Date: 11-28-2006
From: jwhitehurst
To: Carol Parker
Re: Computer Science Certification
Mrs. Parker,
I'm sorry that it has taken me so long to respond, but when I hear such apathetic responses to the work on certification it scares me. I know for a fact that the response you got has been uttered for the past 5 years and I have yet to see headway on the issue. (see attached responses). It's not only computer science, but Chinese and Sign Language as well. For some reason, DPI seems to think that the necessity just isn't there. Well, I have a couple of comments for them that you may be able to help me relay.
1. The endorsement for computer science does not allow a teacher to teach computer science courses unless they are fully certified in some other subject (thus the dilemma in having to be certified in mathematics). It was only before "NCLB" that a teacher was able to obtain a Math certification and then the endorsement with a computer science degree. Even without a math major or the coursework for math, human resources "fit" the teacher to math. Today, that can't happen.
2. With an endorsement you cannot teach computer science if it is in the Tech Ed department. They have their own rules, and don't allow it. But because the computer science department and certification don't exist, the Tech Ed department is the only place Advanced Placement Computer Science can be taught if the school can't afford to lose a math teacher position.
3. Some schools in Wake County put computer science classes in Tech Ed, others in Math, and still others in a Technology department. Without the certification, teachers can be required to have one of three licenses, none specifically geared to computer science thus negating the potential for transfer (I believe this is discrimination).
[Side note: I can't transfer to just any school: they have to offer computers in the math department for where my license is now. NOT FAIR]
4. What really are the steps being taken? I've talked to the UNC system, and they aren't aware of it. I've talked to businesses. They aren't aware of it. I don't think anything is being done, and I think we need to find out. DPI can't sit on this issue any longer without being responsible to us teachers.
5. AND LASTLY (this is the blow of it all): NC State University offers the following degree: Math Education (MED): Computer Science Specialization . Here is a link to the program, http://www.ncsu.edu/reg_records/curricula/education/13med.html . But yet the schools with computer science in the business department won't let a teacher teach computer science with this degree.
Thanks for listening. I thought that you may want to get in touch with "Computer Science Teachers Association" and check out the research they are doing on certification issues. http://csta.acm.org/Research/sub/CSTAResearch-2.html
28 November 2006
02 October 2006
Re: NC Computer Cert
From: Carol
To: Jane
Date: 10/02/06
Jane,
Thank you for your call about this important issue. Below are the questions and answers that I asked of Kathy Sullivan, Department of Public Instruction expert in certification. I'm pleased to find out that certification for this important degree is being developed. Let me know if you have any questions.
Carol Parker
To: Jane
Date: 10/02/06
Jane,
Thank you for your call about this important issue. Below are the questions and answers that I asked of Kathy Sullivan, Department of Public Instruction expert in certification. I'm pleased to find out that certification for this important degree is being developed. Let me know if you have any questions.
Carol Parker
Re: certification for computer science
To: Carol Parker/Superintendent/WCPSS@Staff
From: "Kathy Sullivan"
Date: 10/02/2006 11:37AM
Subject: Re: certification for computer science
I appreciate your offer to help, but I really don't anticipate any opposition to it.
We are working with the colleges and universities to get courses lined up. I am hopeful that we will have something we can take to the State Board the first of the new year.
From: "Kathy Sullivan"
Date: 10/02/2006 11:37AM
Subject: Re: certification for computer science
I appreciate your offer to help, but I really don't anticipate any opposition to it.
We are working with the colleges and universities to get courses lined up. I am hopeful that we will have something we can take to the State Board the first of the new year.
Questions on Cert
>>> Carol Parker 10/2/2006 11:31 AM >>>
Thank you so much for your answer. Two questions: how long will it take to get the stand alone certification? Is there anything I can do or the teacher can do to help?
Carol Parker
Thank you so much for your answer. Two questions: how long will it take to get the stand alone certification? Is there anything I can do or the teacher can do to help?
Carol Parker
RE: Computer Cert in NC?
Date: 10/2/06
From: Kathy
To: Carol
Right now NC does not have a stand alone license in computer science. Rather, it is an endorsement that needs to be added to another license area. We have already begun work to try and create a separate, stand alone license in computer science.
Please let me know if I can provide any additional information
From: Kathy
To: Carol
Right now NC does not have a stand alone license in computer science. Rather, it is an endorsement that needs to be added to another license area. We have already begun work to try and create a separate, stand alone license in computer science.
Please let me know if I can provide any additional information
25 September 2006
Computer Cert in NC?
From: Carol
To: Kathy
Eleanor Goettee gave me your name as the person who would be able to help me understand the issue of certification for a teacher with a computer science degree to teach computer science courses. I talked to a teacher who taught in another state who now is at a high school here in Wake County and cannot certify to teach computer science even though she has a masters degree in computer science. She tells me that Virginia has recently developed certification and she is on a mission to help our state certify this important field. Could you help me understand the issue?
To: Kathy
Eleanor Goettee gave me your name as the person who would be able to help me understand the issue of certification for a teacher with a computer science degree to teach computer science courses. I talked to a teacher who taught in another state who now is at a high school here in Wake County and cannot certify to teach computer science even though she has a masters degree in computer science. She tells me that Virginia has recently developed certification and she is on a mission to help our state certify this important field. Could you help me understand the issue?
29 August 2006
School Board Member Reaches Out
Jenny,
Your Dad said you wanted to talk to me--we met at the Republican meeting--you are welcome to call me at home.
Carol Parker
Your Dad said you wanted to talk to me--we met at the Republican meeting--you are welcome to call me at home.
Carol Parker
28 August 2006
School Board Member Listens
> Charlie,
> I was at the meeting and introduced myself to your daughter. I'd love
> to talk to her. I'm on the Board of Education and can be reached at
> the home number below.
>
> Carol Parker
> I was at the meeting and introduced myself to your daughter. I'd love
> to talk to her. I'm on the Board of Education and can be reached at
> the home number below.
>
> Carol Parker
My Dad cries for Help
Greetings to all,
I have been very busy since the Primary Election and wonder if I could
have kept up with the pace of a real campaign - probably not. When I
finally get enough money and time to launch something more substantial,
and I still possess at least the appearance of sanity, I might give it
another try.
Anyway, I have a couple things I would like to pass on.
First, I want to express my gratitude for your hospitality, support, and
good counsel. And, Second, I need some help for my daughter, Jenny, who
spoke to you all at our last meeting.
One of you is/was a school board member, and introduced yourself to her
after her impromptu speech. Jenny has asked me to contact you, but I am
ashamed to say, I don't remember which of you that was. There were many
of you who seemed to like what she had to say. Jenny would like to have
a meeting with you, if possible, to discuss further her ideas on education.
Many thanks in advance,
Charlie Sutherland
I have been very busy since the Primary Election and wonder if I could
have kept up with the pace of a real campaign - probably not. When I
finally get enough money and time to launch something more substantial,
and I still possess at least the appearance of sanity, I might give it
another try.
Anyway, I have a couple things I would like to pass on.
First, I want to express my gratitude for your hospitality, support, and
good counsel. And, Second, I need some help for my daughter, Jenny, who
spoke to you all at our last meeting.
One of you is/was a school board member, and introduced yourself to her
after her impromptu speech. Jenny has asked me to contact you, but I am
ashamed to say, I don't remember which of you that was. There were many
of you who seemed to like what she had to say. Jenny would like to have
a meeting with you, if possible, to discuss further her ideas on education.
Many thanks in advance,
Charlie Sutherland
05 June 2006
response to AP listserv announcement
Date: 09-13-05 and 06-05-06
To: Patsy Hester
From: Jane Whitehurst
Re: response to AP listserv announcement
It would be great were I allowed to teach computer science.
Unfortunately, Wake Co. likes to offer it in different departments in different schools. I'm at Apex stuck teaching Algebra I, not my patte.
To: Patsy Hester
From: Jane Whitehurst
Re: response to AP listserv announcement
It would be great were I allowed to teach computer science.
Unfortunately, Wake Co. likes to offer it in different departments in different schools. I'm at Apex stuck teaching Algebra I, not my patte.
16 March 2006
Superintendent Teacher Advisory Committee
On Thursday, March 16, 2006, WCPSS teachers are invited to join members of Bill McNeal’s Cabinet, his Superintendent Teacher Advisory Committee (STAC), and the Wake County Board of Education for Teacher Voices: a Town Meeting of WCPSS Teachers.
The session will be held from 4:30 – 6:30 PM.
As a teacher in WCPSS I appreciate the salary and mentor program established for new teachers, but would change the hiring policies for computer science teachers and the curriculum placement of computer science courses by allowing teachers with a math certification (200) and a computer science endorsement (18079) teach computer science (programming) courses no matter in which department. There is no computer science primary certification in North Carolina, but there are teachers in wake county teaching only computer science courses and having to get fully certified either CTE or math to teach the courses they are trained to teach. Wake County Public Schools, with its empowering technological universities, should be leading the state in computer science education. This cannot happen until the best for the job are hired. Please be a voice for computer science to DPI and help push the way for a certification in computer science apart from math or career and technical education.
Computer Science Courses Offered in Wake County Public High Schools
Computer Applications – Operations in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, etc)
Computer Programming – Visual Basic Computer Programming LanguageComputer Science – I/II, III/IV, and AP with C++ and Java Programming Languages
The session will be held from 4:30 – 6:30 PM.
As a teacher in WCPSS I appreciate the salary and mentor program established for new teachers, but would change the hiring policies for computer science teachers and the curriculum placement of computer science courses by allowing teachers with a math certification (200) and a computer science endorsement (18079) teach computer science (programming) courses no matter in which department. There is no computer science primary certification in North Carolina, but there are teachers in wake county teaching only computer science courses and having to get fully certified either CTE or math to teach the courses they are trained to teach. Wake County Public Schools, with its empowering technological universities, should be leading the state in computer science education. This cannot happen until the best for the job are hired. Please be a voice for computer science to DPI and help push the way for a certification in computer science apart from math or career and technical education.
Computer Science Courses Offered in Wake County Public High Schools
Computer Applications – Operations in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, etc)
Computer Programming – Visual Basic Computer Programming LanguageComputer Science – I/II, III/IV, and AP with C++ and Java Programming Languages
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