The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, with backing from the Golden LEAF Foundation, is set to roll out a $25 million initiative focusing on amping up school performance via innovative educational strategies. This ambitious project was announced at the most recent State Board of Education meeting, with a vote on two supporting contracts and a Request for Proposals (RFP) slated for today.
Named the Golden LEAF Schools Initiative, this five-year plan is all about evolving school culture, teaching methods, leadership, mathematics instruction, and career readiness. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Maurice "Mo" Green is looking to really upend the state's approach to education. "The Golden LEAF Schools Initiative is an important step toward achieving my vision: ensuring every child in North Carolina's public schools achieves educational excellence," Green espoused. He has not hesitated to also shine a light on former Superintendent Catherine Truitt's role in developing this initiative in partnership with the Golden LEAF Foundation. Truitt's groundwork appears to have set the table for what's coming next, as per North Carolina Department of Public Instruction's release.
The foundation of the Golden LEAF Schools Initiative is Marzano’s High Reliability Schools (HRS) model, which includes intensive coaching and diverse resources. In essence, participating schools are going to get a boost in math resources, career readiness tools, and even stipends and bonuses. An integral part of this model is focusing on creating safe environments, improving efficiency, aligning high-quality instruction with clear objectives, individualizing student assessments, and fostering a communal spirit of growth, collaboration, and innovation.
Initially, the program will support 20 middle schools across two distinct groups. To qualify, a school must be in a rural county currently classified as Tier 1 or Tier 2 in terms of economic status. Schools not performing up to snuff will join the Transformative Schools Cohort (TSC) to deeply overhaul their systems, while the Personalized, Competency-Based Education Cohort (PCBE) will get more targeted assistance. A hallmark to really look forward to, this initiative will promote frequent networking and sharing of best practices in the application of the HRS framework.
Scott Hamilton, President of the Golden LEAF Foundation, expressed enthusiasm for the project, showing gratitude for the leadership of both Superintendent Green and former Superintendent Truitt. Addressing the influence this initiative may have, he stated, "This initiative not only addresses immediate educational needs but also sets a precedent for future scalability and success," as per North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
Touted for its alignment with the State Board of Education's goal, schools will soon have the opportunity to apply for the Golden LEAF Schools Initiative. Applications are expected to open next Monday, with a deadline for submission by 5:00 p.m. on March 21. For those interested, more details and the application itself can be found on the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction's official website.
