BREAKING NEWS - Montgomery, Alabama

State School Chief Seeking "A Plan for Survival" for State School System - Alabama facing "structural fiscal problem in funding state school system. (State education budget in deep hole  in spite of stimulus fund)

Alabama State Superintendent of Education Joe Morton last week called for “A Plan for Survival” for Alabama’s “under funded” public school system, serving 739,197 students.

https://docs.alsde.edu/documents/55/FY%202011%20Budget%20Issues.pdf

 

Alabama State Superintendent \Morton Press release on “A Plan for Survival”

https://docs.alsde.edu/documents/55/NewsReleases2009/10-22-09STATE_SUPT_EDUC_SURVIVAL_PLAN.pdf

 

Rising health insurance costs (Associated Press, October 23, 2009 Advertiser: State may have teachers pay more for health insurance:

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20091023/NEWS02/910230315/1009/news02/State-may-up-cost-of-benefits-for-teachers combined with a lingering state economic slump, now in its third year, has left Alabama schools “in a fiscal structural hole that has emptied the state’s “Rainy Day Fund” and consumed federal recovery and stimulus funds without doing either for Alabama’s school children,” according to a Birmingham-based education school improvement think tank, Citizens for Better Schools www.cfbsedu.org “Alabama’s historic proclivity to educate on the cheap has spawned a “perfect storm” for real education funding reform in Alabama,” said Citizens for Better Schools executive director Ronald E. Jackson. “Survival is not enough for a state that ranks fifth from the bottom among fifty states in per pupil spending, with some of the highest dropout and poverty rates, and now the tenth highest unemployment rate in the nation.  Economic recovery in Alabama will not come by firing more teachers closing more schools, and continuing to under-educate its citizens in a state over reliant on regressive, unstable, sales and inequitable income taxes to fund its schools. That’s a true formula for continued economic disaster,” Mr. Jackson added.

 

Citizens for Better Schools noted “Dr. Morton’s “Plan for Survival” press release did not come with specific increased dollar estimates he expects his proposed formula split with higher education systems might result for cash strapped local school districts. Mr. Jackson said “Dr. Morton’s “survival” plan is an illusory abstraction.  Actually it’s a zero sum game pitting one education family member (Post-secondary against K-12) when in fact both systems need leadership and statesmanship to inspire the public to increase its economic investment in public education at both levels. The ‘lest just survive’ defense plan is a self-defeating game that has been played out for years in Alabama." 

 

Alabama’s basic public education funding system has not been updated since its adoption in 1938; it needs to be scrapped.  Modern education funding systems recognize that funding school systems merely on an enrollment count does not produce the fuel needed to drive robust economies.  Perhaps Dr. Morton’s “Plan for Survival” will put some flesh on these bones” (Alabama’s school funding system) before special interest buries it in January’s election-year legislative session.

 “Politics make strange bed-fellows.”

Small school districts and post-secondary systems may team up on this one when they realize that big school districts profit more than small rural and urban poor districts with declining enrollment when funding is based on simple head count funding systems. “Just and fair changes to Alabama school funding systems require equity to meet the long neglected needs of the states’ economically poor school systems serving the state’s most challenged school students - our poor, Mr. Jackson added.

Birmingham Alabama:

 

      Alabama Governor Cuts Legislature's School Funding by 7.% After Receiving Federal Stimulus Funds for 2010

Only a few months after receiving nearly a billion dollars in federal stimulus funds from the Untied States Department of Education, Alabama Governor Bob Riley (R), mentioned as a potential Republican presidential candidate in 2012, has slashed state spending for education by over seven percent for fiscal year 2010.  It is the third year in a row Alabama has reduced its state spending on education, in a state consistently ranked near the bottom among states in per-pupil spending and academic achievement, according to “The Nation’s Report Card, NAPE (National Assessment of Educational Progress)

 

 

 

 

             Alabama’s spending for education, heavily reliant on sales and income tax collections, had declined long before last year’s historic recession struck.  Alabama’s reduction in education spending would have been larger without President Obama’s stimulus funds program.  Unfortunately, Alabama’s truculent reluctance to invest in education by overhauling its 1938 education funding formula continues to be an albatross around the state's economic neck, as its students fall further behind the learning curve among other states and the international community.

Tuscaloosa County School Board Reorganizes Administration - State Budget Cuts Force Cuts

Report From ABC/3340: Tuscaloosa County Schools Reorganize http://www.abc3340.com/news/stories/0909/663849.html

Montgomery County School System, another troubled Alabama school system:

More layoffs, loans ahead for schools New Superintendent' Credentials Questioned - She’s “Not a Doctor,” Board member questions new superintendent’s credentials (friction on Board may be racial to boot)

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/section/news01 (Watch videos to right of page on the Montgomery Advertiser story)

 

 

Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge Eugene Verin HAS DENIED "state immunity" fROM suit in an Alabama Open Records Act (i.e., public records) law suit against the Birmingham Board of Education and has set a liability and remedy trial for this Friday at 8:30 AM in Bessemer Circuit

Court.  Lawyers for the Birmingham Board of Education and former Birmingham school superintendent Stan Mims had sought dismissal of the public records lawsuit on grounds of state immunity from suit for school boards.       In rejecting the school board's claim of legal immunity, Judge Verin wrote: "It is well established that municipal and county Boards of Education within the state of Alabama are deemed to be agents of the State and are thus ordinarily immune from suit pursuant to Article I, Section 14 of the Constitution of the State of Alabama. Bessemer Board of Education v. Tucker, 999 So.2d 957 (Ala.Civ.App. 2008). However, this immunity is not absolute and one of the exceptions to Section 14 immunity is "actions to compel state officials to perform ministerial acts." See, Ex parte Carter, 395 So.2d 65 (Ala. 1980). This action was brought by Plaintiffs to enforce their rights under Section 36-12-40 (Code of Alabama, 1975, as amended), hereafter also referred to as the "Alabama Open Records Act," to inspect certain public records of the Birmingham School Board. The Alabama Open Records Act is remedial and is to be liberally construed in favor of the public. Water Works and Sewer Board of City of Talladega v. Consolidated Pub., Inc., 892 So.2d 859 (Ala. 2004).”
 

The records sought were neither privileged nor subject to non  disclosure pursuant to exemptions to the aforementioned Act or any other state law. The production of these records for inspection and copying by the Defendants would thus constitute simple ministerial actions on their part."  Judge Verin has set trial to begin at 9:00 AM on Friday, August 21, 2009. 

Citizens for Better Schools' filed this public records (Alabama version of the Freedom of Information Act) action on behalf of the Birmingham Board of Education's “Lay Citizens Advisory Task Force on School Closure, Merger, and Consolidation,” appointed by former Birmingham school superintendent Stan Mims in 2006.  The Lay Citizens Advisory task force was to undertake a comprehensive restructuring review of the troubled Birmingham school system.  Mims refused to provide the Task Force financial, student attendance zone, faculty assignment equity, and central office admisntrative staffing-salary data. 

In a prepared statement Citizens for Better Schools Executive Director Ronald Jackson said, “The people of this state do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies that serve them. The people insist on remaining informed so that they may maintain control over the instruments that they have created.  The legislature, mindful of the right of individuals to privacy, finds and declares that access to information concerning the conduct of the people’s business is a fundamental and necessary right of every person in this state.  “Audemus Jura Nostra Defendere” is not just an abstract motto of Alabama’s; it is a core principle in the defense of democracy for her people.”

FOR FURTHER INFORMATIONCONTACT: Citizens for Better Schools 1-888-315-2325

Citizens for Better Schools is represented in this law suit by Lon Washington, Esq. of the Bessemer Alabama law firm of Washington, Lloyd & Henderson, PC

Lessons for Failing Schools

NCLB 2009 (SY2008-2009 RESULTS)

 

NEW: 2009 AYP RESULTS - ALABAMA GAMING THE SYSTEM – GRADING ON THE CURVE TO MAK AYP

 

Alabama high school graduation rates inflated -  Press Register, Mobile, Alabama Report http://blog.al.com/live/2009/08/alabama_high_school_graduation.html

State and local school systems high school graduation rates are at the core of the No Child Left Behind Act's "accountability system," aimed at having America's public school students performing at proficient levels by 2013.  Schools and school systems not graduating students at performance levels are placed on the "Schools in Need of Improvement List" (SINI) and are subject to various "interventions" and ultimate sanctions, including "restructuring" or closing.  Each state and schools are required to report graduation rates as part of their annual reports of Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).  Alabama's high school graduation rates, long the subject of debate in the state, has been called into question by the Mobile Press Register (and Citizens for Better Schools).

Less Than Third of Alabama “High Poverty Schools” Show NCLB Gains Hftp://ftp.alsde.edu/documents/55/NewsReleases2009/8-3-09SchoolChoice.pdf

 

Alabama’s 2009 Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) report reveals a 29 percent decrease in the number of Title I schools identified for School Improvement. This “improvement” was aided by use of "partial qualifier" waivers granted by the United States Department of Education (ED or USDE).  As discussed in more detail below, the use of partial qualifiers may skew the real results of Alabama’s soaring AYP gains.  What would AYP in Alabama look like without the use of  “partial qualifiers.”  Alabama’s governor and state school superintendent like to use football terms (a subject Alabama historically knows very well) when talking about AYP.  Football teams can recruit partial qualifiers, players who do not meet standard academic admission requirements, for future competition.  Partial qualifiers, students who do not actually make the cut score in assessments scored, for AYP purposes, however immediately in helping Alabama and other states make AYP. 

 The partial qualifier standard is not found in the NCLB law. Civil rights organizations have questioned the legality of the administrative waivers issued by the United States Department of Education. http://www.cccr.org/detail/news.cfm?news_id=226&id=111&bread_crumb=Press%20Releases&bread_crumb_url=template/page.cfm?id=111   

NCLB WAIVERS HELP ALABAMA MAKE ILLUSORY PROGRESS – Huge Black-White Academic Gaps in Alabama -- STATE STILL RANKED NEAR BOTTOM IN ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AS MEASURED BY THE NAPE –

 The Nation's Report Card - National Assessment of Educational ...

The Nation’s Report Card, NAPE (National Assessment of Educational Progress), is a criterion and norm referenced test.

Read Report Here: http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/pdf/studies/2009455.pdf

 

ALABAMA'S SHELL GAME

The Thomas Fordham, a conservative Washington think tank recently issued the 

"SHELL GAME:  Accountability Illusion in a Nutshell: “Lenient” NCLB “Standards” Allow States to Boost AYP

Scores Without Real Student Achievement http://edexcellence.net/accountability_illusion/Nutshell_AccountabilityIllusion.pdf

READ THE FULL REPORT HERE:  http://www.edexcellence.net/index.cfm/news_the-accountability-illusion http://www.educationreport.org/pubs/mer/article.aspx?id=10387

Alabama is a “lenient state.”  Its AYP standards are much lower than a state such as Massachusetts or New Jersey, the latter having some of the smallest racial academic achievement gaps in the U. S.

  

Similar reports have studied how sates game the system:

HOW STATES LIKE ALABAMA GAME THE SYSTEM –

THE PANGLOSS EFFECT - 

http://www.stateline.org/live/details/story?contentId=256971

 

BACKGROUND

 When the much-tougher NCLB was enacted, Alabama had to scramble to shore up its standards and move from “norm-referenced” tests (which measure student performance relative to other students) to “criterion referenced” tests (which measure performance relative to fixed standards). Recognizing the logistical challenges this involved, the U.S. Department of Education gave Alabama permission to use its old, IASA-era accountability system for the upcoming 2002–03 school year. By that measure, Birmingham City Schools was a mess. For 2001–02, the state gave the district a grade of “D-minus” in elementary school writing, a “D” on the ACT college entrance test, and a “D” on the high school graduation exam. Poor and minority students lagged behind their peers on state tests, while district scores on the norm-referenced Stanford Achievement Test were consistently in the lower percentiles. Two hundred twenty one students were suspended or expelled for weapons related incidents in a single year.6 Even as Birmingham racked up $18.5 million worth of undocumented debts, the district was paying its executives a total of $2.8 million per year, more than Mobile, Montgomery,  (which together educate three times as many students) combined.7 Despite spending more money per pupil than any of Alabama’s other large school systems, Birmingham recorded the lowest test scores.8 At the time, it would have been natural to assume At the time, it would have been natural to assume that the new, tougher NCLB would ratchet up pressure on Birmingham to turn around these sorry results. Instead, a series of actions by the state that were endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education had exactly the opposite effect, masking the city’s deep-seated academic problems and reducing the impetus for local education  leaders to improve education on behalf of Birmingham students.

 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT John C. Brittainjbrittatty@comcast.net832/687-3007School of LawUniversity of the District of ColumbiaWashington, D. C. 1016 16th St NW, 8th Floor
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 223-5452
(202) 223-9226 (fax)Email: thegadfly@edexcellence.net 

Ronald E. Jackson

Citizens for Better Schools

1-888-316-2325

cfbsk12@aol.com

Birmingham, Alabama 35219

 

New York Times Editorial

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/06/opinion/06mon1.html

2009 SUMMER PROGRAMS FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FREE!

MIT announces its MITES Program, (Minority Introduction to Engineering
and Science), a challenging 6 week summer program that prepares
promising rising seniors for careers in engineering and science. If
you are selected, all educational, housing, meals, and activity costs
are covered. You must, however, pay for your own transportation to and
from MIT. To apply, go to http://mit.edu/mites/www


GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY Science & Engineering Apprenticeship
program (summer) - This program places academically talented H.S.
students (at least 16 yrs old, sophomores/ juniors) with interest in
science & math in Dept. of Defense laboratories for an 8-wk period over
the summer. This is an invaluable experience in the world of
scientific research, with hands-on exposure to scientific & engineering
practices not available in the HS environment. It is a paid
apprenticeship ($2,000) and the students are assigned a scientist or
engineer as their mentor. To apply online or get more information
about the program:

http://www.usaeop.com. Stude
nts must submit their transcript (minimum
GPA 3.0) and teacher recommendation to the program director for
consideration and daily transportation is the student's responsibility.

Program runs from June 22 - August 14, 2009.

FREE! Princeton University announces its Summer Journalism Program for
low-income sophomores or juniors with at least a 3.5 GPA (on a 4.0
scale) who have an interest in journalism. The cost is free including
travel costs to and from Princeton! Apply now! Go to
www.princeton.edu/sjp


FREE!! The National Center for Health Marketing's Global Health
Odyssey Museum is pleased to offer the 2009 CDC Disease Detective Camp
(DDC). DDC is an academic day camp for students who will be high
school juniors and seniors during the 2009-2010 school year. Campers
will take on the roles of disease detectives and learn how CDC
safeguards the nation's health. The camp will be offered twice from
June 22-26 and July 13-17. For more info and to apply to go
www.cdc.gov/gcc/exhibit/camp.htm.


FREE!! The American Legion sponsors a weeklong summer leadership
program called Boys State. This year's program will be held at
McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland from June 21-27. If you are
a junior interested in a leadership opportunity, see your guidance
counselor right away for more information.


The Leadership Center at Morehouse College presents the 2009 Coca-Cola
Pre-College Leadership Program. There are 2 programs, one for male
students completing their sophomore or junior year, and the other for
male students completing their senior year. Applicants must have a
minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale). The curriculum focuses on personal
and interpersonal leadership skills. The program runs from June 20 to
June 26. The cost is $400.00. To apply, go to www.morehouse.edu.
Application access is listed under "Events at the Leadership Center."


NASA sponsors the National Space Club Scholars Program, a 6-week summer
internship at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. It is open to
students who will be 16 years old and have completed the 10th grade by
June 2009, have demonstrated high academic success, and have an
interest in space science or engineering as a career. Applicants must
be U.S. citizens.
Applications are available in the Career Center or online at
www.education.gsfc.nasa.gov/pages/placement.html Apply now!


University of Maryland, College Park: Women in Engineering, E2@UMD,
July 12-18, or July 19-25; rising juniors and seniors. Go to
www.wie.umd.edu/precollege or call 301-405-3283


University of Maryland Young Scholars Program targets rising juniors
and seniors who have a strong academic record and a desire to excel to
experience college life while earning three academic credits. 14
courses are offered for three weeks from July=2
012 - 31, 2009. Visit
www.ysp.umd.edu/pr


CITY YEAR, WASHINGTON DC (AmeriCorps) - Graduating seniors who are not
sure what they want to do after high school should consider applying
for a paid community service position with City Year, Washington, DC..,
a group of 17-24 year olds committed to full-time service for ten
months in the Washington, DC community. Benefits include living
stipend ($200 per week), health care coverage, free metr o p a ss, and
$4,725 educational scholarship. For more info: www.cityyear.org or
email:
http://us.mc01g.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=cmurphy@cityyear.org/dc or
call: 202-776-7780, Amanda Seligman. Recruitment open houses will be
held once a month at their headquarters: 918 U Street, NW, 2nd floor,
Washington, DC 20001.


If this does not apply to you...please be a blessing and PASS IT ON! "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, It's about learning to dance, In the rain."

President Obama, Democrats Budget Save Alabama's FY2010 Education Budget: Legislature passes state education budget:

By historical standards Alabama’s legislature passed an “early “ school budget last week.  School districts still remain in deep financial trouble, even with big federal assistance, warned state school superintendent Joe Morton. Citizens for Better Schools obtained the FY2010 school system financial details for you; read them here: FY20 10 STATE EDUCATION TRUST FUND BUDGET

http://www.alsde.edu/general/2010_BILL.pdf

  

FY2010 VARIABLES

http://www.alsde.edu/general/FY2010_Variables.pdf

State Department of Education

FY 2010 Foundation Program Final State Totals Report

http://www.alsde.edu/general/FY2010_State_Allocation.pdf

   

FY2010 Final System Allocation Report

http://www.alsde.edu/general/FY2010_SystemAllocation.pdf

LEA SCHOOL SYSTEM UNIT ALLOCATIONS

DISTRIC-by-DISTRICT ALLOCATIONS

http://www.alsde.edu/general/FY2010_LEAUnit_Breakdown.pdf

 

 

 

American Recovery And Reinvestment Act of 2009: http://www.alsde.edu/html/arra2009.asp

    

Alabama School Districts Hoard Millions as Feds Send "Relief" Aid:

Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) Reports: 

Alabama School System FY2008-2009 Reserve Funds

Only sixteen percent  (or 21) of Alabama’s 131 school districts fail to carry ALSDE mandated one-month operating reserve funds.  ALSDE school districts one-month operating reserve fund median is 1.5 months per school district.  ALSDE school districts are sitting on a statewide total $494,406,864 (Data Source: Barry Barry Kachelhofer, Alabama Department of Education Phone:  334-242-9914  Fax:    334-242-0208  Email:  barryk@alsde.edu  Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE).

 

Congress Buries “Reading First”

Reading First, went with barely a whimper, as the controversial reading program was zeroed out in the $410 billion fiscal 2009 federal spending measure signed by President Barack Obama last week.Reading First was among a handful of high-profile education items in the long-overdue budget for the current fiscal year, which also provides modest boosts for Title I grants to districts and spending for students in special education, while taking aim at the District of Columbia voucher program. The spending measure will hike the U.S. Department of Education's budget to $66.5 billion, up from just over $62 billion in fiscal 2008, a 7 percent increase. The measure, which covers the fiscal year that began Oct. 1, includes $14.5 billion in Title I grants to districts for the education of disadvantaged students, a 4.3 percent increase. And it includes $11.5 billion for special education state grants, a 5.5 percent boost. That's on top of the $10 billion and $11.7 billion, respectively, that Title I and special education state grants received under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act—the recently passed economic-stimulus package.  

 "IT'S A REAL SAD STORY" IN CLAYTON COUNTY GEORGIA - Click on the link below to read Atlanta Constitution Story:

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/clayton/stories/2009/03/14/claysuperweb_0315.html

Pre-Crisis (Anti-Gang) Work Shop Slated – Saturday, February 2, 2009

Citizens for Better Schools will conduct a “Pre-Crisis” workshop on gang prevention for parents, school officials, and the general public at 3:00 p.m. , Saturday, February 2, 2008 at the Old Graymount School Building (300 8^th Avenue West, across from Legion Field Stadium).  The public workshop will focus on preventing gang activity in schools and communities.  School and police department data on gang activity in Birmingham schools and communities will be used to develop “a community response to gangs in schools and communities. The public is invited.

Gangs in Birmingham Schools, See ABC/3340 video news clip report here:

http://www.abc3340.com/news/stories/1208/575906_video.html?re f=newsstory    

 

Birmingham School Board Closed one of “Best Schools" in America: Alabama was on the worst list for college affordability last week.  But on the K-12 front, Two Birmingham High Schools last week were on the list of a national publication’s best schools list.  U. S. News and World Report named the now closed, and soon to be demolished, West End High School one of the best high schools in the nation, based on academic achievement.  The other Birmingham school was Ramsay High

 

MORE NEWS

U. S. SUPREME COURT OK'S SEX HARRASMENT SUITS AGAINST SCHOOLS

Court rules for young girl in sex harassment case

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court has ruled unanimously that people who complain of sex discrimination in schools can sue under both a 1972 federal law and a broader post-Civil War provision. The decision Wednesday was a victory for the parents of a Massachusetts schoolgirl, who said she was subjected to repeated harassment by a third-grade boy on their school bus.

Lower federal courts had ruled that the parents, Lisa and Robert Fitzgerald, could not sue the Barnstable School Committee under the older law because Title IX, barring sex discrimination at schools that receive federal money, ruled out using the older provision.

Justice Samuel Alito said in his opinion for the court that Title IX does not bar suits under the older civil rights, which was designed to enforce the 14th Amendment's equal protection clause.

Read the Supreme Court's full decision here: http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=US&vol=000&invol=07-1125

 Baltimore superintendent urging students trasfer from failing school: Read the Baltimore Sun story here:  http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/education/k12/bal-te.md.homeland23jan23,0,3923228.story

 

Stimulus gives schools $142B -- with strings USA Today
January 20-The plan also will help schools modernize and fix buildings. Kati Haycock, president of The Education Trust, an advocacy group, says she's "pretty excited" about the requirement that states spend a portion of the stimulus cash attracting their best teachers to schools that serve low-income and minority students. "There's nothing they could do with it that would be more important for high-poverty kids."

Obama Cites Schools in Inaugural Address Education Week
January 20-"Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many," Mr. Obama said in his inaugural address as the 44th president of the United States. "Everywhere we look, there is work to be done. ...We will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age." 

PRACTICE, POLICY AND ED THOUGHT
Sorting Children Into 'Cannots' and 'Cans' Is Just Racism in Disguise Washington Post
January 19-Tomorrow marks a turning point in the history of our schools as well as our country. Note how the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., whom we honor today, had to confront the cold, hard, in-your-face prejudice of a legally segregated system, while the next president, Barack Obama, speaks of a softer negligence, illuminated by the frequently heard phrase, "These kids can't learn."

'We Must Do Better,' Duncan Says in Confirmation Hearing Education Week
January 21- "At the K-12 level, we want to continue to dramatically raise standards and improve teacher quality," Mr. Duncan said. "We must do dramatically better. We must continue to innovate. We must build upon what works, and we must stop doing what doesn't work."