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Education News in Alabama
By Sallie Owen Editor's note:
1. BOOSTING GRAD REQUIREMENTS IS GROWING TREND Alabama's current push to strengthen some high school graduation requirements puts the state in line with the national trend, according to a new report from Achieve. The report, "Closing the Expectations Gap 2008," finds growing commitment to closing the expectations gap across the country. In the last year, five states plus the District of Columbia have boosted their graduation requirements to the college- and career-ready level. Seven states have high graduation requirements with no opt-out provision: Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, New York, Delaware and Minnesota. Eleven states have default curriculum that meets the college- and career-ready test, but these states allow students to opt out. Both approaches are designed to do away with the type of tracking that has long existed in American high schools and continues to leave many students unprepared for the world they enter after high school. Achieve cautions that states with opt-out provisions (as is currently proposed in Alabama) will need to carefully monitor how many and which students move into the less rigorous courses to ensure that the provision is not abused. Find the report and more info at http://snipurl.com/achieve08. 2. BOOK HAILS ALABAMA AS NATIONAL MODEL A new book from the Center on Innovation & Improvement praises Alabama's State Department of Education, calling the state's Accountability Roundtable a national model. Under the leadership of Deputy State Superintendent Dr. Ruth Ash, the Roundtable was formed to unify and coordinate the department's various divisions working to improve student achievement. The Roundtable's efforts showed results the first year, with affected school systems showing significant progress on their annual performance goals. "This Roundtable grew out of a need to provide a coordinated, seamless system of continual technical assistance and support," the book states. The Roundtable, which has reduced duplication of services, has grown to include other divisions, such as the Alabama Reading Initiative and the Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative. The 294-page book, "Handbook on Statewide Systems of Support," is available for free download from http://www.centerii.org. 3. ACHE: ALABAMA SHOULD COORDINATE EDUCATION, FROM PRE-K TO PH.D. Gregory Fitch, executive director of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education, writes that coordinating education efforts from pre-kindergarten up to the doctoral level would benefit the state economy. "Initiative involving industry, education would benefit us all" http://snipurl.com/fitchp20 4. KATI HAYCOCK ON APT Kati Haycock, president of The Education Trust and one of the most influential education advocates in the country, praised Alabama's progress and outlined the challenges ahead when she visited Montgomery. You can watch Alabama Public Television's interview with Haycock by visiting http://snipurl.com/kati0310.Scroll down and click on the link "View in Outside Player." Download the presentation from Haycock's Montgomery speech at http://www.aplusala.org/tools/link_categories.asp. Look for the headline "The Education Trust visits Alabama." 5. RESULTS OF TAKE 20 SURVEY RELEASED There's a wealth of new information available at http://www.take20alabama.org , home of Take 20, the Alabama Teaching and Learning Conditions Survey. Statewide and system-level results are now posted for the public. The survey was recommended by the Governor's Commission on Quality Teaching, chaired by Dr. Betsy Rogers. Results will be used to guide decision-making at the state and system level. Take 20 is rooted in the belief that for Alabama's educational progress to continue, the state must recruit, retain and support highly effective educators. Further analysis of Take 20 will be presented at the commission's April 30 meeting. Take 20 is jointly sponsored by Gov. Bob Riley's Office, the Alabama Education Association, the Alabama Department of Education, the Alabama Best Practices Center, Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools, Alabama Association of School Boards, School Superintendents of Alabama, the A+ Education Foundation, and the Alabama Supercomputer Authority. Dr. Paul Hubbert, executive secretary of the Alabama Education Association (the state's largest teacher organization), commented on the survey in a column headlined "Take 20 survey finds positive school settings." "AEA appreciates all who took the time to submit their responses," Hubbert wrote. "This can help our policymakers to better understand what is happening to our teachers and the students they teach." To read his commentary, download the latest Alabama School Journal at http://www.myaea.org/PDFfile/ASJMar102008.pdf (4.5 MB) 6. ALABAMA'S TEACHERS ON PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT In addition to findings reported previously, Take 20, The Alabama Teaching and Learning Survey, also examined educator's beliefs about professional development. Teachers said they feel generally supported, and they identified one area of need:
7. STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION UPDATE More discussion of graduation requirements The effort to change Alabama's graduation requirements inched forward last week, when the State Board of Education voted unanimously to start the revision process. (For more info on this issue, see "Boosting Grad Requirements is Growing Trend" above.) State Superintendent of Education Dr. Joe Morton said he met with superintendents from around the state to get their feedback and answer questions. He emphasized that the current proposal could be revised based on discussions with superintendents and other leaders, and he said the board would discuss the issue again at its March and April work sessions. That was the most significant item when the Alabama State Board of Education met March 13. All were present except the governor. In other business, the board approved the Alabama State Plan for Career and Technical Education, the Career and Technical Education Course of Study, the Technology Education Course of Study, a University of North Alabama teacher education program and nominees for the Alabama School of Fine Arts board of trustees. The board also promoted Steve Ricks to director of the Alabama Mathematics, Science and Technology Initiative. 8. WHAT'S UP @ A+
WE NEED YOU Spread the word Want to subscribe? The A+ Education Foundation, 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 |
March 18 , 2008 (A+ Education Foundation
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