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