Board of Education Rep Updates the District

Board of Education Rep Updates the District

State Superintendent Dr. Tommy Bice shared a Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama report at Thursday's state board work session that affirms PLAN 2020 and its strategies. The PARCA report notes increasing the state graduation rate to 90 percent and boosting college and career preparedness would have the economic impact of bringing a Remington, Airbus, or Mercedes "Megaproject" to the state each year. PARCA Executive Director Jim Williams indicated PLAN 2020 was the most ambitious plan he has seen in public education in more than 20 years. Prepared for the Business Education Alliance, the report's findings serve as evidence that the State Board's plan is bold, on track and working.

The report focused on five key areas that align with PLAN 2020 components:

  • Start early. K-12 is coordinating with the Office of School Readiness to invest in and expand pre-kindergarten programs. All public school pre-K programs in the state will have the nationally recognized First Class pre-K standards moving forward.
  • Set high expectations and measure progress toward goals. Bice welcomed the push to fund new state assessments which have a $6 million shortfall in the current budget.
  • Break down barriers to learning. The call to invest in helping at-risk children dovetails with the state's move toward providing local systems the flexibility to be innovative in their work to meet local needs.
  • Seek continuous improvement in teaching and leading. The state board's request for funding professional development remains a high priority.
  • Equip every student with a plan for success and a pathway to prosperity. The Board has implemented its college and career preparedness program in schools and is focused on Advanced Placement classes, dual enrollment, earn & learn, and more.

When such a respected entity as PARCA reviews a plan, it is truly an objective audit. For PLAN 2020 to not only pass, but receive rave reviews, is quite significant. Click to read a brief synopsis and the full PARCA report.

State Superintendent Contract Renewal

Dr. Bice received his own good news at Wednesday's state board meeting when the board voted to approve a two-year contract extension and provide a salary increase. By way of background, I advocated in subcommittee for a smaller increase which was tied to incentives and exceeded the highest paid local Alabama Superintendent. The Committee did not accept that recommendation and chose to recommend salary parity with the Chancellor of the Alabama Community College System - a recommendation I ultimately voted for in the general meeting. I am pleased that educators and students will continue to benefit from the steady leadership of Dr. Bice and am certainly hopeful that salary increases for educators may be achieved soon. This past year the budget was stretched to cover increased PEEHIP costs related to Obamacare which were not passed on to educators. Thankfully, the budget absorbed that extra cost to educators but disallowed increases to salaries. Rainy Day repayments and a slow or negative economy also mightily stressed the 2014/2015 budget. Although not present, the governor communicated his endorsement to board members and the motion was approved 6-2. Click for al.com coverage.

Increasing Expectations for New Teachers

In other action, the board approved a resolution to modify passing Praxis II scores for initial certification. The test has increased both rigor and expectations for new teachers.

Advanced Placement Scores Increasing

Alabama leads the nation in its increase in Advanced Placement scores, with students of color having the highest percentage increase in participation and passing scores.

Thank you!

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Thank you for the privilege of continuing to serve you. Thank you to all those who pray for the safety of our Afghanistan deployed Alabama Air National Guard, 187th Fighter Wing - my husband included - and who have supported me and my children here at home.

 

MARY SCOTT HUNTER

Representative-Alabama Board of Education

District 8 (Limestone, Madison, Jackson, DeKalb, Etowah)

PO Box 18572, Huntsville, AL 35804 ∙ 1-888-531-1312

hunter@maryscotthunter.com

www.maryscotthunter.com