A+ highlights ways to boost teaching and learning

Investments would help continue recent education gains

MONTGOMERY –– The A+ Education Foundation released today The Top 10 for 2007: Investments in Teaching and Learning, a list of 10 targeted investments that would improve teaching and learning in Alabama's public schools.

The Top 10 for 2007 identifies specific ways that lawmakers can strengthen classroom instruction and opportunities for Alabama's children. These investments appear as line items within the pending state education budget.

"Alabama has made significant progress in education, and these recommendations would build on that success," said Caroline Novak, president of the A+ Education Foundation. "We must continue to invest in things that research shows will make a difference, and we chose programs that will give all of Alabama's children a chance to succeed in school and in life."

The 18-page report can be downloaded in PDF form from www.aplusala.org.

Top 10 Investments in Teaching and Learning for 2007

1. Provide prekindergarten: Early learning opportunities give young children the chance to explore, discover, and learn.
2. Improve leadership: School leadership may be the single most critical factor in determining student success.
3. Prepare future teachers: Tougher academic standards and increased classroom experience would better equip potential teachers.
4. Support new teachers: Professional mentoring will help new teachers be more effective from the start.
5. Attract effective teachers: Scholarships should be used to recruit and retain teachers in areas of need.
6. Reward good teaching: Like in all other professions, teacher salaries should be determined by performance.
7. Reward whole-school performance: Alabama must encourage schools that are improving learning.
8. Promote excellence: High-quality education means all students – including the valedictorian – are challenged to do their best through advanced placement courses, ACCESS distance learning and gifted programs.
9. Invest in success: Alabama needs to embrace and expand existing programs that are proven to work successfully.
10. Improve information: Data about school performance should be timely, accurate, and useful.

A+ also supports proposals currently pending in the Legislature that would increase teacher salaries, borrow money to build and renovate schools, and increase spending for other current expenses, or OCE, which pays many basic operating costs for individual school systems.

Since 1991, A+ has been working to advance policies, programs and initiatives that result in high achievement by every child in Alabama's K-12 education system. The foundation is home to the Alabama Best Practices Center, which provides professional development for teachers and administrators throughout the state.

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