RFP-MINI-GRANTS

On May 15, our team issued a statewide RFP to encourage greater partnership alignment between higher education and secondary stakeholders.  The goals of these SASS (Supporting Alignment for Student Success) Mini-Grants are to: 

• increase higher education faculty knowledge of North Carolina’s newly revised Standard Course of Study (which includes the adoption of Common Core State Standards and Essential Standards) as well as the role the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium is playing to support implementation of the new standards;
• promote collaboration across secondary and postsecondary faculty; and
• develop demonstration materials that may be used by faculty at both secondary and postsecondary educational institutions to support the instructional shifts needed for NC’s newly revised Standard Course of Study implementation.   

Proposals will be accepted through 5:00PM on Wednesday June 26, 2013.  All eligible institutions of higher education in North Carolina are strongly encouraged to apply.

CONVENINGS

Thus far, almost 300 educators have participated in the regional "Imagining Conversations." The upcoming and remaining “Imagining Conversations” will be held on dates and locations listed below.  Please continue to assist with helping promote these events so that we have an ample selection of cross-sector faculty represented. 

September 12^th                North Carolina State University

September 17^th                University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Planning continues to evolve around the development of strategic Alignment Teams of cross-sector faculty.  The goal of these teams is to produce substantive deliverables that can support the state’s alignment initiatives as well as for meaningful implementation of the Common Core State Standards across sectors. 

Planning continues for the state’s first K-12 and Higher Education Summits which are to be held in 2014. 

CCEG (Common Core Engagement Group for Higher Education)

The CCEG met on May 22 and heard from Dr. Paolo DeMaria, Principal with Education First and his remarks on the efforts of states around the nation to work collaboratively on alignment issues across sectors.  Dr. Wesley Beddard also provided an update on the work of the CAA (Comprehensive Articulation Agreement).  

SBAC

• The SBACE Practice Test was released publicly on May 28, 2013.  A link to with more information can be located here:  http://sbac.portal.airast.org/Practice_Test/default.html
• There continues to be a a number of opportunities for faculty to become more engaged in the work of developing the array of SBAC Assessment tools.  Some involve travel, many do not.  Some involve a small stipend, others do not.
  • Pilot Test Data Review:  A small number of math and English faculty will be needed to review, at a distance, results for high school items and performance tasks from the pilot test. This work is slated for August and September.  A small stipend is available to compensate teachers and faculty for this work.  Deadline for intent to apply is June 6.
  • Field Test Stimulus Review:  A small number of English and math faculty will be needed to review passages that serve as stimuli for reading and writing items and tasks.  This work is slated for June to August.  A small stipend is available to compensate teachers and faculty for this work.  Deadline for intent to apply is June 6.
  • Field Test Item and Task Review:  English and math faculty will be needed to review items and tasks, primarily at the high school level.  This work is slated for July to November.  A small stipend is available to compensate teachers and faculty for this work.  Deadline for intent to apply is June 6.
  • Accessibility & Accommodations Framework:  This document provides the conceptual underpinning for accessibility approaches, accessibility tools and accommodation options, and implementation guidance for Smarter Balanced assessments.  It is the precursor to a much more detailed manual describing particular accessibility and accommodation policies and features and their appropriate use.  Anyone interested in this opportunity should let us know before Friday, June 14.
  • Formative Assessment Teams and State Networks of Educators:  Smarter Balanced is looking for teams of educators from across each state to be a part of the development of formative assessment items.  These educator teams will each be called a State Network of Educators and K-12 teachers and administrators and higher educational professionals with experience working with the following student populations to apply:  general education, gifted and talented, English language learners, and students with disabilities. Members of the SNE will contribute to the Smarter Balanced Digital Library, an online, interactive clearinghouse for educators, students, and families. The Digital Library will provide educators with resources, tools, and professional learning opportunities so that they can tailor instruction to student needs based on information from a coherent, balanced assessment system.” 

For more information on how to apply for any of these opportunities, contact John D. Denning, State Director, K-12 and Postsecondary Alignment initiatives at JDenning@NCReadyforSuccess.com.

Next Meeting of the Steering Committee Meeting will be on June 12, from 2:30PM-4:30PM at the Friday Institute at NCSU in Raleigh.