Current Happenings

Instructional Technology Joins Forces with K-12 CIT

The reorganization in process at DPI has created a new "home" for Instructional Technology. Instructional Technology is a new section in the Division of K-12 Curriculum, Instruction and Technology. Dr. Wandra Polk is the Director. The new Instructional Technology Section was created by merger of the former Educational Technology Implementation and Planning (ETIPS) and the Resources Development and Evaluation (RD&E) Sections.

NCDPI and Qualcom Partner with Schools and Smartphones

On February 4, 2008, Dr. June St. Clair Atkinson, North Carolina State Superintendent, Congressman Walter Jones (R-NC), Tim Magner, Director of the Office of Education Technology for the US Department of Education, and Dr. Irwin M. Jacobs, Chairman and Founder of Qualcomm kicked off the Project K-nect program in Jacksonville, NC. Over 100 Smartphones were distributed to 9th grade Algebra I students in Onslow, Durham, and Winston-Salem/Forsyth Schools to measure their achievement in using these tools for advanced purposes. See the NC DPI K-nect page for pictures and more information.

AMTR 2008 Opens

The 2008 AMTR is now open. The AMTR will be open year round. On June 30th of each year, data will be pulled down for the School Report Card. Please make sure by June 30th your data is accurate and ready for the School Report Card. If you have any questions about the AMTR, please contact Melanie Honeycutt at mhoneycutt@dpi.state.nc.us

Challenged Materials Process

In response to requests for assistance with challenged materials, Instructional Technology staff developed a document, Meeting the Challenge, that outlines a process for response. Meeting the Challenge-Tips for Principals provides simple instructions in a step-by-step process. For additional information you may contact, Zena Harvley-Felder by email at ZFelder@dpi.state.nc.us.

Greene County School Named Apple Distinquished School

Greene County Middle School has been named an Apple Distinguished School. Apple Computer recognizes schools for successful implementation of a 21st century learning environment. This environment includes leadership, instruction, adequate IT infrastructure, one-to-one computer access, ongoing professional development, and systematic evaluation and assessment of their program. Greene County Middle School is one of just 18 schools Apple is recognizing nationwide and the only school in the state of North Carolina to receive this honor.

Position Statement on the Organization of School Library Media Resources Shared at NCSLMA 2007

During the 2007 NCSLMA Conference the Instructional Technology Division distributed their Position Statement on the Organization of School Library Media Resources. The document is now available for download here.

North Carolina Provides Leadership in Instructional Technology

At the State Education Directors of Technology Association's (SETDA) 2007 Leadership and Education Forum, North Carolina students from Greene County, Senator Richard Burr, and Frances Bradburn were featured luncheon speakers. Read more on the SETDA 2007 Leadership and Education Form web site and download the audio recording (mp3) of the presentation by our featured speakers.

Competitive Grant Opportunities

Grants awards to support implementation of North Carolina's IMPACT Model were approved by the State Board of Education at it's Febrary meeting. Funding for these grants is from Title II Part D of No Child Left Behind. For more information about the grants, visit the EETT Competitive Grant web site. School districts awarded grants are: Asheboro City Schools, Kannapolis City Schools, Thomasville City Schools, and the Northeast Consorium of Perquimans County and Edenton/Chowan Schools.

Technology Educator Awards Announced

The Instructional Technology Division is pleased to announce two winners of the Nineteenth Annual Technology Educator Award. The awards program is open to all North Carolina K-12 public school educators who have not previously won the NC Technology Educator Award. Two awards were made in the following categories: Technology Facilitator and District-level administrator. The awards were announced at the closing session of the NC Educational Technology Conference in Greensboro, on November 29. The Outstanding Administrator Award was awarded to Pam Jack, Director of Media and Technology for Union County Schools. The Technology Facilitator Award was awarded to Georgia Abeyounis, South Greenville Elementary in Pitt County. The Impact Model School award will be presented at NCaetc in March.

Microsoft Settlement Information

The linked PDF documents were sent directly to the finance officers with eligible schools from the Settlement Administrator (the Poorman-Douglas Corporation out of Washington State).For assistance with the Microsoft Settlement, you may contact Camp Price or Suzanne Griffin through the NC Microsoft Settlement web page. (http://www.signalintechconsulting.com/ncms)

The Excel document has three tabs in the workbook.

• LEA summary of total voucher amounts,
• Charter School summary of total voucher amounts, and
• List of eligible schools by LEA and the charter schools for the vouchers to be redeemed on their behalf.

The Division of Instructional Technology staff will be working with the technology directors to incorporate these vouchers into the LEA technology plans. Finance officers should work closely with Technology Directors to ensure appropriate use of vouchers for the eligible schools to enhance and upgrade technology at those schools.

• Voucher Redemption Instructions (PDF)
• General Purpose Voucher Claim Form (PDF)
• Microsoft Announcement (PDF)
• Updated Settlement Information by LEA & Charter Schools(Excel)

Enhancing Education Though Technology (EETT) 2007-2008 Formula Funding

• EETT (PRC 107) 2007-2008 Planning Allotment
• EETT Formula Application 2007-2008
• EETT Budget Spreadsheet 2007 - 2008
• Budget Amendment Justification

The Annual Media Technology Report Closed

The 2007 AMTR website was opened for data entry on April 4, 2007 and was closed at 7:30 AM on June 29, 2007. For additional information or assistance, contact Melanie Honeycutt by email at mhoneycutt@dpi.state.nc.us or by phone at 919 606-7423.

The Power and Challenge of Web 2.0

The listserves are buzzing with excitement and challenges of Web 2.0. Keeping the balance between access and security fuels the debate.To aide districts in the safe, secure, and appropriate deployment of Web 2.0, Frances Bradburn and David Warlick teamed up at the 2007 NCaect conference. Read about their presentation in the Director's Blog.

NETS-Students Refresh

eSchool News provides an explanation and describes opportunities to participate in the NETS-Students refresh. The standards are being refreshed to address 21st Century uses of technology. The article also includes a link to the draft standards.

Standards for Technology in New Construction UPDATE

Several months ago, the State Board of Education charged Peter Asmar, CIO and Associate State Superintendent, with developing standards for technology in new construction. Mr. Asmar formed a task force comprised of representatives of state agencies and LEAs, with districts taking the lead in the production of the document to help insure that it will be both helpful and useful for districts as they build new schools or embark on renovation projects.

Using the input from districts, standards were approved at the November 2006 State Board of Education meeting.

Download NC Technology Standards for New Construction.

State Board of Education Revises Mission and Goals

As of September 2006 the State Board of Education has revised its Mission and Goals (SBE Priority and Goals) to reflect Future-Ready Students. The revised Mission and Goals are:

The guiding mission of the North Carolina State Board of Education is that every public school student will graduate from high school, globally competitive for work and post secondary education and prepared for life in the 21st Century.

• Goal: NC public schools will produce globally competitive students.
• Goal: NC public schools will be led by 21st Century professionals.
• Goal: NC public school students will be healthy and responsible.
• Goal: Leadership will guide innovation in NC public schools.
• Goal: NC public schools will be governed and supported by 21st Century systems.

State Superintendent Dr. June Atkinson provides more explanation about the change to the Mission and Goals in the August 10, 2006 Message to Teachers.

e-NC Authority Announces the BETA Feasibility Study

The e-NC Authority is pleased to announce the Beta Feasibility Study is now complete and ready for release to the General Assembly. Comments you have made regarding the importance of information technology in our North Carolina's educational system are quoted in this report. Please review the attached report and reply with any questions or comments you may have to Donna Sullivan, Senior Associate, Programs & Outreach, e-NC Authority. Thank you for your contribution to this study and to North Carolina's future.