State Board OKs plans for 12 new early college high schools

A dozen new early college high schools won approval Thursday from the State Board of Education to open next school year.

With the addition of the new schools, the number of innovative Learn and Earn early college high schools operating in North Carolina would reach 72, among the greatest concentrations of such schools of any state in the nation. This year, 60 of the schools -- most of which are located on the campuses of community colleges -- are operating in 53 districts. The new schools would raise that number to 60 of the state's 115 school districts.

North Carolina's first 12 early college high schools, which opened in 2005, are now in their fourth year, most with their first full senior classes preparing to graduate this spring. The small schools share a common goal of graduating all students ready for college, careers and life, along with the additional benefit of earning -- tuition free -- an associates degree or two years of transferable college credit.

Most of the the 12 new schools slated to open are in rural areas with limited access to higher education opportunities and where rates of both high school graduation and college enrollment tend to lag. The schools in planning are:

• Cabarrus-Kannapolis Early College -- A collaborative effort among Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, Cabarrus County Schools and Kannapolis City Schools
• Early College EAST High School -- The school on the Havelock campus of Craven Community College will have a focus on applied sciences and technology, through partnerships with local engineers and technicians supporting the Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station, NC State University and Craven Community College's Institute of Aeronautical Technology.
• Franklin County Early College High School -- The school will be closely coordinated with its partner, Vance-Granville Community College.
• Granville County Early College High School -- Also associated with Vance-Granville Community College, the school will use technology as a key instructional tool through a 1:1 laptop program that provides all students and teachers with full-time use of laptop computers.
• Henderson County Early College -- The school is a joint effort between Henderson County Public Schools and Blue Ridge Community College, with a career-relevant curriculum. 
• James Kenan Early College High School -- A conversion of James Kenan School of Engineering, currently on the campus of James Kenan High School in Duplin County. The school will be moved to James Sprunt Community College.
  
• Mayland Early College High School -- Students from three mountain counties -- Mitchell, Avery and Yancey -- will have the opportunity to attend this school associated with Mayland Community College  in Spruce Pine.
• Stokes County Early College High School -- A partnership between Stokes County Schools and Forsyth Technical College, the school will be located at a satellite center of the college.
• Wake NC State University Early College High School -- The school will focus on students underrepresented in the disciplines of science, technology, engineering and math.
• Roanoke Valley Early College -- A partnership between Weldon County Schools and Halifax Community College, the school will have a focus on inquiry-based learning and service-learning projects.
• Wilkes Early College High School -- Located on the campus of Wilkes Community College, in partnership with Wilkes County schools
• Wilson Early College Academy -- A partnership between Wilson County Schools and Wilson Community College

Nash-Rocky Mount ECHS students take initiative for charity

Teacher Rachel Lindsey wanted to motivate her students at Nash-Rocky Mount Early College High School by having them read inspirational stories aloud in their AVID class, where students are challenged by high expectations and nurtured with support.

Lindsey got more than she bargained for.

After reading the  story of a young girl who was inspired to help foster children by collecting duffel bags for them to carry their belongings -- instead of trash bags -- Lindsey's students got inspired, too, and put their learning into action with a project-based lesson of their own making.

Students in her class developed their own campaign, "Here to Help," found a local foster care program in need of help after its food budget was cut $25,000 and sold their school on the whole effort. They created a PowerPoint pitch to Principal Trent Mohrbutter, who signed off on the good-will effort, then created flyers, brochures, and collection envelopes. Three weeks later, they'd raised more than $1,700 for Free Will Baptist Children's Home in Middlesex and presented the gift last month.

"This project was a sheer joy," Lindsey said in an email to the school's counselor, "and it was one of the most amazing and exciting things I've done. Giving back to the community is a wonderful opportunity for students to engage in at an early age."

State, BW Fund offer grants for math and science teachers

The Career Award for Science and Mathematics Teachers is a five-year award available to outstanding science or mathematics teachers in the North Carolina public primary and secondary schools.

The purpose of this award is to recognize teachers who have demonstrated solid knowledge of science or mathematics content and have outstanding performance records in educating children. This five-year award presents opportunities for professional development and collaboration with other master science or mathematics teachers who will help to ensure their success as teachers and their satisfaction with the field of teaching. Special consideration will be given to teachers working in hard to staff, economically deprived classrooms in North Carolina. The award also offers schools and school districts the opportunity to fully develop teachers as leaders in the field.

The Career Awards for Science and Mathematics Teachers program is a partnership between the North Carolina State Board of Education (SBE) and the Burroughs Wellcome Fund.  The award provides $175,000 over a period of five years ($35,000 per year) to eligible teachers in the North Carolina public school system.  SBE is providing additional salary support to secure 12-month contracts for award winning teachers.  BWF will support five awards for the first series of awards and invite other foundations and corporations to join this partnership.

For more information and brochure, visit: http://www.bwfund.org/pages/379/CASM/

Obama on education: "Dropping out ... is no longer an option"

In his address last week to a joint session of Congress, President Obama made a strong case for improving the educational outcomes of all children. His words bear repeating verbatim, particularly his call for all Americans to commit to at least one year of postsecondary education or training -- education for which every high school graduate must be ready:

"In a global economy where the most valuable skill you can sell is your knowledge, a good education is no longer just a pathway to opportunity -- it is a prerequisite.   

Right now, three-quarters of the fastest-growing occupations require more than a high school diploma.  And yet, just over half of our citizens have that level of education.  We have one of the highest high school dropout rates of any industrialized nation.  And half of the students who begin college never finish.

This is a prescription for economic decline, because we know the countries that out-teach us today will out-compete us tomorrow.  That is why it will be the goal of this administration to ensure that every child has access to a complete and competitive education - from the day they are born to the day they begin a career.

Already, we have made an historic investment in education through the economic recovery plan.  We have dramatically expanded early childhood education and will continue to improve its quality, because we know that the most formative learning comes in those first years of life.  We have made college affordable for nearly seven million more students.  And we have provided the resources necessary to prevent painful cuts and teacher layoffs that would set back our children's progress.

But we know that our schools don't just need more resources.  They need more reform.  That is why this budget creates new incentives for teacher performance; pathways for advancement, and rewards for success.  We'll invest in innovative programs that are already helping schools meet high standards and close achievement gaps.  And we will expand our commitment to charter schools. 

It is our responsibility as lawmakers and educators to make this system work.  But it is the responsibility of every citizen to participate in it.  And so tonight, I ask every American to commit to at least one year or more of higher education or career training.  This can be community college or a four-year school; vocational training or an apprenticeship.  But whatever the training may be, every American will need to get more than a high school diploma.  And dropping out of high school is no longer an option.  It's not just quitting on yourself, it's quitting on your country - and this country needs and values the talents of every American.  That is why we will provide the support necessary for you to complete college and meet a new goal:  by 2020, America will once again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world. "