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Annual Report 2001 - Alabama Department of Education

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<strong>Alabama</strong> <strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Education</strong><br />

EDUCATION RESEARCH<br />

<strong>Education</strong> Research is charged with producing the grading scales for the State Superintendent's <strong>Report</strong> Card and assisting<br />

elements <strong>of</strong> the State <strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Education</strong> with technical issues related to testing, evaluation, and pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />

development. In addition, the section conducts research for the State Superintendent <strong>of</strong> <strong>Education</strong> in areas such as<br />

school finance, equity and adequacy issues, and cost <strong>of</strong> public education, state rankings, and teacher salary rankings relative<br />

to the nation and other southeastern states. The section also provides analytic and statistical support for various<br />

programs (i.e. special education issues) and technical method assistance to local educational agencies.<br />

DIRECTOR- CLASSROOM IMPROVEMENT/TEAM COORDINATION<br />

The Classroom Improvement Section is responsible for the development and implementation <strong>of</strong> the minimum curriculum<br />

content, standards, and course design for students in the public schools, Grades K-12. It is also responsible for<br />

instructional support programs such as textbook selection, scholarship programs, and counseling and guidance services.<br />

In addition, content specialists assist local systems with instructional and administrative strategies to enhance effective<br />

learning. The state-sponsored assessment program, designed to measure the effectiveness <strong>of</strong> the implementation <strong>of</strong><br />

instruction and curriculum is also developed and implemented through this section. Together, all <strong>of</strong> the areas within this<br />

section form the basis <strong>of</strong> the implementation <strong>of</strong> the accountability law as defined by the <strong>Alabama</strong> Legislature.<br />

SCHOOL ASSISTANCE TEAMS<br />

As recommended by the 21st Century <strong>Report</strong>, the state superintendent organized the State <strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Education</strong> staff<br />

into School Assistance Teams. The goal <strong>of</strong> this organization is to maximize Local <strong>Education</strong> Agency (LEA) support<br />

services. The 10 cross-functional teams have common assignments and work to provide more efficient service and<br />

assistance to the Local <strong>Education</strong> Agencies. The creation <strong>of</strong> School Assistance Teams allows the maximization <strong>of</strong> talent,<br />

knowledge, and expertise <strong>of</strong> team members to connect LEAs with the needed resources and support to implement the<br />

goals <strong>of</strong> the State Board <strong>of</strong> <strong>Education</strong>. It also represents a shift from the SDE regulatory institution with fragmented<br />

delivery <strong>of</strong> services and support to that <strong>of</strong> a resource and partner to help LEAs improve student achievement and meet<br />

local and state goals.<br />

The teams seek to provide timely and responsive assistance upon request by the LEAs. Team members work with local<br />

school systems to identify and prioritize local system needs, and then to provide a more comprehensive range <strong>of</strong> services.<br />

The new structure provides a steady flow <strong>of</strong> information from local systems to the state superintendent on each<br />

team’s work with local systems, enabling further planning by the SDE to continue providing beneficial assistance.<br />

DIRECTOR- CAREER/TECHNICAL EDUCATION<br />

The Career/Technical <strong>Education</strong> Section is responsible for facilitating career/technical education programming at the<br />

state and federal level in all local education agencies. Staff serve in a technical assistance capacity to deliver state-<strong>of</strong>the-art<br />

and articulated career/technical and academic education. The section supports the goals <strong>of</strong> the State Board <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>Education</strong> by performing duties as assigned through the Division <strong>of</strong> Instructional Services.<br />

DIRECTOR- TEACHER EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION<br />

The Teacher <strong>Education</strong> and Certification Section is responsible for ensuring that colleges and universities meet the continuously<br />

updated teacher education program approval standards adopted by the State Board <strong>of</strong> <strong>Education</strong> (SBE).<br />

Persons who meet SBE test requirements, complete approved programs, and meet background clearance requirements<br />

are eligible for certification. Certificates are also awarded to persons who meet alternative route criteria adopted by the<br />

SBE. Assistance is provided to persons who are considering education as a career, to members <strong>of</strong> the U.S. military who<br />

wish to pursue a second career in teaching, to students enrolled in teacher education programs, to local education agencies<br />

in need <strong>of</strong> personnel, and to individuals seeking employment.<br />

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