Governing Board Meeting

Public School Partnership Governing Board Meeting November 24th, 2015 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Reich College of Education Dean’s Conference Room

Present:

Dr. Chad Beasley Dr. Jennifer Hefner Mrs. Rebekah Saylors Dr. Randy Bledsoe Dr. Marty Hemric Ms. Trisha Caviness Dr. Todd Holden Dr. Audrey Dentith Dr. Monica Lambert Dr. Scott Elliott Dr. Linda McCalister

Welcome: Dr. Todd Holden called the meeting to order and extended a warm welcome to everyone. The Governing Board gave Dr. Marty Hemric a special gift, and they wished him well in retirement.

Approval of minutes: Minutes from 09-21-2015 meeting were presented. Motion to accept minutes as presented was made by Dr. Scott Elliott with a second by Dr. Marty Hemric.

Partnership Membership: Dr. Linda McCalister Mitchell County Schools Superintendent, Dr. Rick Spurling, has expressed an interest in joining the Partnership. After brief discussion, a motion was made to extend a Partnership offer to Mitchell County by Mr. Chad Beasley with a second approval by Dr. Jennifer Hefner. Dr. Todd Holden will extend the offer including the fee involved in joining the partnership.

Doctoral Program: Dr. Audrey Dentith A brief introduction of the Doctoral Program was made as well as a brief history of Dr. Dentith’s vision for the COE. Currently they have 105 students enrolled with the various cohorts. Ed.S credits are now being transferred and accepted, which was felt to be a step in the right direction. There was discussion regarding the number of graduates from ASU who previously sought doctoral degrees elsewhere due to Ed.S credits not transferring. Hopefully more local teachers will be encouraged by this and pursue higher education now through ASU.

Dr. Dentith encouraged any of the board members to contact her with any questions or comments about enhancing the doctoral program. She extended an offer to go out into the local schools and meet with superintendents as well.

Cooperating Teachers Dr. Monica Lambert Dr. Lambert shared some of the changes the RCOE is seeing from the 2015 Appropriations Act from NCCATE accreditation to CAEP. RCOE is trying to be proactive as they await DPI’s interpretation. Currently, Dr. Robin Groce, Dean of RCOE has appointed a small group of faculty to explore legislative edTPA. The RCOE will be moving forward using edTPA for teacher candidates. Much time and discussion has been done in favor of refraining from using this instrument, but we felt we might be harming our students by not participating. Currently, by not participating they will not be able to upload a video of themselves teaching in a classroom, whereas Charlotte Mecklenburg area students are using this as a part of the screening process. We are piloting this for the next semester. We will need permission granted to us by the local schools in order for our students to videotape themselves in their classrooms. As we move forward, we are working with UNC Charlotte who has granted us access to their faculty for exploration. We are viewing the 16-week field placement accreditation along with the house bill. The growth piece with the cooperating teacher has not yet been defined and doesn’t go in effect until 2017.

Ashe County felt this would affect their ability to get students teachers, so they signed a waiver. Joyce Garner is the RCOE direct contact, with whom more questions will be asked. RCOE would like to know who would be a good contact person to answer the many questions as DPI have many new employees. We have given this to our directors to read and it must be read in its entirety. Great importance was placed on being proactive as DPI moves forward and sets the guidelines. The RCOE will need to work even more closely with HR directors in field placement, as legislature is forthcoming.

Dr. Lambert encouraged the board to explore this as well and share the gained information. It was stressed that data collection from edTPA Higher Education Systems is very important so they can get a true picture of what is available, so if others are not reporting, it is encouraged. With ASU being one of the largest producers of teachers, we were not represented; and since we were not participating our students will be required to take additional testing. However, using our own instruments we do parallel with the requirements with the exception of the video component.

SECU Appalachian Partnership: Mrs. Rebekah Saylors Materials were distributed to each board member to inform each one of Mrs. Saylor’s new position within the COE. 4+ 1 graduate level was introduced. A student in their senior year can get up to 9 credit hours of graduate courses. This will yield a student a master’s degree in 5 years. This is very complimentary to the program.

1.7 million has been awarded in the form of scholarships for the Western counties in their freshman, junior and senior years. Distance Ed, Caldwell, Burke and other Community Colleges, Elementary, Middle Grade and Special Education will all benefit from these funds. Money will be awarded to the students during the student teaching semester. Implementation of the program began 09-28-2015 as we work to program the students. We encourage creative writing about their journey as they select our program, as we desire to educate them and return them to teach in their own communities and hometowns.

This summer we will be offering an online class to promote teaching, which is titled: So You Think You Want To Teach? We are hopeful this will help with outreach to high school students and encourage them to pursue a career in teaching. Rebekah is happy to come out and visit with local schools in an effort to promote the profession.

Teacher Recruitment Plan: Ms. Trisha Caviness Concentration is being placed on teacher recruitment and retention. She is very willing to come out to the schools in support of recruitment. There are presently high needs in middle school math and science. We are seeking ways to improving our current plan in hopes of increasing numbers and appealing to diverse groups and first generation students. Some of the goals set after meeting with Recruiting Coordinator, Diana Beasley and Dr. Monica Lambert are:

● SECU grant is a huge recruitment tool. ● NOYCE grant for math and science majors. ● ASIS working within ASU, which will provide educational students to go back into their counties and promote teaching by telling their stories in person. It is no longer about recruiting for ASU, but for the teaching profession. ● Gear-Up contains an education strain within it and we want to tap into their program

Trisha will come out and meet with school counselors as they can promote teaching as well as current students.

Strategic Plan: Dr. Linda McCalister A committee has been reviewing the strategic plan that has been in place for 28+ years and updated every 5 years. A new and updated version has been drafted and presented today for board members review and approval of such. Additions and deletions of the plan were discussed in detail. Suggestions were welcomed and entertained. The plan was tentatively approved by Dr. Marty Hemric with a second by Dr. Bledsoe.

Leadership Conference: Dr. Todd Holden A handout was given to board members to review. The board decided that law updates are critical and essential to the profession. Committee wishes to remain with Jack Hope for the legislative update as he is very well connected with up to date issues. Next they discussed the conference and economic development. According to Dr. Bledsoe, “We are preparing kids for careers that we are unsure will exist.” 70’s, 80’s and 90’s had soft skills because part time jobs were available. Elkin is going to business asking them to offer summer internships to students to let them know what is behind the scenes as a hope to engage students. The Gear-Up grant coordinators, along with Adrian Tate, met with hospital and business leaders to see what they are doing. Career and college readiness groups are coming in to present areas of interest to people. We need to help match business needs with student talents to better prepare students for success. Economic development is needed in the entire area, especially in some of the western outlying communities.

Other Discussion: Dr. Scott Elliott suggested that a regional economic development tool would be very beneficial to everyone: “We need to get ahead of the virtual charter schools and home schools. There are 1,072 home school students in Watauga County Schools. Home schools students are on the rise within all districts, which threatens funding and teacher pay, etc. There is very little accountability with home school students. 3,000 students can be enrolled in a virtual charter at the cost to the local schools economy, as they have to share their local funds. Watauga County is seeing unschooled parents homeschooling their children, with a more naturalistic approach and protective in nature. We have two allotments of money, the state allotment versus our allotments. Eventually, one will not be present if we continue having to fund charter schools with our local monies.”

Dr. Lambert brought up the discussion of the NC Virtual Schools and shared her experience. The local schools pay for NCVPS as well. Questions were raised as to whether this should be marketed over home and charter schools. If a homeschool student participates in NCVPS, they have to forgo their homeschool status. The laws for homeschool are very weak. However, virtual schools are not for all kids, but felt more appropriate for a strong independent learner.

Next Meeting: Feb. 19th, 2016

Meeting Adjourned: 3:06 pm