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Education News in AlabamaFebruary 2, 2009 (archive) By Sallie Owen Gowan
1. 10 HUNTSVILLE-MADISON CO. SCHOOLS JOIN A+ COLLEGE READY Ten schools in Huntsville and Madison County have joined A+ College Ready and committed to ambitious goals for the 2010 school year. They pledge to meet these targets for their Advanced Placement** courses in math, science and English:
A+ College Ready is partnering with The Schools Foundation on the expansion. The Huntsville business community – led by The Boeing Company -- has raised $800,000 to bring the initiative to local schools. Business leaders say it is imperative to increase the number of high school students who are prepared for careers in math- and science-related fields. Find more details at View video of the event at 2. MORTON SAYS MOVE FORWARD ON COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS State Superintendent of Education Dr. Joe Morton has directed department staff to move forward on the latest recommendations from the Governor's Commission on Quality Teaching. The commission calls for Professional Pathways to give teachers new options for taking on additional roles and responsibilities without having to leave the classroom. Professional Pathways would allow teachers to support development of effective instruction in every classroom, and it is one of seven recommendations designed to increase student achievement through more effective instruction. Morton will ask the board to adopt the commission's recommendations at the Feb. 12 meeting, and he urged an aggressive search for available economic stimulus dollars to fund the changes. "All the background is there," Morton said. "I can't imagine any state would come up with a plan that was better than this." Get the report "Innovations in Teaching: Creating Professional Pathways for Alabama Teachers" and news release: http://governorpress.alabama.gov/pr/pr-2009-01-14-01-RedesignTeachingProfession.asp 3. PROFESSIONAL PATHWAYS GIVE ROOM TO GROW That's how Betsy Rogers, Alabama's 2003 National Teacher of the Year, describes a key recommendation from the Governor's Commission on Quality Teaching, which she chairs. "For me personally, I believe Professional Pathways will create new day for Alabama schools as we recognize the expertise of our classroom teachers and provide a structure in schools to use teacher experts to maximize student learning," Rogers writes in an op-ed piece for the Montgomery Advertiser. http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20090202/OPINION0101/902020320/1006/opinion 4. RESEARCH FINDING: Overall, the latest national report card on higher education showed modest improvements, persistent disparities and eroding global competitiveness. Alabama improved in four categories and declined in one – college affordability. Among Alabama's grades: Preparation: D+ * Benefits: C * Affordability: F Get the report: 5. FAITH LEADERS SPEAK UP FOR EDUCATION The Alabama Faith Council has adopted a powerful statement about education, calling on faith leaders to apply the principles of their faith to this issue, to educate their communities on the issue, to speak out about inadequacies and, ultimately, to help their communities "become places where all children can learn at high levels and develop self worth." Download statement here: The council is a diverse coalition of various faith traditions that exists to consult and work together to improve the lives of all within the state of Alabama, with special emphasis on those with the greatest needs and fewest resources. The council's second annual Public Forum will be Feb. 16 in Birmingham. 6. STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION UPDATE The Alabama State Board of Education met for a work session on Jan. 22. Members welcomed Gary Warren, the new District 7 representative. All members were present except Ella Bell and the governor. State Superintendent Dr. Joe Morton explained why it is premature to suggest cuts to particular programs in the next budget year. Morton cited countless variables affecting the situation, with the federal economic stimulus package at the top of a list that also included too little info to project state revenues. He said the most important thing is preserving the academic progress made by Alabama's students. "We're not going to go backward," he said. In addition to the recommendations of the Governor's Commission on Quality Teaching (see item above), the board heard briefings on proposed code changes regarding special education as well as course of study reports and committees. 7. WHAT'S UP @ A+ IN THE NEWS – In addition to the terrific media coverage of A+ College Ready's school announcements, A+ was quoted in Sunday's (Mobile) Press-Register. "Mobile, Baldwin schools outshine others in math, reading"
**Advanced Placement Programs is a registered trademark of the College Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this product. What is SNIPURL? We Need You Spread the word Want to subscribe? The A+ Education Partnership, based in Montgomery, publishes Education News in Alabama twice a month. A+ is a nonprofit organization that advances policies, programs and initiatives in Alabama's K-12 education system that result in high achievement by every child. Past editions can be found at www.aplusala.org/ednews/index.asp Feedback is welcome. Send messages to comments@aplusala.org |
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