New from EdNC

State testing is happening. But what will be the consequences?
Note: Scroll down below this section to see more updates from this month’s State Board of Education meeting. While state testing is going ahead as usual this year, the State Board of Education is pursuing a pair of federal waivers that will lower the stakes of the exams and ensure that no one is penalized if students don’t show up to take them.…

While most NC child care providers are open, their status and future are still shaky
The spring brought tough health and financial choices for child care facilities across North Carolina. Almost half of them shut down, while half stayed open to care for children of essential workers.…

Perspective | Children at risk as food insecurity spikes amid pandemic
Long lines define our times. Americans stood in long lines to cast their ballots in an ultra-consequential presidential election that produced the highest-ever voter turnout.…
The Editor’s Notes
NC reported 5,637 confirmed COVID-19 cases on Thursday, over 1,000 more cases than on the state’s previous worst day.
Brent Williams, superintendent of Lenoir County Public Schools (LCPS), was named the 2021 A. Craig Phillips North Carolina Superintendent of the Year on Thursday, Dec. 3. The award was given jointly by the North Carolina Association of School Administrators (NCASA), the North Carolina School Superintendents’ Association (NCSSA), and the North Carolina School Boards Association (NCSBA).
Podcasts for your weekend, curated by EdNC’s Alli Lindenberg:
In this episode, the #TarHeelTeachers chat with Bo Caldwell about his 36 years of service to Henderson County Public Schools including the last 6 years as Superintendent. He speaks very candidly about the many lessons that he has learned as a teacher, school administrator, and central office administrator.
In this episode, Donnell and Jenny talk to Seth Saeugling and Vichi Jagannathan. Seth and Vichi are the cofounders of the Rural Opportunities Institute, which supports local agencies and organizations in understanding their role in creating healing from trauma. In this conversation, they dive into the impact of trauma and the ways in which we can all pursue pathways to healing.
And I’ll be listening to this one from School PR Drive Time featuring Dr. Scott Elliott talking about continuous improvement.
Need to know
How is COVID-19 affecting student learning? Initial findings from fall 2020
What do learning trends in actual data from the 2020-21 school year really look like?... Read the rest
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EXPLORE | TEACHER COMPENSATION DASHBOARD
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NC teacher turnover is down in latest report. But will it stay that way amid pandemic?
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NC schools will be able to do free COVID-19 tests of students and staff. Here’s how.
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NC Educators Meet With Scientists To Discuss COVID Data, School Reentry