Dec. 17, 2015 Principals' Biweekly Message - Lynda Fuller
12/17/15 12:42 PM
Dec. 17, 2015 Principals' Biweekly Message
North Carolina Public Schools <NCPublicSchools@public.govdelivery.com>
Thu 12/17/2015 12:22 PM
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To: Lynda
Fuller <Lynda.Fuller@dpi.nc.gov>;
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Dec. 17, 2015
In January, NCDPI will begin the student perception surveys in
districts statewide. In addition to the January survey window, other
districts will be surveying students in March and April. Each school
principal should be assigning a survey coordinator in their school to
assist in this process.
Following is the proposed January survey administration timeline:
Regions 1 - 3: Assign Survey Coordinators. Start Jan. 4 and finish
Jan. 15
Regions 1 - 3: Administer Surveys. Start Jan. 11 and finish Jan. 29
Regions 4 - 6: Assign Survey Coordinators. Start Jan. 18 and finish
Jan. 29
Regions 4 - 6: Administer Surveys. Start Jan. 25 and finish Feb. 12
Regions 7 - 8: Assign Survey Coordinators. Start Jan. 4 and finish
Jan. 15
Regions 7 - 8: Administer Surveys. Start Jan. 11 and finish Feb. 12
Regions 1 - 8: Results Reporting. Start Feb. 15 and finish Feb. 26
The January survey results will focus on students’ first semester courses, and the March/April
administration will focus on second semester courses and year-long courses or grades. Results of the
January surveys will be available by the end of February.
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Dec. 17, 2015 Principals' Biweekly Message - Lynda Fuller
12/17/15 12:42 PM
Information about Student Perception Surveys has already been shared with superintendents and
administrators attending fall 2015 Principal READY sessions across the state. Copies of the Principal
READY presentations, materials and surveys are available on the Principal READY wiki for each region.
If you have questions regarding the North Carolina Student Perception Surveys, please send an email to
educatoreffectiveness@dpi.nc.gov.
NCDPI is carefully reviewing the new Every Student Succeeds Act, which transfers greater responsibility
from the federal government to states. The legislation focuses more on what must be done rather than
how. It will bring potential changes to accountability, assessments, teacher credentialing and more.
Over the next six-nine months, we will be engaging principals and other stakeholders in developing our
plan. We will send you more details as they become available.
It is hard to believe it is already the holiday season. Every year seems to fly by more quickly, but this is a
great time to slow down and reflect on the year we have had and on the year ahead. I hope your holiday
break is filled with good cheer, laughter and family. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
Testing Update
EOG, EOC and NCFE Released Forms and Items
Available Online
As a reminder, released forms of end-of-course (EOC),
grades 5 and 8 science end-of-grade (EOG), and grade 8
English Language Arts (ELA)/Reading and math EOG
assessments are available to teachers and students through NCTest. The online version of the grade 7
EOG released form will be available in early March. The public may access pdf files for EOC and EOG
released forms online.
In addition, the recently expanded fall 2015 NC Final Exam (NCFE) released item sets are available to
teachers and students through NCTest. Expanded sets of grades 4 and 5 social studies NCFE and
grade 4 science NCFE will be available through NCTest in early March. PDF files for the NCFE released
item sets also are available to the public.
Released forms and items may be used as a supplement to the required online assessment tutorials
through NCTest for the purpose of familiarizing students and staff with the NCTest platform.
LEAs/schools are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this additional resource before student test
days. Technical requirements and installation information for NCTest can be reviewed at
http://center.ncsu.edu/nct.
Questions may be directed to the LEA or charter school test coordinator or your Regional Accountability
Coordinator.
Alignment Study Report for End-of-Grade and End-of-Course Assessments
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Dec. 17, 2015 Principals' Biweekly Message - Lynda Fuller
12/17/15 12:42 PM
In September 2014, NCDPI commissioned the Wisconsin Center for Education Research to conduct an
in-depth, independent study of the alignment of the state’s newly developed end-of-grade (EOG) and
end-of-course (EOC) assessments for mathematics, reading and science to the content
standards. North Carolina hosted a content analysis workshop as part of the alignment study in January
2015. Subject-based teams of content analysts were formed from active North Carolina teachers and
other content specialists and trained to conduct independent analyses of assessment forms for
mathematics, reading, and science for all assessed grades.
English language arts/reading and mathematics results were shared with the NC State Board of
Education (SBE) in June. Science results were shared with the Board at its December meeting. The
entire alignment report including all appendices is available to the public.
Please share this information locally. Questions may be directed to your Regional Accountability
Coordinator.
Multi-Tiered System of Support:
Strengthening Instruction for All Students
Building a system of support for all students includes intentional
selection and support of strong instructional, curricular and
environmental components. When data reveals a need to strengthen
core instruction for the benefit of all students, teams begin to
examine practices.
While clear identification of instructional practices is determined, these teams also will be considering
district and school-wide curricular and environmental structures, which when executed effectively
lead to increased student growth.
Examples of these additional structures that impact student achievement are:
• classroom arrangement;
• consistent behavioral expectations;
• methods for teaching/reviewing expectations;
• time allotted for instruction;
• materials/resources utilized; and
• scope and sequence of delivery.
A Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) is about school improvement through engaging, researchbased academic and behavioral practices. North Carolina’s MTSS employs a systems approach using
data-driven problem solving to maximize growth for all.
Find out more at the MTSS wikispace.
North Carolina Virtual School
Update
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Dec. 17, 2015 Principals' Biweekly Message - Lynda Fuller
12/17/15 12:42 PM
Fall semester NCVPS early calendar courses closed on Dec. 11. Traditional calendar courses end on
Jan. 8. NCVPS staff have some tips and reminders to help your schools successfully close out their fall
semester.
Please visit the NCVPS End of Semester Tips and Reminders web page, which includes details about
the last day of classes for students, EOC and CTE testing, final grades and much more.
Staff would like to thank all North Carolina districts and schools for a fantastic 2015. NCVPS
experienced record enrollment, and North Carolina students earned more online credits than ever
before.
Staff are looking forward to a great 2016, as well. NCVPS has several new initiatives that will come
about in 2016 that will positively impact the way districts and schools are served including:
• transition to PowerSchool;
• conversion of all courses to the Canvas learning management system; and
• pilot of a English Language Learners (ELL) English 1 course.
NCVPS staff look forward to working with you in 2016!
Holiday Greetings from NC Principal of
the Year
“Dashing through the snow, On a one horse open sleigh. O'er the
fields we go, Laughing all the way” … you know the rest! As a
principal, we have the awesome privilege this time of year to hear
our students sing songs, see them perform, dress in amazing
costumes and share their talents. Our teachers also commit their
time to help our students showcase their talents at band, chorus,
orchestra and theatre concerts! All the behind the scenes work suddenly springs into beautifully
orchestrated performances. As principals, we stick our chests out, proud of the work and energy put
forth by our staff and students. This is truly the spirit of the holiday season in many schools across
state.
And, although December is a month of holiday cheer — let us not forget those students and staff
members who find life very difficult at this time of year. I encourage you to be a beacon of hope in their
lives. Surround them with great thoughts and encouraging words. We have the power to make a
positive difference in their lives during the holiday season!
Allow me to pause for a moment to reflect on my time thus far as NC Principal of the Year. I have
traveled the state from east to west and have had the amazing opportunity to see the great things
happening in school districts across our state. Most of my time has been spent sharing how principals
set the conditions in their schools to make learning happen. I’ve served as an advisor to the State Board
of Education, speaking on behalf of principals across our state. And, my most favorite opportunity has
been visiting my colleagues’ schools and seeing exceptional methods of teaching and learning
happening in classrooms. I feel the drive to celebrate every child, challenge every learner and support
our great teachers. Let’s keep this momentum going!
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Dec. 17, 2015 Principals' Biweekly Message - Lynda Fuller
12/17/15 12:42 PM
Be safe as you travel near and far! Get plenty of rest, relaxation and rejuvenation! Don’t forget to count
your many blessings and take some time to name them one by one! Merry Christmas and I wish you a
healthy and prosperous New Year!
Steve Lassiter, principal, Pactolus School, and 2015 Wells Fargo NC Principal of the Year
Franklin County Teacher’s
Design Selected for 2016 NC
TWCS Logo
Congratulations to Valerie Hawthorne, a 6th grade social studies teacher at Cedar Creek Middle
(Franklin County Schools), for designing the new logo and theme for the 2016 NC Teacher Working
Conditions Survey (NC TWCS).
Hawthorne’s design will be released soon and featured on all publications and social media sites
advertising the survey. The NC TWCS’ goal, as always, is 100 percent participation from all schools.
Valerie says, “We stress 100% participation in the NC TWCS because we know that data begins with
understanding but ends with action. Your collective voice on this survey results in change at both the
district and state level. It is well worth your time!”
The NC TWCS survey window is March 1-25. Thanks to all educators who participated in the branding
contest for this year’s survey theme. For more information, please visit the NC TWCS website or
contact Yvette Stewart, with NCDPI Educator Effectiveness.
30th Annual Home Base
Symposium Scheduled
Please mark your calendars for the 30th Annual
Home Base Symposium scheduled for Feb. 10-12
at the Sheraton Four Seasons/Koury Convention Center, Greensboro. This year’s symposium will
celebrate and highlight the growing interconnectivity of our systems and data. This event features
sessions for all Home Base products and provides the opportunity for peer-to-peer networking.
Who’s Invited?
All NC Home Base staff including Home Base Coordinators, School Based Administrators, Charter
School Directors and Administrators, Technology Directors, Schoolnet Leaders, HR/Personnel Staff,
School Data Managers, Canvas Administrators, Testing Coordinators, Curriculum and Instruction Staff,
Instructional Technology Staff, and PowerSchool Coordinators
Why Should You Attend?
• 100 percent NC focused event
• ALL components of Home Base will be represented (PowerSchool, Schoolnet, Truenorthlogic,
Canvas, IAM)
• Opportunities for collaboration and sharing of best practices
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Dec. 17, 2015 Principals' Biweekly Message - Lynda Fuller
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New This Year!
• Leveled strands for sessions (Novice, Intermediate, Advanced)
• Less “sit and get”
• More Schoolnet sessions
• Comprehensive Home Base Product Sessions: NCEES/TNL, IAM (Identity and Access Management),
Canvas and more.
Join us for three days of collaboration, information and innovation as we continue to make meaningful
connections through Home Base. Stay tuned for registration information and details on session
offerings.
STEM Innovation: Opportunities for Teachers
and Students
STEM Design Challenge for Students Grades 8-12
Design proposals are now being accepted through a joint educational
program of NASA - the International Space Station and Portland State
University (PSU). Students are invited to participate in microgravity research on capillary action similar
to what was conducted on the space station. Sound interesting? Teams will create their own
experiment using Computer-Aided Design CAD software and NASA and/or PSU staff will aid teams in
their interpretation of their results. Teams may be comprised of an entire class or informal science clubs
of any size. Selection of at least one qualifying entry from each state and listed territory is guaranteed.
Submission deadlines are Feb. 1, March 1 and April 1. Contact the Capillary Effects on Liquids
Exploratory Research Experiments Team for more information.
NC Space Grant Public Outreach Grant
The NC Space Grant Informal Education and Public Outreach Program is now open for proposals. The
overall goal of the NC Space Grant Informal Education and Public Outreach Program is to increase
interest in and understanding of STEM disciplines by inspiring and engaging individuals of all ages
throughout North Carolina. Visit the Public Outreach Grant web page for more information. Proposals
will be accepted through Feb. 27.
Latest Teachers’ Message Online
Dec. 10, 2015 Teachers’ Biweekly Message
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Dec. 17, 2015 Principals' Biweekly Message - Lynda Fuller
12/17/15 12:42 PM
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