FYI-2017-8-11-17 Sentance Responds to Job Evaluation, Board Discusses State Report Card and Standards
Sentance Responds to Job Evaluation, Board Discusses State Report Card and Standards
11-Aug-2017
Sentance Responds to Job Evaluation, Board Discusses State Report Card and Standards
State Superintendent Michael Sentance issued his response Thursday to the unfavorable job evaluation he received last month from the State Board, indicating he wants to stay on the job. His response outlined the ambitious agenda he has worked to implement since he took office last August. He apologized for what several board members have lamented as communication failures, promised to work to correct the problem areas identified in his evaluation and stated that he would like to continue serving as superintendent.
Despite speculation that the state board would move to end Sentance’s contract at the meeting, the board – without comments or questions – adjourned immediately
after he delivered his response.
Gov. Kay Ivey, who serves as president of the board, was not in attendance at Thursday’s meeting but released a statement calling for Sentance to be given
time to implement the necessary reforms he has advocated.
Also during the meeting, the board voted to amend the Alabama Administrative Code pertaining to the annual apportionment, a yearly adjustment to reflect the legislature's education budget. The changes reflect the new divisor formula that provides for some 150 teachers statewide to be hired in grades 4-6. In a discussion about how school systems use state funds, Mary Scott Hunter (District 8) emphasized the importance of budget language allowing local school boards flexibility among line item expenditures (not including fleet renewal) and urged local systems to make full use of that flexibility. Each year, AASB and other education leaders proactively urge legislators to allow systems – each with varying needs – flexibility to focus on local priorities.
Federal Report Card, College and Career Readiness Standards Discussed
At the board’s work session, Assistant State Superintendent Tony Thacker presented an up-date on the progress of Alabama’s Federal Report Card . The state initially submitted a report card that failed to meet federal requirements, causing a condition to be placed on Alabama’s Title I funds. ALSDE staff reported the state has been granted an extension due to a loss of data caused by an external system update and through no fault of local systems or department staff.
Jeff Newman (District 7) expressed frustration with the requirement to provide both the federal report card and the state A-F report card, explaining
that some may assume one of the report cards is wrong. Adding to the potential confusion is the Alabama Accountability Act requirement to rank
schools, assigning the “failing school” designation to those ranking in the bottom six percent. Several board members said they would prefer a
uniform way to report school data.
Also during the work session, board members discussed Alabama’s College and Career Readiness Standards (ACCRS). Prior to Thursday’s meeting and work
session, AASB, Alabama PTA, Alabama GRIT and other statewide organizations voiced support for ACCRS when a resolution to rescind the standards
appeared on the work session agenda
(
see AASB Executive Director Sally Smith’s letter).
Since Alabama adopted the ACCRS in 2010, a vocal minority have sown confusion by falsely claiming the standards are federally imposed. The standards
are, in fact, expectations Alabama sets for students to master skills at each grade level. The federal government is not authorized to set or impose
these standards on states.
Sentance said the question is how we, as a state and as a nation, compete. He began the discussion by sharing the
history of the standards development and achievement results over time. He also stressed that bench marking with international standards is a difficult task and every state must determine
its own expectations. As part of the customary standards review timeline, math standards will be ad-dressed in the 2018-19 school year, and English
standards will be addressed in 2019-20. Sentance added that he envisions committees of experts who are familiar with international benchmarks to review
the standards and make recommendations. Board members did not discuss taking any action on the resolution to rescind the current ACCRS standards.
Also in the work session:
- Although on the agenda, the ALSDE was not ready to release the state’s College and Career Readiness rate.
Department staff explained their desire to ensure the data was complete with consistent coding information being used by local school systems.
- Dr. Jermall Wright from the Office of School Improvement and Turnaround unveiled a plan to utilize 2017-18 as a planning year . The newly established office has been limited in making new hires due to an ALSDE hiring freeze and is in the process of deter-mining the best use of resources to assist local school systems. Board members urged Wright to look thoughtfully within the Department for needed staff.”
Next State Board Meeting
A special-called meeting is planned for the end of August (date TBA), and the next regularly scheduled board meeting and work session will take place in
Montgomery on September 14.
Fall Conference Registration Open
Register now for AASB’s Fall Academy Core Conference, Leadership for Community Engagement , which will be held Oct. 1 and 2 at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Montgomery. School board members who take this course will earn the 6 hours needed to cover the state’s individual training requirement.
After the conference ends, stick around for the Oct. 2 Post-conference Workshop,
Persogenics: Who Are These People & Why Are They Acting This Way? Persogenics is a communication styles inventory designed to help your
board tackle common communication issues. Before this workshop, participants will complete an online assessment to identify their communication styles.
The assessment enables participants to better under-stand their personal communication style and those of fellow board members and colleagues.
AASB facilitators will explore different communication styles and lead participants through interactive exercises to highlight the most effective way to
communicate for better board governance.
Bring School Supplies for AASB Charity Drive
AASB will collect school supplies during the Fall Acade-my Core Conference. We’re asking all school board members in attendance to bring school supply
donations which will be donated to a local charity to help area schoolchildren.
AASB Accepting Nominations for President and Vice President
Do you have what it takes to lead AASB’s Board of Di-rectors? Now is your chance to apply. The AASB Nominating Committee is accepting nominations now through Sept. 11 for president and vice president. Both positions are two-year terms that will start this December. If you are interested in serving AASB in this capacity, please complete the nomination form and mail it to the nominating committee:
Nominating Committee Attn: Sally Smith
P.O. Box Drawer 230488
Montgomery, AL 36123-0488
You also may email the form to (Attn: Nominating Chair) ssmith@alabamaschoolboards.org. Applications must be received by Sept. 11. Refer questions
to AASB Executive Director Sally Smith at 334/277-9700.
Don't Miss FREE Webinar on Charter Schools
Tune in to AASB’s free Sept. 6 webinar, Charter Schools: So You Want to be an Authorizer? Logan Searcy, ALSDE education administrator for Public Charter Schools, State Equity Plan and New Teacher Mentoring, will provide an overview of the charter school law, an update on the current status of charter schools in Alabama and the number of authorizers.
District Director Elections Underway
Nominations are now open for director elections in AASB Districts 2, 4, 6 and 8. Current District 2 Director Mike Oak-
ley is completing his first full term and is eligible for another. Current District 4 Director Gwen Harris-Brooks, District 6 Director Kathy Landers
and District 8 Director Karen Duke are completing their second full term and are ineligible for another. District directors serve two-year terms
and can serve two, complete terms.
District director elections are governed by AASB Bylaws. Ballots will be mailed, and nominations must be made in
writing and postmarked or received by Sept. 1. Each board must exercise this vote by official board action at a board
meeting and has one vote. AASB will inform the district membership of the candidates by Oct. 1. Ballots must be
Submit Proposed Changes to Resolutions & Bylaws by Aug. 14
School board members are asked to submit their proposed changes to AASB’s resolutions or bylaws by Aug. 14. Email submissions, fax to 334/270-0000 or mail to P.O. Box 230488, Montgomery, AL 36123-0488. Resolutions approved by the Delegate Assembly at AASB’s annual convention set the association’s goals and positions on major education issues.
Nominations for All-State School Board Recognition Due Sept. 8
Honor the commitment and achievement of a current or past board member by nominating him or her for AASB’s All-State School Board Member Recognition Program. This honor ─ the highest AASB bestows upon individual members ─ annually celebrates the work of up to five Alabama school board members who have exhibited exemplary boardmanship. Winners will be recognized during AASB’s Annual Convention in December.
Nomination materials have been mailed to board presidents and superintendents and are due Sept. 8. They may be submitted following a majority vote of the school board. An individual board member may nominate another member provided the nomination is endorsed by a majority vote of the nominee’s board.
Changes Coming Soon to School Board U
Be on the lookout soon for an email explaining the exciting new changes to School Board U, AASB’s online learning portal for school board members.
Starting September 1, we’ll have 12 courses available via our newly updated School Board U platform, allowing you to earn your four individual
training hours from the comfort of your home and on your own schedule.
