparks Wake defense of countywide schools.” The News & Observer. 12/9/18.

North Carolina and Wake County Lead US in ‘Gold Standard’ for Teaching Profession

Matthew Scialdone, an English teacher at Middle Creek High School, teaches his first class of the day in this 2015 file photo. He’s one of 2,745 Wake County teachers who have received certification from the National Board For Professional Teaching Standards. Jill Knight, The News & Observer.

North Carolina and the Wake County school system continue to lead the U.S. in what’s considered to be the “gold standard” for teacher excellence with the most number of educators certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

The state now has 21,985 of the 122,034 nationally certified teachers in the U.S., according to new results released Monday. Statewide, 22.1 percent of teachers have gone through the rigorous process to receive their certification.

To continue reading the complete article, click here.

Excerpt from:

Hui, K. “North Carolina and Wake County lead US in ‘gold standard’ for teaching profession.’” The News & Observer. 12/10/18.

North Carolina Students Are Missing a Lot of School. Can They Catch Up?

Inches of snow blanket the triangle causing power outages, slick roads and outdoor fun Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018 in Raleigh. Photo Credit:: Travis Long, The News & Observer.

As state Rep. Craig Horn drove along snowy, wreck-strewn highways toward Raleigh on Monday, he stewed over a question that’s on a lot of minds this week: What should the state do about all the school days North Carolina’s kids are missing?

Since schools opened in August the state has been walloped by two hurricanes and an early winter storm, all of which closed schools across the state, costing some students weeks of classes. Many districts are running out of makeup options, with the worst stretch for winter weather still ahead.

To continue reading the complete article, click here.

Excerpt from:

Doss Helms, A. and Hui, K. “North Carolina students are missing a lot of school. Can they catch up?” The News & Observer. 12/10/18.

State Education Officials Say 1 in 5 NC Teachers Is Chronically Absent

Photo Credit: Derek Clark, Flickr.

The Department of Public Instruction considers about 1 in 5 North Carolina teachers chronically absent, which it defines as taking 10 or more non-consecutive sick days in a school year. State education officials say chronic absenteeism is costing schools in student test scores and pay for substitute teachers.

The State Board of Education heard a report on chronic teacher absenteeism at its December meeting. The Department’s Director of Educator Recruitment and Support Tom Tomberlin reported that more than five thousand teachers have been chronically absent for three years in a row.

To continue reading the complete article, click here.

Excerpt from:

Schlemmer, L. “State Education Officials Say 1 in 5 NC Teachers is Chronically Absent.” WUNC. 12/11/18.

‘Change Is Hard.’ Raleigh Charter School Voluntarily Closing Due to Academic Performance

Despite major gains in test scores two years ago, Hope Charter Leadership Academy in Raleigh, NC will close at the end of the school year. Photo Credit: Robert Willett, The News & Observer.

A long-running charter school near downtown Raleigh that has seen ups and downs in its test scores plans to close in June.

Hope Charter Leadership Academy’s board of directors voted on Nov. 28 to relinquish the school’s charter at the end of the school year and to enter into an agreement that would give its students priority to get into PAVE Southeast Raleigh Charter School. Hope is closing because of “the school’s inability to meet satisfactory student performance goals,” according to state documents.

To continue reading the complete article, click here.

Excerpt from:

Hui, K. “‘Change is hard.’ Raleigh charter school voluntarily closing due to academic performance.” The News & Observer. 12/10/18.

National News

Dallas Hits on Successful School Turnaround Model With ACE, but It Comes at a Steep Price. Could a Wider Expansion Across Texas Now Be Its Best Bet to Survive?

A teacher works with two students at Umphrey Lee Elementary School, one of the 17 schools in the Dallas Independent School District that are part of the successful ACE turnaround model. Photo Credit: Dallas ISD.

n the spring, fifth-graders across Texas took standardized tests to measure their comprehension in reading and math, just like they do every year. But when the scores came back for 2018, the Dallas Independent School District saw something highly unusual: Students at Blanton Elementary, previously one of the lowest-performing schools in the city, had outscored their affluent fifth-grade peers in neighboring Highland Park ISD.

Blanton, where 91.7 percent of students qualify for free or reduced-priced lunch, is one of Dallas ISD’s Accelerating Campus Excellence — or ACE — schools, where teachers with strong performance records are recruited and paid more for longer hours and then supported by extra counselors and strategic administrators.

To continue reading the complete article, click here.

Excerpt from:

McNeel, B. “Dallas Hits on Successful School Turnaround Model With ACE, but It Comes at a Steep Price. Could a Wider Expansion Across Texas Now Be Its Best Bet to Survive?” The 74 Million. 12/11/18.

Race, Not Disability Status, Linked to Increased Suspension Rates

Photo Credit: Pixabay, Pexels.

The research team behind the finding that minority students are less likely than similar white peers to be identified for special education are out with a new study, this time looking at race, disability status, and suspension rates.

The research, to be published in an upcoming issue of the Journal of School Psychology, finds that race—but not whether a student is enrolled in special education—appears to be a driver of disproportionate suspension rates.

To continue reading the complete article, click here.

Excerpt from:

Samuels, C. “Race, Not Disability Status, Linked to Increased Suspension Rates.” Education Week. 12/11/18.

Opportunities

Job Opportunity: NC CAP Program Coordinator

Established in 2002, The NC Center for Afterschool Programs works with key partners, including afterschool providers, state agencies, state and local policymakers, universities and community colleges, business, and the philanthropic community, to increase access to high-quality afterschool, before school and summer learning opportunities for children and youth, particularly low-income children and those at risk of educational failure. NC CAP is part of a 50-State Afterschool Network focused on improving education and out-of-school time opportunities for children and youth

NC CAP is seeking a full-time Program Coordinator to support the programmatic and policy efforts of the organization, pertaining to S.T.E.M. (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). The Program Coordinator will work with the NC CAP Director and key partners to develop, lead, coordinate and drive the NC Network’s initiatives. He or she will support the design and delivery of professional development opportunities, advocacy, and shaping of policy that advances out-of-school time learning and brings together state and national afterschool stakeholders.

To learn more about this position and how to apply, please visit: https://ncafterschool.org/nc-cap-program-coordinator/.

NC CAP’s POWER UP Program

Youth who regularly participate in high-quality programs develop strong social skills, are excited about learning, improve work habits and grades, improve school day attendance, have higher graduation rates, explore career paths and gain workforce skills. However, the North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs (NC CAP) recognizes that many factors have the potential to serve as barriers or challenges for programs serving youth, especially those in rural communities. The purpose of the POWER UP Program and mini-grants is to provide programs in pre-determined rural counties with resources and on-going technical support over the course of two years to build program capacity.

Interested programs must currently serve youth afterschool, before school or during the summer months in one of the following counties:

Anson, Beaufort, Bertie, Bladen, Caswell, Columbus, Duplin, Edgecombe, Halifax, Hertford, Lenoir, McDowell, Martin, Nash, Northampton, Person, Richmond, Robeson, Rockingham, Scotland, Tyrrell, Vance, Warren, Washington or Wilson.

To learn more about this program, please visit: https://ncafterschool.org/power-up-program.

Applications for NC CAP’s POWER UP Program are due by December 30th and can be submitted here. Accepted programs will be notified in January.

Call for 2019-20 Kenan Fellowship Applications

Applications for 2019-20 Kenan fellowships will be accepted through Jan. 21, 2019. These fellowships address the critical need to develop and empower high-quality teachers who can drive innovations that make learning more authentic and engaging for students.

The fellowship begins with a summer internship in a higher education laboratory or local industry setting and is supported by 80 hours of professional development that focuses on instructional leadership, elevating teacher voice, strengthening ties between the school and the local community, peer coaching and mentoring, and growing professional learning networks that extend beyond the school and local district.

Fellowship projects have a unique set of criteria that in some cases is restricted by district, grade level, and subject. Projects vary from scientific research to work experiences in the agriculture, energy and high-tech manufacturing industries. Each Fellow is awarded at least a $5,000 stipend and must develop and implement relevant educational materials and/or programs based on their internship experience. Fellows remain in the classroom while completing the year-long fellowship.

Applicants must submit an essay detailing their desire to have influence beyond the classroom and two letters of recommendation. Final candidates are invited for an in-person interview to be conducted in their local area. Fellowships are based on funding and awarded each spring.

Want to learn more? Join us for a 2019-20 application information session from 3:30-4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018.

To join the session, follow this link and download Zoom. Please feel free to contact us at [email protected] should you have questions.

NC Teaching Fellows Applications Are Now Open

NC Teaching Fellows applications are now open. All applications must be submitted online by 11:59 PM (EST) on Monday, January 7, 2019.

Receive up to $4,125 per semester for up to eight semesters.
Study at a premier educator preparation program in North Carolina.
Benefit from meaningful program activities to enrich your studies.
Teach in a Special Education or STEM field in a North Carolina public school.

To learn more visit: https://myapps.northcarolina.edu/ncteachingfellows/.

FAST NC Fundraising Drive to Aid Public Schools

A historic storm has devastated parts of North Carolina. In response, a historic, bipartisan coalition of current and former state education leaders presented their effort to aid schools to the State Board of Education, promoting Florence Aid to Students and Teachers (FAST NC) as a drive to help North Carolina’s public schools as students and educators struggle to return to normal.

Hurricane Florence caused at least 1.2 million, or about 80 percent, of North Carolina’s public school students to miss some school. Many school buildings are damaged, and several school districts are still closed due to displacement, flooding and storm-related disruptions. Now, FAST NC has brought together an illustrious steering committee for the effort to help schools recover.

To learn more about FAST NC and how to donate, click here.

The Friday Report is published weekly by the Public School Forum of NC and is distributed to Forum members, policymakers, donors, media, and Forum subscribers. Archived editions can be found at ncforum.local.