Education News in Alabama

September 12, 2005 (archive)

HURRICANE KATRINA - A NATIONAL EDUCATION CRISIS

The Louisiana Schools Chief is requesting $2.8 billion in federal aid to provide for the estimated 100,000 students who will hopefully return to their home schools by January. The money is requested to replace lost revenue from the state and city tax base used by Louisiana schools. http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2005/09/08/02katrinaupdate_web.h25.html

As displaced students pour into schools across the nation, states are challenged by the immediate need to provide teachers, textbooks, and classrooms. Additionally, the standards set forth by the No Child Left Behind Act regarding school performance pose a challenge to schools in terms of meeting scholastic achievement levels.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/07/national/nationalspecial/07child.html

ALABAMA'S RESPONSE to HURRICANE KATRINA

The State Board issued a statement regarding its prospective plan for assisting the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Thousands of students and teachers from Mississippi and Louisiana have been displaced due to the hurricane. With such a large number of families who have lost everything due to Katrina, Superintendent Joe Morton commended Alabama schools' open arms welcoming these families.

Alabama's state schools are instructed to enroll displaced students in the state's school systems and waive the standards required for enrollment. The state is looking to employ displaced teachers through a special hiring process to provide jobs and accommodate the increase in enrollment. These teachers will also be issued an emergency teaching certificate.

Thus far, 120 of Alabama's school systems have received over 3,000 students, a number which continues to grow each day. With the reopening of Mobile County schools this week, it is expected that this district will significantly increase the number of displaced students currently enrolled in the state.

The State Board discussed the various challenges associated with providing a sound education for enrolled students. An increase in funding is seen as necessary to deal with this crisis. Additional concerns include the provision of gas to transport students to school; the restoration of electricity to schools in Choctaw County; and the need to repair damages sustained by school buildings.

The Alabama Tax and Budget Handbook has recently been published through the joint effort of Alabama Arise and VOICES for Alabama's Children. This publication reviews the tax system as it applies to income, sale, property, and business taxes and the state budget. It provides valuable information to improve the tax literacy of the general population. The publication can be found online at: www.arisecitizens.org

STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION UPDATE
September 8, 2005

LEE v. MACON

The Fifth Annual Report on the Implementation of Lee v. Macon presented to the State Board found that while racial disparity continues to be present in the identification of students requiring special education services, Alabama is making significant progress in correcting the disparity and in better serving children.

Over the last five years, training has been provided to onsite teams at each school enabling them to provide effective academic and behavioral interventions to make more appropriate placements for children before they are referred to the special education program. This has resulted in 14,000 fewer children being referred for special education. The U.S. Dept of Education has commended Alabama as a model for improved special education services. Mabrey Whetstone, Director of Special Education for Alabama, cited the hard work of Alabama educators; the training of skilled onsite teams; and the Alabama Reading Initiative as major factors contributing to the reduction in the number of children requiring special academic and behavioral services.

At the same time Alabama has increased minority representation in programs for gifted children. In spite of limited state funding for gifted programs, every school system in Alabama now offers gifted programs.

OUTSTANDING PROGRAMS of the YEAR

The State Board commended Career and Technical Education Director Nancy Beggs and the work of school systems across the state for their excellent work in preparing students for post-secondary degrees or credentials necessary for employment in high skill/high wage jobs. Alabama's Career Tech programs are another component of K-12 education that has received national commendation for offering a full array of programs that offer state of the art education and meet Business and Industry Certification Standards.

Several local programs were recognized as outstanding: Huntsville's Center for Technology, Montevallo High School's Agriscience program, Sylacauga High School's Business/Marketing program, Elmore County's Health Science program, and Madison County/Bob Jones High School's Family and Consumer Sciences Education. Dallas County/Keith High School's Jobs for Alabama's Graduates (JAG) program was recognized for its 100% graduation rate.

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