Romain Bertrand is a middle school math teacher and Opportunity Culture enthusiast. As the 2012-13 school year wound down, he was already thoroughly looking forward to the next--when he will become a multi-classroom leader at Ranson IB Middle School, taking accountability for the learning results of 700 students. At Ranson, a Project L.I.F.T.…

The author, who is a superintendent of the Iredell-Statesville Schools in Statesville, North Carolina, discusses how his school district has obtained a Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. Along the journey to the Baldrige Award, the author shares his experiences and many turning points he and his cabinet members encountered. The author…

Identifies the strengths of North Carolina's community college system (i.e., community good will, high caliber faculty and staff, its willingness and ability to police itself, the long-range planning process, and the system's Commission on the Future). Looks at future directions and challenges. (DMM)

Highlights North Carolina's strategies for ensuring that its institutions and leadership will be responsive to future needs. Describes the Commission on the Future of North Carolina, community college responses to commission recommendations, and state goals concerning services to small business, retraining, educational leadership renewal, and…

The major vocational education research needs in North Carolina in the 1980s should represent the major research areas in other states. Research issues will fall into four major areas: policy, planning, finance, and citizen participation. If no appropriate state policy on vocational education is in place, an appropriate one must be established and…

North Carolina is addressing the technology issue with comprehensive plans that provide guidelines about what computer equipment to purchase, how to use it, and how to ensure equal access to all students. (JOW)

Graduating students who can compete in the digital age is imperative but remains an uphill battle in the absence of a strong national technology policy, empowered education leadership, and ongoing dialogue involving business, community, government, and educators. Meantime, in pockets around the country, some states, districts, and schools are…

The recommendations presented in this report were developed by the Commission on the Future of the North Carolina Community College System to improve the operation, funding, and economic and social returns of the state's community colleges. Section 1 provides a summary of upcoming challenges facing the colleges and the Commission's response to…

Describes the appointment and charge of a statewide marketing committee to study trends and issues related to declining enrollments in North Carolina's community college system. Reports on the committee's recommendations, the initiation of a statewide promotional campaign to implement them, and the campaign's impact on enrollments. (DMM)

This paper offers unconventional and innovative ideas for school planning and construction in North Carolina for creating smaller and safer community schools in response to rising enrollment, tight budgets, and dwindling school space. Often using examples from across the country, the paper discusses school construction costs and economy of scale…

This final report analyzes computer literacy and the use of computers in the public schools and community colleges of North Carolina, based on testimony from educators and administrators at the university, community college, and public school levels; from organizations concerned about education; and from corporations that produce computer hardware…

This is the first of five volumes of essays in the form of recommendations for the improvement of programs, services, and activities offered through vocational-technical education in North Carolina. The volume explains the rationale for, and comments on, 17 recommendations prepared by the State Advisory Council on Vocational Education for fiscal…

Examines the community college's role in state economic development, describing the North Carolina model, which teams community colleges and the department of commerce to insure adequate program funding. Encourages similar linkages in other states to provide resources for occupational training of skilled workers in high technology, critical…

This proceedings reflects the content of a day-long conference designed to introduce selected publics to established models for economic stimulus with applicability to Washington state; provide a focus for the statewide legislative studies of education and high technology; and promote the Washington state community college system as the primary…

Explores the effects of pragmatic day-to-day considerations on mission and values within the North Carolina community college system. Reviews the public positions of representative power bases, stresses the importance of a strong mission policy grounded in tradition, and urges the state board to take a stronger leadership role. (DMM)