DPI Curriculum & School Reform

Elementary Education Division

The primary purpose of the Elementary Education Division is to provide statewide leadership for education kindergarten through fifth grades.

]]> The Division serves as the focal point for developing and articulating new policies related to the grade span, coordinating assistance to elementary schools, leading reform initiatives and promoting research-based instructional strategies and practices for instructional delivery. The Division also takes the lead in curriculum and test item development for K-2 assessment and grades three through five. Also, staff provides technical assistance and other services to schools and LEAs that include, but are not limited to, professional development and training. The professional development is designed to enable LEAs and schools to meet the academic needs of students as they address defined State and local standards for student academic performance and implement strategies and best practices to eliminate the achievement gaps between the various subgroups that make up the public school population. Further this division works collaboratively and directly with the division of Secondary Education, Middle Grades Education and Accountability Services to ensure and maintain the articulation and continuity of the K-12 Curriculum for all curriculum areas and the State testing program. The Division also works as necessary with the text book adoption process.

December 1, 2006 the K-12 program Areas Section becomes part of the Secondary Education Division. This section includes the curriculum areas of Second Languages, English as a Second language, Information and Computer Skills, Arts Education, and Healthful Living. The primary purpose of the Section is to design, enhance, and maintain curriculum in each of the program areas represented and to demonstrate the connection of these areas to the development of the basic enabling skills of reading, writing, and mathematics. The Section provides State-level leadership to the North Carolina public schools through the development of curriculum and support documents, program planning, technical assistance and evaluation. The Section provides professional development and consultant services to schools and school districts, colleges and universities, professional organizations and community-based groups. The Section is also responsible for administering, implementing and reporting for Title III (Language Acquisition) of No Child Left Behind.

... Jacqueline G. Colbert, Director

Middle and Secondary Education Division

The Middle and Secondary Education Division provides statewide leadership for education for grades 6-12.

]]> The Division serves as the focal point for developing and articulating new policies related to the 6-12 grade span, coordinating assistance to middle and secondary schools, leading reform initiatives and promoting research-based instructional strategies and practices for instructional delivery. The Division also takes the lead in curriculum and test item development for assessment for grades 6-12. Also, staff provides technical assistance and other services to schools and LEAs that include, but are not limited to, professional development and training. The professional development is designed to enable LEAs and schools to meet the academic needs of students as they address defined State and local standards for student academic performance and implement strategies and best practices to eliminate the achievement gaps between the various subgroups that make up the public school population. Further this division works collaboratively and directly with the division of Elementary Education, Secondary Education, and Accountability Services to ensure and maintain the articulation and continuity of the K-12 Curriculum for all curriculum areas and the State testing program. The Division also works as necessary with the text book adoption process.

December 1, 2006 the K-12 program Areas Section became part of the Secondary Education Division. This section includes the curriculum areas of Second Languages, English as a Second language, Information and Computer Skills, Arts Education, and Healthful Living. The primary purpose of the Section is to design, enhance, and maintain curriculum in each of the program areas represented and to demonstrate the connection of these areas to the development of the basic enabling skills of reading, writing, and mathematics. The Section provides State-level leadership to the North Carolina public schools through the development of curriculum and support documents, program planning, technical assistance and evaluation. The Section provides professional development and consultant services to schools and school districts, colleges and universities, professional organizations and community-based groups. The Section is also responsible for administering, implementing and reporting for Title III (Language Acquisition) of No Child Left Behind.

RSS Feeds

Have you ever wondered what the little orange button that says "XML" on a web site does?

This article, from LEARN NC, provides a great overview of RSS (Really Simple Syndication) technology and how it can help you keep up with the information you need. Many prominent news organizations, weblogs, and education websites (including this one!) now offer RSS capabilities.

http://www.learnnc.org/support/rss

Glossary of Educational Terms

Glossary of Educational Terms from Education Week

For a definition of general educational terms, click on the following address http://www.edweek.org/context/glossary/