Some schools seeking charter renewals might benefit from the suspension of state testing that followed the 2019-20 academic year.
The tests were called off after the COVID-19 pandemic forced schools to close for in-person instruction. That means achievement data isn’t available for that year to determine whether schools met state academic requirements.
The Charter School Advisory Board (CSAB) voted Tuesday to extend the charter renewal schedule for two schools from seven years to 10. If approved by the State Board of Education, Healthy Start Academy in Durham and Union Prep Academy at Indian Trail, a Union County charter, will move from a seven-year renewal schedule to a 10-year schedule.
When they eventually return to classrooms, thousands of North Carolina students - along with their teachers - will have access to rapid COVID-19 testing.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services has selected 17 school districts and 11 charter schools to receive more than 50,000 federally funded rapid antigen tests through its pilot testing program. Each school plans to offer classroom instruction for either some or all of its students this winter.
“This program gives us another tool in our tool kit to slow the spread of COVID-19 across our state and to keep children in the classroom, which we know is vital not only to their academic growth but also to their health and emotional development,” state health secretary Mandy Cohen said in a statement last week.
Seventeen school districts and 11 charter schools have been selected by North Carolina health officials to receive rapid COVID-19 tests as part of a state pilot program.
The K-12 schools will use the tests when in-person instruction is occurring. All schools selected offer either full in-person instruction or a hybrid of remote learning and in-person instruction.
The NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) believe the rapid tests will slow the spread of the virus by quickly identifying infected students and staff.
“This program gives us another tool in our toolkit to slow the spread of COVID-19 across our state and to keep children in the classroom, which we know is vital not only to their academic growth but also to their health and emotional development,” said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy K. Cohen. “We will learn from these pilot schools and plan to expand the program early next year.”
Alamance-Burlington School System among 17 school districts, 11 charter schools to participate in COVID-19 testing pilot program
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services selected the school district among 17 districts and 11 charter schools to participate in the program. Author: Carrie Hodgin (WFMY News 2 Digital) Published: 3:31 PM EST December 17, 2020 Updated: 5:39 PM EST December 18, 2020
ALAMANCE COUNTY, N.C. The Alamance-Burlington School System will participate in a pilot program to deploy COVID-19 rapid testing to students and staff.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services selected the school district among 17 districts and 11 charter schools to participate in the program.
Superintendent Bruce Benson said being part of the rapid testing pilot program is one of the reasons why they can bring students back on campus. If someone is showing symptoms, they will be sent to the school nu