MINUTES OF THE ALABAMA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
THE STATE OF ALABAMA
THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2011
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA
The Alabama State Board of Education met for its regular meeting of Elementary/Secondary Education matters on Thursday, May 12, 2011, at 9:35 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. RANDY MCKINNEY, VICE PRESIDENT
ALABAMA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Mr. Randy McKinney called the meeting to order. The invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance were held. On roll call, the following members were present:
Mrs. Ella B. Bell
Mrs. Stephanie Bell
Dr. Charles E. Elliott
Mrs. Mary Scott Hunter
Dr. Yvette Richardson
Mr. Randy McKinney, Vice President
Mrs. Betty Peters
Mr. Gary Warren, President Pro Tem
Absent
Governor Robert Bentley
Dr. Joseph B. Morton, State Superintendent of Education and Secretary and Executive Officer of the Board, was present.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF APRIL 14, 2011
On motion by Mrs. Ella B. Bell and seconded by Mrs. Betty Peters, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of April 14, 2011.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
On motion by Mrs. Ella B. Bell and seconded by Dr. Yvette Richardson, the Board voted unanimously to approve the agenda.
On motion by Mrs. Betty Peters and seconded by Mrs. Stephanie Bell, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the following:
RESOLUTION IN RECOGNITION OF YOUSSEF BIAZ
2011 POETRY OUT LOUD NATIONAL CHAMPION
WHEREAS, the Alabama State Board of Education seeks to encourage and honor excellence in the public schools; and
WHEREAS, Auburn High School senior Youssef Biaz – a two-time state champion – won the 2011 Poetry Out Loud National Poetry Recitation Contest in Washington, DC; and
WHEREAS, Youssef Biaz, who plans to attend film school at the University of Southern California, receives a $20,000 college scholarship and the Auburn High School library receives a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books; and
WHEREAS, Youssef Biaz competed against 53 students from other states, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, Guam and Puerto Rico; and
WHEREAS, Youssef Biaz became the 2011 Poetry Out Loud National Champion with the poem Filling Station by Elizabeth Bishop; and
WHEREAS, Youssef Biaz advanced to the national contest in Washington, DC, from a field of more than 365,000 students who tested their skills in poetry recitation in more than 2,000 schools nationwide; and
WHEREAS, now in its sixth year of national competition, Poetry Out Loud is a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, which encourages the study of great poetry by offering educational materials and a dynamic recitation competition to high schools students across the country; and
WHEREAS, Poetry Out Loud gives students an opportunity to master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage; and
WHEREAS, the Alabama State Council on the Arts partners with the Alabama Alliance for Arts in Education to implement Poetry Out Loud in Alabama:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Alabama State Board of Education does hereby commend and congratulate Youssef Biaz on his talent and perseverance in attaining this national honor, and does hereby commend his Advanced Placement English teacher Davis Thompson for his dedication and assistance to his students.
Done this 12th day of May 2011
On motion by Mrs. Mary Scott Hunter and seconded by Mrs. Stephanie Bell, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the following:
RESOLUTION COMMENDING DR. GAY F. BARNES, NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFIED TEACHER, HORIZON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, MADISON CITY SCHOOL SYSTEM
2011-2012 ALABAMA TEACHER OF THE YEAR
WHEREAS, Dr. Gay F. Barnes, National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT), has taught first-grade for six years at Horizon Elementary School in the Madison City School System; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Gay F. Barnes is a 20-year veteran of the teaching profession and a NBCT; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Gay F. Barnes earned a Ph.D. in Reading/Literacy Education from Alabama A.& M. University, Education Specialist and M.A. in Elementary Education from the University of Alabama Birmingham, and a B.A. in Elementary Education from the University of Alabama Huntsville; and
WHEREAS, since earning her first degree, Dr. Gay F. Barnes has taught reading, multi-age classes, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades, a college freshmen class for struggling readers, and a university class for pre-service teachers; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Gay F. Barnes has a passion for helping struggling readers that hits close to home since three of her children are dyslexic and have specific learning disabilities, and she appreciates their teachers and “pays it forward” by helping struggling readers and their families; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Gay F. Barnes’ professional associations include: the International and Alabama Reading Associations; National Council of Teachers of Mathematics; National, Alabama and Madison Education Association; and National, Alabama and Horizon PTA; and
WHERAS, Dr. Gay F. Barnes has been a supervising teacher of Alabama A. & M. University student teachers and a curriculum writer and trainer for the Alabama Reading Initiative:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Alabama State Board of Education expresses its gratitude to Dr. Gay F. Barnes for her dedication to education, her commitment to learning, and the inspiration that her career has brought to the teaching profession for the benefit of students and teachers in the state.
Done this 12th day of May 2011
On motion by Dr. Charles Elliott and seconded by Mrs. Stephanie Bell, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the following:
RESOLUTION COMMENDING MARLA R. HINES, VESTAVIA HILLS HIGH SCHOOL,
VESTAVIA HILLS CITY SCHOOL SYSTEM
2011-2012 ALTERNATE ALABAMA STATE TEACHER OF THE YEAR
WHEREAS, Marla R. Hines teaches tenth-grade Physical Science at Vestavia Hills High School in the Vestavia Hills City School System; and
WHEREAS, Marla R. Hines graduated with a B.S. from the University of Alabama Birmingham; and
WHEREAS, Marla R. Hines’ professional organizations include: the National Science Teachers Association, Alabama National Board Certified Teachers Network, Alabama Federation of Teachers, and National and Alabama Education Associations; and
WHEREAS, Marla R. Hines has passion for science that began in a college freshman entomology class and served as a member of the Alabama Course of Study Committee for Science in 2009; and
WHEREAS, Marla R. Hines is a member of the Kiwanis and Key Clubs and works actively with them to “serve the children of the world,” which is the Kiwanis Club mission statement, and was named Alabama’s Hoyt Lee Outstanding Kiwanian in 2008; and
WHEREAS, Marla feels that the rewards from teaching are fulfilling on a daily basis and makes her life feel complete and that teaching helps her to grow to be a better educator and a better human being; and
WHEREAS, Marla R. Hines personifies the time, attention and patience that great educators show every day in the classroom:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Alabama State Board of Education does hereby commend Marla R. Hines for her dedication to her students, 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 12th day of May 2011
On motion by Mrs. Stephanie Bell and seconded by Mrs. Mary Scott Hunter, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the following:
RESOLUTION COMMENDING
THE 2011-2012 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 2011-2012 Alabama Teacher of the Year Program exhibit these qualities and more:
District I Elementary Teacher of the Year – Dr. Jamie Ladnier-Hicks
Castlen Elementary School, Mobile County Schools
District I Secondary Teacher of the Year – Jennifer Monie de Torres
Clark-Shaw Magnet School, Mobile County Schools
District II Elementary Teacher of the Year – Joyce C. Lilly
Sycamore Elementary School, Talladega County Schools
District II Secondary Teacher of the Year – Paula Dean
Carver Magnet School, Dothan City Schools
District III Elementary Teacher of the Year – Cari Prickett Wilson
R. L. Young Elementary School, Talladega City Schools
District III Secondary Teacher of the Year – Susan Andrea Kuzma
Prattville High School, Autauga County Schools
District IV Elementary Teacher of the Year – Pamela Yau
Edgewood Elementary School, Homewood City Schools
District IV Secondary Teacher of the Year – Richard S. Sturgeon
Hoover High School, Hoover City Schools
District V Elementary Teacher of the Year – Christal Hall
McIntosh Elementary School, Washington County Schools
District V Secondary Teacher of the Year – Katherine Pitts
Thomasville High School, Thomasville City Schools
Action Item No. G.2.d.
Alabama State Board of Education
May 12, 2011
Page 2
District VI Elementary Teacher of the Year – Angelia Diane Franks
Appalachian School, Blount County Schools
District VI Secondary Teacher of the Year – Marla R. Hines
Vestavia Hills High School, Vestavia Hills City Schools
District VII Elementary Teacher of the Year – Dr. Brenda Massey
Weeden School, Florence City Schools
District VII Secondary Teacher of the Year – Adina J. Stone
Sheffield High School, Sheffield City Schools
District VIII Elementary Teacher of the Year – Dr. Gay F. Barnes
Horizon Elementary School, Madison City Schools
District VIII Secondary Teacher of the Year – Marcia S. Farabee
Hokes Bluff High School, Etowah County 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 12th day of May 2011
On motion by Dr. Charles Elliott and seconded by Mrs. Stephanie Bell, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the following:
RESOLUTION
RECOGNIZING ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION’S 2011 YOUNG HEROES
WHEREAS, Alabama Public Television established the Young Heroes Awards in 2001 to honor Alabama students in Grades 9-12 who have excelled in academics, given of themselves through public service, overcome adversity, or inspired others through their deeds and strength of character; and
WHEREAS, Young Heroes receive scholarships, laptop computers, and other prizes; and
WHEREAS, the Young Heroes Program is made possible through the support of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, Books-A-Million, Honda, Publix, and Technip; and
WHEREAS, from hundreds of nominations, a committee of Alabama business, civic, and education leaders selected the following five students as Alabama Public Television’s 2011 Young Heroes:
· China Barber – Theodore High School – Mobile County Schools
· Faith Bynum – Corner High School – Jefferson County Schools
· Jessica DeVoe – Piedmont High School – Piedmont City Schools
· Steven Jones – Foley High School – Baldwin County Schools
· Matthew Watts – Robertsdale High School – Baldwin County Schools
WHEREAS, in conjunction with the Alabama Department of Education’s State Teacher of the Year Program, Alabama’s Young Heroes were honored during a gala awards ceremony at Montgomery’s Frazer United Methodist Church on May 11, which was broadcast live throughout the state by Alabama Public Television:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Alabama State Board of Education does hereby commend these outstanding young people for their accomplishments and their characters, and wishes them every success in their future endeavors.
Done this 12th day of May 2011
On motion by Dr. Yvette Richardson and seconded by Mrs. Ella B. Bell, the Board voted unanimously to approve the following proposals:
Florence City Schools
Innovative School Systems Proposal
Proposed Innovation
Implementation of an interdisciplinary and project-based History and English Language Arts curriculum incorporating the existing Alabama Courses of Study and extended content needed to meet College Readiness Standards and Advanced Placement success
Implementation of a School-Within-a-School Fine Arts Magnet
Implementation of an Industry-Based Graduation Recovery Program for At-Risk Students – 12 for Life
Requested Flexibility
Waive the requirement for participating students to take the social studies and language portions of the Alabama High School Graduation Exam
Allow adjunct instructors in the areas of dance and visual arts/watercolor and oils to provide instruction in these two areas
Approve Creative Writing as a substitute credit for the Fine Arts graduation credit
Accept the locally developed and industry-based work experience and coursework to meet the graduation requirements in lieu of the typically earned Workforce Essentials course and Cooperative Education while adhering to all industry and child-labor state and federal regulations for students enrolled in the 12 for Life Program
Extended Accountability
Increase scores on the ACT and AP Exams in English and History
Increase number of students enrolled in Fine Arts coursework by 20% over the five-year period
Increase number of students receiving college scholarship opportunities in Fine Arts from 10 to 25 over the five-year period
Increase number of students with workforce-ready credentials from 50 to 100 over the five-year period
Increase the percentage of 12 for Life students achieving 90% production from 38% to 90%, or better, over the five-year period
Increase the percentage of sustainable student workforce from 43% to 92% per semester over the five-year period
Lawrence County Schools
Innovative School Systems Proposal Summary
Proposed Innovation
Agriculture-Based Diploma Endorsement for the purpose of increasing the awareness of and participation in agriculture related careers and their importance to the economy of our state and country
Requested Flexibility
Add the Agriculture-Based designation to the Career Technical Endorsement of the Alabama High School Diploma
Integrate additional agriculture-based content and activities into the required academic content for Grades 2-12
Accept embedded credit for the required Economics course within Agriscience and Business and Marketing Courses