Education News in Alabama

September 27, 2005 (archive)

STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION UPDATE
Work Session, September 22, 2005

At the Work Session, Board members reviewed proposed priorities for allocation of growth in the Education Trust Fund for the K-12 Budget for Fiscal year 2007. Proposals represent increases in funding not the total cost. Key requests that are targeted to improvements in the classroom include completion of expansion of the Alabama Reading Initiative to every K -3 classroom ($16 mil), expansion of the Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative ($7mil), increased support for technology ($8mil), rewards for schools showing improved student achievement ($5mil), increases in offerings of Advanced Placement Courses ($1mil) and support for English as a Second Language programs ($2mil). Instruction would also be improved by adding 5 days to the school year bringing AL in line with the southeastern average of 180 days (96mil) and adding Special Education Teacher Units (20mil).

Other key requests include an increase for Other Current Expense ($32mil), increasing allocation for school nurses ($13mil) and additional PE teachers ($18.mil). Board members also reviewed the projected increases in funding for health insurance ($65mil), Retirement ($30mil) and the cost of the Retiree COLA ($32mil).

GOVERNOR'S READING SUMMIT
September 15, 2005

Civic officials, business leaders, legislators and educators from throughout the state came together at the second annual Governor's Reading Summit to celebrate the Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI). A new ARI video highlighted the progress being made toward the goal of every child reading at grade level or above. State Superintendent of Education Joe Morton introduced Governor Bob Riley and U.S. Secretary of Education State Margaret Spelling as the event's featured speakers. ARI is recognized as one of the nation's premier reading programs, having demonstrated success and garnering the support necessary to expand from 16 to 760 schools throughout Alabama by 2006. The event was organized by the Children's Literacy Guild and led by A+ board member Kym Prewitt.

In praise of ARI, Governor Riley noted, "The future of Alabama is dependent upon teaching children to read." He lauded the quality of ARI staff and their devoted work in enabling children to achieve necessary reading skills. He encouraged participants to recommit to the goal of being in the top ten states in five years. Secretary Spellings noted, "A child who can read is a child who can succeed." She discussed the Initiative as a program that has successfully met the challenge to promote reading as a "civil right."

Alabama Assistant Superintendent Katherine Mitchell recognized the many people who have contributed to the overwhelming success of ARI. Legislators, business leaders, school administrators and teachers, partners in higher education, civic groups such as A+, and ARI staff members were praised for what Superintendent Morton called a "faithful commitment" to the cause of education for Alabama's children.

TEACHING QUALITY

What is teacher quality and how do we measure it? This topic is discussed in the article: "The Market for Teacher Quality" by Eric Hanushek, John Kain, Daniel O'Brien, and Steven Rivkin. The article emphasizes teacher retention as crucial to providing a quality education. The paper found that teacher quality increases as a teacher gains more experience and stays at the same school. The article also discusses the use of student test scores as an element in teacher assessment. The full-text article from the National Bureau of Economic Research is located at: http://www.nber.org/digest/aug05/w11154.html.

IN OTHER NEWS…

The Kinder Excellence in Teacher Award will be honoring outstanding teachers serving in a high-poverty school with a $100,000 cash prize. Teachers can be nominated by parents, colleagues, and other school leaders. Nominations must be received by December 31st. More information can be found at: http://www.kinderaward.org.

"What Does It Mean to be an Educated Person?" In this inspirational article, author Charles L. Slater outlines twelve qualities that guide instruction and learning. Among other ideals, students should be readers of literature, workers who can use technology, ethical leaders, and problem solvers. The link to this essay is: http://www.aasa.org/publications/saarticledetail.cfm?ItemNumber=2894&snItemNumber=950

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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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