Education News in Alabama

April 6, 2006 (archive)

2006 ASSESSMENT TIMELINES

The State Board of Education released the timeline for the various assessment test results at its March 23 Work Session. They are as follows:

The Alabama High School Graduation Exam (AHSGE):

• Administration: March 6 - 10
• Individual Data, Web Report: April 6
• Group Results for System Use: July 12

Stanford Achievement Test, Tenth Edition (SAT-10):

• Administration: April 3 - 14
• Final Results: July 14

Alabama Reading and Mathematics Test (ARMT):

• Administration: April 3 - 14
• Final Results: July 14

Alabama Alternate Assessment:

• Administration: March 6 - April 14
• Results Received: June 1

The accountability status for schools and systems is currently scheduled for release to local school systems on August 4 and to the public on August 10. More information can be found by contacting the State Department's Assessment division at (334) 242-7341.

UPDATE ON STATE DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAM

At the March 23rd Work Session, the Alabama Department of Education presented the State Board with an update on the status of the Department's distance learning program called ACCESS (Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators, and Students Statewide). This statewide program enables students across the state to take coursework not offered in their resident school, such as AP and advanced foreign language coursework. Students use websites and videoconferencing to take coursework from Alabama-certified teachers. E-teachers receive extensive professional training to effectively instruct courses via internet. The State Department and Local Education Agencies provide materials and support for schools and students, who take the courses during the regular school day. Currently, ACCESS is being piloted in 24 high schools across the state and will expand to over 500 high schools in August 2006. More information about ACCESS can be found on the web at: www.accessdl.state.al.us or by contacting the State Department's Technology Initiatives division at (334) 242-9594.

RECENTLY RELEASED REPORTS

The Teaching Commission has released a new report, "Teaching At Risk: Progress and Potholes," that emphasizes the need to transform the teaching profession as it exists today. The report finds that teacher compensation, preparation programs, licensing and certification, and leadership are key areas in improving the education system. The full report can be downloaded at: www.theteachingcommission.org.

"Retention of New Teachers in California" was recently issued by the Public Policy Institute of California and covers the importance of teacher retention to combat the prevalent issues of low academic performance and teacher shortages. The report finds that professional development and compensation programs implemented in the 1990's contributed to a significant decrease in teacher turnover ten years later. The report can be found online at: www.ppic.org .

The Wallace Foundation released a new report: "Supporting School System Leaders: The State of Effective Training Programs for School Superintendents." It discusses the importance of school leaders in today's educational environment and the need for high-quality professional development. The report offers a survey and analysis of superintendent-training opportunities. The report can be accessed online at: www.wallacefoundation.org .

IN OTHER NEWS

"The Harmonies of Liberty: A Symposium on the Role of Religion in Public Life"

The University of Alabama School of Law will be hosting "The Harmonies of Liberty: A Symposium on the Role of Religion in Public Life." A number of national- and state-level leaders from civic groups, churches, politics, and academic institutions will gather for a day of addresses and panel discussions and is open to the public. The Symposium will be held March 31, 2006 at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. For more information and registration for the Symposium, visit: http://www.harmoniesofliberty.org

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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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