In 1990, the late state SEN. MICHAEL A. FIGURES

of Mobile initiated the Helping Schools Tags (HST)program after MRS. SHIRLEY HENDERSON’S fourth-grade class at Mobile’s Leinkauf Elementary Schoolwrote to legislators prompting them to adopt thecampaign. Figures was the only elected official torespond to the students’ request and thus, the HelpingSchools Tags program was started and carried on byhis wife, SEN. VIVIAN DAVIS FIGURES, who now servesin the state legislature.

In speaking with Sen. Figures recently, she reflectedon her husband’s legacy and expressed her pride about

the great good the HST program has done for Alabama’spublic schools. “To keep my late husband’s dream alive,I decided to sponsor a public relations campaign to betterpromote Helping Schools Tags in January 2002, usingmoney donated in my late husband’s name,” said Figures.“The state education budget was in proration, schoolsstatewide were struggling, and I knew I had to bringawareness to our citizens of what they could do to helpwith the funding crisis.” Tag revenues to local schoolsystems in 2002 jumped to over $1.2 million from$455,000 in 2001. Figures continued, “When people putforth the effort to help education, those efforts pay off.”

(continued on page 2)

isn’t it amazing that one letter from an elementary school class to a state lawmakerstarted a program that has provided more than $5.i million to the state’s public schools?

2 ALABAMA EDUCATION NEWS

• A HELPING SCHOOLSTAG ONLY COSTS $15?

• YOU CAN PERSONALIZEA HELPING SCHOOLS TAGFOR NO EXTRA COST?

• $11.63 OF THE $15 TAGFEE GOES TO SCHOOLS?

• YOU CAN SELECTINDIVIDUAL SCHOOLSTO DIRECT THATMONEY TO?

• YOU CAN PURCHASE AHELPING SCHOOLS TAGFOR MOTORCYCLES?

• IF EVERY REGISTEREDALABAMA VEHICLESPORTED A HELPINGSCHOOLS TAG, THESTATE’S PUBLICSCHOOLS WOULDRECEIVE OVER $52.8MILLION ANNUALLY?

In large counties like Mobile, HSTsales add quite a bit of extra funding toschools. LEINKAUF ELEMENTARY

SCHOOL PRINCIPAL CATHERINE ROGERS

has been on the job there three years andshe has utilized HST funds to promotethe wellness of the school’s children bylistening to suggestions from thestudents themselves. “When I first camehere, the playground equipment was sodilapidated that we had to tear it down,”Rogers said. “We are combining ourHST money with other funds to helpbuild a recess area, something the kidswant and need very much.”

Helping

Schools Tags

Four Success Stories

Southern Choctaw ElementarySchool is a very rural school in centralAlabama. PRINCIPAL SUE MOORE isproud of three projects to which herschool dedicates its annual $1,500 HSTmoney. Moore said they purchased adigital camera so they could take photosof student accomplishments and sharethem with the media, buy annualrewards for student achievement, andbought Accelerated Reader books forthe school’s library.

The five-year increase (2000-2005) of HST

How have schools benefited from the extra reve

BULLOCK COUNTY SCHOOLS

SUPERINTENDENT KEITH STEWART haspurchased Helping Schools Tagsthroughout his education career, and hefeels more folks ought to join in and buythem as well. “We could do so muchmore if every registered vehicle inBullock County sported a HelpingSchools Tag,” said Stewart. “Think of allthe money this system could use incontinuing our work to achieve greatacademic and financial success. Pleasedon’t get me wrong; we are grateful forcurrent revenue. It helps us ‘make endsmeet’ because we are a very poor system.But, it’s just a ‘drop in the bucket’ fromwhat we could be making.”

The Bullock County School Systemused HST funds to buy supplies and,most recently, purchase new computerchairs for Bullock County High School’snew ACCESS (Alabama ConnectingClassrooms, Educators, & Students Statewide)Distance Learning computer lab.

“This is a positive way to helpschools for less than the $50 fee paid forvanity tags. For just 15 bucks, you canpurchase a Helping Schools Tag, have itpersonalized, and help your schools!”

However, Stewart has a word ofwarning to other educators in othersystems. “Make sure the money yourschool supporters designate is actuallycoming to your schools because I havelearned from experience, county probateoffices may not be aware of thedesignation rules.”

(continued from page 1)

1)

2)

3)

3APRIL 2006

Top 5 School Systems with the Largest Increase in Revenuefrom Helping Schools TagsSales from 2000-2005

1. Mobile County$120,574.80

2. Baldwin County$69,935.93

3. Montgomery County$53,513.93

4. Madison County$32,259.36

5. Birmingham City$28,504.52

Top 5 School Systems with the Largest Percentage Increasefrom Helping Schools TagsSales from 2000-2005

1. Mobile County172,249.71%

2. Winston County2,912.33%

3. Conecuh County798.93%

4. Tarrant City775.15%

5. Dothan City649.75%

revenues increased i00.7 percent - $736,745!According to KATE ASBURY LARKIN,

Opelika City Schools Public RelationsCoordinator, promoting HST inpublications is an effective way tomarket such an important commodity.Information about the tag has beenfeatured not only in school and schoolsystem publications but in chamber ofcommerce magazines and localnewspapers.

Senator Figures said she is pleasedwith tag revenue results so far, butbelieves so much more can be done.“I am launching another campaign

through my new foundation, The FiguresLegacy Education Foundation, to bringeven more awareness to the public and toencourage more businesses to becomeschool partners by buying the tags fortheir fleets of vehicles,” said Figures.“Children are our future and we must doeverything we can to help them becomethe best they can be.”

To find out how many HST havebeen sold in your county, CLICK HERE.

For more information on HelpingSchools Tags, CLICK HERE.

nue and what can be done to increase more sales?

1) Mobile County $70 $120,645 $120,575 172,250% 10,374 351,235 $4,084,863

2) Choctaw County $1,395 $7,230 $5,835 418% 621 15,816 $183,940

3) Bullock County $2,911 $14,470 $11,559 397% 1,244 8,488 $98,715

4) Opelika City/Lee $2,802 $12,590 $9,788 349% 1,082 107,938 $1,255,319

(*Data is rounded to the nearest dollar amount.)

(Total RegisteredVehicles in

County x $11.63)

4)

Helping Schools Tags Sales: Four Success Stories

ALABAMA EDUCATION NEWS4

Just as King Arthur called upon his Knightsof the Roundtable to pledge their support, the State Department ofEducation (SDE) has formed the Accountability Roundtable toassist local school systems in improving instruction.

The mission of the Accountability Roundtable is to facilitate aseamless system of data-driven support and services for the purposeof assisting all schools and school systems in meeting annualmeasurable objectives.

The SDE Accountability Roundtable, which replaces Teamsand Team Leaders, includes staff members representing ClassroomImprovement; Student Assessment; Special Education; FederalPrograms; Alabama Reading and Reading First Initiatives; AlabamaMath, Science, and Technology Initiative; Technology Initiatives;Professional Education Personnel Evaluation (PEPE); AlabamaLeadership Academy and Teacher Leader Network; CareerTechnical Education; Prevention and Support Services; AcademicAssistance; and Regional Inservice Center Directors.

The SDE’s Accountability Roundtable supports Alabamapublic schools through state, regional, and district-level plans aswell as local school system roundtables. Currently, more than 20local school systems have chosen to model the state’sAccountability Roundtable and implement their own roundtable.Superintendents from three school systems – Autauga County,Macon County, and Tuscaloosa City – with AccountabilityRoundtables already in place recently shared their experiences atthe School Superintendents of Alabama Spring Conference.

“In Macon County, we were already operating in the teamconcept. Designing our Superintendent’s Roundtable based on thestate model was just a natural progression,” said MACON COUNTY

ic

pepe

p&ssa/asst

arf

ari

ct

sedci

fp

ClassroomImprovement

AMSTI

Regional Inservice Centers

SpecialEducation

TechnologyInitiatives

Alabama ReadingFirst Initiative

Prevention andSupport Services

Career-TechnicalEducation

Assessment

ARI

ALA/TLNPEPE

AcademicAssistance

FederalPrograms

AccountabilityTeam Coordinator

deann Stone

Maggie Rivers-Federal ProgramsAnita Commander-Classroom Improvement

Instructional Accountability-Joint Directorship

SUPERINTENDENT WILLIE C. THOMAS JR. “Our system uses threeSchool Improvement Coaches, a Teacher Leader Network, and theParental and Community Training Program (PACT).

“My principals are my leaders. They are held accountable justas I am held accountable. Everyone must buy in for the sake of thechildren,” said TUSCALOOSA CITY SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT

DR. JOYCE LEVEY. Parents, board members, and business andcommunity leaders participate in the Tuscaloosa City Roundtable,which is facilitated by a school improvement administrator.

AUTAUGA COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT LARRY BUTLER took theproactive approach toward School Improvement whenimplementing a systemwide roundtable. He added a SchoolImprovement Specialist. Butler praised the benefits in his systemof after-school tutoring and new teacher mentoring. Other SchoolImprovement Roundtable successes include a math tutoringprogram at Billingsley High School, same-gender classes anduniforms at Autaugaville School, and gains in special educationpopulations throughout all schools.

State Department of Education or SDE: The AccountabilityRoundtable demonstrates that the “S” stands for service and state.

Contact DR. ANITA BUCKLEY COMMANDER or DEANN STONE

at 334-242-9743, or MAGGIE RIVERS at 334-242-8199.

ACCOUNTABILITY ROUNDTABLE

WILL SERVE STUDENTS

ACCOUNTABILITY ROUNDTABLE VISION:All students will learn to be

prepared for college/work/adulthoodin the 21st century.

To date, progress of theAccountability Roundtable includes:

• Having a checklist and collaborativereview process for School SystemImprovement Plans, School ImprovementPlans, and Comprehensive ProfessionalDevelopment Plans.

• Reviewing plans for possible consolidation.

• Designing a tiered approach for addressingimprovement concerns.

• Providing opportunities for all SDE sectionsto work collaboratively for the purpose ofaddressing school system needs.

• Designing a statewide system of support forschool systems and schools not making AYP.

APRIL 2006 5

AT IT’S JULY 12, 2005, MEETING, MEMBERS of the Alabama Board of Education voted to support arecommendation from the statewide Committee on Student Health to address the state’s obesity problem by promoting healthy nutritionand exercise. The committee reported poor nutrition and lack of physical activity are the culprits in what has become an obesity epidemicnationwide, but in Alabama more than any other state. Over the past 20 years Alabama has fallen behind, raising a generation of studentsless fit than any other state in history. In fact, the report states that unless changes are made in lifestyles and behaviors, today’s youth maybe the first generation in history to not outlive their parents.

The committee composed of nutritionists, doctors, and educators recommended various physical education curriculum guides andmonitoring, funding for certified physical education teachers, fitness testing, nutrition and health curriculum, and healthy snack andlunchroom alternatives. But, how do schools implement the guidelines and meet the challenges when there is a lack of funding, notenough physical education instructors, and daily time constraints?

Live It!““ is a new health andfitness initiative designed to helpstudents build healthy lifestyles byencouraging physical activity as part oftheir daily lives and provide nutritioninformation in schools. Live It!““ canhelp schools meet strategic planningneeds in the area of student physicalfitness by promoting healthy eating andphysical activity. Developed incollaboration with The President’sChallenge, a program of The President’sCouncil on Physical Fitness and Sports,the School Nutrition Association, and theNational Association for Sport &Physical Education, the Live It!““

campaign features inspirational figuresand sports celebrities, including six-timeTour de France cycling champion LANCE

ARMSTRONG, NBA star LEBRON JAMES,NASCAR drivers BOBBY LABONTE andKYLE PETTY, and Olympic GoldMedalist and Birmingham nativeVONETTA FLOWERS.

Currently, Live It!““ is being testedas a pilot program geared toward fifth-and sixth-graders in key marketsnationwide, including Alabama. A fourth-grade initiative will be launched nextschool year. Participating schools areprovided with posters offering tips onhow to incorporate physical activity andhealthy eating into everyday life.Additionally, students receive a Live It!““

fitness kit with activity cards outliningfood tips using new Dietary Guidelinesand suggesting fun ways to achieve10,000 steps daily. The kit also includesa stepometer to track daily steps.

DEBRA WEBSTER, Health andPhysical Education Specialist for theState Department of Education, said

participating in this type of programdevelops a more positive attitudetoward physical activity because itinvolves choice, fun, and a definedgoal. “The ultimate goal of any typeof exercise program is to increase thefrequency and duration of physicalactivity,” Webster said. “A regularwalking or exercise program can helpyoung people maintain a healthy bodyweight, build lean muscle, improvemuscular and cardiovascularendurance, and create overall feelingsof well-being and good health.”

To kick off the national health andfitness initiative, Montgomery studentsfrom the Cleveland Avenue and BellRoad YMCAs; Alabama Board ofEducation members VICE PRESIDENT

SANDRA RAY-District 7, DR. ETHEL

HALL-District 4, STEPHANIE BELL-District 3, ELLA BELL-District 5;STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF

EDUCATION JOE MORTON; and otherdistinguished guests joined VonettaFlowers for an activity-filled event atthe Alabama Department of Educationin Montgomery on March 23. Flowerstold the crowd about the importanceof physical activity and how it hasstrengthened her life. Flowers is thefirst African-American and firstAlabamian to win the “gold” in theWinter Olympics. Flowers, whocompetes in bobsledding, toldstudents, “Set goals to make yourdreams come true, because beinghealthy and active will help youmeet those goals.” To date, morethan 57,000 Alabama students and90 percent of targeted schools areparticipating in Live It!““ .

For more information on Live It!““ andother school programs, CLICK HERE.

OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST VISITS ALABAMA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO PROMOTE MAYAS NATIONAL PHYSICAL FITNESS AND SPORTS MONTH

6 ALABAMA EDUCATION NEWS

TYPICALLY, students begin to take the ACT college entrance exam in the11th-grade. But, that’s not the case for about 30 Southlawn Middle School eighth-graders who have signed up to take the ACT on April 8.

CURTIS RICE, an eighth-grade math teacher, says the primary advantage for hisstudents taking the test now is exposing students to the material and familiarizingthem with the testing format. “They get the opportunity to experience the testfirsthand and still have several years to continue preparation and, if needed, retake itto improve their score,” said Rice.

Although the cost of the ACT exam is $29 per student, Southlawn MiddleSchool students were responsible for paying only $10. The remainder of the cost wascovered by CAROLYN PICKETT, a peer assistant for the Alabama Department ofEducation, along with BERNARD DIXON and IMOGENE BURNS, both former educators.

SOUTHLAWN MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL TINA MINOTT said the preparation herstudents are receiving now will be of grave importance in the very near future. “Thisis just one more way to help our students prepare for success. Additionally, if thestudents do extremely well, their score will stand and be used for college admittancein the future,” said Ms. Minott. Test results should be available in early May.

HYUNDAI SHIFTS

ALABAMA CTE

PROGRAMS INTO

DRIVE

GENTLEMEN (ANDLADIES), START YOURENGINES! Hyundai MotorManufacturing Alabama (HMMA) hasdonated more than 63 new vehicles toAlabama schools with participatingCareer/Technical Education (CTE)programs.

The race to help students better learnto assemble and disassemble automobilesbegan late last year. HMMA donated 17new 2006 NF Sonatas to secondary andpostsecondary schools located within a

State Board of Education Member: Ella Bell, District 5Montgomery County Schools Superintendent: Dr. Carlinda PurcellSouthlawn Middle School Principal: Tina Minott

50- to 75-mile radiusof its first U.S.manufacturing plantin Montgomery.In February, theautomaker revved upthe speed another notchby turning over thekeys to 55 new Sonatasto schools statewide.

“We understandthe value and importance of a well-trained workforce and are pleased topresent these vehicles to assist inAlabama’s educational programs,” saidGREG KIMBLE, Director of HumanResources for HMMA. “This donation isa part of our continuing efforts to trainAlabama’s future workforce for careersin the automotive industry.”

The donated pre-production vehicleswill be used to further develop the skillsof career/tech students in automotiveprograms. These vehicles are foreducational purposes only and are notdesigned for operation on public roads.Schools receiving the donations areinstructed on the overall purpose and

final disposition of the vehicles.Students will serve as pit crews

using the vehicles to learn hands-onmechanics and body work. Instructorsfeel the training will help students reachthe “finish line” as winners in theautomotive field.

STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF

EDUCATION JOE MORTON said, “Iattended the Grand Opening of Hyundaiin Alabama and I have toured the plant.It is so obvious Hyundai is committed tobuilding automobiles of the highestquality and helping build the Alabama oftomorrow. The donation of these vehiclesproves Hyundai is also committed topublic education throughout our state.”

EIGHTH-GRADERS

GET HEAD START

ON COLLEGE EXAM

7APRIL 2006

THE KREWE OF WILLIAMS AVENUE

ELEMENTARY LEARN THROUGH MARDI GRAS

“THROW ME SOMETHING MISTER,”yelled students from Williams Avenue Elementary School asthe costumed members of the school’s fourth-grade historyclasses marched through the halls throwing beads and goodiesin celebration of Mardi Gras. Now in its tenth year, theschool’s Mardi Gras parade is led by fourth-grade historyteacher and Krewe King CARL BROWN. “As part of historyclass, students learn that contrary to popular belief, MardiGras in the United States was first celebrated in Mobile, notNew Orleans,” says Brown. “This event enables students toreinforce what they have learned about the early Frenchsettlement in Alabama.”

However, one parade participant somewhat disagreed.Student COLE BARNES, who relocated to Fort Payne fromNew Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, says he misses the“real” Mardi Gras held in his hometown, but enjoyed his newschool’s parade. A second student, JACEY IKERD of Biloxi,also displaced from Katrina, told fellow students that MardiGras parades and celebrations were also held in her hometown.

Students weren’t the only onesmaking merriment. Teachers also donnedcostumes and masks while enjoying theday’s festivities. PRINCIPAL SHANE BYRD

supports the fun way students learn abouthistory, holidays, and traditions ofdifferent cultures. “Our Mardi Grascelebration means a lot to our students, andperhaps this year’s festivities had a little bitmore of a special meaning, especially for our displaced students,” saidByrd. “But, at the same time, the kids learn so much about our world.”

Following the hurricane, concern for Gulf Coast residents promptedthe school to hold a donations drive to help in the affected areas.Students, faculty, and community members filled a tractor-trailer truckwith relief items, which was driven to the coast to aid hurricane victims.

State Board of Education Member: Dr. Mary Jane Caylor, District 8Fort Payne City Schools Superintendent: James Cunningham, Jr.Williams Avenue Elementary School Principal: Shane Byrd

State Board of Education Member: Dr. Ethel Hall, District 4 Birmingham City Schools Superintendent: Dr Wayman Shiver, Jr.Ramsay High School Principal: Jeanette Watters

IF YOU WATCH primetimenetwork television, you most likelyview programs centered on solvingcrimes through investigative forensictechniques using science, math, andtechnology. Hit shows like “CSI –Miami” (CSI stands for Crime SceneInvestigation), “Law and Order,” and“NCIS” (Naval Criminal InvestigativeService) have taken viewers to anotherlevel when it comes to using scientificmethods to generate crucial evidence incrime solving.

When U.S. SECRETARY OF

EDUCATION MARGARET SPELLINGS

visited Birmingham for a parent

roundtable in February she witnessed howone Alabama teacher incorporated thepopular television shows into classroominstruction by having students examinehair strands under a microscope as part ofa CSI mock crime scene.

Spellings was impressed that theRamsay High School science students,instructed by teacher HILMA ORMAN,were fully interested in performing theexperiment and not watching the clock,waiting for class to end. “Math isbecoming essential in fields ranging fromadvertising to consulting to media topolicymaking,” said Spellings.

U.S. SEN. JEFF SESSIONS (R-AL),who is a member of the panel, praisedSpellings for singling out Alabama’sefforts to raise math and science standards.“The Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI)

has shown great success, and now Iexpect the Alabama Math, Science, andTechnology Initiative (AMSTI) to do thesame,” he said. “The reason theseprograms work so well is that they gobeyond telling teachers to do better; theyactually equip teachers with the skills,knowledge and materials to teachsuccessfully.”

Sessions went on to say that Alabamais stepping ahead with programs in mathand science that are gaining nationalattention. In fact, AMSTI is consistentwith President Bush’s new globalcompetitiveness initiative, announcedduring the State of the Union address.Bush says these programs are needed toensure all students receive the high-qualityeducation they need to be competitive intoday’s world.

ALABAMA CSI?“Just one state – Alabama – requires students to take four years of math and

science in high school.” Spellings made her comments at a hearing before theU.S. Senate Health and Education Committee in Washington.

Photo by Dusty Plunkett of The (FortPayne) Times-Journal

8 ALABAMA EDUCATION NEWS

MATHEMATICALQUILTING is a unique class offered

at the Alabama School of Fine Arts

(ASFA) in Birmingham. The math

elective class enables students to learn

about geometry, while at the same time

create a masterful quilt. The class is

so popular that students compete

for admittance.

The class is taught by JUDY

CANTWELL, an ASFA math teacher whobelieves a hands-on approach to maththrough quilting allows students to becreative and learn about angles and

geometric patterns at the same time.Student MALCOLM HAMILTON, who istaking the class for a second time, said,“I use my math skills and my creativity

to make comfort for the world. This

class is my favorite time of the day –it’s a relaxing experience where I stillcan use my brain.”

The Alabama School of Fine Arts is

a public, tuition-free school for Alabamastudents offering instruction for Grades

7-12. Admission is by audition in one ofsix specialty areas: Creative Writing,

Dance, Mathematics & Science, Music,

Theatre Arts, and Visual Arts.

ACCORDING TO A CNN REPORT, the smallestSt. Patrick’s Day Parade in the United States is held in Enterprise,Alabama. Surprised? Yes, and of course everyone knows thelargest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the nation is held in New YorkCity. To receive an invitation to appear in the parade is quitean honor.

More than two million parade spectators from around theworld watched the event live as the Oxford High School (OHS)Band marched down Fifth Avenue March 17. The OHS MarchingYellow Jackets, the only Alabama band to ever participate in theparade, was one of 64 bands invited to the 245th Annual NewYork St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

OHS BAND DIRECTOR CHRIS PENNINGTON said theexperience was very exciting for his students. “The citizensof New York were awesome,” said Pennington. “There was an

enormous crowd that gave us a big response, and the bandfed off of it.”

Following the parade, an awards ceremony was held wherethe band received recognition for it’s performance. Students andchaperones also managed to fit in extra activities in their“business trip” by touring the Big Apple’s landmarks, includingthe Statue of Liberty, and taking in a Broadway performance.

Oxford High School

Band Receives Exclusive

Invitation

State Board of Education Member: Stephanie Bell, District 3Oxford City Schools Superintendent: Dr. Jeff GoodwinOxford High School Principal: Trey Holladay

State Board of Education Member: Dr. Ethel Hall, District 4Alabama School of Fine Arts Superintendent: John Northrop

Students Learn the Art of Quilting Using Math Skills

9APRIL 2006

WHILE MOST ALABAMASCHOOLS were preparing to dismissclasses for Spring Break, Gov. Bob Rileywas signing two recently passededucation-related legislative bills into law.

During a news conference at theAlabama Department of Education onMarch 16, STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF

EDUCATION JOE MORTON; SENATOR

BRADLEY BYRNE (R-District 32);REPRESENTATIVES JAMES THOMAS

(D-District 69), BETTY CAROL GRAHAM

(D-District 81), VICTOR GASTON (R-District 100); educators; and stakeholdersjoined the governor to sign two historicbills that add five days to the schoolyear and hold administrators to fiscalaccountability.

House Bill (HB) 333 amends theCode of Alabama relating to the publiceducation Foundation Program Fund toincrease the required school term from aminimum 175 to 180 full instructionaldays annually. In a Birmingham Newseditorial, Morton wrote, “Alabamaliterally brings up the rear of theindustrialized world in the number ofdays per year students attend school. Ifour students had the same school year asstudents in East Asian countries (anaverage of 209 days) they would graduatewith the equivalent of more than twoadditional years of learning. Additionally,research shows that students in the UnitedStates spend an estimated 1,462 hoursfocusing on mathematics, science,language, and social studies during highschool. Students in Japan, France, andGermany devote twice that many hours(an average of 3,367 hours on coresubjects). Is it any surprise thatinternational students outperform U.S.students on international tests? We allrecognize that Alabama’s students willbe competing with other students fromaround the world for the jobs of thefuture. Are we giving them the best

NEW LEGISLATION PROVIDES FOR

FIVE EXTRA SCHOOL DAYS

HOUSE BILL (HB) 94, the School FiscalAccountability Act, also signed by Gov. Riley on March 16,creates a new chapter in Title 16 of the Code of Alabamato require local boards of education to adopt certain fiscalmanagement policies. Act No. 2006-196 applies to systemcustodians of funds and local superintendents. It also

$CHOOL SYSTEM

FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY

IS NOW STATE LAW

Gov. Riley (seated) is joined by (l to r) Sen. Byrne, Rep. Thomas,Rep. Graham, Rep. Gaston, and State Superintendent ofEducation Joe Morton.

opportunity possible if they attend fewerschool days per year than any of theircompetitors?”

Former Alabama Board of EducationMember Senator Bradley Byrne said,“The effectiveness of five extra days willallow more instructional days to make upfor days spent on required testing and willenable students to compete on an evenplaying field with students from otherstates and countries.”

The amount of additional fundingrequired to add the extra days in fiscalyear 2007 is $96 million, which will gotoward the cost associated with payingteachers and support personnel to workfive additional days.

amends current law regarding the financial intervention processby replacing the words “fiscally unsound budget” with the term“financial reports” and allowing the financial intervention processto begin at the time the Alabama Department of Educationbecomes aware of a financial problem instead of waiting until a“fiscally unsound budget” is submitted.

The new Chapter 13A of the legislation affects the duties andresponsibilities of the Alabama Department of Education and localschool boards requiring the State Superintendent of Education toemploy a Chief Education Financial Officer (CFO) to oversee thefinancial integrity of schools and to conduct internal audits ofschools. Additionally, the act requires CFOs to meet certainqualifications and local superintendents to complete the StateSuperintendent’s financial and legal training program and passthe program’s competency exam.

To view both legislative bills, CLICK HERE.

Madison City Schools Students Win Design Contests

RACHEL WILLIAMS, seventh-graderat Discovery Middle School, createdthe winning poster design. Rachel waspresented with an award during aspecial presentation held at theUniversity of Alabama Huntsville.

Additionally, two of Rachel’sclassmates were this year’s JuniorAchievement Logo Design winners.MICHELLE GRAHAM’S design won 1stplace and NATHAN COLE’S design won3rd place. These two students were

honored at the 21st Annual JuniorAchievement Bowl-A-Thon KickoffLuncheon held at the Four PointsSheraton in March.

IN CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH MONTHin May, students from the Madison City School System competed in a poster contestsponsored by the Mental Health Association of Madison County.

10 ALABAMA EDUCATION NEWS

DAPHNE ELEMENTARYSOUTH TEACHER BLAIR HEALD

has been selected as the 2005 BaldwinCounty Public Schools nominee forthe prestigious Jacksonville StateUniversity Teacher Hall of Fame.Heald teaches Gifted Education forstudents in Grades 4 and 5 in the

Baldwin County Teacher Hall of Fame Nominee Named

State Board of Education Member: Dr. Mary Jane Caylor, District 8Madison City Schools Superintendent: Dr. Henry Clark

State Board of Education Member: Randy McKinney, District 1Baldwin County Schools Superintendent: Dr. Faron Hollinger

program designated as Project Jubilee.In addition to serving studentsidentified for the program, she conductsschoolwide contact lessons for all ofthe students on the campus.

Heald, who has ten years ofexperience teaching, has served thepast six years in her current position.She is a specialist and trainer forTalents Unlimited, a nationallyrecognized thinking skills model,and serves as the school technologycoordinator. As a recipient of theFulbright Memorial Fund TeacherProgram Grant, she has become aspecialist on Japan, especially in theancient Japanese craft of Temari, andis also a member of the Mobile

Ichihara Sister City Association. Recognitions earned by students

under her instruction include Reader’sDigest Word Power and NationalGeography Bee state winners for twoyears running.

PRINCIPAL DANA HORST describesHeald as a teacher who has a thirstfor knowledge and “is consistentlysearching for new innovative ways toteach her students.”

Heald now qualifies for the nextlevel of competition. Officials atJacksonville State University report thatthe top five applicants notified in Marchwill participate in an interview processto select the one teacher in Alabama tobe honored at the University.

11APRIL 2006

THE 88TH ANNUAL ALABAMA PTA CONVENTION will be held

at the Holiday Inn Select in Huntsville, April 21-22.

CLICK HERE for more information.

THE 3RD ALABAMA CONFERENCE ON FATHERHOOD will be held

in Birmingham, May 3-5.

CLICK HERE for more information.

THE 2006 MEGA CONFERENCE will be held in Mobile,

July 10-14. CLICK HERE for more information.

THE LAW DAY 2006 ESSAY & POSTER CONTEST, sponsored by the

Alabama Bar Association, is open to students in Grades K-6 (poster

contest) and Grades 7-12 (essay contest).

For ideas and information, CLICK HERE. Deadline: April 21

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL�S ALABAMA SAFE SCHOOLS INITIATIVE AWARDS

OF EXCELLENCE recognize schools demonstrating outstanding efforts

to create a safer learning environment for students and staff

through on and off-campus teamwork. For more information,

CLICK HERE or contact Jean Davis, 334-242-7923.

Deadline: April 28

THE 4TH ANNUAL JENICE RILEY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP, sponsored by

the Alabama Humanities Foundation, awards a $1,000 scholarship to

a K-6 Alabama teacher to advance knowledge and teaching skills in

the subject areas of history and civics. CLICK HERE or call

205-558-3980 for more information. Deadline: April 28

THE SILVER LINING PROGRAM recognizes and honors young people ages

14-19 affected by catastrophe this year yet were still able to have a

positive impact on others. CLICK HERE for competition guidelines.

Deadline: May 15

AWARDS AND OPPORTUNITIES

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

AND RESOURCES

THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OFEDUCATION’S Second Annual Statewide FamilyPoster Contest on Parental Involvement is underway andthis year will carry the theme Children Are the Future —Share the Vision. A letter from STATE SUPERINTENDENT

OF EDUCATION JOE MORTON to all county and citysuperintendents was sent March 3 outlining contest detailsand explaining that all Alabama families should beencouraged to participate in this effort.

The statewide winning poster will become the themeposter for parental involvement month in October andwill be displayed on billboards around the state. Elevenadditional posters will receive special recognition bybecoming a part of the 2006-2007 Alabama Parent andFamily Involvement Calendar to be made availableonline beginning in September.

Also, new to this year’s contest are merchant giftcards for the winners (valued from $100 to $500).Don’t let your school system miss out. Make plans foryour local contests today so that your system’s postercan be delivered to Judy Bohannon in the FederalPrograms Section by the deadline of May 3.

For additional information, CLICK HERE to visit theAlabama Department of Education’s Website or contactJudy Bohannon at 334-242-8199 or CLICK HERE.

2006 STATEWIDE FAMILY

POSTER CONTEST ON

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT

2005 POSTER WINNER

ALABAMA BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERSGov. Bob Riley, PresidentDist. 1 - Randy McKinney, Pres. Pro Tem, Gulf ShoresDist. 2 - Betty Peters, DothanDist. 3 - Stephanie W. Bell, MontgomeryDist. 4 - Ethel H. Hall, V.P. Emerita, FairfieldDist. 5 - Ella B. Bell, MontgomeryDist. 6 - David F. Byers Jr., BirminghamDist. 7 - Sandra Ray, Vice Pres.,TuscaloosaDist. 8 - Mary Jane Caylor, Huntsville

Joseph B. Morton, State Superintendent of Education and Secretary and Executive Officer of the Alabama Board of Education

BOARD BRIEFS

✍Approved Resolutions Commending the StateHonoree and Distinguished Finalists, 2006Prudential Spirit of Community Awards

✍Approved Resolution for Adoption of ArtsEducation and Languages Other Than English -Foreign Languages State Courses of Study

✍Approved New Teacher Education Programs,Faulkner University, Montgomery

✍Approved Nominees for the Board of Trustees,Alabama School of Fine Arts

✍Announced Intent to Amend AlabamaAdministrative Code Rules Pertaining to AlabamaHigh School Diplomas with AdvancedCareer/Technical Endorsement andCareer/Technical Endorsement

FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF AGENDA ITEMS,PLEASE VISIT THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT

OF EDUCATION’S WEB SITE

HEREUNDER BOARD OF EDUCATION.

M A R C H

VOL 29 • NO 7 APRIL 2006

APRIL2-8 National Library Week

3-14 Stanford 10/Alabama Reading and Math Test (ARMT)Administrations

5 Kick Butts Day – Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids13 Alabama Board of Education Meeting

21-22 88th Annual Alabama PTA Convention24 Confederate Memorial Day (STATE HOLIDAY)27 Alabama Board of Education Work Session (Birmingham)

MAY8-14 Teacher Appreciation Week

9 National Teachers Day11 Alabama Board of Education Meeting25 Alabama Board of Education Work Session29 Memorial Day (STATE HOLIDAY)

Math Awareness MonthChild Abuse Prevention Month

Mental Health Month • SAFE Kids MonthPhysical Fitness Month

ALABAMAEDUCATION NEWS

Editorial Staff - (334) 242-9950Managing Editor - Mitch EdwardsEditor - Rebecca Leigh WhiteContributing Editors - Anne P. Graham

Michael O. SibleyEd Crenshaw

Graphic Artists - Mary Nell ShawCharles V. Creel

The Alabama Department of Education publishes Alabama EducationNews (USPS 387-290) monthly except for June, July, and December.Editorial offices are located in the Gordon Persons Building, Montgomery36130-2101. Alabama Education News is composed by the Department ofEducation’s Communication Section and printed by EBSCO Media ofBirmingham. Periodicals are postage paid in Montgomery and at anadditional mailing office.

This publication, authorized by Section 16-2-4 of the Code of Alabama,as recompiled in 1975, is a public service of the Alabama Department ofEducation designed to inform citizens and educators about programs andgoals of public education in Alabama.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Alabama Education News,Alabama Department of Education, P.O. Box 302101, Montgomery, AL36130-2101.

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.

JOYCE M. WAID, a mathematics teacher at LocustFork High School in the Blount County School System,is the Teacher of the Month for March.

“Teaching mathematics is more than just helpingstudents memorize formulas. It is about encouragingactive participation in the classroom and helping studentsuse mathematics to construct meaning within the worldaround them,” said Waid.

Students, colleagues, and administrators are proud torecognize Waid’s accomplishments. She was selected Blount County’s Teacherof the Year in 2003-2004 and 2005-2006. She is also involved in the AlabamaMathematics, Science, and Technology Initiative (AMSTI) and works with herschool’s mentoring program.

As Teacher of the Month for March, Waid will receive $1,000 from AlfaInsurance, and her school, Locust Fork High School, will receive a matchingaward from the Alabama Farmers Federation.

This year, Alfa Insurance and Alabama Farmers Federation will recognizeone teacher from each state school board district as well as two private schoolteachers and two principals. For further information, CLICK HERE.

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