FYI: State board discusses science course of study and remediation definition

Volume 27, Issue 9 - August 14, 2015 | Archives | AlabamaSchoolBoards.org

State board discusses science course of study and remediation definition

At Thursday’s state Board of Education meeting, the board welcomed new member Matthew Brown, who was appointed by Gov. Robert Bentley to replace Al Thompson in District 1. Brown’s first meeting and work session were chockfull of topics – from the science course of study, changes to administrative rules and the special session to dyslexic students and a collaborative effort in Alabama to commonly define remediation.

Before proceeding with the scheduled meeting agenda, state Superintendent of Education Dr. Tommy Bice acknowledged those who travelled to Montgomery because they mistakenly thought the science course of study was being voted upon at the meeting. The board allowed a public hearing on the topic. A long line of advocates, representing state and nationally recognized science and technology teachers and professionals, spoke to encourage board members to vote in favor of the proposed course of study. Their testimony built the case for moving to a hands-on and experiential learning method instead of the traditional sit-and-get model.

Jennifer Brown, the current Alabama Teacher of the Year and a Vestavia Hills science teacher, spoke in favor of exchanging “the teacher doing model” with allowing students to investigate. The proposed science course of study answers business and industry leaders’ call for critical thinkers who aren’t simply learning theory but are able to apply skills. Each speaker commended the focus on labs and practice versus a reliance on textbooks and worksheets, and they urged board members to vote in favor of the revised course of study at next month’s meeting.

Discussion of the science course of study continued at the state board’s afternoon work session. Once the science course of study is adopted, the state Department of Education plans to spend a year providing focused professional development through regional training and individualized sessions. The revised plan builds on the Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative model. Summer institute programs will be revised, so all teachers are prepared to implement the new science course of study. The focus will be on how content is delivered. For specialized electives that are not within the course of study, some are already working to develop and submit for approval courses such as marine science. The board discussed the alignment with career tech. New board member Brown expressed his desire for additional efforts to bring industry professionals into schools to serve as examples of how what students learn applies to their career choices.

In its meeting, the board approved two changes in the Alabama Administrative Code. One incorporates recommendations – stemming from two years of state task force work — for educator preparation programs. The second action adopts regulations to outline the state board’s role and duties regarding charter school authorizers as spelled out in the new charter law. The regulations simply provide the framework for what guidelines will be developed. Bice explained details and timelines will be rolled out in the coming months. He indicated the first meeting of the state charter commission will be Aug. 27 and said the SDE will facilitate the meeting.

In his superintendent’s report, Bice thanked the board and education community for their work during the special session to protect the Education Trust Fund revenue. “The education budget was a target,” he said. But the education family stepped up to the plate and told legislators that taking money from education was not the source of a solution. State board member Mary Scott Hunter emphasized that there is no way to say there is an excess or surplus in education funding.

At the work session, SDE staff updated the board on its awareness campaign to ensure teachers are able to recognize and address students with dyslexia. Deputy state Superintendent of Education Sherrill Parris said the first step is to raise awareness and ensure teaching professionals are equipped to provide resources for dyslexic students. Different guidelines have been proposed and revised after much feedback. The state education department is taking its time to ensure any guidelines and regulations that are ultimately adoption are appropriate and realistic. The costs associated with the proposals are part of the challenge. However, Bice committed that this important effort will move forward.

Bice also updated board members about efforts to settle on a common definition for remediation – one recognized by K-12 and higher education, particularly community colleges. Bice said the definition he shared with the board is a preliminary draft to engage in dialogue with the community colleges. Board members recognized that the majority of remediation courses are in two-year colleges because of the open enrollment policies that differ to entrance requirements for four-year schools and acknowledged a transition might be expected. The disconnect is now being addressed because K-12 has heightened expectations in academic standards and high school courses have been revised to specifically address the entry-level college math and English courses.

Bice expects feedback from the community colleges so the discussion will continue. In the meantime, he commended those high schools and community colleges that are focused on using data from the ACT scores and pathways to identify struggling students. Wrapping additional resources around these high school students during their junior and senior years could prevent their need for remediation after graduation. “This,” Bice said, “is the beginning of a conversation.”

The state board’s next meeting and work session is set for Sept. 10.

Aug. 31-Sept. 21 district meetings on virtual learning, give feedback on legislative issues

Registration is now open for AASB's Aug. 31-Sept. 21 Fall District Meetings, Virtual Vision & Legislative Litmus. By the fall of 2016, every Alabama school system must offer some form of online learning for students. Whether it’s specific online course offerings you couldn’t offer in a traditional brick-and-mortar classroom or a full virtual high school, your school board and superintendent have the flexibility to create a program that meets your students’ needs in new and creative ways. Also during the program, we will ask you to weigh in on some of the issues expected to take center stage during the 2016 legislative session.

During the AASB Fall District Meetings, school boards are recognized if 60 percent or more of their members attended at least three AASB conferences in the academy year and, in that same year, all board members met state-mandated training requirements. Here is a list of President’s Award winners.

Attend to enjoy a training program worth 1 hour in the AASB School Board Member Academy and interact with your district directors and school board members from your area. The $25 cost includes your meal. The meetings all begin at 6 p.m. central time with the exception of District 5, which begins at 5:30 p.m. Register today.

Though subject to change, the tentative meeting dates and locations are:

· District 1 - Sept. 1 at Satsuma Community Center;

· District 2 - Aug. 31 in Brent at Sawmeal Restaurant;

· District 3 - Sept. 21 in Ozark at Hoppergrass Restaurant;

· District 4 - Sept. 3 at Opelika High School;

· District 5 - Sept. 17 in Birmingham at Alabama School of Fine Arts;

· District 6 - Sept. 10 in Anniston at Classic, Too!;

· District 7 - Sept. 8 in Tuscaloosa at Hotel Capstone;

· District 8 - Sept. 15 in Florence at Marriott Shoals;

· District 9 - Sept. 14 in Huntsville at Huntsville Center for Technology.

Save money, schedule your whole board training now for August or September

If you can squeeze in a whole board training in the next couple weeks, AASB will give you 10 percent off your 2015 state-required whole board training. The early bird discount ends Sept. 30. Alabama requires 2 hours of interactive, facilitated whole board training by June 30 each year. To participate in this promotion, the AASB-provided whole board training must occur in September. The regular training fee ranges from $500 to $900 (plus mileage).

There are other ways to save. School boards in a region can share the cost of bringing AASB to your area to provide training for several boards at one time. A school board hoping to avoid travel costs may invite AASB to provide training at a board retreat to complete the 6 hours of state-required continuing education for all members, which could include the 2-hour whole board training. To schedule a training call 334/277-9700 or email Training@AlabamaSchoolBoards.org.

Housing open for Oct. 4 & 5 core course on optimal learning environment

The learning environment is more than just bricks and mortar. That’s why board members need to learn strategies for optimizing the educational environment for students.

The AASB School Board Member Academy presents its core course on Leadership to Create the Optimal Learning Environment Oct. 4 and 5 at The Renaissance Montgomery in downtown Montgomery. It will be taught again in 2018. School board members who take this required academy course will earn 6 hours, enough to meet the state’s requirement for annual individual school board member training.

Stay over for the Oct. 5 post-conference workshop Friending Social Media. Bring your devices. For more, visit AlabamaSchoolBoards.org.

All-State nominees due Sept. 1

Honor the commitment and achievement of one of your board members by nominating him or her for AASB’s All-State School Board Member Recognition Program. The All-State award, one of AASB’s highest honors, celebrates the work of up to five past or present Alabama school board members who have exhibited exemplary boardmanship.

Nominations may be submitted following a majority vote of the school board. An individual board member may nominate another member provided the nomination is endorsed by a majority vote of the nominee’s board. Detailed nomination information has been mailed to board presidents and superintendents. Nominations are due Sept. 1. For more, email training@AlabamaSchoolBoards.org or call 334/277-9700.

AASB accepting president and vice president nominations

AASB's Nominating Committee is accepting nominations for AASB president and vice president. The term will begin December 2015 and end December 2017. Those interested in serving in these positions should complete the nomination form found at AlabamaSchoolBoards.org and mail it to:

Nominating Committee

Chairman Steve Foster

P.O. Box Drawer 230488

Montgomery, AL 36123-0488

You may also email the form to (Attn: Nominating Chair) info@AlabamaSchoolBoards.org. Applications must be received by Aug. 31. Refer questions to Steve Foster, AASB’s immediate past president, at 334/227-4437 or AASB Executive Director Sally Smith at 334/277-9700.

Call for district director nominees, please submit by Sept. 1

AASB is accepting nominations or self-nominations of active members interested in serving as director in Districts 2, 4, 6 and 8. Nomination forms are being sent and are due to AASB’s executive director by Sept. 1. Ballots listing eligible nominees will be mailed to district members by Oct. 1. Each board within a district gets one vote. The board president will certify that action was taken at a board meeting to choose a candidate, and the ballot must be returned to AASB by Oct. 31. If only one person is nominated, he or she automatically becomes district director.

District 4 Director Gwen Harris-Brooks of Lanett, District 6 Director Kathy Landers of Talladega County and District 8 Director Karen Duke of Decatur are eligible for reelection under AASB bylaws. Director Donald Nichols of District 2 has served the maximum two terms and is ineligible to run.

Submit names of delegates by Nov. 3

On Dec. 3 at The Hyatt Regency Birmingham-The Wynfrey Hotel, representatives of the state's local boards of education will gather for AASB’s annual business meeting at 6 p.m. and an orientation for new delegates at 5:30 p.m. Delegate Assembly occurs just prior to the annual convention. School boards are asked to elect their delegates and alternates by Nov. 3 and email their names to Cassandra White, cwhite@AlabamaSchoolBoards.org.

Enter the 2015 Alabama’s Best Contest! Prizes total $5,000

LEAN Frog, in association with AASB, is proud to announce its second annual contest for Alabama public schools. This year’s “Alabama’s Best” contest has been expanded to include non-instructional best practices and innovations in instructional departments. The contest is open to all Alabama public school systems. Systems may submit up to three entries describing a best practice in their departments. The best practice must have been implemented within the last two school years (i.e., 2013-2014, 2014-2015).

Applicants must complete an official entry form and submit either a PowerPoint presentation or video about the best practice. Entries will be evaluated on the following:

· Creativity – the uniqueness of the practice or its application;

· Sustainability – practice makes lasting improvement;

· Impact on Students – practice improves student achievement and increases value by 1) improving students’ environment or well-being, 2) improving the quality of service provided to students, or 3) reducing costs or increasing revenue for the school or system.

Entry forms, rules and regulations, evaluation criteria and further details are available on the LEAN Frog website. The winning entry will receive $3,000. Two second place entries will receive $1,000 each. Award presentations will be made during the AASB Annual Convention in Birmingham. In addition to the cash prizes, the winning media presentations will be recognized during the Dec. 5 awards ceremony.

Botched Audits Mean Trouble for Boards, webinar Sept. 3

The August webinar has been rescheduled for Thursday, Sept. 3, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. and only costs $50 per individual caller or $200 per group call. The topic is one every school board member, superintendent and school finance staff member needs to hear. The webinar, Common Mistakes that Get School Boards in Trouble with Their Audit, is worth 1.5 hours in the AASB School Board Member Academy. Registration is now open.

It’s a date!

Aug. 31-Sept. 21

(1 hour)

Fall District Meetings

Sept. 3 (1.5 hours)

Webinar

Oct. 4 & 5 (6 hours)

Optimal Learning Environment

Core Conference

Oct. 5 (2 hours)

Social Media Workshop

— Lissa Tucker and Emily Maxwell