NC SIP Connect - Spring 2020 Spotlight on Duplin County Schools Demonstration Site
Updated: Aug 3, 2020
Spotlighting our Demonstration Site
Duplin County Schools Exceptional Children's Department has been a part of the North Carolina State Improvement Project since 2005. Though the project and our district have seen many changes over the years, NC SIP has remained a vital part of our team helping guide us in decision making and being the driving force keeping a strong focus on professional development. We have participated in Reading, Math and Coaching Collaboration projects through NC SIP. Each of these projects have helped the NC SIP Coordinators in our district to grow professionally and better serve our teachers and students.
Since our start with NC SIP we have trained hundreds of teachers (Gen Ed & EC) in Reading Research to Classroom Practice, Foundations of Math and various research based Reading and Math programs. To be able to do this we had to develop trainers within our own district and partner with neighboring districts with similar needs. NC SIP has given us the opportunity to meet and work with other Coordinators. The connections made have helped us more than we can say. These people have become very good friends and colleagues that we lean on for support, honest opinions, and a listening ear. Thankfully our EC Directors see the value in our collaborative work and allow us to spend days together learning new forms or exploring new options.
Beulaville Elementary School has been a leading force in the work through NC SIP since the 2015-16 school year. A positive relationship between the Exceptional Children’s department and the leadership team was taking root. As professional learning began in the Foundations of Math, Reading Research to Classroom Practice, Adolescent Literacy, and All Leaders courses, something changed. There was a breakthrough and the general education teachers that were participating were soaking p the information like sponges and began applying
what they learned in their classrooms. The staff were empowered and the data that
followed was impressive. Over the past several years, teachers have effectively completed Foundations of Math (31 teachers), Reading Research to Classroom Practice (30 teachers), Adolescent Literacy (20 teachers), and All Leaders (28 staff members). After completing fidelity observations, we had 100% of Duplin County teachers earn a rating of 2.5 or higher. The proficiency of SWD at Beulaville Elementary has grown from 10.1% in 2016 to 18.6% at the end of the 2018-19 school year. This growth is a testimony to the strong leadership team at the school, the efficacy of the professional development, and the teachers applying what they have learned.
NC SIP has been an essential element in the success of Duplin County schools, especially Beulaville elementary. We have learned, struggled, felt success and everything in between. No matter where the grant or our district takes us in the future, we know we are better and stronger because of the work of NC SIP. We are forever grateful for the support we have received from our district leaders, regional coaches, and our DPI Consultants who have walked the path alongside us.
For more on the happenings in NC SIP, check out the NC SIP Connect Spring 2020 Newsletter!