Press Releases

NCDPI Awarded $3.9 Million Grant for Durable Skills Assessment

rudolph_sims — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 14:00:00 +0000

NCDPI Awarded $3.9 Million Grant for Durable Skills Assessment rudolph_sims Wed, 10/30/2024 - 10:00

Raleigh, NC

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) has been awarded a nearly $4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to pilot the Skills for the Future (SFF) project in North Carolina. This initiative is part of a national effort to measure and incorporate durable skills into education systems, equipping students with the competencies needed for success in college, careers and life.

This Skills for the Future pilot will utilize the North Carolina Portrait of a Graduate (Portrait) durable skills to anchor the assessment tools. The Portrait identifies the skills and mindsets North Carolina’s students need for success after high school, including: adaptability, collaboration, communication, critical thinking, empathy, learner’s mindset and personal responsibility.

"Data shows that durable skills, like those outlined in the North Carolina Portrait of a Graduate, are highly valued by employers and benefit students across all paths — whether they choose college, a career or the military," said North Carolina State Superintendent Catherine Truitt. “This grant is such an important step forward in ensuring our students are prepared for success in the workforce and prepared for the jobs of the future.”

This summer, NCDPI and the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Labor Economic Analysis Division (LEAD) presented data demonstrating that NC’s Portrait of a Graduate skills are essential to every occupation in the state. The data highlighted the need to continue integrating durable skills into everyday learning across North Carolina classrooms.

North Carolina joins four other states — Indiana, Wisconsin, Nevada and Rhode Island —partnering with the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and ETS in transforming traditional education models. These states are collectively pioneering the integration of durable skills assessments, creating a comprehensive, portable skills transcript that will provide students, educators and employers with real-time insights into students' skill development.

"We’re honored that NCDPI has entrusted us with this opportunity to support learners across the state," said Laura Slover, managing director of Skills for the Future at ETS. "By effectively measuring these critical durable skills, we aim to instill a mindset of continuous learning and development and believe we will set students on the path to being better prepared for the future of work."

Over the next three years, NCDPI will partner with ETS, Carnegie Foundation and Battelle for Kids (BFK) to create a tool that utilizes performance skills that are demonstrated through problem-based learning in the classroom, scoring and personalized skills transcripts to provide a more holistic view of students, their abilities, and the skills they can contribute to the workforce.

“In order to truly quantify the value of the Portrait of a Graduate’s durable skills, we must have a tool that can measure students' mastery. The Skills for the Future project does precisely that,” Truitt said. “With this tool in hand, we will be able to better evaluate our students and prepare them for whatever their future holds.”

The goal of the SFF project is to improve career and college readiness by producing and implementing a suite of customizable assessment tools for durable skills. By the end of the grant period, the project aims to produce skills transcripts for 6,000 students and engage 400 educators in professional learning across the state. North Carolina will join a multi-state professional learning community, where they can collaborate, troubleshoot and share experiences with other states engaged in similar work.

“North Carolina is a leader in the work to transform the American high school. They are building systems to create much more powerful pathways to postsecondary school and career and improve economic opportunity for students statewide. This is precisely the kind of innovation that will have an enduring impact on the lives of young people across North Carolina and signals to the nation what the future of high school can be,” said Timothy F.C. Knowles, president of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

In addition to enhancing the way students are prepared for their futures, this pilot will establish a valid and reliable way to measure durable skills, paving the way for these skills to be incorporated into school accountability models, such as North Carolina’s School Performance Grades.

“School performance grades are supposed to tell us about the quality of a school, but they don’t provide a complete picture of that right now. By incorporating additional metrics, factors and indicators that make North Carolina schools excellent – such as the North Carolina Portrait of a Graduate – we will be able to tell a more holistic picture of the health of our schools,” Truitt said.

The pilot will kick off in the spring of 2025 with high-intensity educator professional development in six North Carolina high schools in three school districts (Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, Iredell-Statesville Schools and the Mooresville Graded School District). The skills suite pilot will begin directly after the professional development phase.

About Battelle for Kids

Battelle for Kids (BFK) is a national, not-for-profit organization helping to empower educators so that every student has hope, resilience, and the knowledge and skills to be future-ready. BFK has helped hundreds of school districts and state agencies design, launch, and bring their shared community visions—the Portrait of a Graduate—to life, impacting the learning experiences of millions of students nationwide. For more information, visit Battelle for Kids (BFK)website.

About the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching

The mission of the Carnegie Foundation is to catalyze transformational change in education so that every student has the opportunity to live a healthy, dignified, and fulfilling life. Enacted by an act of Congress in 1906, the Foundation has a rich history of driving transformational change in the education sector, including the establishment of TIAA-CREF and the creation of the Education Testing Service, the GRE, Pell Grants, and the Carnegie Classifications for Higher Education. For more information, visit Carnegie Foundation website.

About ETS

ETS is a global education and talent solutions organization enabling lifelong learners to be future-ready. We advance the science of measurement to build the benchmarks for fair and valid skill assessment. We are committed to powering human progress by promoting skill proficiency, empowering upward mobility and unlocking more opportunities for everyone, everywhere. Our assessment products—including the TOEFL, TOEIC, GRE and Praxis assessments—along with our innovative solutions and subsidiaries, help 50 million people each year to clarify their strengths and find opportunities for growth in education, work and beyond. We continue to operate worldwide, with offices in 25 locations and operations in 200 countries and territories. For more information, visit the ETS website.

Oct 30, 2024

$800,000 Awarded to 18 Districts for Coding & Mobile App Development

rudolph_sims — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 13:00:00 +0000

$800,000 Awarded to 18 Districts for Coding & Mobile App Development rudolph_sims Tue, 10/15/2024 - 09:00

Raleigh, NC

A total of $800,000 in grants has been awarded to 18 North Carolina school districts to help develop student skills in computer science through coding.

The Coding and Mobile App Development Grant program, launched in 2017 with funding from the North Carolina General Assembly, supports partnerships with local businesses to help schools develop computer science, coding and mobile app development programs for middle and high school students.

The grants, which range in size from $13,000 to $80,000 this year, are used by districts and schools to obtain equipment, purchase digital materials and cover the costs associated with teacher professional development to build capacity in coding, computer science and mobile application development initiatives.

Applicants for this year’s round of grants indicated a primary goal of establishing strategies to implement and integrate North Carolina’s new K-12 Computer Science Standards by prioritizing professional development for teachers and introducing students to computer science in novel ways. In addition to the adoption of the new standards in 2023, ninth graders entering high school in the 2024–2025 school year and beyond are required to complete a computer science course before graduation.

This year's grant awardees are partnering with a variety of business and industry connections across the state on their initiatives, including VEX Robotics, TechSmart, STEM West, The Dot Consulting, Carolina Ballers, NASCAR and Code.org, among others.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt said the grants help expose students to careers in the fast-growing technology sector while laying an early foundation in the skills needed to succeed in those jobs.

“We’re thrilled we were able to fund all 18 applications for the Coding and Mobile App Development Grant this year,” she said. “The workforce here in North Carolina is changing rapidly, and we must respond with initiatives like this to ensure that students know about these high-wage, in-demand roles and are equipped to take advantage of them. The growth of technology-related jobs across the state and nation, especially those involving artificial intelligence, underscores the need to drive alignment between our K-12 education system and the needs of our businesses and industries.”

Some districts and schools are using funds to continue and expand programs started through previous years’ grant awards. Other districts and schools have begun implementing programs this spring.

During the 2023-24 school year, the grant program afforded the opportunity for more than 10,000 students and their teachers, administrators and other staff members throughout the state to experience a coding or mobile app development course as well as exposure to computer science, IT and technology-related work.

These experiences included embedded activities, work-based learning opportunities, professional development experiences and other options. The 18 participating schools or school grant recipients added or expanded new coding-related courses or supporting activities for middle or high school students.

The North Carolina schools named as grant recipients are:

PUBLIC SCHOOL UNIT	GRANT AMOUNT
Alexander County	$55,125.00
Asheville City Schools	$13,820.00
Bladen County	$13,819.00
Cabarrus County	$80,000.00
Caldwell County	$80,000.00
Camden County	$13,820.00
Catawba County	$80,000.00
Edgecombe County	$13,819.00
Hyde County	$13,819.00
Lincoln County	$13,819.00
Macon County	$80,000.00
McDowell County	$75,000.00
Northeastern Academy for Aerospace and Advanced Technologies	$65,500.00
Northampton County	$13,820.00
Scotland County	$13,819.00
Wayne County	$80,000.00
Yadkin County	$13,820.00
Yancey County	$80,000.00

Oct 15, 2024

$368 Million Awarded in Needs-Based School Construction Grants

rudolph_sims — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 14:00:00 +0000

$368 Million Awarded in Needs-Based School Construction Grants rudolph_sims Wed, 10/09/2024 - 10:00

Raleigh, NC

Seven school districts will share more than $360 million in new state lottery-funded grant awards for school construction, renovation projects and other capital improvements. Among the projects funded by the grants are plans to consolidate schools into one campus, increasing access to career and technical education and modernizing facilities for students, faculty and the surrounding community.

The grants, awarded under the Needs-Based Public School Capital Fund (NBPSCF), represent the largest annual allocation under the program, created by the General Assembly in 2017 from state lottery revenues. The grants are in addition to the state’s lottery-supported Public School Building Capital Fund and the Public School Building Repair and Renovation Fund, from which all 115 districts receive an allocation each year.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt said the needs-based grants continue to help districts across North Carolina ensure that students have access to high quality learning environments that are clean, modern and inviting to better serve student learning.

“Hurricane Helene has reiterated the necessity of our students having access to safe, modern and structurally sound learning environments,” said Truitt. “Each year, this funding does so much to support districts in modernizing infrastructure to improve safety and to enhance access for students to specialized learning facilities where they gain hands-on experience in new facilities like STEM labs, media centers and in career and technical education fields. I’m so thrilled to see these grants get into the hands of some incredibly deserving districts as we seek to help every student in the state reach their full potential.”

Awards Include:

Edgecombe County Public Schools—$62 million
- Will consolidate three schools in northern Edgecombe County, will renovate North Edgecombe High School, builds a new career and technical education facility, creates a new PK-8 facility and refurbishes grounds and athletic fields.
Graham County Schools—$42 million
- Will construct a new elementary school designed to be a multi-level building that will centralize essential spaces like cafeteria, gymnasium, auditorium and more while aligning academic planning and other student services.
Hyde County Schools—$36,574,482
- Will construct a new high school to replace older facilities and consolidate the elementary, middle and high school into one facility while reconfiguring the school’s campus and athletic amenities.
Jackson County Public Schools—$52 million
- Will construct a middle school that will consolidate five middle school programs into one location to better support student access to advanced coursework, career and technical education programs, visual arts, and to support teachers’ planning, training, and more.
Martin County Schools—$62 million
- Will construct a new high school to replace the existing 50-year-old Riverside High School, increasing student access to career and technical education classes, improving classroom and cafeteria size and addressing accessibility issues.
Sampson County Schools—$62 million
- Will construct a new high school that will be a career and technical magnet school that will include a state-of-the-art, two-story facility, an auditorium and a football/soccer field while improving parking, bus and carpool drop-off loops.
Swain County Schools—$52 million
- Will construct a new middle school that will integrate buildings to reduce transition time, enhance classroom size and cafeteria capacity while creating new athletic fields to support student involvement.

Mark Michalko, executive director of the N.C. Education Lottery, said a substantial portion of the money raised by the lottery will support schools and communities as they renovate, repair and construct buildings.

“More than half of the $1 billion raised by the lottery last year went to build new schools and renovate and repair older ones,” said Mark Michalko, Chief Executive Officer of the N.C. Education Lottery. “You can see ground-breaking and ribbon-cuttings events for new schools occurring all across our state. It’s a wonderful use of lottery funds and these new schools and classrooms will help move our students forward.”

In total, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) received 122 applications totaling $1.78 billion in requested funding. The NBPSCF grant program is funded annually through budget appropriations of NC Education Lottery revenue. The next grant cycle for FY 25-26 is anticipated to be open in the fall of 2025, following completion of the next biennial budget.

Oct 9, 2024

Over 200 Elementary Schools Selected to Participate in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program for 2024-25 School Year

rudolph_sims — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 13:00:00 +0000

Over 200 Elementary Schools Selected to Participate in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program for 2024-25 School Year rudolph_sims Thu, 09/26/2024 - 09:00

Raleigh, NC

In the 2024-25 school year, 212 schools across North Carolina are participating in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP).

North Carolina was among the first states to participate in the FFVP, and for the past 20 years, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) has been awarded the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) FFVP grant. Every North Carolina school that applied was selected and approved by the State Board of Education to participate.

The FFVP is a federally assisted program providing free fresh fruits and vegetables to children during the school day at eligible elementary schools. The goal of the FFVP is to introduce children to fresh fruits and vegetables, include new and different varieties and increase overall acceptance and consumption of fresh, unprocessed produce among children.

“The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program is an incredible initiative that allows us to offer this additional critical support for North Carolina’s students,” said State Superintendent Catherine Truitt. “Exposing our youngest learners to a wide variety of fresh, nutritious fruits and vegetables not only nourishes their bodies and minds but also paves the way for healthy eating habits into adulthood.”

Federal guidance requires that priority for the FFVP program be given to schools with the highest percentage of economically disadvantaged students, as students enrolled in these schools generally have fewer opportunities to regularly consume fresh fruit and/or vegetables. To be selected for the FFVP, a school must be an elementary school, represent the highest percentage of economically disadvantaged students, be currently approved to participate in the National School Lunch Program and complete an annual application. The 212 elementary schools selected to participate meet these criteria, have diverse enrollments and represent 34 public school units and two charter schools with approximately 84,233 students.

The primary goal of the USDA FFVP is to create healthier school environments by providing healthier food choices. To achieve this goal, the FFVP offers public schools the opportunity to expand the variety of fruits and vegetables for children, increase their overall fruit and vegetable consumption and make a difference in children’s diets to impact their present and future health. The fruits and vegetables purchased with FFVP funds must be in addition to those served as part of the school breakfast and lunch programs. On days the FFVP operates, School Nutrition staff prepare a fresh fruit or vegetable snack that students receive during the school day mid-morning to mid-afternoon.

Ideally, the more students are exposed to fruit and vegetables, the more they will begin to choose them over less nutritious snack foods. Principals, teachers and School Nutrition personnel in participating schools are encouraged to promote fresh fruit and vegetables to students. Storybooks, activity guides, fact sheets and posters on fruits and vegetables grown in North Carolina and served through School Nutrition Programs are shared with FFVP schools to assist in providing nutrition education to students.

“School meals in North Carolina offer students a variety of fruit and vegetable choices each day, many of them grown in our state,” said Dr. Lynn Harvey, senior director for the Offices of School Nutrition and Auxiliary Services at NCDPI. “Oftentimes, many students are unfamiliar with these fruits and vegetables and do not choose them as part of their meal, but this is one of the many benefits to the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. We are so pleased to see so many elementary schools introducing fruits and vegetables to students while also providing nutrition education that will nurture students’ bodies and encourage healthy habits for a lifetime.”

The NCDPI Office of School Nutrition is the State Agency administering the USDA School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, Special Milk Program, After School Snack Program, Seamless Summer Option and Summer Food Service Program in North Carolina. The NCDPI Office of School Nutrition works with school food authorities, or public school units, to operate School Nutrition Programs across the state. USDA and NCDPI are equal opportunity providers and employers. Additional information regarding School Nutrition Programs in North Carolina can be found on the NCDPI, Office of School Nutrition website.

Sep 26, 2024

NC Students Set Record High for Completed AP Exams, Scores Outperform National Average

rudolph_sims — Tue, 24 Sep 2024 12:00:00 +0000

NC Students Set Record High for Completed AP Exams, Scores Outperform National Average rudolph_sims Tue, 09/24/2024 - 08:00

Raleigh, NC

North Carolina high school students in 2023-24 participated and performed in college-level Advanced Placement (AP) courses at record-setting levels – reaching the highest participation and final scores in the 10-year partnership between the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) and the College Board, which administers the AP program and exams

Of the over 155,000 exams administered, 65.4 percent resulted in a proficient score of 3 or better, exceeding the national average of 65 percent and up from North Carolina’s 59 percent in 2022-23. This also marked the highest average score for North Carolina students in the past 10 years.

Because of increased access to AP exams, 8,808 more students took at least one AP exam in 2023-24 compared to the previous year with approximately 19,000 more exams taken. The 84,372 North Carolina students who took AP exams is also the highest number of examinees compared to the past 10 years.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt shared that the 2023-24 AP scores demonstrate how passionate students are about preparing for their future endeavors and commended the hard work of educators in terms of preparing students for success.

“I could not be prouder of the students and educators across North Carolina,” Truitt said. “To outperform the nation is a tremendous accomplishment. These results are a testament to students’ tenacity and commitment to their futures. Increasing access to AP exams is just one way we can ensure students are prepared to pursue the postgraduate plan of their choice, and we are thankful to the General Assembly for the increased funding that enabled us to truly expand access in the 2023-24 school year.”

The College Board: 2024 State Integrated Report – North Carolina Public Schools

In the 2023-24 academic year, 84,372 public school students took 155,935 AP exams, of which 101,950 received a proficient score of 3 or higher. The number of exams with scores of 3 or higher increased to 16.4 percent from a low during 2020-21.

Data also showed that North Carolina public school students continue to narrow racial and ethnic gaps regarding AP exam access.

The number of AP exams taken by Black students increased by 19.3 percent over the previous school year.
The number of AP exams taken by Hispanic or Latino students increased by 20.9 percent over the previous school year.

In addition to increased participation, North Carolina students’ scores improved across race and ethnicity.

The number of AP exams taken by Black students earning a 3,4 or 5 increased by 45.3 percent over the previous school year, exceeding the national increase at 32.5 percent.
The number of AP exams taken by Hispanic or Latino students earning a 3,4 or 5 increased by 36.6 percent over the previous school year, exceeding the national increase at 25.2 percent.

Successful performance on Advanced Placement exams can help students earn transferable college credit and save on college costs. In addition, research shows that students who take AP classes are more likely to persist in college and graduate in four years.

Dr. Michael Maher, deputy state superintendent of standards, accountability and research for NCDPI, stressed the significance of North Carolina’s students’ increased test scores and examinees in AP exams.

“Not only are students performing better on AP exams,” Maher said,” but there are more students taking the exams and scoring 3 or better. Expanded access to AP exams is an important step in helping students prepare for the postsecondary plan of their choice.”

Sep 24, 2024

Five North Carolina Public Schools Earn National Blue Ribbon Recognition

erin_mayabb — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 17:00:00 +0000

Five North Carolina Public Schools Earn National Blue Ribbon Recognition erin_mayabb Mon, 09/23/2024 - 13:00

Raleigh, NC

Five North Carolina public schools and one private school were named National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2024 by U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. The schools are among 356 schools nationwide recognized this year for their overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps.

North Carolina public schools receiving this honor are:

Martin L. Nesbitt, Jr. Discovery Academy – Buncombe County Schools
Hope Middle School – Pitt County Schools
McDowell Early College – McDowell County Schools
Willow Springs Elementary School – Wake County Public School System
Rock Ridge Elementary School – Wilson County Schools

“The National Blue Ribbon Schools Award is a testament to the exceptional achievements of students and educators at each of these schools,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools are raising the bar for our nation’s students, serving as models for effective teaching and intentional collaboration in their schools and communities. As we celebrate their achievements, let us look to these schools for inspiration as we champion education as the foundation of a brighter future for every child.”

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt congratulated North Carolina’s recipients for their hard work and pursuit of excellence and achievement.

“I’m so proud to see these schools recognized for their incredible accomplishments and dedication to their students,” Truitt said. “Their entire school communities – including educators, students, parents and members of the community – illustrate the amazing things happening in North Carolina’s public schools, ultimately leading the way toward stronger schools across our state and even better outcomes for students.”

The coveted National Blue Ribbon School award affirms the hard work of students, educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content. National Blue Ribbon Schools serve as models of effective school practices for state and district educators and other schools across the nation.

For more than 40 years, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has conferred approximately 10,000 awards to more than 9,000 schools, with some schools winning multiple awards. In North Carolina, a total of 143 public schools have been recognized as Blue Ribbon schools since the program’s inception in 1982.

All Blue Ribbon schools are honored in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, subgroup student scores and graduation rates:

Exemplary High Performing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s subgroups and all students over the past five years.

Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The U.S. Department of Education invites National Blue Ribbon School nominations from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Department of Defense Education Activity and the Bureau of Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by The Council for American Private Education.

Photographs and brief descriptions of the 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools are available at National Blue Ribbon Schools Award Winners.

Read the news release from the U.S. Department of Education.

Sep 23, 2024

2023-24 Accountability Report Shows Continued Academic Growth for North Carolina Students

rudolph_sims — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 20:32:52 +0000

2023-24 Accountability Report Shows Continued Academic Growth for North Carolina Students rudolph_sims Tue, 09/03/2024 - 16:32

RALEIGH, NC

North Carolina students continue to see gains in most grades and subjects, according to the 2023-24 state test results presented to the State Board of Education today. Schools also showed progress on accountability measures.

For the second year in a row, North Carolina students performed well in math, seeing an increase in students performing at both college-and-career readiness (CCR) and grade-level proficiency (GLP) in all grades from third to eighth, as well as in both NC Math 1 offerings. For students achieving grade-level proficiency in math, these areas saw increases up to 2.1 percentage points from the 2022-23 school year. There was a decrease in NC Math 3 scores, from 58.3% to 57.6% this year.

School Performance grades continue to show a steady increase of schools earning an A, B or C, while the number of schools earning a D or F declined nearly two percentage points. The number of schools exceeding or meeting growth increased as well. Approximately 72.5% of schools met or exceeded growth in 2023-24, compared to 72.3% in 2022-23 and up from 69.6% in 2021-22.

English Language Learners (EL) saw significant gains as well. There has been a steady increase in the percentage of students meeting progress targets or exiting English learner status over the past three years. In 2021-22, the percentage was 21.1, which increased to 24.9 in 2022-23 and then to 27.3 in 2023-24. In comparison to last year and when reported separately, students exiting the program grew by nearly half a percentage point, and those meeting annual progress grew by nearly two percentage points.

Graduation rates are also on the rise. The state’s four-year cohort graduation rate increased slightly to 86.9%, from 86.5% in 2022-23.

“We are proud of the steady progress reflected in this year's state test scores. This progress highlights the hard work and incredible dedication of educators and students across the state,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt.

“The data in the accountability report provides us with a clear picture of what’s going well in our schools and what areas need additional support,” she added. “This year’s data shows us that we’re headed in the right direction in most areas, but that we must remain committed to advocating for additional support for our teachers.”

The student achievement data for the 2023-24 school year is based on analysis of all end-of- grade (EOG) and end-of-course (EOC) tests, which are aligned to the North Carolina Standard Course of Studyin English Language Arts (Reading) and Mathematics and the Essential Standards in Science for all public schools in North Carolina. The data provides the percentage of students who scored at Level 3 and above (grade-level proficiency), at Level 4 and above (college-and-career readiness) and at each academic achievement level. There are four achievement levels for state testing: not proficient, 3, 4 and 5, with 5 representing the greatest mastery of the subject matter.

Overall, the 2023-24 test results showed an increase in the percentage of students who are college-and-career ready and grade-level proficient.

Students saw slight increases in most reading testing areas, but experienced declines in fourth and seventh grade reading. For students scoring grade-level proficient, scores increased up to 2.2 percentage points, while the decreases were 2.5 and 1.8 percentage points, respectively. English II scores increased to 59.5% from 58.3% in 2022-23. As with reading, student achievement in science varied with nearly a percentage point increase in fifth grade science and decreases for eighth grade science and biology.

“As a state, we have invested an incredible amount of time and effort into teaching our elementary students essential literacy skills using the science of reading. But many of our literacy supports fall off after third grade, and this year’s data shows us that focusing on elementary students, specifically kindergarten through third grade is not enough. We must invest in similar, developmentally appropriate professional learning for middle and high school teachers as well. This was a critical piece of our legislative agenda for the short session and must be something the legislature considers in the long session,” Truitt said.

With 72.5% of schools meeting or exceeding growth in 2023-24, schools continued to show progress on accountability measures. The A-F School Performance grades are calculated by combining the percentage of students earning a score of at least grade-level proficiency with growth. Growth is measured by a statistical model that compares each student’s predicted test score, based on past performance, against his or her actual result. Test scores are weighted at 80% of the performance grade, while growth only accounts for 20%. Also, all schools’ percentage of English learners meeting their progress targets is included in the school performance grade.

High schools also incorporate four-year graduation cohort rates, math course rigor and the percentage of students reaching the minimum ACT score for admission to University of North Carolina campuses or the percentage of students achieving a silver certificate or higher on the WorkKeys assessment into their school performance grade. The percentage of 11th graders achieving the UNC minimum of 19 was 40.2 in 2023-24, compared to 41.1 in 2022-23.

“Throughout my tenure as state superintendent, I have advocated for a new way of calculating school performance grades. The current model puts far too much emphasis on a single-day's test scores, and doesn’t take into account the many other factors, such as durable skills, post-secondary outcomes and school climate that impact both school quality and student success,” Truitt said.

Under the current school performance grade model, schools that receive a D or F performance grade and do not exceed growth are identified as low-performing. For 2023-24, the number of low-performing schools decreased from 804 to 736 from the year before, and the number of low-performing districts also decreased to 23 from 25.

“We know that educators’ commitment to student growth is the cornerstone of continued progress and learning,” said Tammy Howard, the senior director of accountability and testing for the N.C. Department of Public Instruction. “While test grades and letter outcomes cannot tell us everything we need to know about school and student success, North Carolina continues to see growth for most grades and subjects. This is something to be proud of.”

*** Go here for complete 2023-24 results for the state, districts and schools, under the 2023-24 “Reports” heading and the 2023-24 Annual Testing Report - Includes Performance, School Performance Grades, and Long-Term Goals under the “Documentation” heading. ***

Sep 4, 2024

Eligibility for Free or Reduced Price Meals in the National School Lunch Program

rudolph_sims — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 17:43:38 +0000

Eligibility for Free or Reduced Price Meals in the National School Lunch Program rudolph_sims Thu, 08/08/2024 - 13:43

RALEIGH, NC

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction today announced the 2024-2025 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) policy for free and reduced-price meals for children enrolled in North Carolina’s schools. The Federally assisted school nutrition programs help ensure all students have access to wholesome, nutritious, appealing meals at school.

“Research shows us that access to healthful meals at school can enhance students’ overall health and academic performance,” said State Superintendent, Catherine Truitt. “Children who are hungry or poorly nourished have difficulty learning and do not perform as well in the classroom as students who are well-nourished. Meals and snacks at school are healthier and more appealing than ever before.”

Healthy meals at school, coupled with a safe, student-focused learning environment, are top priorities in North Carolina because they help prepare students for success.

The federal income eligibility guidelines for July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 are shown below:

Household Size	ANNUAL		MONTHLY		TWICE PER MONTH		EVERY TWO WEEKS		WEEKLY
Household Size	Free	Reduced	Free	Reduced	Free	Reduced	Free	Reduced	Free	Reduced
1	19,578	27,861	1,632	2,322	816	1,161	753	1,072	377	536
2	26,572	37,814	2,215	3,152	1,108	1,576	1,022	1,455	511	728
3	33,566	47,767	2,798	3,981	1,399	1,991	1,291	1,838	646	919
4	40,560	57,720	3,380	4,810	1,690	2,405	1,560	2,220	780	1,110
5	47,554	67,673	3,963	5,640	1,982	2,820	1,829	2,603	915	1,302
6	54,548	77,626	4,546	6,469	2,273	3,235	2,098	2,986	1,049	1,493
7	61,542	87,579	5,129	7,299	2,565	3,650	2,367	3,369	1,184	1,685
8	68,536	97,532	5,712	8,128	2,856	4,064	2,636	3,752	1,318	1,876
For each additional household member
Add:	6,994	9,953	583	830	292	415	269	383	135	192

The household size and income criteria identified above will be used to determine student eligibility for free and reduced-price meal benefits. Children from households whose income is at or below the levels shown in the above chart are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Children who are members of households that are eligible to receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or Cash Assistance (CA) are automatically eligible for free meals. SNAP/CA families will be certified by the determining official by direct certification. Foster children that are the legal responsibility of a social services agency or court are considered categorically eligible for free meal benefits regardless of the income of the household with whom they reside.

(Note: SNAP was formerly known as the “Food Stamp” Program. In North Carolina, the SNAP is called “Food and Nutrition Services” or FNS. The CA program was formerly known as Temporary Assistance to Needy Families or TANF).

Applications for free and reduced-price school meals are being made available to all households. Applications should be available in the principal’s office at each school. To apply for free or reduced-price meals, households must complete the application and return it to the school or to the School Nutrition Office within the school district, charter school, non-public school or other institution participating in the National School Lunch Program. The information provided on the household application for free and reduced priced meal benefits will be used to determine student’s eligibility for free or reduced-price meals at school during the school year.

New this year, the application will also be used to determine whether students are eligible to receive Summer – Electronic Benefits Transfer (S-EBT) food assistance during the summer months when school is out of session. Students eligible for free or reduced-price meals are automatically eligible for S-EBT if they are enrolled in a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program on or before May 1 annually. Families receiving FNS or CA do not need to complete a household application because they are automatically certified by the determining official via direct certification; students who are directly certified for meal benefits are also eligible for S-EBT food assistance during the summer.

For school officials to determine eligibility for free and reduced priced benefits, an adult household member must sign the application. Applications must include the names of all household members, the amount and source of income received by each household member and the last four digits of the social security number of the adult household member who signs the application. If the household member signing the application does not have a social security number, he/she must indicate that a social security number is not available. All applications for free and reduced priced meal benefits are subject to verification of income at any time during the school year by school or other program officials.

Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price policy, the School Nutrition Administrator or designee in each school district will review applications and determine eligibility. Parents or guardians dissatisfied with the ruling of the official may wish to discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis. Parents wishing to make a formal appeal for a hearing on the decision may make a request either orally or in writing to the school district, charter school, non-public school or other participating institution.

If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size increases, the household should contact the school. Such changes may qualify children of the household for school meals benefits if the household's income falls at or below the levels shown above.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Who can Receive free or Reduced Price meals?

All children in households receiving benefits from Food and Nutrition Services (FNS, formerly known as Food Stamps), the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) or Cash Assistance (CA), are eligible for free meals.
Foster children that are under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court are eligible for free meals.
Children participating in their school’s federally funded Head Start program are eligible for free meals.
Children who meet the definition of homeless, runaway or migrant are eligible for free meals.
Children may receive free or reduced-price meals if a household’s income is within the limits on the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines.

How do i know if my children qualify as homeless, migrant or runaway?

Do the members of your household lack a permanent address? Are you staying together in a shelter, hotel or other temporary housing arrangement? Does your family relocate on a seasonal basis? Are any children living with you who have chosen to leave their prior family or household?

Can homeless, runaway and migrant children receive free meals?

Yes, children who meet the definition of homeless, runaway or migrant qualify for free meals. If your children meet the definition of homeless, runaway or migrant but have not been informed that they will get free meals, contact the school’s homeless, runaway or migrant liaison.

Do I need to fill out an application for each child?

No. Use one Free and Reduced-price School Meals Application for all students in your household.

Should i fill out an application if i received a letter this school year saying my children are already approved for free meals?

No, but please read the letter you got carefully and follow the instructions. If any children in your household were missing from your eligibility notification, contact the contact the School Nutrition Administrator in your school district immediately. Please keep the letter indicating your child(ren) are eligible for meals at no cost as this letter may be used for other purposes that may reduce the cost of other services for your child(ren).

My child’s application was approved last year. Do i need to fill out a new one?

Yes. Your child’s application is only good for that school year and for the first few days of this school year. You must send in a new application unless the school told you that your child is eligible for the new school year. If you do not send in a new application that is approved by the school or you have not been notified that your child is eligible for free meals, your child will be charged the full price for meals.

If children qualify for free or reduced price meals at school, can they receive summer – electronic benefits transfer (s-ebt or “sun bucks”)

The household application for free or reduced priced meal benefits may also help determine whether your child(ren) is eligible for Summer-Electronic Benefits Transfer (S-EBT) or “Sun Bucks.” Students who are enrolled in a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program and are eligible for free or reduced-price meals are automatically eligible to receive Sun Bucks as long as the student is enrolled in a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program on or before May 1 each year. Be sure to keep the letter stating your child(ren) is eligible for free or reduced-price meals because the letter may be used to confirm eligibility for Sun-Bucks if needed. Parents may also complete a separate application for “Sun Bucks” food assistance by completing the “Sun Bucks” application provided through the NC Department of Health and Human Services. The application is available at: SUN Bucks 2024 Application.

Can foster children receive free meals?

Yes, foster children that are under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court are eligible for free meals. Any foster child in the household is eligible for free meals regardless of income.

Can children enrolled in a school’s federally funded head start program receive free meals?

If your children meet this criterion and you have not been informed that they will get free meals, you must contact the School Nutrition Administrator in your school district.

Who can receive reduced price meals?

Children from families whose total household income is within the reduced priced limits on the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines Chart can get school meals at no cost. The N.C. General Assembly has appropriated funds to pay the student copay for reduced price meals of 30 cents for breakfast and 40 cents for lunch. This means reduced price meals are available to all students in the household that qualify for reduced price meals at no cost to the household. Contact the school’s School Nutrition Administrator for specific details about this provision in your school.

I get wic. Can my children get free meals?

Children in households participating in WIC may be eligible for free or reduced priced meals. Please send in an application.

Will the information I give be checked?

Yes. We may also ask you to send written proof of the household income you report.

If I don’t qualify now, may I apply later?

Yes, you may apply at any time during the school year. For example, children with a parent or guardian who becomes unemployed may become eligible for free and reduced-price meals if the household income drops below the income limit.

What if I disagree with the school’s decision about my application?

You should talk to the district’s School Nutrition Administrator, or you also may ask for a hearing by calling or writing to the School Nutrition Office.

May I apply if someone in my household is not a U.S. citizen?

Yes. You, your children, or other household members do not have to be U.S. citizens to apply for free or reduced priced meals.

Who should you include as members of your household?

You must include all people living in your household, related or not (such as grandparents, other relatives or friends) who share income and expenses. You must include yourself and all children who live with you. If you live with other people who are economically independent (for example, people who you do not support, who do not share income with you or your children and who pay a prorated share of expenses), do not include them.

What if my income is not always the same?

List the amount that you usually receive. For example, if you normally make $1000 each month, but you missed some work last month and only made $900, put down that you made $1000 per month. If you normally get overtime, include it, but do not include it if you only work overtime sometimes. If you have lost a job or had your hours or wages reduced, use your current income.

What if some household members have no income to report?

Household members may not receive some types of income we ask you to report on the application or may not receive income at all. Whenever this happens, please write 0 in the field. However, if any income fields are left empty or blank, those will also be counted as zeroes. Please be careful when leaving income fields blank, as we will assume you meant to do so.

We are in the military. Do we report our income differently?

Your basic pay and cash bonuses must be reported as income. Ifyou get any cash value allowances for off-base housing, food or clothing, or receive Family Subsistence Supplemental Allowance payments, it must also be included as income. However, if your housing is part of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative, do not include your housing allowance as income. Any additional combat pay resulting from deployment is also excluded from income.

My spouse is deployed to a combat zone. Is his/her combat pay counted as income?

No. If the combat pay is received in addition to his/her basic pay because of his/her deployment and it wasn’t received before he/she was deployed, combat pay is not counted as income. Contact the district’s School Nutrition Administrator for more information.

What if there isn’t enough space on the application for my family?

List any additional household members on a separate piece of paper and attach it to your application. You may also contact thelocal School Nutrition Officeto receive a second application.

My family needs more help. Are there other programs we might apply for?

To find out how to apply for Food and Nutrition Services (FNS, formerly Food Stamps) or other assistance benefits, contact your local assistance office or call The Careline at 1-800-662-7030. For more information, contact the Office of School Nutrition of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction at (984) 236-2910 or contact the School Nutrition Administrator in the school district, charter school or non-public school of other participating institution in which your child is enrolled.

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: U.S. Department of Agriculture USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form , from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

Mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
Fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
Email:
Program.Intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Aug 8, 2024

Once Again, NC’s K-3 Students Outperform National Average on Reading Skills Assessment

rudolph_sims — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 14:30:00 +0000

Once Again, NC’s K-3 Students Outperform National Average on Reading Skills Assessment rudolph_sims Thu, 08/01/2024 - 10:30

RALEIGH, NC

For the third year in a row, North Carolina’s kindergarten through third grade students outperformed the national average on end-of-year literacy assessments, according to data presented to the State Board of Education today.

The number of students who met or exceeded the benchmark for the DIBELS 8 (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) assessment grew by 81,616 from the beginning of the 2023-24 school year to the end. Meanwhile, 53,808 fewer students scored well below benchmark.

At every grade level tested, a higher percentage of North Carolina students measured as "on track” than the national average. K-2 students also showed greater improvement from beginning- to end-of-year assessments, while third graders improved at the same rates as their peers.

State Superintendent Catherine Truitt credits this success to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI)’s statewide implementation of Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling, or LETRS®.

The two-year professional development program for K-3 teachers rolled out in the 2021-22 academic year, with the final cohort of educators completing their training this June. LETRS equips teachers with instructional tools based on decades of research into the science of reading.

“They call it the ‘science’ of reading because, like any scientific concept, these methods are grounded in research and data. When we implemented LETRS, we knew we’d see results,” Truitt said. “But to have so many students improve this early in our state’s new literacy journey is a wonderful surprise. It speaks to the dedication of our teachers and the efficacy of the professional development coordinated by NCDPI’s Office of Early Learning.”

The DIBELS 8 assessment has been administered to kindergarten, first, second and third graders statewide beginning the same year as the LETRS training. It consists of a set of measures designed to evaluate component skills involved in reading and is taken at the beginning, middle and end of each year to track a student’s progress toward literacy.

The greatest gains in North Carolina’s scores can be seen in kindergarten, where the percent of students who are on track in reading grew by 40 percent during the 2023-24 school year, compared to an average of 25 percent for other states.

Amy Rhyne, senior director of NCDPI’s Office of Early Learning, said reading skills are like building blocks, with each grade building upon what was learned in years past. This is one factor that accounts for the differences in achievement between grade levels.

“This year’s third graders were already in first grade by the time the original cohort of teachers began LETRS, so it makes sense that they're not experiencing as much growth as the K-2 students who were exposed to the science of reading earlier,” she said. “Now that all of our students will enter kindergarten with a teacher who has completed LETRS training, they’ll be able to build a really strong foundation. We expect to see that reflected in even greater achievement for our students in years to come.”

Aug 1, 2024

Center for Safer Schools to Hold Annual Summit

lisa_reason — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 13:55:13 +0000

Center for Safer Schools to Hold Annual Summit lisa_reason Tue, 07/23/2024 - 09:55

RALEIGH, NC

The Center for Safer Schools (CFSS) will hold its annual RISE Back to School Safety Summit from July 29-Aug. 2, 2024, at Union Station Conference Center at Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, N.C.

RISE – the CFSS’ signature event – focuses on the Resiliency, Information, Support and Empowerment needed when supporting children and adolescents in schools and communities. The training offers a range of sessions covering the issues of bullying, suicide and critical incidents as well as other vital information about trauma and victimization among children and adolescents and how these various dynamics impact school climate and school safety. Scheduled trainings include gang awareness, School Risk Management Plans, reportable offenses, suicide prevention and Sandy Hook Promise's SAVE Promise Club.

Executive Director Karen W. Fairley said the CFSS has recently expanded its staff to include regional liaisons who will provide individualized, enhanced support for school districts across the state

“The Center’s staff has more than doubled in size since last year’s RISE,” she said. “We hope school staff and law enforcement engage with them all, especially our Regional School Safety Specialists. The specialists will have the closest interaction with School Safety Directors going forward, so RISE 2024 is a great opportunity to make meaningful connections.”

State Superintendent Catherine Truitt said a larger staff will allow the CFSS to be a better resource in all matters of school safety.

“The Department of Public Instruction is excited to have regional liaisons available for school safety,” she said. “RISE sessions not only will help our public school personnel gain knowledge in various aspects of school safety – including legislative requirements – but they will also give them an opportunity to foster relationships with the Center staff who will help guide their efforts.”

New for RISE 2024 is a parent/student component, which will be held by invitation only during the last two days of the summit. Sessions include internet safety, family engagement and resilience.

Fairley said it’s important for the CFSS to engage with parents, as they have a critical role in school safety.

“RISE launches our school safety initiatives for each school year. It is important that parents have a role in these initiatives,” she said. “What happens in the community goes over into the schools, and what happens in the school goes over to the community, and home is the base.”

Also, the CFSS Student Engagement Team held a contest for K-12 students in North Carolina public school units in conjunction with RISE 2024. The theme was “Shine a Light on What a Safer School Looks Like.”

The two middle school winners, four high school winners and the winning New Hanover County classroom will be announced during the opening ceremony.

Media: Training sessions are closed to the media. However, media representatives are welcome to attend the opening ceremony and the luncheon on July 29, featuring remarks from state, New Hanover County and City of Wilmington officials. More information on media availability, interview opportunities and RSVPing were shared last week in a media advisory. Contact communications@dpi.nc.gov for more information.

About the Center for Safer Schools

The Center for Safer Schools serves to promote safe learning environments for North Carolina K-12 schools. The CFSS serves as a hub of information and technical assistance on school safety to school faculty and staff, law enforcement, youth-serving community agencies, juvenile justice officials, policymakers, parents/guardians and students. CFSS staff focuses on school climate, school discipline and emergency preparedness concerns for North Carolina’s public K-12 schools. CFSS staff is available to provide training, guidance and technical assistance upon request for school faculty and staff and those working with children and adolescents. The CFSS is headed by Karen W. Fairley, Executive Director.

Jul 23, 2024