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Classroom Improvement FAQs
| Question | Last Updated |
| What is AMSTI? AMSTI stands for Alabama Mathematics, Science, and Technology Initiative. For more information concerning this Initiative, contact Steve Ricks at sricks@alsde.edu. |
| Does the Alabama Department of Education provide assistance to schools scoring in Alert? The Classroom Improvement section of the Alabama Department of Education provides assistance to Alert schools in the areas of curriculum, instruction, management, and leadership. |
| Can the Classroom Improvement Section assist me in locating a presenter for an inservice session or workshop for my faculty? Yes, we can provide names of presenters who have participated in train-the-trainer sessions sponsored by the Department listed in the July 2000 Teacher Trainers Directory. In addition, we suggest that you contact your Regional Inservice Center for recommendations or for already-scheduled sessions that may be of interest to your faculty. A list of Inservice Centers is on page 20 of the Alabama Education Directory. Click here. |
| Does the state Department of Education provide professional development training to teachers and administrators? The Classroom Improvement Section employs content area specialist that provide professional development to local school systems in the areas of curriculum, instruction, management, and leadership. |
| What is Teacher Leader Alabama? The Teacher Leader Network was developed to provide opportunities for teachers, with guidance from their principals, to build leadership responsibilities, therefore building capacity in Alabama’s schools. In FY05 the TLN was piloted in 66 Alabama schools that did not make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) on the spring 2004 state assessments as required by the Federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB). The program was a three-year pilot with Year One focusing on school improvement; Year Two focusing on action research; and Year Three focusing on coaching and mentoring. Lessons learned from the pilot will enable the TLN to be expanded to all schools statewide by FY07. The program now operates under the name Teacher Leader Alabama (TLA) through the Leadership Development Office. |
| What character traits are mandated by the Alabama State Legislature to be taught in Alabama’s public schools? The 25 character are courage, patriotism, citizenship, honesty, fairness, respect for others, kindness, cooperation, self-respect, self-control, courtesy, compassion, tolerance, diligence, generosity, punctuality, cleanliness, cheerfulness, school pride, respect for the environment, patience, creativity, sportsmanship, loyalty, and perseverance. |
| How can I obtain information regarding the William Randolph Hearst scholarship? For information on the Hearst scholarship, contact Carolyn Townsend at ctownsend@alsde.edu. |
| When are the Hearst scholarship applications due to the Alabama Department of Education? Deadline for submission of applications is normally mid-October. |
| Does Alabama participate in any initiatives designed specifically for middle grades Yes, Alabama currently has two middle schools participating in a middle grade initiative called Making Middle Grades Matter. Click here. This initiative is administered in partnership with the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) in Atlanta. Inquiries about this initiative can be directed to the Making Middle Grades Matter Coordinator, Dr. Dorothy Dolasky at ddolasky@alsde.edu or visit the SREB website at www.sreb.org. |
| Does the state Board of Education have standards for Professional Development? Click here to access the standards for Professional Development. |
| Is there a law pertaining to Character Education in Alabama? Character Education is part of the Accountability Law - Alabama Act 95-313. |
| Where can I access information on preschool/four-year-old programs? The Alabama Department of Children's Affairs has received funding to conduct a pilot program for preschool-aged students in sites around the state. For more information, click here or call Richard H. Dorrough, Commissioner, at 334-223-0502. |
| Where might I find information on the state's kindergarten programs? Local public school systems may provide information or you may contact, Telena Madison, at tmadison@alsde.edu. |
| Why don't we have half-day kindergarten programs in my school system? Alabama Administrative Code Rule 290-5-1, states the minimum standards for kindergarten programs in Alabama schools, sets the daily schedule for kindergartens: "The beginning and ending times of the school day in kindergartens shall be the same as the schedule of the elementary schools in the systems of which they are a part." |
| What is the cutoff birth date for Kindergarten? What is the cutoff birth date for 1st grade? The cutoff date is on or before September 1. For more information on the minimum age at which a child may enter, click here and select Title 16 Education, Chapter 28, Article 1 General Provisions, Section 16-28-4. |
| Is kindergarten mandatory? No, kindergarten is not mandatory in Alabama; however, all school systems must offer kindergarten programs. |
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