February 5, 2014
NEW THIS WEEK
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READY IV Coming This Spring!
Summer Institutes 2014: Sustaining Success!
Arts and the Common Core Seminar
Home Base Symposium Feb. 17-19
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
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NCDPI ‘MOOClet’ Launches This Month
#NCed Chat: January Topics Archived
Upcoming Release of Transformed Model Performance Indicators (MPIs)
Support Materials for the World Language Essential Standard
NEW THIS WEEK
READY IV Coming This Spring!
As we enter the homestretch of the Race to the Top (RttT) grant, NCDPI leadership has
invited Superintendents and key local district leadership to a fourth round of READY
Regional Outreach Meetings in March and April 2014. The purpose of these gatherings is
to provide updates on the priority activities of the READY initiative work and look toward
the future after the RttT grant is over.
Key topics for these meetings are:
• Home Base – where we are to date, what it means to opt-in to the non-required
parts, and more;
• educator effectiveness; and
• the General Assembly’s A-F Accountability Model, which will be reported out for the
first time in fall 2014.
Superintendents were notified this week of the central office personnel to accompany
them to the meetings. They include:
• Curriculum and Instruction Director
• Human Resources Director
• Technology Director
• Finance Director
• Data Manager
• Parent Representative, such as a PTA President
Superintendents are notifying the NCDPI their intent to attend and bring colleagues.
MORE INFO: Michael Yarbrough, Communication and Information Services,
michael.yarbrough@dpi.nc.gov
Summer Institutes 2014: Sustaining Success!
Summer is only four months away! And after four years, we all know what that means:
Summer Institutes 2014 will once again be held in all eight regions across the state of
North Carolina. Regions 1, 2, 5 and 7 will experience this myriad of professional
development experiences simultaneously on July 7-8, 2014, while Regions 3, 4, 6 and 8
will participate simultaneously during July 9-10, 2014.
This year’s theme is “Sustaining Success: Building on Achievement,” and we aim to do
just that for educators from across the state. The overarching goal of the 2014 Summer
Institutes is to provide educators across the state with meaningful professional
development that will take them to the next level in READY implementation (Common
Core, New Assessments, Educator Effectiveness, Home Base and more). We will
accomplish this by:
● Strengthening relationships among local school districts as they continue to plan
and execute specific activities and initiatives around Race to the Top work;
● Assisting local school districts in assessing progress with their PD plans;
pinpointing challenges that remain; and refining goals that will keep them moving
forward in this effort;
● Identifying how the NCDPI can provide resources to address the needs of local
school districts in taking the lead and crafting their plans for sustainability as Year 5
of RttT approaches; and,
● Effectively capturing and sharing new knowledge derived from best practices
among colleagues statewide.
Registration opens on April 1, but we wanted our partners across the state to mark your
calendars now!
ALSO, we are asking for proposals from those who would like to present. The application
for this, along with more information and a new video, is available at the Summer
Institutes website, at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/profdev/summerinstitutes/2014/
MORE INFO: Dr. Cynthia Martin, Educator Effectiveness, cynthia.martin@dpi.nc.gov
Arts and the Common Core Seminar
Presented by the A+ Schools Program of the North Carolina Arts Council, “Arts and
the Common Core : Integrating with Common Core State Standards for English
Language Arts” is a hands-on seminar will help K-8 Educators to: Imagine the
possibilities when you bring the arts - visual arts, dance, theatre and music - together
with Common Core State Standards for English-Language Arts. Investigate strategies
for engaging your students in deep and meaningful processes as they creatively explore
connections between the arts and the non-arts content. Construct lesson plans and
gather ideas and resources for enhancing your language arts instruction. Reflect on
your comfort with the arts and build your tool box of instructional strategies that
support arts integration. Since 1995, schools in the A+ Network have been using the
arts as a catalyst for creating connections and making schools engaging, meaningful and
enjoyable places to teach and learn.
This session is open to all K-8th Grade NC Educators and Leaders (all disciplines). A
certificate of participation (which may be used for CEU credit with prior approval from
the school system) will be provided. The sessions take place as follows:
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Region 3 - February 26th from 10am – 3pm, lunch included
Region 7 - March 28th from 10am – 3pm, lunch included
MORE INFO: For more information and to register, please visit
http://www.ncpublicschools.org/profdev/calendar/.
Home Base Symposium Feb. 17-19
From a PowerSchool Cafe to wireless for $5 a day, you won’t want to miss a minute of
the first-ever Home Base Symposium set for Feb. 17-19 at the Koury Convention Center
in Greensboro.
There will be 59 distinct sessions with more than 100 presenters and guest speakers
from LEAs, the NCDPI, Pearson and other vendors who support the Home Base
implementation.
Roughly 20 percent of the sessions offered support the PowerSchool SIS foundational
sessions (meaning they tie in, but are focused on data, policy, integrated applications
and IIS). There are 21 sessions on PowerSchool functions plus eight hands-on sessions.
There’s a special session for Tech Directors and for Superintendents on the last day of
the conference, Wednesday, Feb. 19.
The PowerSchool Cafe premieres this year, where LEAs are invited to join forces and
create a report to share at conference closing with all attendees. The “cafe” room will be
available four times during the conference to these LEA/school staff to work in groups
for about eight total hours. During the last session, these cafe-goers will
share/demonstrate their reports. The goal of these collaborative work sessions is to
create reports that can be shared throughout the state.
The host hotel is offering wireless to those not staying at the hotel for $5 a day. We are
encouraging users to take advantage of this offer in order to minimize cell phone “hot
spots” that negatively impact everyone’s wireless experience in the hotel. Please see
hotel staff for information.
MORE INFO: For the full course list and descriptions and more about registration, visit
http://www.nc-sis.org/symposium14.html. Once the booklet is complete, it will be
posted online to allow attendees to download and pre-plan their sessions. We anticipate
this is the last year we will provide hard copies at the conference. Next year we plan to
“go green.”
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
NCDPI ‘MOOClet’ Launches This Month
In February we introduce a new online learning option called the MOOClet. While you
may be familiar with a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course), our MOOClet will foster a
broader community of learners across the state who interact online during the course
and develop relationships and spaces that allow interaction to continue after the course
is over. While preserving some of the advantages of facilitated courses such as
instructor involvement and feedback, the MOOClet allows a larger number of
participants to share ideas and learn from one another.
Start Date: Wednesday, Feb. 5
Duration: 6 Weeks (20 hours)
Credits: 2 CEUs
What is the focus of this course?
This course is intended for K-12 classroom teachers and instructional personnel. It
focuses on using digital tools and strategies to support teaching and learning, enriching
individuals’ knowledge through developing communities of practice across the state in
their subject and grade level. In this course, we will look at the 4Cs - Creativity, Critical
Thinking, Communication and Collaboration - keystones for the 21st century classroom.
We will collaboratively investigate digital strategies that can be used to enhance teaching
and learning.
What is a MOOC?
MOOC stands for Massive Open Online Course, which is an online course open to
everyone. It typically has a large enrollment that can run into the tens of thousands. In
most cases, participants choose their level of participation by deciding which activities
they want to complete, and no credit is awarded to open enrollments. MOOCs usually
have limited instructor feedback and rely heavily on peer-to-peer interaction.
How is the NCDPI MOOClet like a MOOC?
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Learner-centered, focusing on participants’ professional needs in different
disciplines and grade levels
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Participants are creators of content as much as they are “consumers” of content
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Extensive peer-to-peer communication
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Larger number of students than a typical facilitator-led course
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Starts and ends on fixed dates; participants are in a cohort and stay on schedule
with weekly assigned readings and assignments
How is this DPI MOOClet different from most MOOCs?
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Enrollment is not open to all; only North Carolina educators (150–200
participants)
Facilitator presence (MOOCs usually require a higher degree of learner
independence)
Participants will complete all assigned activities; with plenty of choices and
alternate options
CEUs awarded for completion of the PD MOOClet requirements
Who should participate?
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Active, collaborative learners who enjoy sharing information and resources
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Educators who are self-motivated and flexible
What technology (or special technical skills) are needed?
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Reliable Internet connection
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Comfort with using a browser to access the World Wide Web
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Skills to create and save files; upload and download files
How do I complete the registration process:
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Log in to the Home Base NC Educator Effectiveness System
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Click the Professional Development tab
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On the PD page, click on the link to the pilot course
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You are then presented with the course screen
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Click on the “register” button
MORE INFO: Dr. Geetanjali Soni, Geetanjali.soni@dpi.nc.gov, or Dr. Lynne Johnson,
lynne.johnson@dpi.nc.gov, Educator Effectiveness
#NCed Chat - January Topics Archived
#NCed Chat provides opportunities for North Carolina educators to develop their
personal learning networks (PLNs). Educators from all over the state come together
once every week in a public Twitter conversation around specific topics and share
valuable resources. Often, educators from around the world join the conversation.
January topics included collaboration, global awareness, productivity and student safety.
Visit NCEDCHAT.BLOGSPOT.COM for archived chats, resources, chat schedule and
directions on how to participate. We even have an app for that: MYAPP.IS/NCED. Invite
your teams to join the conversation.
MORE INFO: Dr. Lynne Johnson, Educator Effectiveness, lynne.johnson@dpi.nc.gov
Upcoming Release of Transformed Model Performance Indicators (MPIs)
The Common Core State Standards call for teachers to simultaneously provide
academically rigorous content instruction while promoting English language
development. In order to support NC content and English Language Learners educators
in this endeavor, the NCDPI Title III/ESL staff have formed the Common Core and ELL
Collaborative Task Force.
This team has worked over the course of the last year to create and write transformed
Model Performance Indicators (MPIs) based on ELA Common Core Standards (Reading
for Literature and Reading for Informational Text) and WIDA Standards (Grades 1, 3, 5, 6,
7, 8, 9-10, and 11-12). The NCDPI is planning to release these resources to the field by
the end of February. The original writers, reviewers and editors will conduct a series of
webinar sessions to go through the development process and to provide some
suggestions on how to utilizes these resources. This information has been shared at the
Council of Chief State School Officers ELL SCASS meeting and the recent USED RttT desk
monitoring.
MORE INFO: Dr. Robin McCoy, Curriculum and Instruction, robin.mccoy@dpi.nc.gov
Support Materials for the World Language Essential Standards
The World Languages Collaborative Team is in the process of crafting additional tools for
teachers and administrators to use as they implement the World Language Essential
Standards. Recently, a set of proficiency outcome posters were posted to the World
Language wiki, at http://wlnces.ncdpi.wikispaces.net/Proficiency+Posters. This can be
used in classrooms or in communication with stakeholders to illustrate what students
will be able to do with the language being learned once they complete a course. This
spring, a set of Administrator Briefings are being drafted which will include a short
overview of a World Language program paired with an observation form aligned to the
NCEES standards.
MORE INFO: Dr. Robin McCoy, Curriculum and Instruction, robin.mccoy@dpi.nc.gov
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
READY Regional Principals Meetings
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction is pleased to announce Part 2 of
READY Principals, a new initiative to support principals with their use of the NC Educator
Evaluation System. The spring READY Principal meetings will include:
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NC Professional Teacher Standards 1 and 5
Coaching Conversations for Teacher Growth
Educator Evaluation Data Analysis
The Educator Effectiveness Division is excited to share the evidences we collected from
principals across the state for NC Professional Teacher Standards 2, 3 and 4, during the
fall Principal READY meetings. We will be collecting additional evidences this spring for
Standards 1 and 5.
You can find your region’s meeting time and location and register here. We hope that
you will be able to attend the session in your region, but we also understand that
scheduling situations may prevent this from happening. In that case, please register for
a session that is convenient for you. In addition, it is important that if you have to
cancel or have a change of plans, please contact Sid Baker (sid.baker@dpi.nc.gov) as
soon as possible, as we are responsible for lunch and break expenses.
MORE INFO: Kim Simmons, Educator Effectiveness, Kimberly.Simmons@dpi.nc.gov
2014 Spring Regional Professional Development Secondary Mathematics
The Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM) for Every Learner - Each
student arrives to class with his or her own strengths and challenges, which is why
designing and implementing lessons in such a way that all students have access to the
intended mathematics content is essential.
During the 2014 Spring RESA, secondary mathematics participants will focus on
differentiating instruction using strategies that support the teaching and learning of the
CCSSM for all.
Following are the dates and locations.
Region
Date
Place
Region 1
Tuesday, Feb. 25
Kermit White Center, ECSU
1704 Weeksville Road, Elizabeth City
Region 2
Thursday, Feb. 27
River Landing Clubhouse
Paddle Wheel Dr., Wallace
Region 3
Tuesday, Feb. 11
McKimmon Center at NCSU
1101 Gorman St., Raleigh
Region 4
Thursday, March 6
UNC Pembroke - Comtech Center
115 Livermore Dr., Pembroke
Region 5
Thursday, March 20
Greensboro Coliseum
1921 West Lee St. Greensboro
Region 6
Tuesday, March 18
UNC-Charlotte Campus
9201 University City Blvd. Charlotte
Region 7
Thursday, March 13
Holiday Inn Express North Wilkesboro
1700 Winkler Ave., North Wilkesboro
Region 8
Tuesday, March 11
WRESA A-B Tech College -Enka Campus
1459 Sand Hill Road, Candler
The times for these sessions may vary slightly by region, but generally will be held from
8:30 am to 4 pm, with registration from 8:30-9 am.
MORE INFO: To register, please contact your local RESA. For general information about
these sessions, please contact Susan Hart, K-12 Mathematics, susan.hart@dpi.nc.gov
NCDPI Science Content Session: 3 RESA Presentations Remain
Three RESA Sessions remain for NCDPI Science Content Sessions. Science consultants
will host Summer Institutes C&I Leads in delving deeper into the North Carolina Essential
Standards for Science. Participants will also receive strategies and resources for
teaching the standards.
All new participants to NCDPI Content Sessions should review previous training materials
posted at http://www.ncdpi.wikispaces.net/ before attending this session. Use this link
to register: http://www.ccresa.net/, and click on events.
Following are the remaining sessions, dates, times and locations:
● Region 7: Wednesday, Feb. 5, 9am – Thursday, Feb. 6, 4pm, Holiday Inn Express,
North Wilkesboro
● Region 4: Wednesday, Feb. 12, 9am – Thursday, Feb. 13, 4pm, Richmond
Community College - Cole Auditorium, Hamlet
● Region 1: Wednesday, Feb.19, 9am – Thursday, Feb. 20, 4pm, Vernon James
Center, Plymouth
MORE INFO: Beverly Vance, K-12 Science, Beverly.Vance@dpi.nc.gov
RACE TO THE TOP WEEKLY UPDATE INFO
If you know someone who would like to be on this list, please send their email
address(es) to Michael.Yarbrough@dpi.nc.gov.
***LINKS: PC users might need to press the CTRL button when clicking on a
hyperlink in this document.
Archived Race to the Top Weekly Updates are available online at:
http://www.ncpublicschools.org/rttt/reports/weekly