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Commission Meeting

October 13-14, 2006

Candlewood Suites

Durham, NC

OCTOBER 13, 2006 SESSIONS

Members Present:  David Corsetti, Sheree Covey, Eddie Davis, Felicia Eybl, Brian Freeman, Dianne Jackson, Tammy Jordan, Allison Ormond, Donna Simmons, Meg Turner, Carolyn Williams, Ruth Wormald, Dr. Peggy Teague (attending for Delores Parker)

Members Absent:  Diana Beasley, Jack Hoke, Sarah Holden, Delores Parker

Staff Present:  Carolyn McKinney, Connie Barbour

Guests in Attendance:  Ann McArthur, Tricia Willoughby, Erich Hirsch, Angela Farthing

AGENDA ITEM:  WELCOME, INTRODUCTIONS AND LOGISTICS

Carolyn McKinney, Executive Director, opened the meeting at 2:00 PM by welcoming the Commission members.  Introductions were made and Ms. McKinney welcomed Dr. Peggy Teague from the NC Community College System, representing Delores Parker.  As a majority of the Commission members are new members and all members are newly appointed, Ms. McKinney presented a brief overview of the work of the Commission.  Guidelines as set forth in the Legislation and procedures as set forth in the “Rules and Procedures” manual will direct the Commission.

AGENDA ITEM:  REVIEW AGENDA

Carolyn McKinney presented the agenda.  It was also noted that due to the differing times of arrival of some presenters, that the agenda order may be adjusted.  A motion was made and seconded that the agenda be approved as presented.  Motion carried.

AGENDA ITEM:  ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Carolyn McKinney opened the floor for nominations for Commission Officers.  It is the usual procedure of the Commission to elect officers during the spring meeting, but as the entire Commission has been reappointed, it is necessary to elect a new slate of officers.  The slate consists of Commission Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary-Treasurer, and an “At-Large” Member.   The following members where nominated and elected to serve unopposed until regularly scheduled elections at the Spring 2007 meeting:

Carolyn Williams     Chair

David Corsetti        Vice-Chair

Dianne Jackson       Secretary-Treasurer

Brian Freeman        At Large Member

AGENDA ITEM:  21^ST CENTURY SKILLS – MISSION AND THE GOALS OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION

Carolyn McKinney introduced Tricia Willoughby to the Commission.  She serves on the State Board of Education and is the Executive Director of the NC Business Committee for Education (NCBCE).  The Center is a 503b public/private organization that works through the Governor’s Office to bring NC businesses and education together.  One of the recent initiatives of the NCBCE is the “Teach 4 NC”. 

Ms. Willoughby presented a briefing on The Center for 21^st Century Skills, which is under the NCBCE.   She informed the Commission that NC was the first in the nation to establish such a center.  Leadership is very important in the preparation of Future Ready Students.  Ms. Willoughby also reminded the Commission that though high educational achievement in other countries has been heavily emphasized, schools here in the United States need to remember their strengths. 

Finally, Ms. Willoughby discussed the new mission and goals set by the State Board of Education at the October meeting.  These goals will guide the setting of standards for teaching.

AGENDA ITEM:  REAL D.E.A.L. CONFERENCE

Carolyn McKinney introduced Ann McArthur, Teacher Advisor to Governor Mike Easley, to the Commission.  Ms. McArthur briefed the Commission on REAL D.E.A.L. (Dedicated Educators, Administrators, and Learners) Conference scheduled for January 31 - February 1, 2007 at the Radisson in Cary.  The first day will be the nation celebration and the second day will be the local observation.  Ms. McArthur also emphasized Governor Easley’s interest in education and the many initiatives that he supports.

AGENDA ITEM:  2006 TEACHER WORKING CONDITIONS SURVEY

Carolyn McKinney introduced Erich Hirsch, President of Center for Teaching Quality.  He presented information on the 2006 Teacher Working Conditions Survey and the recently released reports on the 16 DSSF schools and encouraged the Commission to take an active part in making presentations to schools.

ADJOURNMENT FOR DINNER

AGENDA ITEM:  THE PROFESSIONAL TEACHING STADARDS COMMISSION AS DEFINED BY STATUTE; RULES AND PROCEDURES; ANNUAL REPORT

Carolyn McKinney opened the discussion with a brief history of the Commission and emphasized that the focus is on standards for teachers and the teaching profession. 

Carolyn Williams asked the Commission to review the “Rules and Procedures”.  Allison Ormond brought up a point that the term of two years is too short for any commission member to be effective as the first year is usually spent in the forming process.  Other members agreed and several commented that this issue had been brought up on prior occasions and that it would take legislative action to amend.

Section 6.01 was discussed.  This section addresses attendance at meetings and other Commission functions.  Commission Chair Carolyn Williams reiterated that a Commission member is considered resigned if they miss two (2) meetings unless written justification is submitted.

The Executive Committee will meet two weeks prior to each meeting and as needed.

The Commission was asked to review the budget and present any questions the may have at the discussion on Saturday’s agenda.

Ms. McKinney discussed each section of the Annual Report and answer questions presented by the Commission.  The Commission reviewed the focuses for 2007:

• Revise the standards for teaching and the teaching profession to align with the mission and goals for Future-Ready Students for the 21^st Century.

• Disseminate the results and the research of the 2006 Teacher Working Conditions Survey.  Demonstrate Best Practices across the state by highlighting the REAL D.E.A.L Schools, making available grants to original 16 DSSF counties to improve working conditions, and providing training with Turnaround Specialists in high schools. 

• Monitor the Literacy Coach Initiative.

• Continue to strengthen Professional Development for teachers in NC. 

• Continue to participate in meetings and discussions that impact the teaching profession to ensure that high standards are maintained for North Carolina teachers

Further discussion by the Commission resulted in the addition of “...and promote Professional Learning Communities” to the fourth focus and to add “Communicate the work of the commission throughout the state” as a focus for 2007.  Brian Freeman made a motion to insert these additions add this statement to the Annual Report, with a second by Felicia Ebyl.  Motion was carried.  The focuses for 2007 now read as follows:

• Revise the standards for teaching and the teaching profession to align with the mission and goals for Future-Ready Students for the 21^st Century.

• Disseminate the results and the research of the 2006 Teacher Working Conditions Survey.  Demonstrate Best Practices across the state by highlighting the REAL D.E.A.L Schools, making available grants to original 16 DSSF counties to improve working conditions, and providing training with Turnaround Specialists in high schools. 

• Monitor the Literacy Coach Initiative.

• Continue to strengthen Professional Development for teachers in NC and encourage the development of Professional Learning Communities.

• Continue to participate in meetings and discussions that impact the teaching profession to ensure that high standards are maintained for North Carolina teachers.

• Communicate the work of the NC Professional Teaching Standards Commission throughout the state.

AGENDA ITEM:  DIRECTION OF COMMISSION

In reviewing the Focuses for 2007, further discussion ensued on the direction the Commission should go.

• The State Board of Education has charged the Commission to revise our core standards to be aligned with 21^st Century Skills.  Carolyn McKinney mentioned that no one else in the country has taken this on. 

• Professional Development needs to be real and meaningful.  It is just as important to provide information on where to find it as well as the content.  The Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation was mentioned as a source for a professional development directory.

• The Commission should be visible...teachers and legislators need to know who we are and what we do.  Suggestions included keeping the website up to date, launching an identity campaign (messaging), photos, brochures, write ups, press releases, inclusion in the teachers’ bi-weekly message. 

As a part of highlighting the work of the Commission and re-writing the Core Standards, Ms. McKinney asked the Commission to think about the mission statement:

“For every student in North Carolina, a knowledgeable, skilled, compassionate teacher...a star in every classroom.”

What knowledge, skills, and dispositions are needed for the 21^st century?

Begin with the end in mind:  A dynamic document that clearly defines a clear, shared vision of standards for 21^st century teachers.

The Commission should produce a document on what public education should look like.

It was moved and seconded that the meeting adjourn.  The Commission will reconvene at 9:00 AM on Saturday, October 14, 2006

OCTOBER 14, 2006 SESSIONS

Members Present:  David Corsetti, Sheree Covey, Felicia Eybl, Brian Freeman Jack Hoke, Tammy Jordan, Allison Ormond, Donna Simmons, Meg Turner, Carolyn Williams, Ruth Wormald, Dr. Peggy Teague (attending for Delores Parker)

Members Absent:  Diana Beasley, Eddie Davis, Sarah Holden, Dianne Jackson, Delores Parker

Staff Present:  Carolyn McKinney, Connie Barbour

Guests in Attendance:  Julia Kron

The meeting was called to order at 9:00 AM with Carolyn Williams, Commission Chair, presiding.  Introductions were made for those who were not able to attend the sessions on October 13, 2006.

AGENDA ITEM:  BUDGET

Carolyn McKinney, Executive Director, presented the 2006-2007 commission budget for approval.  Discussion followed and a motion was made by Jack Hoke and seconded by Brian Freeman to accept the budget as presented.

AGENDA ITEM:  21^ST CENTURY SKILLS LITERACY COACHES

Carolyn Williams welcomed Dr. Julia Kron of the NC Teacher Academy, who briefed the Commission on the status of the Literacy Coaches program.  At this time the coaches are at the very basic level of training and have sessions scheduled through February.  The Commission will continue to monitor the program and assist the Teacher Academy.

AGENDA ITEM:  STANDARDS FOR 21^ST CENTURY TEACHERS

The Commission spent time discussing the need to revise the Core Standards to reflect the 21^st Century Skills. 

AGENDA ITEM:  MEETING DATES

The Commission discussed possible future meeting dates.  The consensus was that the Commission needs to meet several times to work on revising the Core Standards.  The following dates have been scheduled.

          February 1 and 2 (Thursday evening and Friday) - this meeting will take place immediately following the REAL D.E.A.L. Conference. 

          March 23 and 24 (Friday Afternoon and Saturday)

          April 27 and 28 (Friday Afternoon and Saturday)

          September 13 through 16 (Thursday through Sunday) or September 20 through 23 (Thursday through Sunday) for a retreat in the Western part of the state.  Jack Hoke assist in locating a place for the Commission hold their retreat.

AGENDA ITEM:  EVALUATE MEETING

At 2:15 PM it was moved and seconded that the meeting adjourn.