Education News in Alabama

October 18, 2005 (archive)

OUTSTANDING EDUCATORS SYMPOSIUM

Some of Alabama's most outstanding educators met in Montgomery for a day of discussion and learning at the 10th Annual Outstanding Educators Symposium. Held on September 30, the symposium was sponsored by the Alabama State Teacher Forum, the A+ Education Partnership, the Alabama Best Practices Center, and the State Department of Education.

Governor Bob Riley chose this year's symposium to launch the Alabama Commission on Quality Teaching, which will be chaired by former National Teacher of the Year Betsy Rogers. "Research and experience tells us, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that a good teacher makes all the difference in a child's education," said Governor Riley. "Every Alabama student deserves a great teacher, and Alabama is well on its way to achieving that important goal."

After Governor Riley announced the formation of the Commission, Betsy Rogers encouraged participants to get involved in the Commission's work. Participants then met in small groups to discuss and respond to strategies that could improve the recruitment, preparation, hiring, retention, and support of Alabama teachers. Each small group also had lunch with Alabama policy makers to share ideas and learn from each other.

State Superintendent Joe Morton spoke to participants in the afternoon, sharing with them his annual "State of Education" address. Dr. Morton discussed the importance of outstanding educators in Alabama schools and remarked, "We have turned a corner concerning education in Alabama." The symposium concluded with remarks from former State Teacher of the Year Anne Jolly, who celebrated the many excellent teachers who work in schools across the state.

Appointments and details on the work of the Commission on Quality Teaching are expected soon and the State Department of Education will host a website to facilitate sharing of research, input and progress reports. Input gathered at the symposium from the teachers in the small group sessions will be shared with the Commission. To request a copy of the "Summary Report," please email Sara Bonnell at sara@aplusala.org.

STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION UPDATE
October 13, 2005

Fiscal Year 2007 Budget Request: After discussing the continuing growth in revenues in the Education Trust Fund, the State Board voted to recommend to Governor Riley a $370 million increase in the fiscal 2007 education budget. Before final adoption of the budget requests, Board members discussed the escalating costs of benefits. The Board noted that these costs made up a third of the proposed requests and the Board's lack of input into the determination and calculation of these costs. A motion was made to separate the budget into two segments: increases in costs of employee benefits and remaining items that the Board recommends for academic and school support. McKinney, Byars, S. Bell and Peters voted in favor of separation. The board then approved the budget requests for benefits with Byars, E. Bell, Caylor and Ray voting in favor. The Board then approved all remaining programs. The largest requests were an increase in the length of the school year to bring Alabama in line with the rest of the nation; increases in the number of special education teachers and P.E. teachers; and expansion of the Alabama Reading and Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiatives. E. Bell, S. Bell, Byars, Caylor, McKinney and Ray voted in favor and Peters opposed. The Board then voted for a resolution to encourage policymakers to address the issue of rising benefit costs. Caylor opposed. The Board stressed the importance of a budget that provides Alabama's students with the opportunity to receive an excellent education.

Career and Technical Education Director Nancy Beggs will be retiring from her position. The Board and State Department staff members, as well as the education community, wish her success in her future endeavors and thank her for many years of service to the Career and Technical Education program.

HURRICANE KATRINA RELIEF

U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret spellings announced the plan to extend up to $2.6 billion to cover the additional costs associated with educating children displaced by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. To date, Alabama schools have 5,630 additional students. Secretary Spellings also offered two temporary options for state schools impacted by the disaster. Option 1 allows school districts that are located in the "major disaster" area and have experienced school closure, such as Mobile County, to delay the school improvement plan under No Child Left Behind for 2005-06. Option 2 allows states to request a waiver that would allow districts impacted by the hurricanes to establish a separate subgroup for displaced students. Students would be tested but not included under Adequate Yearly Progress requirements.

IN OTHER NEWS…

Do You Know the Latest Good News About Education? This report issued by the Center on Education Policy reviews the many improvements accomplished by the movement to reform schools by raising standards. The report looks at positive trends in school participation, student achievement, school climate, teachers, and higher education. The report can be found at the Center's website: http://www.ctredpol.org/improvingpublicschools/.

Alabama's Small Rural High Schools Close Persistence Gap: The Rural School and Community Trust published an article praising rural high schools in Alabama for increasing the number of students who remain enrolled in high school through the senior year. Almost 77% of students persisted to twelfth grade in 2002. The article can be found on the Trust's website: http://www.ruraledu.org/.

Alabama Reading Initiative Provides Unique Training for Principals and Reading Coaches: Fifteen schools have been designated as Professional Development Demonstration Sites. Leadership teams of principals and reading coaches will visit the schools and observe the school principal and reading coach model practical applications of research-based processes. For more information, contact Dr. Julie P. Hannah at (334) 353-1389 or jhannah@alsde.edu.

Community Learning Center Grants were awarded to 22 new 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CLCs). The new CLCs provide out-of-school academic enrichment time and assist students in meeting state and local standards. For more information, contact Bob Ritchey at (334) 242-8199 or britchey@alsde.edu.

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Education News in Alabama is published bi-weekly by the A+ Education Partnership and is distributed to A+ board members, the media, and list serve subscribers. View archived newsletters.

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