Education News in Alabama

February 14, 2005 (archive)

STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION UPDATE:
The Alabama State Board of Education held its monthly business meeting on Thursday, February 10. Members present were: Randy McKinney, District I; Betty Peters, District II; Stephanie Bell, District III; Ella Bell, District V; David Byers, District VI; Sandra Ray, District VII; and Mary Jane Caylor, District VIII.

Allen Case Update
Dave Boyd, lead counsel for the State Department of Education in the Allen consent decree case, updated the board on the final steps needed to approve the second amended consent decree that would allow subject-specific testing for teachers to resume in Alabama. Judge Myron Thompson approved the amended decree with some minor revisions to the language regarding termination of the lawsuit. The revisions are a “distinct improvement,” according to Mr. Boyd, and include assurances that the entire lawsuit will be terminated all at once and not in parts. The revisions also include a mediation component for addressing concerns during the next few years and language that make the burden of proof more clear. Mr. Boyd also told the board that he believes the court is committed to ending the consent decree in three to four years.

Approval of the Science State Course of Study -- At its work session on January 27, the State Board heard from members of the Science State Course of Study committee, who provided details on their proposed revisions to the Science Course of Study. Key revisions include a de-emphasis of evolution as a proven scientific theory of the origin of life and a restructuring of the teaching of science at the middle school level to provide deeper, more-concentrated instruction.

At Thursday’s meeting, many interested parties spoke in favor of and in opposition to the proposed revisions. Those who encouraged adoption of the new course of study lauded its developmentally sound methods of promoting scientific literacy and problem solving and approved of the shift away from integrated science at the middle school level (teaching life science, physical science, and earth/space science in units during each middle school grade) to a concentrated method that allows each grade level to focus on one scientific curriculum. Under the new course of study, Earth/Space Science will be taught for a full year in 6th grade, Life Science in 7th grade, and Physical Science in 8th grade. Advocates believe that this concentrated curriculum will allow educators to teach to mastery and will allow time for labs and “hands-on” experiments.

Opponents of the new Science course of study ranged from scientists who oppose the de-emphasis of the theory of evolution and the inclusion of the Intelligent Design theory, which teaches that an “intelligent life force” (i.e. God) set in motion the Big Bang and resulting evolution of humankind, to members of religious organizations who feel that the course of study still places too much emphasis on “evolution as fact.”

The board members voted unanimously to approve the new Science State Course of Study. The process to select textbooks will begin in the next few weeks.

Approval of the Report from the Statewide Committee to Review the State of Health of America’s Youth with Particular Emphasis on Alabama’s Youth
At its work session on January 27, the board heard from the Statewide Committee to Review the State of Health of America’s Youth with Particular Emphasis on Alabama’s Youth, who offered guidelines for stronger health and physical education requirements in Alabama’s schools. During the discussion that day, board members raised concerns about some of the advertising content on Channel One, the television station broadcast in many of Alabama’s classrooms.

As a result of that discussion, Board Member Betty Peters proposed an amendment to the committee’s report that would have barred Channel One from advertising high-sugar, high-fat food or drink products; over-the-counter medicines; or material with sexual, violent or drug-related content. The amendment stated that if Channel One did advertise these things, their contract with Alabama’s schools would be cancelled. There was discussion about the legal ramifications of this proposal, and the sanction of contract cancellation was ultimately dropped from the amendment. The amendment failed by a vote of 4 to 2, with Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Stephanie Bell voting to approve.

Board Member Randy McKinney then rewrote the amendment to read:

Channel One, while left as a local issue, should be carefully monitored and evaluated for content that affects food choices and healthy lifestyles. The State Board of Education recommends that Channel One refrain from advertising high-sugar, high-fat, or low-nutritional value food or drink products; over-the-counter medicines; or movies and television shows that receive a MPAA rating for sexual, violent, or drug content. The Channel One website and any recommended links on the Channel One website are included. Monitoring shall be the responsibility of local school personnel, parents, and Channel One.

The board unanimously approved this amendment and the entire report. The statewide committee will meet again to flesh out suggestions for implementing the approved guidelines.

Resolution Commending Robert L. Morton for Dedicated Service to Public Education -- State Superintendent Joe Morton presented former Assistant Superintendent Robert Morton with a board resolution honoring him for his many years of service. Mr. Robert Morton was looking forward to retiring in May 2005. However, he suffered a stroke in December and took early retirement in order to recover. During his tenure at the State Department of Education, Mr. Morton was effective in reestablishing financial stability and sound accountability standards in local school systems under state financial intervention and “provided untiring financial leadership to Alabama’s public schools through some of the state’s most fiscally difficult times, including proration.” A+ thanks Mr. Robert Morton for his service and wishes him well in retirement.

Appointment of Craig Pouncey to Assistant Superintendent for Administration and Finance -- The board unanimously approved the appointment of Craig Pouncey to the position of Assistant Superintendent of Education for Administration and Finance. Mr. Pouncey replaces Dr. Robert Morton and will be responsible for overseeing schools in state financial intervention, preparing the annual budget proposal, and managing the finances of the State Department of Education.

IN THE NEWS
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES SPEAK OUT
According to a new survey -- released on February 11 by Achieve -- as many as 40 percent of the nation's high school graduates say they are inadequately prepared to deal with the demands of employment and postsecondary education. More than 80 percent say that if they could do high school over, they would work harder, joining employers and faculty in calling for higher standards. For more information and complete survey results, visit the Achieve Web site http://www.achieve.org

COMMON ELEMENTS IN HIGH-PERFORMING, HIGH-POVERTY SCHOOLS
A new study conducted by the Kentucky-based Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence found that high expectations, nurturing relationships, instructional focus, and a strong work ethic are among common elements shared by a group of schools in Kentucky that are high-performing and high-poverty. Inside the Black Box of High-Performing, High-Poverty Schools examines eight Kentucky elementary schools to determine how they have become exceptions to the pattern of low income and low performance that is common throughout the nation. The researchers examined schools that had 50 percent or more of students on free or reduced-price lunch, above-average state test score results, improving test score results over time, and an achievement gap of fewer than 15 points between groups of students. For a full copy of the report go to http://www.prichardcommittee.org

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