Education News in Alabama

February 25, 2009 (archive)

By Sallie Owen Gowan

---

Alabama makes best-in-the-U.S. gains
African-American students closing the gap on Advanced Placement (AP) exams

A new national report from the College Board shows Alabama making gains across the board.

Alabama leads the nation in closing the equity and excellence gap for African American students, with the largest five-year increase in the percentage of successful AP students.

The impact of A+ College Ready will not show up until next year's report.

More details on Alabama's progress

---

7 myth-busting Torchbearer Schools prove all children can succeed

Alabama's performance-based rewards system has selected 7 schools for the coveted Torchbearer designation. At these academically high-performing schools, at least 80 percent of students live in poverty.

Torchbearer Schools (listed by school system)

• Mobile County: Anna F. Booth, Calcedeaver, George Hall, Indian Springs, Saint Elmo and Holloway elementaries
• Wilcox County: F.S. Ervin Elementary

  Download the details

---

State Board of Education highlights
Board endorses Professional Pathways, redesign of teaching profession

Alabama's State Board of Education unanimously endorsed Professional Pathways and other recent recommendations from the Governor's Commission on Quality Teaching.

The core recommendation, called Professional Pathways, would make it possible for teachers to take on more responsibilities in their schools without leaving the classroom entirely.

In other action:

• The board took first procedural step toward streamlining one part of alternative certification, the process for people without education degrees to become teachers.
• State Superintendent Joe Morton announced that the annual Mega Conference has been canceled to save money. Many presentations will be made available online.

The board met Feb. 12. All members were present except the David Byers and the governor.

Governor's Commission on Quality Teaching's redesign of teaching profession

---

Alabama plan 'visionary,' 'forward-thinking,' says national expert

National Commission on Teaching and America's Future President Tom Carroll praises Alabama's reform work. Check out these soundbites from his Birmingham News piece:

• "The Alabama Governor's Commission on Teaching Quality is leading the way ... Alabama can break new ground with its multiple pathways approach."
• "This visionary redesign of the teaching profession ... recognizes that teamwork is at the heart of strong learning communities in schools..."
• "Alabama's forward-thinking investment in creating rewarding career pathways for teachers will pay huge dividends."

---

Join A+ on Facebook

Write on our wall, post a link, make a donation, recruit a friend.

---

Save the Date
Education Summit April 22 in Birmingham
We are teaming up with Leadership Alabama, the Mobile Area Education Foundation, and the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama for a second statewide Education Summit.

You'll get to hear from one of the nation's most influential advocates for public schools. Kati Haycock is president of the Education Trust, which works to close gaps in opportunities and achievement.

Plus there will be opportunities to learn more about Yes We Can! Alabama and what citizens can do – and are doing – to strengthen their schools.

Keynote speaker Kati Haycock's bio

---

Research Finding
State makes progress on high school reform, national report says

A new national report from Achieve documents Alabama's progress toward ensuring all high school students graduate ready for college and careers.

Of the four key indicators, Alabama:

• Has met 1; aligned graduation requirements with college- and career-ready expectations.
• Expects to meet 2 others in 2010; 1) aligning high school standards with college and employer expectations, and 2) developing a P-20 data system to track students from pre-K through college.

Overall, states are making steady progress on adopting policies on this front, and there is still more to do.

Get the report
Achieve's "Closing the Expectations Gap 2009"

---

We Need You
Please consider making a tax-deductible donation. You can give online or send a check to the address below.

Receive this as a forward? Sign up

We welcome your feedback. Reply to this message or send your thoughts to comments@aplusala.org

A+ Education Partnership works for great schools for every child – and a bright future for Alabama.

This newsletter is published twice a month.