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NC State Experts Can Discuss K-12 Back to School Topics

As students and teachers across the state head back to class this fall, experts with North Carolina State University’s College of Education can offer helpful information on a range of topics. Learn what Common Core standards and new literacy requirements mean for North Carolina families. Experts also have timely advice on dealing with bullying in school and setting healthy limits on extracurricular activities.

Common Core: Fact vs. Fiction

Dr. Michael Maher, assistant dean for professional education and accreditation, can explain what the Common Core standards mean for students and parents. Maher, who studies teacher education policy, can also comment on issues such as elimination of teacher tenure and pay increases for teachers earning master’s degrees in North Carolina. He can be reached at 919/515-5524 or michael_maher@ncsu.edu.

Bullying in Schools

Dr. Angela Wiseman, assistant professor of literacy education, can discuss what it means to be bullied and how to respond to children who experience bullying at school. In addition, she can share children’s picture books on bullying and provide suggestions on how to use literature to discuss this important topic. Wiseman, who teaches reading and writing methods and literary research courses, can also discuss how parents can encourage lifelong readers, help their children with homework or use picture books for discussions. She can be reached at 919/513-0920 or amwiseman@ncsu.edu.

Summer Reading Camp?

Dr. Kristin Conradi, assistant professor of literacy education, can discuss why North Carolina third graders who struggle with reading could end up in summer reading camp. As part of a new plan that goes into effect this fall, third graders who fail the end-of-year reading test won’t be promoted. Conradi, director of NC State’s Reading Clinic, is familiar with the Florida model that’s the basis for North Carolina’s new plan, as well as some proposed interventions. She can be reached at 919/515-1781 or kristin_conradi@ncsu.edu.

No More Overextended Kids

Mr. Braska Williams, director of the N.C. Mathematics and Science Education Network Pre-College Program, has tips to help families set healthy limits on extracurricular activities. Williams, a parent of middle schoolers, says it’s important for families to think about how much kids can handle before grades start to slip, children are overtired or families are frazzled from trying to keep up with unrealistic expectations. As a certified high school math teacher, Williams can also talk about strategies for getting kids ready for college and preparing them for careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields. He can be reached at 919/513-8533 or braska_williams@ncsu.edu.

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