• Learn, share, and have access to sound pedagogy that supports Professional Learning Communities.

• Learn how to meet the needs of diverse learners.

• Keep abreast of the latest, engaging 21st century adolescent novels that keep young people reading.

• Receive up-to-date DPI information on EOC I, Writing Assessments, and portfolios.

• Explore the latest materials and commercial programs available to support English Language Arts instruction.

• Learn research-based mini-lessons from National Writing Project Fellows.

• Get the latest information and suggestions for the Graduation Project.

• Experience visual literacy sessions that engage all learners.

• Collaborate on your National Boards—makes the school look good.

• Get AP training—new tests make it a must for all teachers.

• Develop networks for continued growth and to develop special interests.

• Recognize that they are not alone in the stretch to incorporate 21st century literacy skills.

• Earn CEUs – doesn’t every principal want a certified teacher??

The State Board of Education (SBE), during its August 2008 meeting, approved the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s (NCDPI) proposed 2008-2009 Writing Assessment System Pilot (Option 1).  To assist educators in understanding and implementing the new Grades 4 and 7 Writing Assessment System Pilot, please visit http://www.ncpublicschools.org/sbe_meetings/revisions/2008/pdfs/gcs2rev.pdf

The Grade 10 Writing Assessment will remain unchanged for the 08-09 school year.

  

All students in grades 4 and 7 will participate in the Writing Assessment System Pilot.  During the 2008-2009 school year, all students will complete two content specific writing tasks/assignments and two on demand writing tasks/assignments.

Grade 4 students will complete their writing tasks/assignments using paper and pencil, with the use of word processing tools as a local or an accessibility option.  They will store their work in local portfolios.

Grade 7 students will participate in the Writing Assessment System Pilot using word processing tools in order to complete their writing tasks/assignments.  They will store their work in local portfolios.   

Grade 7 students from ten selected LEAs will participate in an Electronic Pilot.  These students will store their work in an electronic portfolio centrally hosted by NCDPI.

Professional Development for the Grades 4 and 7 Writing Assessment System Pilot will be delivered to educators and other stakeholders primarily electronically through the use of a Moodle (online learning management system). This professional development will consist of two courses:  one specially designed around the instruction of writing and the involvement of content teachers in the writing process, and the other focusing specifically on the assessment of student writing.  The second course will focus on formative and summative assessment, the use of the electronic system(s), scoring rubrics, scoring applications, and sample student responses.  Upon the successful completion of each course, participants will be able to print a certificate of completion, including a specific number of CEUs.  This certificate can then be submitted by the participants to their LEAs for professional development credit.
To implement best practices for writing, NCDPI highly recommends that educators:
1) focus instruction on the appropriate grade level and content specific Standard Course of Study (SCS),
2) identify within the SCS where writing may be addressed in content areas other than English Language Arts,
3) review the Writing Assessment System Pilot (Option1) at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/sbe_meetings/revisions/2008/pdfs/gcs2rev.pdf, and
4) develop or refine a K-12 Writing Plan that addresses writing across the curriculum.


This is big news for many of ELA teachers across the state. We should have some interesting conversations around the teaching and assessment of writing at the conference in October.

Speaking of the conference, if you haven't already booked your room, be sure to do so. The international furniture show is in town the same weekend, and almost all the rooms in the city are already booked!