MINUTES OF THE ALABAMA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
THE STATE OF ALABAMA
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA
JANUARY 10, 2008
The Alabama State Board of Education met for its meeting of Elementary/Secondary Education matters on Thursday, January 10, 2008, at 9:34 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 DECEMBER 13, 2007
On motion by Mrs. Ella B. Bell and seconded by Mrs. Stephanie Bell, the Board unanimously approved the minutes for the meeting of December 13, 2007, as distributed.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
On motion by Dr. Ethel H. Hall and seconded by Dr. Mary Jane Caylor, the Board unanimously adopted the agenda.
PUBLIC HEARING FOR ALABAMA ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES ACT - NONE
On motion by Dr. Mary Jane Caylor and seconded by Mrs. Stephanie Bell, the Board unanimously adopted the following:
RESOLUTION COMMENDING NORA THORINGTON
“BARBARA FANNIN MEMORIAL EMPLOYEE OF THE QUARTER”
JANUARY – MARCH 2008
WHEREAS, Nora Thorington, an Administrative Support Assistant in the Professional Education Personnel Evaluation (PEPE) Section, exhibits a positive attitude and is always cooperative; and
WHEREAS, Nora Thorington is a team player who exhibits total dedication to the position she holds and accomplishes duties within the position in a timely and thorough manner; and
WHEREAS, Nora Thorington is well respected by coworkers, including those within other sections housed nearby, and exhibits outstanding interpersonal skills; and
WHEREAS, Nora Thorington approaches her multi-faceted position with grace, poise, dignity, and a smile, and with little direction from supervisors; and
WHEREAS, Nora Thorington maintains a positive image, communicates with the public in a professional manner, and represents the department well:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Alabama State Board of Education hereby commends Nora Thorington as the recipient of the “Barbara Fannin Memorial Employee of the Quarter Award” for January–March 2008, and expresses its appreciation for exemplary service to the department, to this Board, and, ultimately, to the students and teachers in Alabama’s public schools.
Done this 10th day of January 2008
On motion by Dr. Mary Jane Caylor and seconded by Mrs. Ella B. Bell, the Board unanimously adopted the following:
RESOLUTION COMMENDING JUDY BROWN,
ASSOCIATION FOR CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION
2007 CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION TEACHER OF THE YEAR
WHEREAS, in 1999 Judy Brown was hired as a Family and Consumer Sciences teacher at Bob Jones High School in Madison City, Alabama; and
WHEREAS, in 2002 Judy Brown obtained recognition as a National Board Certified Teacher; and
WHEREAS, in 2003 Judy Brown was appointed as the culinary arts teacher at Bob Jones High School in Madison City, Alabama; and
WHEREAS, in 2004 Judy Brown was recognized by the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences as a top ten teacher in the nation; and
WHEREAS, in 2005 Judy Brown was named District 8 Alabama Teacher of the Year; and
WHEREAS, in 2006 Judy Brown was named Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher of the Year and also Alabama Association for Career and Technical Education Teacher of the Year; and
WHEREAS, in 2007 Judy Brown was named Association for Career and Technical Education Region II Teacher of the Year and received the Association for Career and Technical Education national award in December as the 2007 Career and Technical Education Teacher of the Year; and
WHEREAS, Judy Brown is currently an Education Specialist in the Family and Consumer Sciences Unit, Career and Technical Education Section, Alabama Department of Education; and
WHEREAS, Judy Brown worked diligently to help initiate the development of TEACH ALABAMA in partnership with Alabama Education Association’s Future Teachers of Alabama (FTA) to recognize future teachers with contests designed to showcase skills through a display board addressing the need for education in Alabama and a lesson plan video with emphasis on teaching techniques; and
WHEREAS, Judy Brown’s selfless dedication and commitment to K-12 education in Alabama is providing many opportunities for her to impact public education by fostering partnerships and serving on local, state, and national industry and education boards with integrity and dedication:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Alabama State Board of Education does hereby commend Judy Brown for her work in support of excellence in education.
Done this 10th day of January 2008
On motion by Mrs. Sandra Ray and seconded by Dr. Mary Jane Caylor, the Board unanimously adopted the following:
RESOLUTION COMMENDING MARK RAINES,
ASSOCIATION FOR CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION,
2007 NEW CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION TEACHER OF THE YEAR
WHEREAS, in 2000 Mark Raines was hired as a new Video Production program teacher at Central High School in the Tuscaloosa City School System;
WHEREAS, during the first year of the program, students under Mark Raines’ direction produced the daily announcements and the biannual newscast for the school system, Inside City Schools; and
WHEREAS, in 2002 the program’s name was changed to Television Production, and Mark Raines expanded this program to cover all of the high schools in the Tuscaloosa City School System; and
WHEREAS, in 2003 the Tuscaloosa City Board of Education moved the program to a new studio facility at the Tuscaloosa Center for Technology where Mark Raines developed a new partnership with the local television station and created the first high school Television Production program to be produced at a career/technical center and to air on a local broadcast station; and
WHEREAS, in 2003 and 2004 Mark Raines’ Television Production Program was named Alabama’s Technical Education Program of the Year, and his students won First Place in 24 areas of the Alabama Scholastic Press Association Awards for television production and Third Place at the 2007 National SkillsUSA Championships in Kansas City, Missouri; and
WHEREAS, Mark Raines has been recognized by the Radio Shack National Teacher Award Program, the USA All-Star Teacher Team, the C-SPAN Network, and as a Toyota International Teacher; and
WHEREAS, Mark Raines has led his students to participate in community service through the Tuscaloosa area outreach and service activities including production of the video supporting local city and county schools, “Reach Out Tuscaloosa,” a yearly video for Oak Hill School, a K-12 school for children with special needs and has raised money for and taken students to assist with the clean-up of his hometown, Long Beach, Mississippi, after Hurricane Katrina; and
WHEREAS, Mark Raines was recognized by the Association for Career and Technical Education national award in December as the 2007 Outstanding New Teacher of the Year:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Alabama State Board of Education does hereby commend Mark Raines for his work and dedication in support of excellence in education.
Done this 10th day of January 2008
On motion by Mrs. Ella B. Bell and seconded by Dr. Hall, the Board unanimously adopted the following:
RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING FEBRUARY 1-29, 2008, AS
ALABAMA CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION MONTH
WHEREAS, the Association for Career and Technical Education and other national educational organizations have proclaimed the month of February as Career and Technical Education Month; and
WHEREAS, profound economic and technological changes in our society are rapidly reflected in the structure and nature of work, thereby placing new and additional responsibilities on our educational system; and
WHEREAS, Alabama’s career and technical education programs have become a rigorous, progressive, and vital part of the total educational system, which is committed to providing Alabama’s students with rewarding opportunities to learn valuable career and life skills; and
WHEREAS, Alabama’s career and technical education programs are successfully partnering with domestic and international business and industry to ensure that Alabama’s students are equipped with the advanced communication, time management, and leadership skills required for lifelong career success; and
WHEREAS, Alabama’s career and technical education programs are continually providing Alabama’s students with opportunities to gain invaluable hands-on experience through apprenticeships, internships, and cooperative education programs; and
WHEREAS, Alabama’s career and technical education programs have shown a genuine commitment to preparing students for “life after high school” by providing them opportunities to earn advanced diplomas, explore career options in more than 300 courses offered statewide, and receive college credit while still in high school; and
WHEREAS, one out of every two high school students in Alabama currently participates in a career and technical education program; and
WHEREAS, the Career and Technical Education Section of the Alabama Department of Education has formed an alliance with the U. S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to develop additional workplace and safety education programs for Alabama’s students; and
WHEREAS, Alabama’s career and technical education programs are committed to recruiting highly qualified and focused educators who are dedicated to ensuring that no child will be left behind; and
WHEREAS, Alabama’s career and technical education program is committed to institutionalizing the core values of Integrity First, Striving for Excellence, Always Professional, Loyalty in Service, and Success Through Teamwork; and
WHEREAS, the Alabama Department of Education is the only state-level education agency in the United States to be awarded certification from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for its Business/Industry Certification (BIC) process used to certify 100% of career and technical education programs to industry standards:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Alabama State Board of Education hereby proclaims February 1-29, 2008, as Career and Technical Education Month and encourages local boards of education, schools, business and industry professionals, and local educational organizations to participate in this celebration through activities that demonstrate the importance of Alabama’s career and technical education programs and the realization of students achieving their lifelong aspirations of academic excellence, personal achievement, and future career success.
Done this 10th day of January 2008.
On Motion by Dr. Ethel H. Hall and seconded by Dr. Mary Jane Caylor, the Board unanimously approved the following:
APPROVAL OF A TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM
SAMFORD UNIVERSITY
Birmingham, Alabama
WHEREAS, a review of a teacher education program was conducted on July 20-23, 2007, and November 26-29, 2007, by the Alabama State Department of Education in accordance with the Alabama State Board of Education, State Department of Education Administrative Code, Rule No. 290-3-3-.56(2)(b)2;(ii); and
WHEREAS, compliance with the Alabama State Board of Education rules has been verified; and
WHEREAS, the State Superintendent of Education recommends approval of the program:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Alabama State Board of Education hereby approves the following program, with approval to expire on May 11, 2010:
Class A Collaborative Teacher (6-12)
Done this 10th day of January 2008
Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Joseph B. Morton directed the Board’s attention to the Quality Counts 2008 report, stating that this was a national report published by Education Week. Alabama received an overall “C.” He stated that this is not where we want to be as a state, but felt that tremendous progress had been made. Alabama is at the national average, but he reminded the Board that we want to do better. Alabama’s highest grade of an “A-” was in the student assessment and accountability category. In retrospect, he commented on the National Assessment of Educational Progress report pertaining to Alabama having the largest gains in 4th grade reading scores. He feels that Alabama will do even better the next time the test is administered.
Dr. Morton told the Board he was especially delighted with Ms. Carole Bausell’s (Project Director for the study) positive comments praising Alabama for our initiatives. Ms. Bausell stated that Alabama has a lot going on that’s reflective of teacher standards and other initiatives.
On motion by Mrs. Sandra Ray and seconded by Dr. Mary Jane Caylor, the meeting adjourned at 10:09 a.m.
David F. Byers, Jr.
Vice President
Joseph B. Morton
Secretary and Executive Officer
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