The Daily Southerner, Tarboro, NC

Local News

September 17, 2012

ECPS purchases key software

The Daily Southerner MIRANDA BAINES

TARBORO — The Edgecombe County Board of Education approved the purchase of SuccessMaker Software at its Sept. 10 meeting.

“Through SuccessMaker we hope to provide intense instructional remediation for students who are at risk,” said Dr. Renee Franklin, ECPS’ Assistant Superintendent of Education Program Services.

The educational software tool currently is used mainly in exceptional children’s classrooms. The software will now be available in elementary and middle school classrooms throughout the district. The software purchase of $199,068.68 will grant ECPS 171 licenses and each license will serve about 10 students per day.

Board Vice-Chair Evelyn Wilson asked what percentage of students in the district are considered low-performing or “at risk.” ECPS Superintendent John Farrelly replied that the number is approximately 33 percent, or one-third of all students.

SuccessMaker creates a personalized curriculum plan based on individual students’ challenges or strengths. The program concentrates on students’ areas of difficulty while advancing students through areas where they have mastered the content.

The program owned by software company Pearson will also provide strategies for intervention and remediation while providing a detailed report for teachers who can use the data to track progress toward specific goals.

Board member Faye Taylor said she had seen significant student improvement as a result of SuccessMaker Software in her time as an eighth-grade teacher.

“It was probably the most effective program that I ever saw,” she said. “It’s something that I highly believe in.”

The software purchase received unanimous approval from the board.

Text Only
Local News
  • DWI-Tests.jpg NTSB wants to lower DWI blood alcohol levels

    The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a bold set of targeted interventions to put the United States on course to eliminate alcohol-impaired related crashes. They have given recommendations that call for stronger laws, swifter enforcement and expanded use of technology.

    May 17, 2013 1 Photo

  • Susan-Barnes-headshot.jpg Measles cases have state health officials concerned

    Twenty-three cases of the measles have been reported in North Carolina in a recent outbreak and has state health officials concerned.
    “It (measles) is a highly contagious disease that is spread in the air by coughing and sneezing,” said Susan Rogerson, nursing director at the Edgecombe County Health Department. Outbreaks of measles in the United States are rare because of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

    May 17, 2013 1 Photo

  • MLK-Property.jpg County still looking for bids on 41 properties

    While county commissioners have accepted bids on seven foreclosure properties, a total of 41 others remain available for interested parties to submit bids.
    County Planning Director Brian Hassell said interested parties may submit bids for commissioners to consider. If a bid is approved and another party is interested, they may submit an upset bid.

    May 16, 2013 1 Photo

  • Buddy.jpg Scouts honor ‘Buddy’ Hooks

    Try as he might, master of ceremonies Dave Sharpe was unable to talk someone into telling an unexpected story on Ellis “Buddy” Hooks as Hooks was recognized as the 2013 Edgecombe County Distinguished Citizen Award recipient by the Boy Scouts of America.

    May 15, 2013 1 Photo

  • Sheriff_Knight.jpg Sheriff's Department to host junior academy

    The Edgecombe County Sheriff's Department will be hosting a junior academy for students ages 13-18 years old. Sheriff James Knight believes that this is the most important times of a juvenile's life and wants them to learn about the criminal justice system.

    May 15, 2013 1 Photo

  • Andrews.jpg Andrews assumes new position at ECPS Central Services

    John Farrelly, Superintendent of Edgecombe County Public Schools (ECPS), announced this week that Shawna Andrews has been named the Director of Middle Schools and Title I in the Educational Program Services Office at Central Services.
    Andrews, who most recently served as the Director of Elementary Schools and Title I, began her tenure with ECPS in 1995 as a math and science teacher at C.B. Martin Middle School. Following her completion of a Master’s in School Administration, she served as an administrative intern at G.W. Bulluck Elementary, SouthWest Edgecombe High School and Tarboro High School before being named an assistant principal at Tarboro High School in 2003.

    May 15, 2013 1 Photo

  • Big ‘Happening’ set for Tarboro Saturday

    At no time of the year is Tarboro’s Town Common more bustling with activity than the second Saturday in May. It’s that time of year again and the 43rd Annual Happening on the Common is set for 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday.
    “I think we’ve got a good day coming up,” said Carol Banks, event coordinator for the Edgecombe County Cultural Arts Council. “We’ve got record-breaking (number of) vendors. So far we’re up to 56.”

    May 13, 2013

  • Pinetops 300 kicks into gear this weekend

    One of the biggest community events in the southern part of Edgecombe County – the Pinetops 300 – is set for Friday and Saturday at its usual spot – 309 School St. at the ballpark in Pinetops. The truck and tractor pull, South Edgecombe Rural Fire Department’s fundraiser of the year, is a longstanding tradition.

    May 13, 2013

  • BulluckScienceFair-Brake.jpg Bulluck Elementary science fair

    G.W. Bulluck Elementary School hosted a science fair on April 29 for all students in the third, fourth and fifth grade.

    May 10, 2013 1 Photo

  • Daughtridge keynote speaker for ECC graduation Saturday

    “The world out there starts here” is Edgecombe Community College (ECC)’s motto, and for hundreds of students, the “world out there” begins Saturday at spring graduation.
    ECC’s 44th spring commencement will begin at 10 a.m. in the Keihin Auditorium on the Tarboro campus.

    May 9, 2013