| For
the second year in a row, total Stanford Achievement Test scores for
all nine grades tested (Grades 3-11) are at or above the national
average. (2001) |
| Source: Stanford
Achievement Test Score Data |
| In
2001, Alabama high school seniors averaged 20.3 on the ACT test - the
highest ever - and above the Southeast regional average for the fifth
consecutive year. |
| Source: ACT Data |
In
2001, Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) test takers have scored above
the national average for ten consecutive years.
|
| Source: The
College Board |
Alabama's
SAT scores also beat the national average in gains over the last ten
years. Math scores are up 19 points from scores ten years ago
while verbal scores increased by nine points. (2001)
|
| Source: The
College Board |
Approximately
two-thirds of Alabama high school students plan to continue their
education after high school.
|
| Source: National
Center for Education Statistics |
When
compared nationally, the state of Alabama funds its K-12 educational
system at a D+ level and gets B- results.
|
| Source: NEA Ranking of the
States & Stanford Achievement Test Score Data |
Alabama
has the highest graduation requirements in the U.S. Public
high school students are required to pass a minimum of 24 credits.
This includes four years of mandatory English, mathematics,
social studies, and science - known as the 4 x 4 curriculum.
Students are tested on fundamental concepts of core courses
using the Alabama High School Graduation Exam. It is designed
to measure students' ability in core course work, including logic, and
other problem solving skills.
|
| Source:
Alabama Department of Education |
Since
the 4 x 4 curriculum was introduced to Alabama high school classrooms
in 1996, average student achievement has increased every year.
|
| Source:
Alabama Department of Education |
For
the second consecutive year, Alabama ranks among the top ten states
with the most National Board Certified Teachers. For the
200-2001 school year, 163 Alabama teachers earned national board
certification - ranking the state number eighth in the U.S. for this
honorable distinction.
|
| Source:
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards |
Alabama
is one of only twenty-eight states that have or will have high school
exit exams based on standards. More state with "minimum
competency" exit exams are "upgrading" these tests to reflect 10th
grade standards or higher.
|
Source: American
Federation of Teacher, 1999 Report - Making Standards Matter
|
Alabama is the only
state that annually issues report cards for schools, school systems,
and the state at large, which gives letter grades from A to F on five
national education indicators.
|
Source:
Alabama Department of Education
|
The percentage of
student dropping out of Alabama public high schools is the lowest in
the state's history.
|
Source:
Alabama Department of Education
|
At 16.7% Alabama's
projected dropout rate is the lowest in the southeast and the 11th
lowest in the nation.
|
Source:
National Center for Education Statistics
|
The Thomas Fordham
Foundation ranked Alabama as one of the top five states for setting and
achieving high standards and accountability in public education.
|
1999
Biennial Report from Thomas Fordham Foundation
|
In 2002, Alabama high
school students posted SAT scores above the national average.
Alabama students scored an average of 559 on the math
section, 43 points above the national average for a 5 point improvement
over 2001 scores. On the verbal section, Alabama students
scored 560, 56 points above the national average. (Approximately 9% of
Alabama students take the SAT)
|
Source:
The College Board
|
In 2002, Alabama
students taking the ACT (approximately 70%) average score remained
steady at 20.1 above the Southeast regional average while the national
average fell to 20.8
|
Source:
ACT data
|
West Jasper Elementary
School, which was the recipient of the Sixth Annual National Change Award
given by the American Association of Schools Administrators, Pearson
Education and the Fordham University Graduate School of Education. The
award recognizes schools that have made significant changes and had
great success in raising the achievement of all students. In his
remarks to the State Board of Education, Principal Eric Smith
attributed the success of West Jasper to four things:
1. The school
participates fully in the Alabama Reading Initiative and has switched
from whole-group instruction to individualized and small-group
instruction
2. The faculty uses
assessments to drive instruction, monitoring each student's progress
and tailoring classroom instruction to build upon students' strengths
and strengthen their weaknesses
3. The faculty work as a
team to improve their skills and the achievement of their students.
4. The school and
faculty employ positive words and positive attitudes. The faculty,
parents and student all believe that every child at West Jasper is
special and that every child can succeed.
|
| Source: A+ Education
Foundation's Education News in Alabama June 14, 2005 |
Jefferson County
International Baccalaureate School was named America's #1 Public High School in
Newsweek's list of America's Top Public High Schools.
Other Alabama schools listed were Mountain Brook High School, Alabama
School of Fine Arts in Birmingham, Auburn High School, Virgil Grissom
High School in Huntsville, and Loveless Academic Magnet Program in
Montgomery.
|
| Source:
A+ Education Foundation's
Education News in Alabama June 14, 2005 |
STUDENTS
LEARNING MORE
SINCE "No Children Left Behind"
Children in the state and the nation score better in reading and math
since No Child Left Behind was enacted in 2002. That is according to
the Center on Education Policy's analysis of test scores, which are the
best measure available of what students have learned.
Alabama data
*In reading, student performance increased at all grade levels studied,
except high school.
*In math, student performance increased at all grade levels.
*At all grade levels, achievement gaps in math narrowed between black
and white children and between children eligible/ineligible for federal
meal subsidies.
What's being done: Part of the Alabama Reading Initiative's budget
increase for next year will pay for efforts to find the best way to
apply ARI strategies for teenage students. Additionally, U.S. Sen. Jeff
Sessions, R-Mobile, wants to expand federal funding for teenage reading
support.
The report, "Answering the Question that Matters Most: Has Student
Achievement Increased since No Child Left Behind?," is available at www.cep-dc.org.ALABAMA LEADS THE NATION |
| Source: A+ Education Foundation's
Education News in AL July 3, 2007 |
New
national test scores
show great news for Alabama's teachers, children
Alabama's fourth-graders gained eight points in reading on the most
important national yardstick of student learning, according to results
released today.
That eight-point gain is the biggest gain in the nation.
Data is from the 2007 National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP),
often called the nation's report card. NAEP is our most rigorous and
credible tool for measuring student learning, as well as for comparing
progress state-to-state.
"Alabama's gain in fourth-grade reading scores is higher than any other
state between 2005 and 2007," said Commissioner Mark Schneider of the
National Center for Education Statistics. "This gain stands out for
this year's assessment, and in the history of NAEP's state-level
reading assessment.
More Alabama highlights:
*Our gain is nearly triple the national improvement of three points.
*Achievement gap between black and white students narrowed four points.
*Both black (13 points) and white (7 points) students gained.
*Alabama has the same percentage of students scoring at the highest
level as the nation as a whole.
Alabama also exceeded the national growth for math in the fourth
& eighth grades. |
| Source:
A+ Education
Foundation's Education News in Alabama EXTRA! Sept. 25, 2007 |