Public School Forum August 2015 Board Meeting Jeni Corn Friday Institute for Educational Innovation, NC State University Prepared for the NC State Board of Education-Department of Public Instruction

A Plan to Implement Legislative Actions

Addresses our students in whose world: All information is instantly available Multimedia, interactive experiences are the norm Communication and collaborative is constant Powerful creativity tools are readily available Change is constant and rapid One’s online presence is part of who you are Options are abundant; personalization is expected

Digital-Age Teaching and Learning Advancement based on demonstrated mastery of the content and competency in applying what has been learned. Anywhere and anytime learning, inside and outside of schools, 24/7, with most learning blending face-to-face and online activities. Personalized learning and flexible resources optimized for each student. Student-centered instruction, combining large group, small group and individualized learning, with teachers serving as facilitators and coaches. Digital content providing interactive, flexible and easily updated educational resources. Assessments integrated into learning activities to provide ongoing information about students’ achievement that can be used to improve teaching and learning. Parent portals provide 24/7 access to their children’s assignments, grades, and records, as well as a means to communicate with teachers and administrators. Project-based and community-based learning activities connecting to students’ lives outside of school.

Guiding Principles 1.Focus on effective teaching and learning, enabled and enhanced by technology. 2.Leverage existing innovations, expertise, and resources from throughout NC. 3.Develop leadership capacity throughout the State. 4.Engage teachers, administrators, students, parents, business leaders and other stakeholders. 5.Focus on equity of educational opportunities for all students throughout NC. 6.Plan for long-term sustainability, continuous improvement, and educational return on investment.

Building upon statewide systems and many more….

Methodological Approach

Process and Outreach

Deep Dive Site Visits... and several charter schools

Selected Findings NC Teacher Working Conditions Survey (2014) Annual Media and Technology Report (AMTR) (2015) NC Digital Learning Progress Rubric for Districts and Charter Schools (2015) Deep Dive District Visits ( )

Technology Access Exceeds Training 2014 Teacher Working Conditions Data Teachers have sufficient access to instructional technology, including computers, printers, software and internet access. Teachers have sufficient training to fully utilize instructional technology.

684 NC Schools have a 1:1 Initiative 2015 AMTR Results 91 LEAs have at least one 1:1 school 10 LEAs are 1:1 in all schools 14 LEAs have only a single 1:1 school  Growing connectivity demands

684 NC Schools have a 1:1 Initiative 2015 AMTR Results Does your school have a 1:1 program?

16% of NC Schools have a Full-Time ITF 2015 AMTR Results

43% of Schools Report between 51-75% of Students have Home Internet Access 2015 AMTR Results 1 to 25% 26 to 50% 51 to 75% 76 to 100%

Digital Learning Progress Rubric

LEAs are at Different Places in their Progress Toward Digital Learning 2015 NC Digital Learning Progress Rubric Results (N=7) (N=33) (N=53) (N=22)

Key Elements in Which LEAs Rate Themselves Highest Key Element Average Key Element Score L3 - Communication and Collaboration 3.0 T1 - School Networks 2.9 D3 - Authentic Assessments 2.7 L6 - Policy 2.5 T2 - End-User Devices 2.5 Note: “Key element score” is the score each LEA rated themselves on a single key element. The rubric is scored on a 4-point scale: “early” (1-1.9); “developing” (2-2.9); “advanced” (3-3.9); and “target” (4). All data is self-reported.

Key Elements in Which LEAs Rate Themselves Lowest Key Element Average Key Element Score L5 - Sustainability 1.9 P3 - Professional Development 1.9 T6 - Outside of School 1.9 T5 - Supporting Services 2.0 C1 - Educator Role 2.0 Note: “Key element score” is the score each LEA rated themselves on a single key element. The rubric is scored on a 4-point scale: “early” (1-1.9); “developing” (2-2.9); “advanced” (3-3.9); and “target” (4). All data is self-reported.

Deep Dive District Visits 1.Statewide digital learning supports need to be targeted to the local context, needs, and prior progress in each setting; there is not a “one-size fits all” approach. 2.Leading digital learning transitions present new challenges for school and district leaders and many do not feel well-prepared for all the challenges involved. 3.Many teachers are now using OER and Internet resources in instruction, along with instructional materials that they are creating or that schools are purchasing.

Deep Dive District Visits 4.Home Base supports the digital learning transition in NC, and it is widely viewed as a potentially positive contribution to the work of schools and districts. Educators are now looking for improvements and updates to make the system more useable and effective in meeting their needs. 5.North Carolina has become nationally recognized as a leader in bring broadband Internet access to all the schools, as a direct result of the School Connectivity Initiative (SCI), which provides a fiber connection to virtually every school in the state. 6.Most LEAs and charter schools lack sustainable funding sources or strategies for full-scale digital learning initiatives, and almost all highlight funding to provide and maintain devices for all students is an area of great concern.

Purpose of January 2015 Policy Brief Inform near-term ( Biennium) funding and policy decisions to move digital learning forward in NC. Provide recommendations to build the foundation for long- term success. Outline an ambitious plan that can be adjusted to fit within available funding.

Expand the School Connectivity Initiative to support internal Wi-Fi infrastructure $12M-R Establish a collaborative procurement service Support a multi-agency plan for addressing broadband access in rural communities Technology Infrastructure

Establish a grants program to support the development and dissemination of innovative district digital learning models $24M-R Model Digital Learning Innovations

Support professional learning for educators who will lead digital learning initiatives and coach teachers $5M-R Local Educator Leadership Capacity

Implement Home Base curriculum and learning management system 2.0 $6M-R Expand access to digital education resources, focused on resources developed within North Carolina $10M-R Begin transition to digital education resource adoption process High Quality Digital Education Resources

Strengthen regional support structures$4M-R State-level management of centralized functions $1M-R Regional and State Support Structures

Technology Infrastructure Expand the School Connectivity Initiative to support internal Wi-Fi infrastructure$12M-R Establish a collaborative procurement service Multi-agency plan for addressing broadband access in rural communities Model Digital Learning Innovations Establish a grants program for innovative district digital learning models$24M-R Local Educator Leadership Capacity Support professional learning for digital learning leaders$5M-R High Quality Digital Education Resources Implement Home Base curriculum and learning management system 2.0$6M-R Expand access to digital education resources, focused on NC resources$10M-R Begin transition to digital education resource adoption process State and Regional Support Structures Strengthen regional support structures$4M-R State-level management of centralized functions$1M-R Total$62M-R Summary Table

Final Comments NC is positioned to be a national leader in digital learning. There will be a good long-term ROI for the state in terms of educational outcomes, increased graduate rates, and workforce preparation The Digital Learning Initiative will move things in the right direction, but changes will be ongoing. Successful implementation will require investments in infrastructure, digital content, and human capacity development.

NC Digital Learning Plan Resources Jeni Corn, Director of Evaluation Programs, Friday Institute for Educational Innovation, NC State University,