WINSTON-SALEM: This is a real opportunity to increase the number of "Home-Grown" teachers," said North Carolina System President H. Martin Lancaster at the meeting of the State Board of Community Colleges at Forsyth Technical Community College on February 21.

Lancaster’s comments came after the State Board endorsed a measure that will accelerate the ability of North Carolina’s community colleges to offer the Early Childhood Associate/Teacher Associate program to students. This program provides an educational opportunity for many who then continue their education and pursue a four-year teaching degree.

More and more students are pursuing that four-year degree through a university, but at their local community college, with courses taught by university instructors. Former State Board Chair Dr. G. Herman Porter said statistics show that teachers who are trained locally not only stay at home to teach, but are more likely to stay in the teaching profession.

In presenting the measure to the State Board, Program Committee Chair Dr. Bob Greene told the members, "We’re going to be able to be the biggest help to get teachers in the classroom."

President Bush signed the new Federal Education Act, Leave No Child Behind, into law on January 8, 2002. This legislation requires that all teacher assistants hired after the date of enactment must meet one of three requirements. These paraprofessionals must either: complete at least two years of study at an institution of higher education; obtain an associate’s (or higher) degree; or meet a rigorous standard of quality and demonstrate specific classroom abilities. Any teacher assistant currently working in the North Carolina Public School System has four years to satisfy these requirements.

The measure approved by the State Board adds the Early Childhood Associate/Teacher Associate program to the Special Approval Programs list, which shortens the program approval process. Colleges will then be in a better position to assist local education agencies with meeting the demands of the Federal legislation.

In other action the State Board approved the appointment of Dr. F. Diane Honeycutt as Richmond Community College President. Honeycutt served as Richmond CC Interim President after the death of Richmond CC President Joseph Grimsley in July of 2001. Former State Representative Hugh Lee, Chair of the Richmond CC Board of Trustees, enthusiastically presented Honeycutt, who served as Executive Vice President under Grimsley. In accepting the State Board’s vote of confidence, Honeycutt told the members she felt she was "in the right place."

-NCCCS-

Back to previous page.