Business Education Round Table: Minding Their Business When it comes to improving the public-education system, school officials say they depend on the help of industry leaders. “It’s quite rare to have a school superintendent invite us to the table.” — Bill Shore, GSK Click here to read the full article as it appears in the December, 2009 issue of Business North Carolina.

NCBCE Members Meet at Executive Mansion On Thursday, November 19 more than 75 members from the North Carolina Business Committee for Education met at the Executive Mansion in Raleigh. This annual event highlighted Governor Perdue’s vision for education as it relates to the work of NCBCE. Governor Perdue’s remarks focused on the importance of business/education partnerships for a bright future in North Carolina. Members also heard from First Gentleman Bob Eaves about his vision for partnering with NCBCE to connect academics and the workplace by creating a one-day experience for middle school students across the state. NCBCE Chair, Albert Eckel gave an overview of accomplishments and engagement opportunities that members had been involved throughout the year. During the meeting, wallet cards, highlighting education accomplishments by NCBCE were provided to each member. These cards, designed specifically for members, focus on the strength and leverage of the collective NCBCE business voice that will help inform the education work that is going on in our state. As NCBCE moves forward, webinars and/or other education experiences are being planned. Your participation will be a great way to gain that “deeper dive” and give you ideas for ways you and your employees can be involved in meaningful ways. Click here to view more images from the event.

Gov. Perdue Launches eLearningNC.gov

New web site offers one-stop-shop for online learning opportunities

RALEIGH – Gov. Bev Perdue today announced the launch of eLearningNC.gov, the entry point to all the eLearning resources North Carolina has to offer. The new web site will provide an easy one-stop-shop for any North Carolinian, from K-12 students to life-long learners, who wants to take advantage of online learning such as the NC Virtual Public School, online courses from community colleges or universities, and online career building.

“Over the last 10 years, technology has revolutionized the way we live and work – and I’m committed to using it to revolutionize the way we teach and learn,” said Perdue. “With the click of a mouse, anyone in North Carolina will be able to access online learning through this new web site. A highly-educated workforce, highly-proficient in technology, is key to keeping North Carolina competitive in the high-tech global economy.”

eLearningNC.gov was created by a partnership between the Office of the Governor, the North Carolina Education Cabinet, and the North Carolina eLearning Commission.

“As Chair of the North Carolina eLearning Commission, I am excited about today’s official launch of the K-20 eLearning web site,” said Lt. Governor Walter Dalton. “This web site is a testament to North Carolina’s leadership in using technology to enhance educational opportunities, and it will provide easier access and navigation to a wealth of educational eLearning resources. My hope is that this web site fosters a culture of life-long learning for all the citizens of our state.”

eLearning provides all K-12 students, regardless of location or background, with the ability to take online courses that would normally not be available to them. Additionally, eLearning provides all college students and adults with the opportunity to take courses and learn new skills through retraining or advanced degrees.

North Carolinians of all ages are encouraged to take advantage of the resources compiled at eLearningNC.gov including links for K-12 eLearning and College eLearning, and a Career eLearning section for adult learners who want to continue their educations. The Facilitating eLearning section provides links to best practices and staff development on how to create eLearning courses. The About eLearning section covers everything else, from information about eLearning, to how to pay for eLearning.

About K-20 online education in North Carolina:

• The NC Virtual Public School offers 106 online courses and has more than10,600 high school students enrolled in Fall 2009.
• The UNC System offers more than 200 online degree, certification or licensure programs across 17 institutions, while North Carolina Community Colleges offer more than 138 online degrees, certifications, programs and diplomas through their 58 campuses statewide.
• In 2008-2009 more than 74,000 students enrolled in eLearning courses in our 17 UNC System institutions and more than 131,600 students enrolled in eLearning online courses in our 58 community colleges, many students taking more than one online course per semester.

Duke President, Richard Broadhead, Microsoft Founder, Bill Gates, and NC Education Cabinet’s Howard Lee talk about education in North Carolina

Education Learning Trip Bring Bill and Melinda Gates To NC

Bill and Melinda Gates recently visited North Carolina schools and colleges for what they termed a two-day “learning trip." As co-chairs of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, they have been actively involved in education initiatives across the nation. This was the first visit to North Carolina for the Microsoft founder and his wife to meet with students and teachers.

The Gates visited West Charlotte High School to see how that school is using data to better serve students and identify teaching strategies that are working. They also met with students at Central Piedmont Community College where they asked students to describe their work and the challenges of paying for college. The Gates surprised students in Durham at the Performance Learning Center, a partnership between Durham Public Schools and Communities in Schools for students who have dropped out of school or who are at-risk of dropping out.

At their final stop in North Carolina, they met with education and policy leaders in Raleigh. Bill and Melinda Gates talked to that group that included former Governor Jim Hunt, Duke University President Richard Broadhead, Education Cabinet Director Howard Lee and North Carolina Business Committee for Education Director Tricia Willoughby about the work of the Gates Foundation to support students and schools.