North Carolina and The Southern Regional Education Board

Transcription

1 North Carolina and The Southern Regional Education Board This document details North Carolina s participation in SREB programs and services from July 2013 through July Each member state receives a number of general services, plus access to targeted programs funded by grants, contracts and fees. Appropriations from member states support SREB s core operations and general services. SREB leverages the long-standing commitment of member states to attract external funding for an array of targeted projects for educational improvement efforts in member states. Leadership SREB Board Members, North Carolina Pat McCrory, Governor Dan J. Forest, Lieutenant Governor William C. Harrison, Member, North Carolina State Board of Education Linda P. Johnson, State Representative Howard N. Lee, President, Howard N. Lee Institute for Equity and Opportunity in Education SREB Legislative Advisory Council Members, North Carolina Tamara Barringer, State Senator, Cary Hugh Blackwell, State Representative, Valdese D. Craig Horn, State Representative, Weddington Linda P. Johnson, State Representative, Kannapolis Dan Soucek, State Senator, Boone SREB Community College Commission Members, North Carolina Charged with recommending statewide strategies to strengthen the role of community and technical colleges in raising educational attainment in Southern states. Scott Ralls, President, North Carolina Community College System SREB Career and Technical Education Commission Members, North Carolina Charged with recommending statewide policies to bring students intellectually demanding career pathway programs aligned to opportunities in demand in the SREB region. June Atkinson, Superintendent of Schools, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Hugh Blackwell, State Representative, Burke Sharon Morrissey, Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer, North Carolina Community College System July 2014 SREB.org

2 Policy Goals for Education Monitoring state policies Monitoring, measuring and reporting through comparative and state-specific reports to assist education leaders and policy-makers as they shape public policy in education. SREB tracks trends and analyzes the progress of all 16 SREB states in each area in the Challenge to Lead 2020 Goals for Education and provides Legislative Reports that detail legislative and budget actions in each state. North Carolina information is included in all reports, as applicable, and several are targeted specifically for North Carolina reports: North Carolina: Taking Stock and Moving Forward 2014 State Progress Report on the Challenge to Lead 2020 Goals for Education Workforce Development in SREB States: The Role of Two-Year Colleges in Preparing Students for Middle-Skill Jobs Focus on Compulsory Attendance Policies: About Age or Intervention? Notes on School Finance: Selected Information on Funding for Low-Income Students in SREB States SREB Legislative Reports and Legislative Briefing More information: or (404) College and career readiness Intensive work to help SREB states implement actions outlined in SREB s college- and career-readiness action agenda. 1. Adopt statewide readiness standards for literacy and mathematics skills. 2. Assess high school juniors to determine their progress toward the standards. 3. Offer transitional readiness courses and require juniors assessed as underprepared to take the classes in 11th or 12th grade. 4. Apply the standards in college in deciding whether students need learning support after admission. 5. Hold schools accountable for increasing postsecondary readiness. North Carolina is making progress on implementing steps in the readiness agenda. More information: Dave.Spence@SREB.org (404) SREB.org/Readiness 2

3 Readiness Courses for Literacy and Mathematics SREB Readiness Courses teach the disciplinary literacy, writing and math learning skills young adults must have to succeed in college study and the work place after high school: how to think independently, read for information and solve problems. Students who test as underprepared will take the classes. Developed, reviewed and piloted by teams of educators and faculty from partner states, the courses are offered at no cost to all states. North Carolina was one of the five original members of the consortium of states established to develop and implement the readiness courses, contributing a team of talented writers from K-12 and higher education. North Carolina conducted a small pilot in 2013 and is implementing the Math Ready course on a large scale in the school year. A small field-test of the Literacy Ready course will also be conducted in the school year. In summer 2014, SREB is conducting seven regional trainings for about 640 teachers on the Math Ready course. More information: Megan.Root@SREB.org (404) SREB.org/Ready Benchmarking State Implementation of Common Core Standards A multi-year study of how 15 states are implementing the Common Core State Standards. North Carolina is a participating state. SREB staff conducted extensive interviews with Alabama stakeholders to gather detailed information about implementation for reports published in early 2014, which will be updated in late In January, North Carolina agency staff attended an SREB webinar series for state education agency staff to discuss findings from the reports. The reports note North Carolina as a strong state for standards and assessments, instructional materials and professional development. More information: Kim.Anderson@SREB.org (404) SREB.org/1600 English Learners Conference on preparing English language learners for college and career, co-hosted in May 2014 by SREB, the National Council on La Raza and the Hunt Institute. North Carolina sent a team to the conference, and a fact sheet for North Carolina includes population trends, state and federal policies, and programs, standards and assessments for English learners. More information: Dave.Spence@SREB.org (404) SREB.org/1785 3

4 Educator effectiveness Helps states create policies that support teacher effectiveness so students learn more in the classroom. SREB staff are working with policy-makers and state agencies in all SREBmember states to help them translate current research on what works into evaluation systems that create an environment where teaching improves. North Carolina Department of Public Instruction officials convened with peers in other states to discuss best practices at SREB s second convening on educator effectiveness in April Staff gave a presentation on educator compensation to attendees at SREB s Legislative Advisory Council and legislative staff meetings. SREB also created an online tool for policy-makers to track legislation related to educator effectiveness in SREB states. SREB educator effectiveness staff provided assistance for agencies and organizations in North Carolina during , including: presenting on educator compensation to the Educator Effectiveness and Compensation Task Force in Raleigh presenting on educator compensation to the Public School Forum of North Carolina participating in the Institute for Emerging Issues Annual Forum on teacher quality providing direct technical assistance to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction on design and implementation of its new evaluation system consulting on lessons learned with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction on design and implementation of its new evaluation system More information: Andy.Baxter@SREB.org (704) SREB.org/EE Postsecondary completion SREB and member states developed detailed recommendations for essential elements of state policy on a number of issues critical to college completion. Topics have included outcomes-based funding, technology, college readiness, transitional readiness courses, student transfer, dual enrollment, prior-learning credit and returning students. North Carolina policy-makers and legislators participated in Regional Working Groups on these issues. They received two policy briefs in the Essential Elements of State Policy for College Completion series during : State Policies to Support a Statewide Collegeand Career-Readiness Agenda and SREB Readiness Courses: Transitioning to College and Careers. More information: Cheryl.Blanco@SREB.org (404) SREB.org/Completion 4

5 State Services SREB State Services staff connect policy-makers with custom information, presentations and assistance on education issues as they arise. Staff visited North Carolina to meet with legislators and staff and to attend committee meetings in Custom information by request of North Carolina policy-makers and staff: Board member: legislator information Resident: SREB and Academic Common Market Legislator: rigorous state standards Legislator: incentives to increase test scores and get more students to participate in advanced programs (AP, IB) Legislator: college completion and industry certification Legislator: teacher evaluation Staff: education goals Staff: faculty salary increases and budget information in SREB states Staff: accelerated learning solutions Staff: state policies for unspent appropriations Legislative staff: Virginia s 529 PrePAID program Legislative staff: tuition surcharges and limiting excess credit-hours Legislative staff: $10,000 degree program Legislative staff: higher tuition for international students Legislative staff: educator pay proposals Legislative staff: college and university consolidation Legislative staff: teacher evaluation Legislative staff: merit scholarships Legislative staff: for-profit Accelerated Learning Solutions North Carolina Electronic Campus coordinators: conference call on EC process, procedures North Carolina Electronic Campus coordinators: conference call on state authorization More information: Gale.Gaines@SREB.org (404) SREB.org/StateServices 5

6 Professional Development for Teachers, Principals and Counselors Literacy Design Collaborative A teaching framework to help students learn the literacy skills of college- and careerreadiness standards such as the Common Core. Teachers learn how to design assignments that engage students to learn subject content while advancing reading and writing skills. SREB s innovative training starts with exemplary teachers. As they learn to embed literacy into assignments, they work with other teachers to help them adopt the strategies. North Carolina s LDC participation in : Teacher experts trained by SREB: 56 Additional teachers trained by teacher experts: 168 Number of schools: 14 In the school year, only 38 percent of the students in Donn Kirkwood s science class in Robeson County scored at the Proficient or Advanced level on the energy strand of North Carolina science standards. This year, after teaching with the LDC module, 62 percent of the students scored Proficient or above, with 43 percent at the Advanced level. They are learning science by writing about it. I know now that the more students write, the more they learn. Donn Kirkwood, Science Teacher, Robeson County Mathematics Design Collaborative A teaching framework to help students understand basic math concepts, become fluent with math procedures, and develop the reasoning to apply them to solve problems. MDC teachers use formative assessment lessons a hybrid of assessment and instruction to help students master college- and career-readiness standards. SREB s innovative training builds the capacity of lead teachers to become trainers of other teachers. North Carolina MDC participation in : Teacher experts trained by SREB: 12 Additional teachers trained by teacher experts: 24 Number of schools: 6 More information: Gene.Bottoms@SREB.org (404)

7 High Schools That Work Staff Development Conference Annual conference for thousands of school leaders, teachers and counselors from middle grades, high schools and technology centers across the country. The July 2013 conference theme was Graduating Students College and Career Ready. North Carolina attendees at the July 2013 conference: 336 More information: (404) SREB.org/SummerConference College and Career Readiness Networking Conference Conference on the proven strategies of the Literacy and Mathematics Design Collaborative frameworks. Over 1,000 teachers and leaders attended the first conference in July 2013 to collaborate and share effective instructional strategies. North Carolina attendees at the July 2013 conference: 53 National Professional Development Workshops Intensive two- to three-day workshops that address priorities for improvement. Attendees leave with a plan of action for their schools. During the school year, SREB offered Aligning High Schools and Middle Grades With Emerging Priorities for Readiness; National Technology Centers That Work Leaders' Forum; National Principals Institute; and Quality Teaching Institute. North Carolina teachers, counselors and leaders who participated: 16 More information: Anna.Johnston@SREB.org (404) SREB.org/PD Principals Learning-Centered Leadership Program Works with district, state and university partners to prepare aspiring principals and school leadership teams to lead improvement. The program offers training, guidance and technical assistance. North Carolina attendees at the 2014 annual Leadership Forum: 3 More information: Jon.Schmidt-Davis@SREB.org (404) SREB.org/Leadership 7

8 Counselors College Counseling Training Initiative Training to improve the effectiveness of teachers, counselors and college access program staff to prepare students from low-income families for postsecondary education. A 2014 survey of more than 500 enrollees in seven states found that 92 percent are changing their practice as a result of the training; 93 percent are implementing action plans developed in the program; and 95 percent would recommend the training to colleagues. North Carolina is one of 13 participating states around the nation. More information: AliceAnne.Bailey@SREB.org (404) SREB.org/1663 High School and Middle Grades Improvement Advanced Career A new approach to career and technical education that combines college-ready academic content with a sequence of four courses designed around hands-on, project-based assignments. The aim is to prepare more students for as many options as possible in highdemand, high-wage emerging career fields such as health informatics, innovations in science and technology, and energy and power. As a member of the Advanced Career consortium, North Carolina is one of nine states that worked with SREB and local higher education and economic development leaders to develop pathways. North Carolina partnered to develop the Project Management pathway. North Carolina schools implemented 39 AC courses in More information: Gene.Bottoms@SREB.org (404) SREB.org/AC State Leaders' Forum A forum for state education leaders and policy-makers to consider policies and leadership to create and sustain quality career and technical education. Co-sponsored with the State Consortium for Improving High School Career and Technical Studies. North Carolina attendees at the 2013 State Leaders Forum: 2 More information: Gene.Bottoms@SREB.org (404)

9 High Schools that Work SREB s High Schools That Work program helps states transform their public high schools into places where all students learn at high levels and complete at higher rates. HSTW serves more than 1,350 schools in 30 states. Schools may receive HSTW services through membership in the HSTW State Network or contracts for direct, further customized support. SREB is working with high schools in Robeson County to focus on developing career pathway programs of study. HSTW State Network Member states select schools to receive services. The fee for state membership in the consortium covers several services and visits. North Carolina is a member of the High Schools That Work State Network, through which 31 schools were active in Jo Anne Honeycutt, Director Career and Technical Education, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, serves on the HSTW Board. Chris Droessler, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, is the HSTW State Coordinator. More information: Lois.Barnes@SREB.org (615) SREB.org/HSTW Contracts for Direct Support Schools, districts and states contract with SREB for targeted school improvement services, such as on-site coaching, technical assistance and professional development. In North Carolina in , eight schools contracted with SREB for direct services through HSTW. SREB delivered 98 on-site coaching days and 30 days of on-site staff development. More information: Rhenida.Rennie@SREB.org (404) SREB.org/HSTW HSTW Assessment Subject tests along with student and teacher surveys to establish baseline data, track progress and identify areas for improvement. Fourteen North Carolina schools participated in the 2014 HSTW Assessment. More information: Lois.Barnes@SREB.org (615) SREB.org/HSTW Making Middle Grades Work 9

10 Engages state, district and school leaders in partnerships with teachers, students, parents and the community to raise student achievement in the middle grades. The network includes more than 600 schools in 20 states. In North Carolina, 16 schools were active in the network in North Carolina schools contracted with SREB for direct services through MMGW. 162 on-site coaching days were delivered to these schools in days of on-site staff development were delivered to these schools in More information: (404) SREB.org/MMGW Counseling for Careers Helps students align career pathway programs of study to career goals, postsecondary studies and employment. SREB works with districts and schools so that teachers, counselors, administrators, parents and community partners can advise students on career opportunities, career pathway programs of study, work-based learning experiences, postsecondary education and training opportunities. SREB is providing the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction with professional development and technical assistance for 50 administrators in the areas of teacher advisement and developing eight- and ninth-grade exploratory courses. More information: (404) Outstanding Schools and Centers, North Carolina Awards to high schools, middle grades schools and technology centers that have demonstrated outstanding commitment to improving achievement, graduation rates, college and career readiness, the quality of career-technical offerings and robust assignments, or to schools that have fully implemented HSTW, MMGW or TCTW designs, implemented a signature feature or extensively implemented LDC or MDC. Lee County High School, Sanford East Hoke Middle School, Raeford 10

11 Higher Education Programs and Services Tuition savings, access to uncommon degrees Electronic Campus Partners with colleges and universities to give students access to almost 25,000 online courses and more than 2,500 online degree programs. Programs provided by North Carolina institutions as of May 2014: 294 North Carolina EC representatives: Wanda Barker, Executive Director, elearning and Learning Technology Systems, North Carolina Community College System Frank Prochaska, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, University of North Carolina Hope Williams, President, North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities North Carolina representatives attended the 2013 Electronic Campus Annual Meeting. SREB Electronic Campus Regional Reciprocity Agreement Allows institutions to be authorized by their home state to eliminate need for individual approvals in SREB states where they serve students online. SREB states opt in to SECRRA. A new, nationwide system of reciprocity SARA, or the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement will be available to SREB states. SARA will open more highquality online offerings for students and ease regulatory burdens on institutions. North Carolina participates in SECRRA. North Carolina representatives attended the 2014 SARA forum. More information: Mary.Larson@SREB.org (404) SREB.org/1083 SREB-State Data Exchange Collects, compiles and publishes extensive statistics on postsecondary education. Postsecondary agencies in each SREB state participate and appoint coordinators. Participating agencies and their Data Exchange coordinators: University of North Carolina: Dan Cohen-Vogel, Senior Director of Institutional Research North Carolina Community College System: Bill Schneider, Associate Vice President for Research and Performance Management 11

12 SREB Fact Book on Higher Education One of the nation s most comprehensive collections of comparative data. The Fact Book keeps policy-makers informed with trend data for all 50 states on the population, economy, enrollment, degrees, student tuition, financial aid, faculty, administrators, revenue and expenditures. North Carolina leaders receive the annual SREB-State Data Exchange Indicators Report, and the SREB Fact Book on Higher Education as well as North Carolina: Featured Facts from the SREB Fact Book on Higher Education, Fact Book Bulletins and special reports. More information: Susan.Lounsbury@SREB.org (404) SREB.org/Data Nursing education Council on Collegiate Education for Nursing Helps expand and strengthen schools of nursing to reduce the critical shortage of nurse educators needed to train the nation s registered nurses. The Council surveys institutions for nursing education trends and shares online graduate nursing courses. In North Carolina, seven institutions participate in the Council. Representatives from each institution, with leadership positions in the Council: East Carolina University: Sylvia Brown, Dean Fayetteville State University: Afua O. Arhin, Chair North Carolina Central University: Betty Dennis, Chair University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: Kristine Swanson, Dean University of North Carolina at Charlotte: Dee Baldwin, Associate Dean/Director, Board Member University of North Carolina at Wilmington: Susan Pierce, Interim Director University of North Carolina at Greensboro: Robin Remsburg, Dean More information: Eula.Aiken@SREB.org (404) SREB.org/Nursing Minority Ph.D. scholars SREB-State Doctoral Scholars Program Supports minority doctoral students to improve the diversity of college faculty. Hosts the annual Institute on Teaching and Mentoring, the nation s largest gathering of minority Ph.D. scholars. Scholars funded by North Carolina in : Institute attendees from North Carolina: 34 12

13 Scholars North Carolina has supported since joining in 1993: 5 Graduates since 1993: 3 Graduates currently employed: 3 North Carolina-supported students have attended these institutions since 1993: North Carolina State University University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University of North Carolina at Charlotte University of North Carolina at Greensboro More information: Ansley.Abraham@SREB.org (404) SREB.org/DoctoralScholars Interstate Cooperatives Educational Technology Cooperative Membership group of state K-12 and higher education coordinating and governing boards representing more than 800 colleges and universities and 3,100 school districts in SREB states. The ETC focuses member agencies and state policy-makers on using technology wisely, reports on educational technology topics and connects members. North Carolina member agencies and representatives for the membership year : North Carolina Department of Public Instruction: Neill Kimrey, Director of Digital Teaching and Learning North Carolina Community College System: Wanda Barker, Executive Director, elearning and Learning Technology Systems University of North Carolina: Margaret O Hara, Director, e-learning North Carolina sent attendees to the 2013 and 2014 annual meetings, and North Carolina s ETC representatives helped determine SREB s 10 Critical Issues in Educational Technology. Wanda Barker serves on the ETC Executive Committee to guide the ETC in leveraging technologies for the benefit of students, instructional staff and support staff. Confessions of the NOTYs: How Technology Helps Teachers Succeed helps policy-makers and teachers understand best practices of exceptional online educators who were National Online Teachers of the Year or finalists. Three North Carolina teachers are featured in the report: Jennifer Currin, North Carolina Virtual Public School, 2013 NOTY Finalist Leslie Fetzer, North Carolina Virtual Public School, 2012 NOTY Winner Emily Parrish, North Carolina Virtual Public School, 2011 NOTY Finalist More information: Mike.Abbiatti@SREB.org (479) SREB.org/EdTech 13

14 Go Alliance An interstate cooperative that strives to increase high school graduation rates, access to education beyond high school, and postsecondary degree completion particularly for those who would be the first in their families to enroll. Go Alliance research and services focus on college access policy, support programs and communications strategies to motivate students to plan for and apply to college. North Carolina participates in the Go Alliance through the annual meeting and workshop series that highlight best practices and aid in the replication of successful programs. Representative: Mark Wiles, University of North Carolina General Administration More information: (404) SREB.org/GoAlliance Meetings Hosted in North Carolina High Schools That Work Staff Development Conference 4,200 teachers and educators over four days July 2013, Charlotte SREB Common Core State Standards Networking Conference About 300 teachers, principals and curriculum experts over two days July 2013, Charlotte SREB College Readiness Transitional Course Teacher Training Workshop About 100 teachers, specialists and administrators over three days July 2013, Charlotte High Schools That Work Board Meeting July 2013, Charlotte The Southern Regional Education Board was created in 1948 by Southern governors and legislators who recognized the link between education and economic vitality. To this day, the organization maintains its focus on critical issues that hold the promise of improving quality of life by advancing public education. The region s track record shows that setting goals and maintaining the commitment to work toward them make a difference. 14