3~Teach in Alabama 4~Hurricane Preparedness 5~ New Deputy Superintendent Named 6~ Good News 7~ Awards and OpportunitiesINSIDE THIS AEN:

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THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION has presented to the StateBoard of Education its proposal aimed at increasing the academic expectationsof Alabama high school graduates and providing avenues that increase thenumber of graduates by reducing drop-out rates. Referred to as “First Choice,”STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION JOE MORTON has championed thecause of doing everything possible to make sure Alabama students are preparedfor the rigors of college after high school while increasing their likelihood ofgraduation. This is a multifaceted approach, bringing together elements such

FIRSTCHOICEFIRSTCHOICEas academic flexibility, varying diplomaoptions and revisions to the mandatethat all five portions of the AlabamaHigh School Graduation Examination(AHSGE) be successfully completed byall students. Under the First Choiceplan all students are automaticallyplaced on track for the AdvancedAcademic Endorsement.

Currently, students have to “opt-in”to receive an Advanced AcademicEndorsement, and approximately 39percent of students graduating fromhigh school choose to do so.

the right choice for Alabama schools FIRSTCHOICE

{ }“This option taps into a base of unrealized potential that many Alabamastudents have. As educators and education policy makers, we owe it to

our students to expect the most from them and to help them achieve it.” – State Superintendent of Education Joe Morton

2 Alabama Education News l May 2008

This advanced diploma requires oneadditional mathematics course (AlgebraII with Trigonometry) and two years offoreign language courses instead ofelective courses. Morton said he stronglybelieves many more Alabama studentshave the ability to complete thecurriculum for the advanced diploma –unfortunately, not enough students arebeing challenged to do so. “There aremany students, usually in poor andminority settings, who have theintelligence and work ethic to receive theAdvanced Academic Endorsement, butthey are seldom encouraged to reachbeyond the standard diploma,” Mortonsaid. “This option taps into a base ofunrealized potential that many Alabama students have. As educatorsand education policy makers, we owe itto our students to expect the mostfrom them.”

Under First Choice students have theoption to “opt-out” of the advanceddiploma if the student and his/her parents

agree to do so. There is no penalty foropting out to receive the Alabama HighSchool Diploma. Morton said this plansimply gives students an opportunity toreach their fullest potential.

The A+ Education Foundation, aneducation advocate that works towardadvancing policies, programs andinitiatives in Alabama’s K-12 educationsystem, agrees that rigorous academicrequirements are vital for life after highschool. “Strengthening high schoolgraduation requirements is an importantstep toward getting every student readyto succeed in college, in workforcetraining and in life,” said CAROLINE

NOVAK, president of the A+ EducationFoundation.

Although high expectations ofAlabama students are essential, it isimportant to create academic policy thatis in the best interest of all students. For those who “opt-out” of theAdvanced Academic Endorsement, theHigh School Diploma, a Career/TechEndorsement or a Credit-BasedEndorsement Diploma options areavailable. The High School Diplomaand Career/Tech Endorsement call forthe exact same requirements as the

Advanced Academic Endorsement minusthe one additional mathematics courseand two foreign language courses. All ofthese require passing all five parts of theAHSGE. The Credit-Based Endorsement

Diploma option, however, requires thesame coursework as the High SchoolDiploma, yet only requires passing threeparts (3/5) of the AHSGE. Thisallowance gives struggling students, mostoften special education students, theopportunity to graduate with dignityand acknowledge all of the courseworkthey have successfully completed, despitenot passing all five parts of the AHSGE.Currently, many students who fall intothis category – who would otherwisebecome hard-working, tax payingcitizens in respectable positions – dropout of high school altogether. This doesnot help the student, nor does it helpour communities as a whole. Statisticsalready show that 85 percent of theinmates in Alabama prisons are highschool drop-outs. It is imperative thatwe find ways to keep those students whotry and complete the necessarycoursework in school and have themgraduate – preferably on time.

This is where tools such as CreditRecovery, Academic Flexibility andGraduation Coaches come into play.These are new policies used to helpaddress the specific needs of students tohelp ensure graduation and guide themthrough the process as efficiently aspossible. Credit Recovery allows studentsto demonstrate competency on asegment of the course and receive coursecredit or earn promotion without havingto retake the entire course. AcademicFlexibility gives students in-school andout-of-school educational opportunities

ALABAMA HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA - 24 CREDITS

English4 Credits

Social Studies4 Credits

Electives3.5 Credits

Electives5.5 Credits

Science4 Credits

English4 Credits

Social Studies4 Credits

Science4 Credits

ForeignLanguage2 Credits

Math4 Credits

Math4 Credits

(includes Algebra IIwith Trig)

P.E., Health,Arts, Computer

2.5 Credits

P.E., Health,Arts, Computer

2.5 Credits

ADVANCED ACADEMIC ENDORSEMENT (FIRST CHOICE) - 24 CREDITS

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of the inmates in Alabama prisons are high schooldropouts. It is imperative that we find ways to keep thosestudents who try and complete the necessary courseworkin school and have them graduate – preferably on time. 85%

www.alsde.edu l Alabama Education News 3

to make up time lost in the classroomdue to extenuating circumstances.Graduation Coaches (available in somehigh schools) serve as counselors for“at-risk” students, advising them oncourse work and other issues to keepthem on task and increasing their oddsfor graduation.

As the world becomes increasinglymore competitive, it is important thatour students not simply meet standardsof the past but set their sights on highergoals. We must provide Alabamastudents with the tools they need toreach and exceed our expectations – and ultimately, even their own. The proposed changes regarding highschool graduation puts into action theseincreased expectations with the beliefthat more students can successfullycomplete the rigor of the AdvancedAcademic Endorsement than arecurrently attempting to.

“I firmly believe what we expectfrom students has a profound impacton what they expect from themselves,”Morton said. “It’s a self-fulfillingprophecy.”

STATES WITH

ADVANCED REQUIREMENTS

AS DEFAULT DIPLOMAS

ONE YEAR INTO THEDEVELOPMENT of Teach In Alabama(TIA), the state’s newest method oflocating and hiring the best quality ofteacher available, the results have beenoutstanding. By the end of April 2008,more than 20,000 educators had postedtheir applications on the TIA Web site, and school systems had already listed about200 teaching positions for the 2008-09 school year.

TIA allows teachers to apply online to every school district they want inAlabama with one electronic application. Likewise, school systems can look on thissite and find teachers seeking positions with specific qualifications and individualizedcriterion to suit their needs. The web site has been helpful over the last year at givingteachers (and prospective teachers) the convenience of showcasing their applicationinformation, resume, certifications, transcripts and other relevant credentials toprospective employers all across the state in one central database. This form of one-stop employment shopping hasallowed schools to fill empty positions earlier and significantly cut down onunnecessary paperwork.

State Teacher Recruitment and Placement Coordinator DEBRA WILLIAMS wasinstrumental in the implementation of the TIA program. Williams said as of mid-April 2008, approximately 350 teaching and administrative jobs are currently availableon the TIA job board, but added that these vacancies are for the 2008-2009 schoolyear. This is one of the ways TIA is helping with efficiency in the education jobmarket. Now school systems are filling positions for the coming year much faster.“Before (TIA) you had to wait until June to post vacancies, so now they can post themand begin to look at potential candidates,” said Williams. PAM SCOTT, PersonnelDirector for Tuscaloosa City Schools, agrees that TIA expedites the hiring process.

“Now we are posting earlier meaning that we are able to go ahead and fill ourpositions even before the summer starts. We’ve already started to post some of ourpositions of teachers that may be resigning or retiring that have already turned intheir notification to us. So we’ve started posting positions right now and it’s March.That’s something that hasn’t happened before for our school district,” Scott said. “In the past, principals had to come into the personnel office, thumb through thefile cabinets, make copies, fax and copy applications ... now they have all of that ontheir desktop where they can just search the application, post online and expandtheir recruitment area.”

Williams said the Web site, which was first implemented in March 2007, isalready making a difference with Alabama’s teacher shortages. She said while TIA isnot the sole solution for the teacher shortage felt in Alabama, just as it is nationally,it still helps to address the need to increase the state’s applicant pool. “It givesdistricts more of a choice of selecting qualified applicants,” said Williams.

For more information on Teach In Alabama, visit the Alabama Department ofEducation Web site or contact Debra Williams at (334) 242-9935.

Teach in AlabamaRevolutionizes theEducation Job Market

ArizonaArkansasIndianaLouisianaMichiganMississippi

New MexicoNorth CarolinaOklahomaSouth Dakota Texas

STATES WITH

ADVANCED REQUIREMENTS

AS MANDATORY DIPLOMAS

DelawareGeorgiaKentuckyMinnesota

New York OhioTennessee

4 Alabama Education News l May 2008

Students Go West Every Week to Attend Classes in “Hollywood”TRAVELING MORE THAN 4,000 MILES (roundtrip) toHollywood, California, every week has really become anexciting adventure for students at Birmingham’s G. W. CarverHigh School. And one of the most exciting parts of thestudents’ experience is it only takes them about 60 secondsto get there!

These bright and energetic students are participating inan innovative career and technical education class, whichutilizes technology, distance learning and a strong nationalpartnership to teach them about the exciting field ofanimation. G.W. Carver High School is the only secondaryschool in Alabama, and one of the few in the Southeast, tohave a fully functioning animation program. This programserves 150 students per school year.

Through a partnership with the ACME Network,G.W. Carver offers its students a great opportunity to gainexperience and receive valuable tips from some of the nation’stop animation professionals. They have even received advicefrom legendary animator Chuck Jones, director of many of

the classic animated cartoons starring Bugs Bunny, DaffyDuck, the Road Runner and Pepe ‘Le Pew!

ACME Network is a nationally recognized organizationthat helps involve top animators and companies like WarnerBrothers, DreamWorks, Pixar, Sony and Disney in the processof educating students. Each year, more than 85 percent of thestudents that complete this program go on to attendpostsecondary institutions and to secure top internshipopportunities. According to www.salary.com, the averagenational salary for an animator in the 75th percentile of thepay scale is more than $58,000 per year.

Students of G.W. Carver High School (Birmingham CitySchools) enjoy an ACME Network presentation.

AS THE HURRICANE SEASONAPPROACHES (June through November),students, teachers and parents alike are encouragedto take heed to hurricane preparedness measures in theevent of disastrous weather conditions. The FederalEmergency Management Agency (FEMA) is helping parentsand schools better prepare for hurricane conditions byproviding educational resources, both in print and online, foradults and children.

Although hurricane preparedness is not the responsibilityof one agency, community, group or person, FEMA and theAlabama Emergency Management Agency are encouraging allfamilies to take part in planning for future disasters. When itcomes to being ready for the upcoming hurricane season, thereis no substitute for knowing how to keep your family safe.Web sites like FEMA Kids is an age-appropriate, interactive Website that teaches young children how to be prepared for andprevent disasters. They can also learn what causes disasters, playgames and read stories. Resources are also available for teachersand parents such as activities, curriculum and safetyinformation that can be used in the classroom or at home.

“State emergency personnel will respond quickly to thescene of a disaster, but all Alabamians should be preparedwhen a hurricane arrives,” said State Coordinating OfficerBRUCE BAUGHMAN. “A family that plans ahead will be betterprepared before, during and after a hurricane.”

While local, state and federal officials will respond quicklyto the scene of a disaster, they cannot help every individual orfamily right away. Response time may depend on damage toroads and infrastructure, and if basic services like water,electricity or telephones are unavailable, your family should beprepared for self-sufficiency for at least 72 hours.

Go online for more about preparing for hurricanes:CLICK HERE or HERE.

FEMA Stresses Preparedness forUpcoming Hurricane Season

State Board Appoints New Deputy Superintendent

www.alsde.edu l Alabama Education News 5

DURING THE 2006-07 SCHOOL YEAR,every Alabama public school systemparticipated in a statewide survey on alcohol,tobacco, other drugs and related behaviors.The good news is, thousands of Alabamayouth are moving away from regular use ofalcohol, tobacco and marijuana. Comparedto the 2003-04 school year 5,000 fewerstudents use alcohol, 6,400 fewer studentsuse tobacco and 3,500 fewer students usemarijuana.

This success should translate intofewer deaths, injuries, accidents, illnessesand academic failure among this studentpopulation.

2006-07 survey findings also indicateparent-student communication is increasingbecause student awareness of parentaldisapproval of substance use is on the rise.

DR. TOMMY BICE, formerSuperintendent of the Alexander CitySchools, is the new Deputy Superintendentof Education for the Alabama Departmentof Education. The state Board ofEducation unanimously acceptedSTATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION

JOE MORTON’S recommendation toappoint Dr. Bice to replaceDR. RUTH ASH, who retiredMarch 31. Bice will overseeall aspects of instruction forthe state’s educationdepartment.

Dr. Bice has servedAlabama public schoolsas a teacher, psychometrist,regional director forAlabama Institute for theDeaf and Blind, adjunctprofessor, career andtechnical education director,principal and superintendent. He isLegislative Chair and President-elect ofSchool Superintendents of Alabama and

serves on the Standards Committee for theGovernor’s Congress on School Leadership.

Dr. Bice received his B.S. in SpecialEducation from Auburn University, hisM.A. in Special Education from theUniversity of Alabama in Birmingham andhis Ed.D. from Auburn University. He alsoattended the Harvard Institute for School

Leadership and the NationalAcademy for Superintendentsat Ohio State University.

Under Bice’s leadership,the Alexander City SchoolSystem, in partnership withthe Alexander CityChamber of Commerce,was awarded the NationalCivic Star Award in 2007by the American Associationof School Administrators.Alexander City was the firstsystem in the state to have

all schools designated as demonstrationsites for the nationally recognized AlabamaReading Initiative. For the 2007-08 school

year, an Engineering Academy wasimplemented at Benjamin Russell HighSchool in partnership with AuburnUniversity’s College of Engineering.A Freshman Cohort will be implementedduring the 2008-09 school year to becomea four-year academy program forengineering.

The Alexander City Schools EducationFoundation has recently completed a$1 million fund-raising campaign to makeall core academic classrooms 21st CenturyClassrooms equipped with the mostcurrent and applicable technology. Two schools are in the training andimplementation stage of this project withall schools slated to be equipped andoperational by 2010.

“We are very fortunate to have aneducator of Dr. Bice’s caliber,” saidMorton. “His strengths and expertise,along with our dedicated staff, will helpus continue to focus our efforts onimproving the overall quality of K-12education in Alabama.”

OTHER SURVEY FINDINGS INCLUDE:

• Secondary school students in Alabamareported a lower rate of marijuana usecompared to students in the same agegroup across the nation.

• Alabama’s students feel safer at school,compared to previous years. Nearly 80 percent reported “never” being afraid ofbeing hurt by a student in 2006-07 vs. 76 percent in 2002-03.

• Prevention, intervention and academic programs related to identified risks andprotective factors are giving Alabama’s students a healthy edge for safedevelopment.

Every school system and all of the 885 participating schools have acomprehensive report, which means more than 95 percent of the state’s schoolswith students in Grades 6-12 can review student risk and protective factorsincluding substance use, bullying behavior and the attitudes and beliefs of itsstudents. Additionally, participating school administrators can compare theiroutcomes to other schools in the system, the state and the nation.

View the complete report online HERE.

Dr. Tommy Bice

Parental Communication on the Rise, Fewer Students Use DrugsResults are in from the 2006-2007 PRIDE SURVEY

GOOD NEWS IN ALABAMA SCHOOLS

6 Alabama Education News l May 2008

Russell County Celebrates Education with its “Big E.C.”

BCN-TV Sweeps State Broadcast Journalism Competition

U.S. SECRETARY OF EDUCATIONMARGARET SPELLINGS recentlyannounced the award of $11 million ingrants to 39 states to help them pay thefees for advanced placement tests for low-income students.

The department will make awards tostate educational agencies to enable themto cover part or all of the test fees forlow-income students who are enrolled inan Advanced Placement (AP) orInternational Baccalaureate (IB) classand plan to take an AP or IB test. The program aims to encourage low-income students to take AP or IB tests andobtain college credit for high school courses,reducing the time and cost required tocomplete a postsecondary degree.

“These grants will help more low-income students take advantage of therigorous coursework they need to succeedin college and the workforce,” Spellingssaid. The grants also complement thePresident’s fiscal year 2009 budget requestto increase funding for AP and IBprograms to $70 million in order to helpprepare more educators to teach thesechallenging classes and encourage morestudents from high-need schools to takeand pass AP courses and tests.

Awards may be used only to supportAP test fees for low-income students. Tests administered by the College Boardand the International Baccalaureate Organization are covered. Traditionally,11th- and 12th-graders take an AP examafter completing the corresponding APcourse. However, participation in anexam is open to any student regardlessof course participation or grade level.

In the United States, more than 90 percent of colleges and universitieshave a policy of granting incomingstudents credit, placement, or both, forqualifying AP test scores.

STUDENTS IN THREE Alabama high schools joined their common interests intelevision journalism to achieve one major accomplishment. A story about rebuildinga small Mississippi town after Hurricane Katrina, coverage of the Central High Schoolfootball championship, and a feature about the new Oakhill School pond led theTelevision Production students at the Tuscaloosa Center for Technology to a receive anumber of Alabama Scholastic Press Association (ASPA) awards.

Students from Bryant (B), Central (C), and Northridge (N) high schoolsparticipate in the Television Production program, which produces the weekly televisionshow BCN-TV presents “Common Ground” each Friday at 8 a.m. on WVUA-TV.

BCN-TV staff members won 28 of 37 individual broadcast awards given at the2008 ASPA Convention at The University of Alabama, plus the top journalism award,“All-Alabama.” The program has won nearly 120 ASPA awards in seven years.

THE RUSSELL COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT held its Education Celebration2008 or the “Big E.C.” in March. The event was held to celebrate the children ofRussell County and their accomplishments during this year, in addition tomotivating students prior to testing. Many community members, families, schooldistrict employees and children participated in this fun-filled, family-orientedcelebration. A variety of local businesses and agencies were on hand to shareinformation with those present as they waited for the program to begin. There wereapproximately 500 people in attendance.

The Russell County High School JROTC began the program with thePresentation of Colors and a Moment of Silence. JAFON FEARSON, a senior atRCHS, made an appeal to the students to use their talents and brilliance to makethis world a better place and to show the world the great minds that are right therein Russell County.

Those present were treated to a slide show developed by DENISE SHIELDS thatshowcased the school district. Students, teachers and even principals performed skits,songs, dances and cheers. All of the schools did a wonderful job as they cametogether to celebrate during the Education Celebration.

BCN-TV staff visiting The University of Alabama campus for the ASPA Convention & Competitions.

U.S. DEPARTMENT AWARDS $11 MILLION TO 39 STATES TO HELP PAY FEES FORADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTSª ALABAMA GETS $63,114

FINAL FOUR TEACHER OF THE YEAR CANDIDATES:

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www.alsde.edu l Alabama Education News 7

FROM THE SWEET 16 to the Final Four, the excitement builds as judgesnarrow the list of candidates for the next Alabama Teacher of the Year.One-hundred forty-seven educators were nominated for Alabama’s 2008-2009 Teacher of the Year, and that list went from 16 in March to 4 in Apriland now the wait is on. All eyes are on May 7 in Montgomery to see whowill represent Alabama as the state’s 2008-2009 Teacher of the Year.

The four finalists selected now advance to the interview component ofthe judging process. The state judges will select Alabama’s Teacher of the Yearand an Alternate, then the winner will be announced at a reception honoringall of the district finalists on May 7, 2008, in Montgomery. Alabama’scurrent Alternate Teacher of the Year CHRISTINE SEALY will serve on thecommittee to select the 2008-2009 Teacher of Year.

“I congratulate the final four candidates for Alabama’s Teacher of theYear. Each of the finalists represents the state’s best and brightest teachers.It will not be an easy task for the judges to narrow the list further, but I’msure any one of the candidates will represent Alabama with the utmostdedication and commitment to impacting public education and the teachingprofession,” said STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION JOE MORTON.

For more information on the Teacher of the Year program, visit theAlabama Department of Education Web site or contact Ann Starks,(334) 242-9700, astarks@alsde.edu.

Four Teachers Vie for the Title of Alabama Teacher of the Year

Awards, Opportunities and Professional Development

REGINA EVERETT Saraland Elementary

Mobile County ~ District I

AMBER TRANTHAM Alexandria Elementary SchoolCalhoun County ~ District III

LAWANA “JEANNE” WELTLiberty Middle School

Madison City ~ District VIII

ROY HUDSONShades Valley High School

Jefferson County ~ District IV

Hooked On Fishing – Not On Drugs® Workshop, May 29, Tannehill Historical State ParkThis one-day training session uses a mentor-based fishing programto teach fishing skills and positive life choices. Volunteers areinvited. To register, e-mail Maurice Jackson, Alabama Wildlife andFreshwater Fisheries Division, or phone (205) 477-6301.DDEEAADDLLIINNEE:: MMaayy 2266

AP Summer Institutes offer professional developmentopportunities for AP teachers and administrators: Auburn University, June 23-27. University of Alabama, July 8-12, July 14-18, and July 21-25.DDEEAADDLLIINNEE:: JJuunnee 22Each session is limited to 30 enrollees.

The History Channel’s Save Our History grant program hasawarded $1 million since 2004 to historical organizations to fundhands-on, experimental educational projects that teach studentsabout local history and actively engage them in preservation. Apply online for the 2008-09 school year. DDEEAADDLLIINNEE:: JJuunnee 66

FREE ((http://www.free.ed.gov)) organizes more than 1,500 lessonplans from the Library of Congress, Smithsonian Institution,National Archives and other federal agencies. CLICK HERE to locate resources grouped by subject area oralphabetically by topic.

FFRREEEE ppoorrttrraaiitt ooff GGeeoorrggee WWaasshhiinnggttoonn ffoorr yyoouurr sscchhooooll ffrroommMMtt.. VVeerrnnoonn LLaaddiieess AAssssoocciiaattiioonn,, which is working to promote ournation’s first president by placing his picture back in schools acrossthe country. To request a portrait, the principal should send a letteron school letterhead to:Ann Bay Associate Director for Education George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens P.O. Box 110 Mount Vernon, VA 22121Letter should include a description of location where portrait will hangin the school and school’s street address for UPS deliveries.For more information, CLICK HERE.

National Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education Digital LibraryPurpose: To establish a national network of learning environmentsand resources for science, technology, engineering and mathematics(STEM) education at all levels. For complete information, CLICK HERE. DEADLINE: June 27

VViissiitt HHiissttoorriicc FFoorrtt MMiittcchheellll NNaattiioonnaall LLaannddmmaarrkk. Located onAlabama Hwy. 165 South, 10 miles south of Phenix City andColumbus, GA, Fort Mitchell features a reconstructed frontier fort,originally built in 1813 during the Creek Indian Wars.

Managing EditorMitch Edwards

EditorMichael O. Sibley

Contributing EditorsEd Crenshaw l Anne P. Graham l Edith Parten

Graphic ArtistsMary Nell Shaw l Charles V. CreelAE

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Alabama Education News (USPS #387-290) is published monthlyexcept for June, July, and December by the Alabama Department ofEducation, P.O. Box 302101, Montgomery, AL 36130-2101. Periodicalspostage paid at Montgomery, AL.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Alabama Education News,P.O. Box 302101, Montgomery, AL 36130-2101.

Alabama Education News is composed by the Alabama Department ofEducation’s Communication Section and printed by Walker Printing ofMontgomery. This publication, authorized by Section 16-2-4 of the Code ofAlabama, as recompiled in 1975, is a public service of the AlabamaDepartment of Education designed to inform citizens and educators aboutprograms and goals of public education in Alabama.

No person shall be denied employment, be excluded from participationin, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in anyprogram or activity on the basis of disability, sex, race, religion, nationalorigin, color, or age. Ref: Sec. 1983, Civil Rights Act, 42 U.S.C.; Title VI andVII, Civil Rights Act of 1964; Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Sec. 504; AgeDiscrimination in Employment Act; Equal Pay Act of 1963; Title IX of theEducation Amendment of 1972: Title IX Coordinator, P.O. Box 302101,Montgomery, Alabama 36130-2101 or call (334) 242-8444.

Copies available in Braille or other forms upon request.

ALABAMA

EDUCATION NEWSVOLUME 31 • NO 8 MAY 2008

President l Governor Bob Riley

District 1 l Randy McKinney, President Pro Tem, Gulf Shores

District 2 l Betty Peters, Dothan

District 3 l Stephanie W. Bell, Montgomery

District 4 l Ethel H. Hall, Vice President Emerita, Fairfield

District 5 l Ella B. Bell, Montgomery

District 6 l David F. Byers Jr., Vice President, Birmingham

District 7 l Sandra Ray, Tuscaloosa

District 8 l Mary Jane Caylor, Huntsville

State Superintendent of Education and Secretary and Executive Officer of the Alabama Board of Education l Joseph B. MortonAL

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EDITORIAL OFFICE: 334-242-9950E-mail comments and story ideas to: aen@alsde.edu

PERIODICALSPOSTAGE

PAID

For a complete list of agenda items, visit theAlabama Department of Education’s Web site under“Board of Ed.”

- Resolution Commending Jean McCutchen,Recipient of the Robert L. Morton Award

- Resolution Commending ABC 33/40 for itsSupport of K-12 Education and the Alabama Math,Science, and Technology Initiative (AMSTI)

- Resolution in Recognition of Public School Week,April 21-25, 2008

- Approval of Deputy State Superintendent ofEducation for Instructional Services

M A Y

U P C O M I N G E V E N T S

Teacher Appreciation Month

May 6 - Teacher Appreciation Day May 8 - State Board of Education Meeting

May 22 - State Board of Education Work SessionMay 26 - National Memorial Day (state holiday)

June 2 - Jefferson Davis’ Birthday (state holiday)

June 12 - State Board of Education Meeting

June 14 - Flag Day

June 26 - State Board of Education Work Session

J U N E