TMS BLIF Update
December 16, 2016
Useful Information
EOG/EOC Technical Information
Assessment specification documents typically outline the purpose of the assessment, the structure of the assessment (e.g., item types, number of items, test sections, test administration time, delivery modes, supplemental materials), and percentage of items or score points measuring a specific goal or domain category. The revised content standards for Math I were adopted by the NC State Board of Education in June 2016. The previous math specification document included information about the end-of-grade (EOG) grades 3-8 math assessments and the end-of-course (EOC) Math I assessment. The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) produced two specification documents to replace it.
1- 2016–17 End-of-Course Assessment of NC Math 1―North Carolina Assessment Specifications (November 1, 2016): This document reflects the changes to the EOC assessment due to the content standard revisions. Please share this document with your schools.
2- End-of-Grade Grades 3-8 Math Assessments―North Carolina Assessment Specifications (Revised November 1, 2016): First and foremost there have been no changes to the EOG grades 3-8 assessments. The Math I EOC information was removed from the document and additional information about EOG math assessments was included. The last page of this document (page 12) includes a history of the revisions.
November 1, 2016: All EOC information was removed and placed in a separate document (i.e., 2016–17 End-of-Course Assessment of NC Math 1―North Carolina Assessment Specifications).
Because the document was being revised the NCDPI took the opportunity to add some information. All of the added information is available in various administrative or policy documents with one exception. The table provided on page 4 provides information about the number of embedded field test items per grade level.
EOG and EOC specification information is available on the Accountability Services Division/Technical Information page.
Teacher Professional Devlopment and Fellowship Opportunities
Kenan Fellowship
Teachers invited to apply for Kenan Fellowships
- The deadline to apply for the 2017-18 fellowship year is on Monday, Jan. 16.
- Recently, new fellowships were added to our website. Check back regularly for additional new fellowships.
- Our fellowships are based in STEM-connected research and industry fields. They are designed to give teachers a summer internship where they gain insight into innovative ways of creating authentic learning experiences for students.
- Teachers remain in the classroom while participating in the year-long program. Selected Kenan Fellows receive 80 hours of professional development and at least a $5,000 stipend.
- The fellowship program positions teachers to serve as leaders in their schools, districts and beyond. Fellowships are awarded in the spring.
Professional Development Offered for Social Studies/History Teachers (Stipend & Food included)
Deadline: Dec. 20, 2017
Become a Teacher Leader of SS/History Professional Development! Apply NOW
Be a cohort member to learn evidence-based instructional practices (only 15 middle school teachers and 15 high school teachers will be selected this year; 15 more for each cohort will be selected for the ‘17-’18 school year). Apply NOW
Educational Policy Opportunity for English Teachers
Deadline: Feb. 28, 2017 Are you a member of the National Council of Teachers of English? If so, you can apply to be a Fellow and spend six PAID weeks in Washington, DC. During the time in Washington, DC, the Fellow will meet with staff members in the Department of Education and in the House and Senate, advise NCTE Policy Analysts, write blog entries for the NCTE website, and connect with NCTE current and potential literacy and advocacy initiatives. Prior to the start-time in Washington, DC, NCTE will collaborate with the Fellow to ensure their talents and experience guide the choice of policy and advocacy activities.
Professional Development Offered for Teachers & Administrators
Calling All Classroom Changemakers: Are YOU a PBS Digital Innovator?
Apply today for the 2017 PBS Digital Innovator Program! Applications are accepted now through February 12, 2017.
Who are PBS Digital Innovators? They are a community of PreK-12 educators, who set the bar for thoughtful tech integration in the classroom. They are not defined by the gadgets they use, but by the unique way they approach education. Their bold and enthusiastic perspective sets them apart as changemakers, and unlocks new worlds for their students.
- The PBS Digital Innovator program brings together these thought-leaders and classroom changemakers for ongoing professional development and opportunities to share strategies, empower peers, and inspire students.
- This year, all selected applicants will travel to San Antonio, TX from June 24-26 for a three-day, all-expenses-paid trip to the PBS Digital Innovators Summit and the ISTE 2017 Conference and Expo.
- Grow yourself, grow your practice: Apply today to access professional development opportunities from bold thinkers like you.
- Ignite curiosity and spark imagination: You'll learn about extensive digital content and curriculum resources from PBS LearningMedia.
- Connect and network: Discover brilliant ideas, fun hacks, and energetic conversations- from colleagues like you who are transforming education.
Are YOU a 2017 PBS Digital Innovator? Apply today!
The 2017 Mathematics and Science Partnership (MSP) RFP
The 2017 Mathematics and Science Partnership (MSP) RFP has been posted on the Mathematics Wiki: here. Intent to apply is due December 22, 2016, with full proposal due January 27, 2017. A webinar will be scheduled towards the end of December for those interested in applying for this grant. The webinar will be recorded and archived for those unable to attend.
Please route inquires to Nina Barrett.
World View News and Travel Opportunities
Study Visit to South Africa
For K-12 and Community College Educators
June 16-30, 2017
Applications Being Accepted!
Study Visit to Costa Rica and Nicaragua
For K-12 and Community College Educators
July 19-28, 2017
Student Opportunity
Go Metric USA Video Contest
The #1 Metric Tidbits videos should have a short entry (30 s or less) on each of the six sides of the Liter Cube with punch lines as provided:
The winning proposals will be humorous with a simple straight forward presentation of the various metric units and prefixes.
The cash prices will be as follows:
$100 1st place
$50 2nd place
$25 3rd place
Just For Fun!
TMS Christmas Luncheon and Ugly Sweater Day!
Christmas Luncheon/Ugly Christmas Sweater Day 12/20-Paslay will be providing BBQ/ Group #3 for all other eats & treats
Food For Thought
Report: Tech-Savvy K–12 Teachers Will Survive the Age of Automation
As scientific understanding and artificial intelligence leap forward, many professions—such as law, accounting, animation, and medicine—are changing in dramatic ways. Increasingly, these advances allow non-experts and machines to perform tasks that were previously in the sole domain of experts, thus turning expert-quality work into a commodity. With new technologies displacing workers across many fields, what will be the likely impact on the teaching profession? Will machines replace teachers?