MINUTES OF THE ALABAMA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
THE STATE OF ALABAMA
April 11, 2013
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA
The Alabama State Board of Education met for a regular meeting of Elementary/Secondary Education matters at 9:34 a. m. on Thursday, April 11, 2013. The meeting was called to order by the Vice President of the Board, in accordance with Alabama Code (1975), §16-3-7, as amended.
PRESIDING: MRS. STEPHANIE BELL, VICE PRESIDENT
ALABAMA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Minister Doug Smith, Dalraida Church of Christ, Montgomery, Alabama, did the invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance was held in unison. The following members were present:
- Mrs. Ella B. Bell, President Pro Tem
- Mrs. Stephanie Bell, Vice President
- Dr. Charles Elliott
- Mrs. Mary Scott Hunter
- Mr. Jeff Newman
- Mrs. Tracy T. Roberts
- Mrs. Betty Peters
- Dr. Yvette M. Richardson
Absent
Dr. Thomas R. Bice, State Superintendent of Education and Secretary and Executive Officer of the Board, was present at the meeting.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FOR THE MEETING OF MARCH 14, 2013
On motion by Dr. Charles Elliott and seconded by Dr. Yvette Richardson, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the minutes for the meeting of March 14, 2013.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
On motion by Mrs. Tracy Roberts and seconded by Dr. Yvette Richardson, the Board voted unanimously to approve the agenda.
PUBLIC COMMENTS PERTAINING TO THE RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE ASSESSMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATION OF ACT ASPIRE AS ALABAMA’S 3-8 SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Ms. Leta Head of Vestavia Hills, Alabama, spoke in opposition to the passage of the resolution.
After the public comments portion, the meeting continued. At this time, motion was made by Mrs. Tracy Roberts and seconded by Dr. Charles Elliott to adopt the resolution below. Immediately following the motion a discussion was held.
The Alabama State Board of Education meeting, the archived video, is available for viewing at Alabama State Department of Education’s Ustream Channel at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/alabama-department-of-education
After the discussion period, the Board voted to adopt the resolution.
| Voting Yes to Adopt |
|
Voting No |
Mrs. Ella B. Bell
Dr. Charles Elliot
Mrs. Mary Scott Hunter
Mr. Jeff Newman
Mrs. Tracy Roberts
Dr. Yvette Richardson
|
|
Mrs. Stephanie Bell
Mrs. Betty Peters
|
RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE ASSESSMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATION OF ACT ASPIRE AS ALABAMA’S 3-8 SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
WHEREAS, the Alabama State Board of Education appointed an Assessment and Accountability Task Force to review the current and future needs of student assessment for our state; and
WHEREAS, this Task Force was representative of K-12 education, postsecondary, higher education, and parents who met and reviewed possible solutions that would create a balanced and meaningful assessment system; and
WHEREAS, the Alabama State Board of Education had previously approved the move to the ACT and accompanying assessments as the capstone assessment for our state due to its use in postsecondary, higher education, and business and industry settings; and
WHEREAS, the Task Force agreed that an aligned 3-8 assessment to the ACT would create a clear and easily articulated trajectory toward college and career and the ACT Aspire meets that criteria:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the ACT Aspire be approved as Alabama’s summative assessment for Grades 3-8 beginning in the 2013-2014 school year.
Done this 11th day of April 2013.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Dr. Thomas R. Bice informed Board members that the Education budget was passed out of the House on Wednesday night, April 10, 2013, with no real changes. Dr. Bice invited Dr. Craig Pouncey, Chief of Staff, to provide information on the passage. Dr. Pouncey thanked the Board members for their support and stated that their concerns were expressed and further recommendations would be made. In response to a question posed from Mrs. Ella B. Bell concerning the liability coverage, Dr. Pouncey clarified that the liability coverage, sponsored by Representative Jay Love, was at a cost of $5 million for teachers. Dr. Bice recognized Ms. Tonya Stevens, 2nd Vice President of the Montgomery Chapter of Delta Sigma Sorority, and other members present. Ms. Stevens read a statement of the Sorority’s support of PLAN 2020 in its efforts to partner with the Alabama State Board of Education.
There being no further business before the Board, motion was made by Dr. Yvette Richardson and seconded by Mrs. Ella B. Bell for adjournment at 10:31 a.m.
Please click here for the resolutions that were adopted at this meeting by the Alabama State Board of Education.