Nov. 24, 2015 Teachers' Biweekly Message - Lynda Fuller
11/24/15 4:50 PM
Nov. 24, 2015 Teachers' Biweekly Message
North Carolina Public Schools <NCPublicSchools@public.govdelivery.com>
Tue 11/24/2015 3:57 PM
Inbox
To: Lynda
Fuller <Lynda.Fuller@dpi.nc.gov>;
Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.
Nov. 24, 2015
Over the past few weeks of very sad and frightening news from
around the world, it is comforting to once again have Thanksgiving
come back around on the calendar.
While Thanksgiving may not prompt a lot a store decorations or a
shopping frenzy, that is exactly why I like it so much. Thanksgiving
is just a chance to pause, to gather with people you love and to
enjoy a good meal and each other’s company. It’s a chance to
reflect on what is good and how grateful we are. That’s it. That’s the
whole holiday.
Thank you for your service to North Carolina students. I feel certain
that many North Carolinians will give thanks for you this holiday
season.
Testing Update
https://outlook.office.com/owa/#viewmodel=ReadMessageItem&ItemID…wLATFQbVDaoQShvuEAAIJlSVWAAA%3D&IsPrintView=1&wid=23&ispopout=1
Page 1 of 4
Nov. 24, 2015 Teachers' Biweekly Message - Lynda Fuller
11/24/15 4:50 PM
Released Item Sets for Fall Semester 2015 NC Final Exams Available
The NCDPI Test Development Section staff have finalized a set of released items for each fall semester
2015 NC Final Exam (NCFE). Each NCFE received additional released items. All new released items for
English language arts, math and science were added to the end. All new released items for social
studies were added to the end of the multiple-choice section.
These released items are available online to the public. Released items for NC Final Exams administered
only at the end of the year (i.e., science grade 4, social studies grade 4, and social studies grade 5) will
be posted in early 2016. Items cannot be selected for release until the spring test forms are finalized.
The answer key includes the following information for each item:
- The standard or clarifying objective assessed by the item.
- The percentage of students who answered the item correctly.
- The general scoring rubric is provided for released constructed response items.
Questions may be directed to your Regional Accountability Coordinator.
K-2 Mid-Year Assessments Sport New Look
The 2015-16 K-2 Mid-Year Assessments have a new look this year. The mid-year assessment should be
formative and guide classroom instruction. When scoring student work, the rubric should assist teachers
in identifying student needs. Rubric proficiency levels for the mid-year are “Not Yet,” “Progressing,” and
“Meets Standard.” These assessment documents now include “Next Steps” for each task and each
level of proficiency to help teachers with instructional decisions as they move students forward with
mathematics thinking.
The Webinar describing the changes and answering questions regarding K-2 Math Assessments is
located on the Elementary Webinars Wiki.
Professional Development
Opportunities
Educator Effectiveness Launches Sleek New Online
Portal
NCDPI's Educator Effectiveness Division staff have
launched a new Online Professional Development Portal that
makes it easier for North Carolina educators to find the highquality professional development they need.
Educators can find self-paced modules and mini-modules, see a schedule of instructor-led courses
complete with syllabi, search for professional development by relevant standards, check requirements
for credit, and access information about implementing online PD in LEAs.
The new portal replaces the old website.
https://outlook.office.com/owa/#viewmodel=ReadMessageItem&ItemID…wLATFQbVDaoQShvuEAAIJlSVWAAA%3D&IsPrintView=1&wid=23&ispopout=1
Page 2 of 4
Nov. 24, 2015 Teachers' Biweekly Message - Lynda Fuller
11/24/15 4:50 PM
Fourth GTN Module Available
The fourth installment in a series of action research projects developed by teachers for teachers through
the Governor’s Teacher Network (GTN) is now available through the Home Base Professional
Development System.
Supporting English Language Learners (ELLs) in the Classroom: Action Research from the GTN Project
focuses on instructional strategies for English Language Learners based on current trends in research.
Participants will use data to identify the needs of their ELL students and learn about different
instructional strategies that support reading, writing, listening and speaking skills for ELL.
This module should take approximately 10 hours to complete and offers 1.0 CEU. For a complete
description of this module or more information about the entire series of GTN modules, visit
http://rt3nc.org
Educator Effectiveness Releases First Round of Spring Courses
"Seize the Data: Empowering Teachers to Create and Use Assessment" and "Measurement and
Implementing Action Research in the Classroom" are two new instructor-led professional development
courses that start Jan. 11. Registration for these FREE 14-week online courses opens Dec. 14, and is
limited to 35 participants so register early!
Nine FREE 5-7 week instructor-led online courses start Monday, Feb. 8. Registration opens Jan. 11,
and is limited to 35 participants per section. Topics span from "Connecting with our 21st Century
Learners" to the "North Carolina Teacher Standards and Evaluation Process."
The DPI PD Mooclet, "Effective Digital Strategies for Teaching and Learning in the K-12 Classroom,"
returns Monday, Feb. 8. Registration opens Jan. 11. The Mooclet focuses on using digital tools and
strategies to support teaching and learning and enriching individuals’ knowledge through developing
communities of practice across the state. This six-week course is limited to 200 participants.
A full description of all courses and associated CEUs is available online. Contact Geetanjali Soni if you
have any questions about any Educator Effectiveness courses, webinars or other professional
development resources.
Title I Distinguished Schools Named
Congratulations to District 7 Elementary School (Cumberland
County Schools) and Henderson Collegiate Charter School (Vance
County) for recently being named North Carolina’s 2015 National
Title I Distinguished Schools.
Winning schools are recognized in one of two categories:
- Category I - schools sustained high student performance over
three years; and
- Category II – schools demonstrated high growth in closing the
achievement gap between student groups.
https://outlook.office.com/owa/#viewmodel=ReadMessageItem&ItemID…wLATFQbVDaoQShvuEAAIJlSVWAAA%3D&IsPrintView=1&wid=23&ispopout=1
Page 3 of 4
Nov. 24, 2015 Teachers' Biweekly Message - Lynda Fuller
11/24/15 4:50 PM
District 7 is being recognized in Category I; and Henderson Collegiate is the winner in Category II.
The schools were selected based on a combination of student academic achievement, stakeholder
involvement, and the creative and innovative programs that contribute to their success.
Guilford County Schools’ STEM Team Places Third in National
Competition
Congratulations to Team AeroHead from STEM Early College NC A & T (Guilford County Schools) for
placing 3rd nationally in The Real World Design Challenge.
This annual high school STEM competition focuses on Unmanned Aerial Systems and precision
agriculture. Teams representing 19 states participated in this year’s challenge.
Stay Connected with North Carolina Public Schools:
SUBSCRIBER SERVICES:
Manage Subscriptions | Help
This email was sent to lynda.fuller@dpi.nc.gov using GovDelivery, on behalf of: North Carolina Public Schools · 301 N. Wilmington
St. · Raleigh, NC 27601
https://outlook.office.com/owa/#viewmodel=ReadMessageItem&ItemID…wLATFQbVDaoQShvuEAAIJlSVWAAA%3D&IsPrintView=1&wid=23&ispopout=1
Page 4 of 4