Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools NC Releases Reading Results
Students in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools continued to outperform their counterparts across North Carolina in reading, despite large drops in student performance statewide following the administration of new reading tests for students in grades three through eight and the setting of higher standards for attaining proficiency on those tests. This year, 78.5 percent of CHCCS students posted proficient scores in reading. Last year, that number was 93.4 percent at the elementary level and 94.2 at the middle school level. A conference call with educators statewide last week prepared them to expect drops of approximately 30 percent. The former range on reading tests in grades three through eight was 83-92 percent. The new range is 52-61 percent. The CHCCS drop is approximately one-half of the statewide decline. "It's difficult to help educators and parents understand that our students improved their reading skills last year when the percent proficient looks so dramatically lower," said Executive Director for Testing and Program Evaluation Diane Villwock. "The changes make us ask ourselves what's good enough? In raising standards, we may make students better readers in the end, but the presentation of the results the first year with new standards can be demoralizing to students and staff." Indeed, critics of the rigor ofNorth Carolina's End-of-Grade Tests have long pointed to comparisons made to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). NAEP's analysis showed that North Carolina's fourth grade reading test ranked 45th in the nation in rigor and that the eighth grade reading test ranked 50th in the nation. "Although the there is a decline in the percentage of students who are proficient in reading this year, there is typically a rebound in the year following the changes in the test. We have continued to experience growth in our math scores after similar revisions were made to that test two years ago," said Superintendent Neil Pedersen. "The challenge, then, is for us to make the necessary instructional improvements that help our students meet these higher levels of performance."
The downward trend in reading scores brought changes in school recognition as well. Last year, CHCCS had four Schools of Excellence (90 percent or more of students at or above grade level), 10 Schools of Distinction (80 percent or more of students at or above grade level) and one School of Progress (70 percent or more of students at or above grade level). This year, the district, which has an additional school to report with the opening of Carrboro High School, has no Schools of Excellence, 12 Schools of Distinction and four Schools of Progress. Growth, the academic measure on which teacher bonuses is based, was calculated this year using only math results. The changes in school recognition, therefore, do not impact teacher compensation. Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) was released for the reading results. Last year, the annual measurable objective for each subgroup was 84 percent. The US Department of Education adjusted the reading objective for North Carolina schools to reflect the change in test rigor. The new objective for North Carolina is 43.2 percent. Under this new measure, 12 of the district's 16 schools made AYP. All schools made AYP in reading except for Frank Porter Graham, McDougle Elementary, McDougle Middle and East Chapel Hill High School. These schools are not facing any sanctions under No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation as a result of not making AYP because this is the first year that they haven't met the AYP standard in reading. This is the second consecutive year that Carrboro Elementary made AYP in reading. As a result of this year's performance, the school is removed from School Improvement status under No Child Left Behind in the area of reading. The school will continue in School Improvement status in mathematics.
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2007-2008 AYP Results |
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|
School |
Met Math Standard |
Met Reading Standard |
Made AYP |
|
Carrboro Elem. |
No |
Yes |
No |
|
Ephesus Elem. |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Estes Hills Elem. |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
FPG Elem. |
No |
No |
No |
|
Glenwood Elem. |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
McDougle Elem. |
No |
No |
No |
|
Rashkis Elem. |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Scroggs Elem. |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Seawell Elem. |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Culbreth MS |
No |
Yes |
No |
|
McDougle MS |
No |
No |
No |
|
Phillips MS |
No |
Yes |
No |
|
Smith MS |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Carrboro HS |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Chapel Hill HS |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
East Chapel Hill HS |
No |
No |
No |
|
2007-2008 ABCs Results |
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|
School |
Growth Status |
Recognition |
Performance Composite |
|
Carrboro Elem. |
High |
School of Progress |
78.0 percent |
|
Ephesus Elem. |
High |
School of Progress |
79.9 pecent |
|
Estes Hills Elem. |
High |
School of Distinction |
80.8 percent |
|
FPG Elem. |
Expected |
School of Progress |
70.5 percent |
|
Glenwood Elem. |
High |
School of Distinction |
89.3 percent |
|
McDougle Elem. |
Expected |
School of Progress |
78.4 percent |
|
Rashkis Elem. |
High |
School of Distinction |
87.6 percent |
|
Scroggs Elem. |
High |
School of Distinction |
84.5 percent |
|
Seawell Elem. |
High |
School of Distinction |
88.0 percent |
|
Culbreth MS |
High |
School of Distinction |
83.5 percent |
|
McDougle MS |
High |
School of Distinction |
82.2 percent |
|
Phillips MS |
High |
School of Distinction |
86.5 percent |
|
Smith MS |
High |
School of Distinction |
84.8 percent |
|
Carrboro HS |
High |
School of Distinction |
85.0 percent |
|
Chapel Hill HS |
High |
School of Distinction |
86.9 percent |
|
East Chapel Hill HS |
Expected |
School of Distinction |
87.1 percent |
Contact Jodi Bakst, Broker, CRS, GRI, ABR, Certified Distressed Property Expert, and Certified Luxury Home Specialist in Chapel Hill, NC at 1-88-TeamJodi (888-326-5634) to list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Durham, Hillsborough, Pittsboro or Orange, Durham or Chatham County North Carolina. Team Jodi is accepting referrals.
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If you are looking to list your home in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Orange or Durham County North Carolina, call Team Jodi toll free at 88-TeamJodi (888-326-5634), email us at Jodi@TeamJodi.com or visit us at www.TeamJodi.com.
Orange County NC Commissioners Approve Increasing Impact Fees on Homes
Orange County commissioners approved a series of increases to impact fees on residential construction. The new fees would raise the fee contractors pay to build new single-family homes in Chapel Hill and Carrboro by 38 percent to $6,092 on Jan. 1. A year later, the fee will go up again, this time to $7,616. Over two years, that's a 73 percent increase. In Orange County, there will be no increase to the $3,000 fee on single-family homes next year. But in 2010, it will rise to $3,749, a 25 percent increase. Commissioners approved the fee changes reluctantly, acknowledging the added stress they place on homebuilders. The county has budgeted $1.6 million from impact-fee revenue to pay down some of the debt for new schools. That budget depends on the higher impact fees. Homebuilders have protested the new fees, saying the economy already has slowed new home construction. Nick Tennyson, executive vice president of the Home Builders Association of Durham, Orange and Chatham Counties, said builders are already reluctant to propose projects in Orange County. About 250 single-family homes will be built in Orange County this year. In Durham, which had impact fees until they were deemed illegal several years ago, about 1,000 new homes will be built in 2008. "It matters for individual builders," Tennyson said of the fee increases. "But it doesn't matter that much [in revenue to the county] because there aren't that many." A county can have impact fees only if state legislation specifically allows it, and Orange County is one of just a handful with such a law on the books. It has not increased the fees since 2001. By Eric Ferreri - Staff Writer, News & Observer
Contact Jodi Bakst, Broker, CRS, GRI, ABR, Certified Distressed Property Expert, and Certified Luxury Home Specialist in Chapel Hill, NC at 1-88-TeamJodi (888-326-5634) to list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Durham, Hillsborough, Pittsboro or Orange, Durham or Chatham County North Carolina. Team Jodi is accepting referrals.
Click here to learn more about Team Jodi and our services.
Click here to view Team Jodi's listings click here;
If you are looking to list your home in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Orange or Durham County North Carolina, call Team Jodi toll free at 88-TeamJodi (888-326-5634), email us at Jodi@TeamJodi.com or visit us at www.TeamJodi.com.
North Carolina Now Fourth Fastest Growing State In The U.S.
On Monday, the U.S. Census Bureau figures that were released indicated that despite the downturn in the economy, North Carolina's population increased 2 percent from July 2007 to July 2008, making it the fourth-fastest growing state in the country. These new number however do reflect a slowing of North Carolina's growth rate. The figures from the previous year, July 2006 to July 2007, indicated a growth of 2.17 percent. The states estimated population as of July 1 was 9.2 million, according to the Census Bureau figures. The only states with a faster growth were Utah, Arizona and Texas. Following North Carolina were Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada, Georgia and South Carolina.
North Carolina gained 180,820 residents during the year, the third largest numerical leap in the nation. Only Texas and California gained more residents than North Carolina.
Other highlights of yesterday's Census Report were:
Contact Jodi Bakst, Broker, CRS, GRI, ABR, Certified Distressed Property Expert, and Certified Luxury Home Specialist in Chapel Hill, NC at 1-88-TeamJodi (888-326-5634) to list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Durham, Hillsborough, Pittsboro or Orange, Durham or Chatham County North Carolina. Team Jodi is accepting referrals.
Click here to learn more about Team Jodi and our services.
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Fed Cut Results in Lower Mortgage Rates, Hopes to Boost Housing Market
By Howard B. Stanton, III
Senior Loan Officer, SunTrust Mortgage
The recent Fed cut in short-term rates gave a boost to the stock market, but also resulted in a decrease in long-term rates such as 30-year home mortgages. Mortgage rates are now at historic lows, with fixed rates as low as 4.625%. Normally, a Fed rate cut will not have such an impact on mortgage rates, but this time there was an additional message: The Fed reiterated its earlier stated goal of purchasing additional mortgage (long-term) debt from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The lower rates make homes more affordable; for instance, a drop in rate from 6.250% to 4.625% is like dropping a home's price by 10-15%.
The Fed cut will not only help new home buyers, but there is an added boost to the economy as well. Homeowners with equity lines will see those payments go down. But also, many homeowners with mortgage rates at 6% or higher will be refinancing. The resulting lower payment "is like getting a pay raise," as one of my clients put it. Also, much of the $700 billion in stimulus funds has yet to reach the consumer. It will take time for it to reach the consumer "on the street." Yet some of the funds are already at work, resulting in a greater availability of auto loans, for instance.
With housing prices already very attractive, the lower mortgage rates are expected to provide a welcome boost to the housing market.
Contact Jodi Bakst, Broker, CRS, GRI, ABR, Certified Distressed Property Expert, and Certified Luxury Home Specialist in Chapel Hill, NC at 1-88-TeamJodi (888-326-5634) to list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Durham, Hillsborough, Pittsboro or Orange, Durham or Chatham County North Carolina. Team Jodi is accepting referrals.
Click here to learn more about Team Jodi and our services.
Click here to view Team Jodi's listings click here;
If you are looking to list your home in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Orange or Durham County North Carolina, call Team Jodi toll free at 88-TeamJodi (888-326-5634), email us at Jodi@TeamJodi.com or visit us at www.TeamJodi.com.
Durham North Carolina Home Sales -- November 2008 Market Snapshot
| Durham County | November 2007 | November 2008 | % Change |
| Number of detached sales | 218 | 131 | -39.91% |
| Number of condo sales | 11 | 5 | -54.55% |
| Number of townhouse sales | 31 | 17 | -45.16% |
| Number of new construction sales | 63 | 36 | -42.86% |
| Number of re-sales | 197 | 117 | -40.61% |
| Average detached sales price | $205,163 | $198,161 | -3.41% |
| Average condo sales price | $120,525 | $141,535 | +17.43% |
| Average townhouse sales price | $173,527 | $133,473 | -23.08% |
| Average new construction sales price | $283,405 | $247,477 | -12.68% |
| Average re-sales price | $170,437 | $171,168 | +0.43% |
| High Sale price detached | $925,000 | $519,485 | -43.84% |
| High Sale price condo | $320,000 | $235,833 | -26.30% |
| High Sale price townhouse | $301,919 | $195,000 | -35.41% |
| High Sale price new construction | $760,000 | $519,485 | -31.65% |
| High Sale price re-sale | $925,000 | $450,000 | -94.59% |
| Average Sales Price for ethe entire area | $197,810 | $189,123 | -4.39% |
| Average List price for New Construction | $294,188 | $250,914 | -14.71% |
| Average List price for Re-sale | $176,309 | $178,005 | +0.96% |
| Average List price for the entire area | $204,872 | $195,160 | -4.74% |
Contact Jodi Bakst, Broker, CRS, GRI, ABR, Certified Distressed Property Expert, and Certified Luxury Home Specialist in Chapel Hill, NC at 1-88-TeamJodi (888-326-5634) to list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Durham, Hillsborough, Pittsboro or Orange, Durham or Chatham County North Carolina. Team Jodi is accepting referrals.
Click here to learn more about Team Jodi and our services.
Click here to view Team Jodi's listings click here;
If you are looking to list your home in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Orange or Durham County North Carolina, call Team Jodi toll free at 88-TeamJodi (888-326-5634), email us at Jodi@TeamJodi.com or visit us at www.TeamJodi.com.
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Whether you are buying or selling property in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Durham, Hillsborough, Raleigh, Cary, or Apex NC, Team Jodi provides seamless customer service throughout the transaction.
Jodi Bakst, Broker, Realtor, CRS, GRI, ABR, CLHMS, CDPE
Jodi Bakst has lived in Chapel Hill since 1990 and been a Realtor since 1997. She is known in her market as a consistent top producer because she is focused on real estate as a true business. She has spent years building a very effective Team. She goes to great lenghts to effectively use technology in her business. She has two excellent buyer agents with incredible experience in design, real estate law, and negotiation. They all have exceptional experience with the relocation process and the local schools throughout Orange, Durham and Chatham Counties. Jodi is a Broker, and holds the following designations, Certified Residential Specialist, Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist, Certified Distressed Property Experts, Graduate Realtor Institute and Accredited Buyer Representative. She is also on the North Carolina Association of Realtors Forms Committee and the Greater Chapel Hill Association of Realtors Board of Directors. She is married with two children and is active volunteer in the Jewish community. She has an MA in Public Health from UNC-Chapel Hill and a BA in Economics from the University of California Santa Cruz.
You can contact Jodi Bakst at Jodi@TeamJodi.com.
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Richard and Cami Gilman Previous Owners of 125 Cedar Lane Farm, New Hill
“Sue and I were very pleased with the results achieved after listing our house for sale with you. The house sold within days at our asking price with a back-up offer on the table. We believe that these results in a large part were due to your advice for preparing our house for sale and the activities that you undertook to market the house to other realtors and potential buyers. We could not ask for better service before, during, and after the sale than that we received from you and your team Thank you for all that you did.
”Tom and Sue Covalla Previous Owners of 8400 Sterling Bridge, Chapel Hill
“We are very grateful to Jodi and her Team for helping us sell our house on the terms owe wanted after only one week. The marketing plan and preparation of our house for showing were done beautifully, and up until closing every time I asked “Please, take care of this,” they did. Great job!”
Ted and Nancy Salmon Previous Owners of 1706 Claymore Road, Chapel Hill
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