Welcome to INNOVATOR, an update on secondary school change from the North Carolina New Schools Project. Our newsletter is designed to inform practitioners, policymakers, and friends of public education on innovation, research and success stories from secondary schools. Please feel free to contact us, provide feedback and suggest article ideas.
|
|
Recognizing quality in NC's STEM schools
>
 | June Atkinson
Superintendent,
Department of Public Instruction |
This month's INNOVATOR features this guest commentary from State Superintendent June Atkinson about her vision of the development of STEM schools across North Carolina.
Got STEM? This takeoff on a popular milk promotion has sprung up on campaign-style signs in communities across North Carolina excited about revving up the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics STEM Education offerings in their local schools. In fact, we have seen STEM schools popping up all over the state. But what exactly is a STEM school, and how do we know if it is a good one? STEM programs and schools are not new to North Carolina. Up until now, they have been self-identified based on models of good instruction in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
As more and more schools and programs across the state use the STEM label, it's important for us to agree on just what a STEM school is and spotlight the best. The state is laying the groundwork for a systemic, thoughtful approach to guide and support the development of schools where teaching and learning in STEM leverages the natural curiosity of students to inspire and motivate them to achieve at high levels.
The State Board of Education recently adopted criteria to identify STEM schools and to spotlight those achieving stellar results. To be recognized as a North Carolina STEM High School or program beginning next school year, the school or program must meet 11 nationally researched attributes.
|
Educators meet to sharpen focus on goals
]
Hundreds of North Carolina educators gathered last week to discuss ways to continue improving their schools to ensure that every student graduates ready for college, careers and life.
The educators, all from schools affiliated with the North Carolina New Schools Project (NCNSP), participated in one of six Regional Action Planning (RAP) sessions across the state, allowing them to foster a collaborative support culture, network with peers to strengthen action-planning efforts, and receive support tailored to the needs of their school team. The RAP sessions engage principals and teachers in carefully designed, high quality professional development with NCNSP staff, leadership coaches, instructional coaches and their peers.
"In most school districts, principals work within their school to set goals for an improvement plan, but they might not get any feedback. The document tends to be more of a checklist," says Jodi Anderson, director of North Carolina Center for Educational Leadership at NCNSP. "For us, this is part of a continuous improvement cycle where schools learn from their peers, share best practices and benefit from ongoing support and coaching."
Read more ... |
Latest school data on NC report card site
--
The NC School Report Cards website now features data from the school, district and state levels for the 2010-11 school year, and is available at www.ncreportcards.org.
The website includes important information about school and student performance, class sizes, attendance, school safety, and instructional resources. Educator and administrator credentials, qualifications and turnover rates are available on school- or district-level report cards.
Resources to assist stakeholders in understanding the results of the Report Cards can be found at the bottom of the NC School Cards Report homepage in the "Links" section.
|
|
Kenan Fellows seeking innovative teachers
The Kenan Fellows Program is accepting applications for its Class of 2013 through January 23, 2012. Classroom teachers selected as Kenan Fellows represent some of the most outstanding and committed educators across North Carolina. As Fellows, they engage in partnerships with distinguished scientists, university faculty and professional educators to develop innovative curricula for use in classrooms throughout our state.
Kenan Fellows participate in a five week externship experience with a research mentor whose work is relevant to their academic content area. Fellows attend an additional two weeks of focused professional development designed to advance teacher leadership, model instructional best practices, and facilitate the strategic use of technology in the classroom. Fellows work individually and as groups on creative ways to incorporate concepts and insights gained during their externship into lessons for students and instructional resources for other educators. Fellows receive a stipend of $5,000 and a Lenovo laptop and tablet to support their work.
K-12 public school teachers from all disciplines are encouraged to apply. School administrators, community leaders, parents of students and former Kenan Fellows may nominate candidates, although a nomination is not required in order to apply. Application and nomination links are available now. For more information about the program, visit the Kenan Fellows Program website. Public school teachers from all school districts in North Carolina are eligible to apply.
|
|
|
|
|
|
ECHS students earn
higher grades than
college-age peers
Early college high school
students in 2010-11 were
more likely to earn a grade
of C or better in their
community college courses than their college-
age peers. Overall, 77 percent of early college students earned at least a C compared to 70 percent
of college students.
ECHS students set pace
in English courses ...
... and in math courses 
Source: North Carolina Community College System
|
|
Meet an Innovator
|
 | | Fredrica Nash |
|
High-caliber coaching isn't just for top athletes. Teachers and principals need it too. Having another set of eyes and ears in the classroom can be the key to transforming teaching and learning in schools affiliated with the North Carolina New Schools Project.
For Fredrica Nash, coaching principals and teachers to improve their game helps ensure that students can expect the same approaches to reading, writing, thinking and talking in every class, every day.
"I like being able to support teachers and principals in their instructional goals as a resource that helps them move students from where they are to where they need to be," says Nash.
Read more ...
|
|
|
