Education News in Alabama
June 14, 2004 (archive)
IT WAS A GOOD WEEK FOR:
Marjo Gann, a teacher at Hoover High Schools who was selected as
the Alabama recipient of the first-ever "Preserve America"
History Teacher of the Year Award presented by the Gilder Lehrman
Institute of American History. Ms. Gann will represent the state
and compete for National "Preserve America" History Teacher
of the Year at a recognition ceremony in Washington, D.C., this
fall.
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION NEWS
The State Board of Education held its monthly meeting on Thursday,
June 10. All board members were present, including Governor Bob
Riley, who serves as board president. Actions taken include:
- Adoption of Nine Standards of Effective Teacher Induction and
Mentoring Programs
The board approved the recommendations of Alabama Teacher Quality
Enhancement Project (ATQEP) for standards to govern teacher induction
and mentoring programs in the state. The standards are designed
to support the continuous improvement and growth of beginning
teachers and were derived from field experience from a pilot program
conducted by the ATQEP during the last three years. The pilot
will end in September 2004. It was funded for several years by
a federal Title II grant but was not picked up by the state for
ongoing funding. This is another example of the impact of the
ongoing financial crisis on effective state programs. In fact,
this is the second time in 20 years that the state has launched
an induction program only to have it be eliminated when the funding
expired.
- Extend Approval of Teacher Preparation Programs
The board extended approval of the teacher prep programs at 16
Alabama colleges and universities. This was done to accommodate
the new standards for teacher preparation programs that the board
discussed at its March work session and will approve at its July
meeting. These new standards will strengthen teacher preparation
programs as a whole, make the internship (e.g. the student teaching
experience) more meaningful and effective, and incorporate the
instructional methods used in the nationally recognized Alabama
Reading Initiative into the teacher prep curriculum.
- Discussion of Characteristics for Next State Superintendent
Board members David Byers (R, District VI), and Sandra Ray (D,
District VII), shared a list of characteristics for the next State
Superintendent compiled from input by members of the State Board
of Education The criteria are divided into four categories: credentials,
experience and knowledge, personal qualities, and leadership abilities
and skills. Governor Riley announced that he will add "two
or three" qualities to the list in time for the full discussion
at the June 24 work session.
Criteria distributed at Thursday's meeting include:
Credentials: earned doctorate, preferably in education;
primary supervisor of a large education system or assistant in statewide
system; eight or more years of success in leadership position
Experience/Knowledge: observable, successful administration
of day-to-day operations, along with success in strategic, long-range
planning, staff development and policy development; demonstrated
experience in sound data-driven education reforms; observable experience
with state/national issues policies and legislation
Personal qualities: Observable compassion for and understanding
of children; demonstrated visionary leadership and project positive
image; outstanding work ethic, innovate, courageous, high moral
character, flexible, patient
Leadership skills: Success in working for and communicating
with an elected school board; proven ability to establish goals
and achieve strong, measurable results in reading literacy; proven
leadership in motivating teachers and principals to set aggressive
standards and implement programs to achieve them
IN THE NEWS
CAN PUBLIC SCHOOL AFFECT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT?
(From the PEN Weekly News Blast)
Recent research by the KnowledgeWorks Foundation argues that schools
are an important contributor to any community and that education
should be viewed as an investment rather than a serve that government
provides. The report, "Public Schools and Economic Development:
What the Research Shows," advocates examining the inputs of
a high-quality school that will realize not only the achievement
outcomes that states and local communities so avidly seek, but also
the economic outcomes that are consistently identified as a top
priority by American citizens. To view the report, please visit
http://www.kwfdn.org/ProgramAreas/Facilities/weiss_release.html
OVERHEARD
"I look forward to teaching every day. I like this program
(the Montgomery Public Schools Reading Initiative). I like what
is happening to my teaching and to my student’s learning!
They are having fun and learning at the same time! Our principal
is so supportive and there is so much support available from the
faculty."
— Catherine Donaldson, first grade teacher at T.S. Morris
in Montgomery, reflecting on her experience this past year in the
Montgomery Public Schools Reading Initiative
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