Throw those worries out the door!
by Seymour Poe
Poe Center programs are aligned to the North Carolina Essential Standards! Many may ask, “So what?” or “What does that mean?” The answer to that question goes back to June of 2010 when North Carolina became one of the first of 45 states to adopt the Common Core Standards for mathematics and English language arts. This Common Core was a state led initiative to ensure that students graduating from high school were equipped to enter college or the workforce with the skills they need to compete on a global level. As of the beginning of the current school year, North Carolina schools are adhering to this Common Core for math and English language arts. For all other subject areas – including healthful living – North Carolina has developed the North Carolina Essential Standards based on the Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy. While many of the standards and objectives are similar to those found in the obsolete North Carolina Standard Course of Study, some marked differences do exist. Differences include some changes in grade level (i.e., an objective that was taught in the 4th grade will now be taught in 5th grade or vice versa), some objectives have been omitted, and some new clarifying objectives have been added. In general, changes focus on including actionable objectives that are based on the Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy and reduction in ambiguous terminology.
Many parents and educators have expressed concern about the lack of teacher preparedness across academic disciplines to implement the Common Core and North Carolina Essential Standards. The Poe Center has been working diligently to ensure that Poe curriculum is ready to go for the 2012-2013 school year, so parents and teachers can count on Poe to deliver the same high quality health education programs they have come to know and love. Grade appropriate titles may be different than those you have selected in the past, and you may find some new activities included in the curriculum, but the same professional quality will be what you have come to expect from the Poe Center. If you have not scheduled your school field trip to or classroom visit from the Poe Center yet this year, you still have time! Contact Kate at [email protected] or give her a call at 919-231-4006 ext. 399 to schedule. You may also schedule online at www.poehealth.org.