MINUTES OF THE ALABAMA
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
THE STATE OF ALABAMA
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA
May 8,
2008
The
Alabama State Board of Education met for its meeting of Elementary/Secondary
Education matters on Thursday, May 8, 2008, at
9:37 a.m. in the auditorium of the Gordon
Persons Building, Montgomery, Alabama. The meeting was called by the Vice President of
the Board in accordance with Alabama Code
(1975), §16-3-7, as amended.
PRESIDING: MR. DAVID
F. BYERS, JR.,
VICE PRESIDENT
ALABAMA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Following the
invocation and Pledge of Allegiance,
Mr. David F. Byers, Jr., called the meeting to order. On roll call, the following members were present:
Mrs.
Ella B. Bell
Mrs. Stephanie
Bell
Mr. David F.
Byers, Jr.,
Vice President
Dr. Mary Jane
Caylor
Dr. Ethel H.
Hall, Vice President Emerita
Mr. Randy
McKinney, President Pro Tem
Mrs. Betty
Peters
Mrs. Sandra Ray
Absent
Governor Bob Riley
Dr. Joseph B.
Morton, State Superintendent of
Education and Secretary and Executive Officer of the Board, was present.
APPROVAL OF THE
MINUTES OF APRIL 10, 2008
On
motion by Dr. Ethel H. Hall and seconded by Mrs. Stephanie Bell, the Board unanimously approved the minutes for the
meeting of April 10, 2008, as distributed.
APPROVAL OF
AGENDA
On motion by Mrs.
Stephanie Bell and seconded by Dr. Ethel H. Hall, the Board unanimously adopted
the agenda.
PUBLIC HEARING FOR ALABAMA ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES ACT
Six individuals signed up to speak before the Board. Mark
Dixon served as Governor Bob Riley’s representative stating that the Governor
supported the changes to the Alabama Administrative
Code and encouraged approval. Tom King,
Jimmy Allen, Ladon Finley, Attorney Rose Sanders,
and Nicole Dickson also spoke in favor of the changes. It was the consensus of
these individuals that these changes would enable students to graduate on time. Ms. Dickson stated that her daughter’s
graduation was pending. She voiced concern over students having to cross the
state line in order to attend another school
to receive the credit(s) to graduate. Mr. King stated that his son, a senior at Shades Valley
High School, in the Jefferson County School System, would be able to graduate with approval of these
changes.
On motion by Dr. Mary Jane Caylor
and seconded by Mrs. Ella B. Bell,
the Board unanimously approved the proposed changes for the Alabama Administrative Code.
Adopt Proposed
Changes to Alabama
Administrative Code, Sections 290-3-1-02, and 290-4-2-.02, Both Pertaining
to High School Graduation or Diploma Requirements
Adopt Emergency Rule
Amendment to Alabama Administrative Code, Section
290-3-1-02, Pertaining to the Alabama
High School Diploma with
Credit-Based Endorsement
On motion by Dr. Mary Jane Caylor
and seconded by Mrs. Ella B. Bell, the Board unanimously adopted the following:
RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE FIRST CHOICE
GRADUATION PLAN FOR ALABAMA PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS AND APPROVING PLANS FOR
STATEWIDE IMPLEMENTATION
WHEREAS,
graduation from high school must
be the goal for every student in the public schools
of Alabama;
and
WHEREAS,
the Alabama State Board of Education recognizes the correlation between a
person’s educational attainment and lifelong earning power; and
WHEREAS,
the Alabama State Board of Education further recognizes the need for an
increase in the percentage of students graduating from high school each year and for continuous improvement in
the quality of high school diploma
options in Alabama; and
WHEREAS,
in order for Alabama’s economy to continue to grow and for Alabama’s citizens
to be prepared to compete for future jobs in Alabama,
it is critical that coursework required for high school
graduation be relevant and be of high quality and sufficient rigor; and
WHEREAS,
the Alabama State Board of Education recognizes the importance of research that
shows that students who take more rigorous courses are significantly more
likely to succeed in the workplace and in education beyond high school than students who did not take the same
rigorous courses; and
WHEREAS,
the Alabama State Board of Education supports raising Alabama’s high school graduation rate,
lowering Alabama’s high school
dropout rate, and ensuring that
every student has the multiple options for coursework in high school necessary for success in the workplace and on
future education pathways; and
WHEREAS,
in addition to expanded access to coursework in Alabama high schools,
there should be a variety of student support programs and initiatives available
to assist students to remain interested and engaged in their high school classes,
such as Graduation Coaches, Credit
Recovery, and Academic Flexibility
(classroom time, location, and accomplishment that are not dictated by
state-mandated preset hours/days for course mastery).
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That in order to improve Alabama’s high school graduation rate,
reduce Alabama’s dropout rate, and
to better prepare Alabama high school
graduates for workplace readiness and additional educational experiences beyond
high school,
the State Superintendent of Education recommends that the Alabama State Board
of Education approve FIRST CHOICE (the Alabama High School Diploma with
Advanced Academic Endorsement) for all Alabama students with exit options
available to students upon parental/legal guardian request or IEP committee
recommendations, effective with the
ninth-grade class of 2009-2010 (graduating class of 2012-2013); and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That Credit-Based Endorsement, a new endorsement to the Alabama High School
Diploma, is approved and shall
replace the Alternate Adult High School Diploma effective statewide beginning
with the graduating class of 2007-2008 and is a local board of education
option; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That approval is granted for local boards of
education to determine if they want to implement Credit Recovery and/or
Academic Flexibility to assist students in graduating from high school; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That beginning with the ninth-grade class of
2009-2010 (graduating class of 2012-2013),
students shall be required to take and receive a passing grade in one
on-line/technology enhanced course in either a core course (mathematics, science,
social studies, or English) or an
elective with waivers being possible for students with a justifiable reason(s);
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That any local board of education may
implement FIRST CHOICE, Credit
Recovery, and Academic Flexibility
in the summer of 2008 as a local option; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That any local board of education may request of
the State Superintendent of Education a one-year delay in implementing any or
all aspects of this resolution with ample justification making the effective
class and date be the ninth-grade class of 2010-2011 (graduating class of
2013-2014); and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Alabama State Board of Education does
hereby authorize the State Superintendent of Education to formulate a committee, with each member of the Board having one
appointment, to work with the State
Department of Education staff and other appointees,
to develop guidelines for implementation and communication regarding all
aspects of this resolution, with an
initial report to be made to the Alabama State Board of Education by the
September 2008 work session; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,
That in order to better prepare students to be successful in new Alabama High
School Diploma options, the Alabama
State Board of Education does hereby announce the creation of a Middle School
Initiative, with each Board member
having one appointment, to work with
State Department of Education staff and other appointees to create a framework
for success in middle school by all
students and to make an initial report on the plan to the Alabama State Board
of Education by November 2008.
Done this 8th
day of May 2008
On motion by
Dr. Ethel H. Hall and seconded by Mrs. Ella B. Bell,
the Board unanimously adopted the following:
SHADES VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL
JEFFERSON
COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM
2008-2009 ALABAMA TEACHER OF THE YEAR AND
SECONDARY TEACHER OF THE YEAR
WHEREAS,
Roy Hudson, a teacher for 14 years, teaches at Shades Valley
High School in the
Jefferson County School System; and
WHEREAS,
he is described as the instructor,
the writer, the producer, the mentor,
and the technical theatre clinician and does it all with dedication to the arts;
and
WHEREAS,
he is the creator of programs that bring theatre arts to area students who may
never have the opportunity to participate otherwise,
and his vision for these programs came to fruition through programs such as
Class Act, STARS, and the development of the Shades Valley Theatre
Academy; and
WHEREAS,
under his direction, students have
been invited to perform three times on the Main Stage at the International
Thespian Festival, and continue to
win numerous awards at the District and State Trumbauer competitions; and
WHEREAS,
he inspires and coaches his students on a daily basis by encouraging each to
develop his/her individual potential and directs his students in six to eight
productions each school year
utilizing more than 80 actors on stage; and
WHEREAS,
his professional associations include the Writer’s Guild of America, the Educational Theatre Association, the Alabama Conference of Theatre, and the Southeastern Theatre Conference; and
WHEREAS,
he is the recipient of numerous awards including Who’s Who Among Teachers in American High Schools, Alabama
Educational Theatre Association Hall of Fame,
Alabama State Thespian Outstanding Troup Sponsor,
and Jacksonville State Teacher Hall of Fame Finalist:
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Alabama State Board of Education does
hereby commend Roy Hudson for his dedication to children and youth, his commitment to excellence,
and the recognition he has brought to the teaching profession for the benefit
of students and teachers in the state.
Done this 8th day of May 2008
On motion by Mr. Randy McKinney and seconded by Mrs. Ella
B. Bell, the Board unanimously adopted the following:
RESOLUTION COMMENDING REGINA L. EVERETT
SARALAND ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL
MOBILE COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM
2008-2009 ELEMENTARY TEACHER OF THE
YEAR AND
ALTERNATE ALABAMA TEACHER OF THE YEAR
WHEREAS,
Regina L. Everett, a teacher for 18
years, teaches at Saraland Elementary School
in the Mobile County School System; and
WHEREAS, she is
described as an excellent teacher,
one who exemplifies caring, empathy, and dedication to every child she teaches, works continuously to meet her goals, and is always finding new ways to enhance her
teaching to meet the needs of her students; and
WHEREAS, she has
consistently demonstrated exemplary qualities in carrying out her duties as an
educator with strong communicative skills,
commitment, outstanding organization, and great leadership; and
WHEREAS, she is the
recipient of numerous awards and recognitions,
including the Dean’s List at the University of South Alabama maintaining a 4.0
grade point average in the Master’s and Educational Specialist Degree Programs, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
Certification, and grant recipient;
and
WHEREAS, she has
presented numerous workshops including National Board for Professional Teaching
Standards, Practical Tips for New
and Experienced Teachers, Children’s
Literature Like You have Never Seen It Before; and
WHEREAS, she has served as a new teacher mentor,
student-teacher supervisor/mentor,
and has served as a volunteer/mentor for National Board candidates:
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Alabama State Board of Education does hereby commend Regina L.
Everett for her dedication to children and youth,
her commitment to excellence, her
achievement in the field of education,
and the recognition she has brought to the teaching profession for the benefit
of students throughout Alabama.
Done this 8th Day of May 2008
On motion by Mrs. Betty Peters and seconded by Dr. Ethel H.
Hall, the Board unanimously adopted the following:
RESOLUTION COMMENDING
THE 2008-2009 DISTRICT TEACHERS OF THE YEAR
WHEREAS, the Alabama State Board of Education seeks to recognize
and encourage excellence in education, both in teaching and learning; and
WHEREAS, the Alabama Teacher of the Year Program is a means of
identifying and rewarding some of the state’s outstanding teachers each year;
and
WHEREAS, well-trained, dedicated, caring, enthusiastic, and
innovative teachers are among the ingredients essential to achieving excellence
in preparing Alabama’s children and youth to become capable adults; and
WHEREAS, the following
honorees in the 2008-2009 Alabama Teacher of the Year Program exhibit these
qualities and more:
District I Elementary Teacher of
the Year–Regina L. Everett
Saraland Elementary School, Mobile
County Schools
District I Secondary Teacher of
the Year–Miranda G. Hendrix
Cranford H.
Burns Middle School, Mobile County
Schools
District II Elementary Teacher
of the Year–Denise Dark
Jeter Primary School, Opelika
City Schools
District II Secondary Teacher of
the Year–Lori Holland
Eufaula High School, Eufaula
City Schools
District III Elementary Teacher
of the Year–Amber L. Trantham
Alexandria Elementary School, Calhoun
County Schools
District III Secondary Teacher
of the Year–Christina V. Steele
Prattville
High School,
Autauga County Schools
District
III Secondary Teacher of the Year–Deedee S. Adams
Oxford
High School,
Oxford City Schools
District IV Elementary Teacher
of the Year–Lisa Littlejohn
Hall-Kent Elementary School, Homewood
City Schools
District IV Secondary Teacher of
the Year–Roy Hudson
Shades Valley
High School,
Jefferson County Schools
District V Elementary Teacher of the Year–Doris B.
Cureton
Albert B. Turner, Sr.,
Elementary School, Perry County
Schools
District V Secondary Teacher of the Year–Sydney W. Chasteen
Demopolis High School, Demopolis
City Schools
District VI Elementary Teacher
of the Year–Annette M. Protz
Cleveland Elementary School, Blount
County Schools
District VI Secondary Teacher of
the Year–Tim R. Stull
Hewitt-Trussville High
School, Trussville City Schools
District VII Elementary Teacher
of the Year–Stephane Singleton
Harlan Elementary School, Florence
City Schools
District VII Secondary Teacher
of the Year–Dana Baker
Winston County
High School,
Winston County Schools
District VIII Elementary Teacher
of the Year–Amanda H. Evans
Columbia Elementary School, Madison
City Schools
District VIII Secondary Teacher
of the Year–Lawana Jeanne Welt
Liberty Middle School, Madison
City Schools
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED,
That the Alabama State Board of Education commends these teachers and expresses
its gratitude to each of them for the hard work, sacrifice, dedication, and
service to the children and youth of Alabama
that have earned them the distinction of District Teachers of the Year.
Done this 8th
day of May 2008.
On motion by
Mrs. Betty Peters and seconded by Dr. Ethel H. Hall, the Board unanimously
adopted the following:
RESOLUTION IN
HONOR OF OGLETREE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
AUBURN CITY SCHOOL SCHOOLS
FOR STARS RECOGNITION BY
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR SPORT AND PHYSICAL
EDUCATION
WHEREAS,
Ogletree Elementary School, Auburn
City Schools, is the first Alabama school and one of only 13 schools
in the nation to have its physical education department earn STARS recognition
from the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE), which recognizes outstanding physical education
programs; and
WHEREAS, the NASPE STARS program recognizes
a school’s total physical education
program as all teachers in the department demonstrate how their program and
teaching meet national standards and guidelines; and
WHEREAS,
Ogletree Elementary School is one of the few elementary schools
in the country to meet the national recommendations of NASPE and the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention for the provision of daily physical
education and has successfully renewed its STARS classification status through
2013; and
WHEREAS,
at Ogletree Elementary School, two
physical education teachers and a teaching assistant,
who is certified in physical education, provide a daily physical education
program to 598 students in Grades K-5; and
WHEREAS,
Ogletree Elementary School was recognized as a NASPE STARS School in April at
the 2008 American Alliance for Health,
Physical Education, Recreation and
Dance National Convention in Ft. Worth,
Texas; and
WHEREAS, NASPE’s 16,000 members include K-12 physical education
teachers, coaches, athletic directors,
athletic trainers, sport, management professionals,
researchers, and college and
university faculty who prepare physical activity professionals; and
WHEREAS, NASPE seeks to enhance
knowledge, improve professional
practice, and increase support for
high-quality physical education,
sport and physical activity programs through research,
development of standards, and
dissemination of information:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED,
That the Alabama State Board of Education does hereby commend the students of
Ogletree Elementary School; physical education teachers Kay Dee Calloway, Kristie Pinyan,
and Debra McDonald; Principal Mary Anna Martin-Smith; and Auburn City Schools
Superintendent Dr. Terry Jenkins,
for the prestigious distinction of Ogletree Elementary School as a National
Association for Sport and Physical Education STARS School.
Done this 8th
day of May 2008
On motion by Dr. Mary Jane
Caylor and seconded by Mrs. Stephanie Bell, the Board unanimously adopted the
following:
RESOLUTION TO
APPOINT A SUBSTITUTE
MEMBER TO THE
MATHEMATICS STATE
COURSE OF STUDY COMMITTEE
WHEREAS,
Code of Alabama (1975), §16-35-1, through 5,
provides that the Alabama State Board of Education shall constitute a Courses
of Study Committee for the purposes and functions as provided within the
statute; and
WHEREAS, the Alabama State Board of Education appointed 21 members
to the Mathematics State Course of Study Committee at its February 14, 2008,
meeting; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Tina Hill, a member of the Mathematics State Course of Study
Committee from the fourth congressional district,
resigned her position on this committee; and
WHEREAS, the Mathematics Course of Study Committee needs a
secondary teacher member representing the fourth congressional district; and
WHEREAS, the State Superintendent of Education recommends approval:
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That Ms. Tammy Wiley of Morgan
County be appointed to
replace Ms. Tina Hill of Marshall County on the Mathematics State Course of
Study Committee.
Done this 8th day of
May 2008
On motion by Mrs. Stephanie Bell
and seconded by Mrs. Betty Peters, the Board unanimously adopted the following:
RESOLUTION TO
APPOINT A SUBSTITUTE
MEMBER TO THE
HEALTH EDUCATION AND
PHYSICAL EDUCATION STATE COURSE OF STUDY COMMITTEE
WHEREAS,
Code of Alabama (1975), §16-35-1, through 5,
provides that the Alabama State Board of Education shall constitute a Courses
of Study Committee for the purposes and functions as provided within the
statute; and
WHEREAS, the Alabama
State Board of Education appointed 21 members to the Health Education and
Physical Education State Course of Study Committee at its February 14, 2008,
meeting; and
WHEREAS,
Ms. Margo Thomas from
the second congressional district,
Mr. Greg Ojendyk from the third congressional district,
Ms. Marie Sloan Moore and Ms. Jo Ann Hollis from the sixth congressional
district, and Mr. James
Mr. James Norris from the state at-large, members of the Health Education and Physical
Education State Course of Study Committee,
resigned their positions on this committee; and
WHEREAS,
the Health Education
and Physical Education Course of Study Committee needs an elementary teacher
member representing the second congressional district,
an elementary teacher member and a secondary teacher member representing the
third congressional district, an
elementary teacher member and a secondary teacher member representing the sixth
congressional district, and an
administrative member representing the state at-large; and
WHEREAS, the State Superintendent of
Education recommends approval:
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That Ms. Wendy Weathers of Dale
County be appointed to replace Ms. Margo
Thomas of Elmore County,
Ms. Valencia Williams of Talladega City be appointed to replace. Mr. Greg
Ojendyk of Phenix City, Ms. Julie
Ryan of Jefferson County be appointed to replace Ms. Marie Sloan Moore of
Jefferson County, Ms. Laura Moore of
Jefferson County be appointed to replace Ms. Jo Ann Hollis of Hoover City, and Mr. Ronald Ashley of Montgomery County be
appointed to replace Mr. James Norris of Dothan City on the Health Education
and Physical Education State Course of Study Committee.
Done this 8th day of
May 2008
On motion by
Dr. Mary Jane Caylor and seconded by Mrs. Stephanie Bell, the Board unanimously
adopted the following:
SUBSTITUTION OF LATER EDITION OF TEXTBOOKS
WHEREAS,
the Alabama Administrative Code, Rule 290-2-3-.05,
Textbook Substitution, permits
publishing companies to substitute a later edition of a textbook for the
edition presently under contract with the state of Alabama; and
WHEREAS, the textbooks listed below have been submitted for
substitution in accordance with the regulations set forth in said code:
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED, That the Alabama
State Board of Education approves the following books for substitution at no
increase in price:
STORYTOWN, SPRING FORWARD, ALABAMA EDITION, 1st Edition, 2008, Houghton
Mifflin Harcourt
STORYTOWN, ZOOM ALONG, ALABAMA
EDITION, 1st Edition, 2008, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
STORYTOWN, REACH FOR THE STARS, ALABAMA EDITION, 1st Edition, 2008, Houghton
Mifflin Harcourt
STORYTOWN, MAKE YOUR MARK,
ALABAMA EDITION, 1st Edition,
2008, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
STORYTOWN, WATCH
THIS! ALABAMA
EDITION, 1st Edition, 2008,
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
STORYTOWN, ROLLING ALONG, ALABAMA EDITION, 1st Edition, 2008, Houghton
Mifflin Harcourt
STORYTOWN, BLAST
OFF! ALABAMA
EDITION, 1st Edition, 2008, Houghton
Mifflin Harcourt
STORYTOWN, TWISTS AND TURNS, ALABAMA EDITION, 1st Edition, 2008, Houghton
Mifflin Harcourt
STORYTOWN, BREAKING NEW GROUND, ALABAMA EDITION, 1st Edition, 2008, Houghton
Mifflin Harcourt
STORYTOWN, WINNING CATCH, ALABAMA EDITION, 1st Edition, 2008, Houghton
Mifflin Harcourt
STORYTOWN, RIDE THE EDGE, ALABAMA EDITION, 1st Edition, 2008, Houghton
Mifflin Harcourt
Done
this 8th day of May 2008
On motion by
Mrs. Ella B. Bell and seconded by Dr. Mary Jane Caylor, the Board unanimously
approved the following:
AUTHORIZE REVIEW OF TEACHER EDUCATION
PROGRAMS
University
of West <