School board member Ella Bell dies
Ella Bell, a longtime member of the Alabama School Board, has died, the Alabama State Department of Education announced Sunday. She was 71. State Superintendent Eric Mackey in a statement called Bell an education icon who “dedicated her life to the betterment of the students of Alabama.” “Her tenacity and steadfast resolve in fighting for equity for all students will be her legacy always. Her presence on the Alabama State Board of Education will be sorely missed,” Mackey said. Bell was first elected to the State Board in 2000 and was re-elected four times. Her district included Montgomery and many low-income communities in Alabama’s Black Belt region. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, who serves as president of the state school board, said Bell shared a “passion for the children of our state.” “She was an ardent champion of her district and will be missed. May the Lord be with her family and friends during this time,” Ivey said. Bell in recent months was an outspoken critic of proposal to replace the elected state school board with an appointed commission. Alabama voters will decide the measure next year. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Women of Influence: Dr. Cynthia McCarty, Alabama Board of Education Vice-President
Vice-President of the Alabama Board of Education, Alabama Educator Hall of Famer, and a career spanning over two decades; Dr. Cynthia McCarty has a love for her calling that few can match. Born in Auburn, Ala. McCarty attended city schools until her graduation from Auburn University with a Bachelor’s degree in International Trade. From there, she moved to Birmingham, Ala. pursuing an MBA at Samford University then moving to North Carolina to earn a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Moving back to the Yellowhammer State, McCarty began her career in education at Jacksonville State University (JSU) in 1990, where she still works as a Professor of Economics in the College of Commerce and Business Administration. For the past 20 years McCarty has also served as the Director of JSU’s Center for Business and Free Enterprise Education and Entrepreneurship, providing professional development for K-12 teachers and education students, in the areas of economics, social studies, and personal finance. Throughout her already impressive career, McCarty has been involved with several organizations outside of her “job.” McCarty currently serves as president of 3E, an organization that strives to enhance the connections between the business community and area schools; is a member of the Alabama Council for Social Studies and previously served as a Board member of the Alabama Council on Economic Education. She is also a member of the National Business Educators Association and the American Economics Association, according to her website. She’s a graduate of Leadership Calhoun County, and has taught several sessions of Youth Leadership Calhoun County. In 2013, McCarty was inducted into the Alabama Educator’s Hall of Fame for her contributions to the field of economics. According to her website, she has authored or co-authored “14 published academic articles and has presented numerous times on the state of Alabama’s economy and economic education in K-12 schools.” In 2014, McCarty ran unopposed in the November general election as the representative for district six on the Alabama State Board of Education. She held her position until last month when the board elected her as Vice-President. McCarty runs again this year for her seat; unopposed. McCarty is a woman of true dedication and service to the State of Alabama, and was kind enough to answer some of Alabama Today’s questions about her life, work, and influences. How have other women influenced your success? My mother, who has consistently supported and encouraged me to strive for excellence, certainly motivated me to always do my best. Although there are too many to name individually, I would say that colleagues at JSU, educators in District VI, and fellow board members have all taught me a tremendous amount about service and leadership. I continue striving to improve by observing their accomplished leadership skills. What shaped your desire to work in education? My desire to work in education comes from a belief that relevant, accessible, and quality education will allow our children to reach their potential and prosper. If I can help improve the quality, relevance, and accessibility of education in Alabama, then I certainly want to do this. What has been your favorite area of service, and what is your favorite thing about that position? My favorite work in education is visiting classrooms and observing innovative, effective teachers introduce a new concept to students in such a way that they all “get it.” That moment is both miraculous and inspirational. Thus, my favorite area of service occurs when I can improve policies that allow teachers to provide more quality instruction in the classroom. Have you read any books that have shaped your perspective on life? Oh, the list of books I read! Well, I try to read a Biblical passage each morning. I’m also reading a book (for the second time, so that maybe it will stick better) on Christian Leadership, given to me by my predecessor, Dr. Charles Elliott. And I read many books on education, such as Ron Clark’s “Move Your Bus” and Robert Putnam’s “Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis.” In addition, I have a love of biographies and am currently reading the biographies of the US presidents (I just finished Rutherford B. Hayes) and novels such as “The Guernsey and Potato Peel Pie Society,” which I read when I needed a break from Rutherford. Books inspire and relax me. What advice would you give to young women who want to work in education? I would say that educators are the key to the success of our future. Nothing is so important as a caring, effective teacher. That said, education is the most important profession. If we don’t have quality, caring educators, where will our engineers, writers, doctors, inventors, electricians, machinists be in 20 years? How will they learn to read, write, compute, problem-solve? We must nurture and encourage intelligent, caring adults to continue to pursue education as a vital career path. Yes, teaching can be difficult. However, although teaching is sometimes challenging, the opportunities to improve the lives of students are enormous and will benefit generations to come. How do you spend your (rare) free time? I spend any free time I can grab by reading books, watching Auburn football and the NCAA basketball tournament, and visiting family and friends. For her dedication to the education of students within the Yellowhammer Sate and her desire to lead publicly on the State Board of Education, Dr. Cynthia McCarty is undeniably an Alabama woman of Influence
Dr. Cynthia McCarty elected Vice President of State Board of Education
During the monthly Alabama State Board of Educationmeeting on Tuesday, Dr. Cynthia McCarty of District 6 was elected Vice President of the Board. McCarty, who was elected to the State Board in 2014, will serve a one-year term. She is a longtime resident of Alabama and a passionate supporter of education. Dr. McCarty began her career in education at Jacksonville State University (JSU) in 1990, where she is now a Professor of Economics in the College of Commerce and Business Administration. For the past 20 years Dr. McCarty has also served as the Director of JSU’s Center for Business and Free Enterprise Education and Entrepreneurship. The Center provides professional development for K-12 teachers and education students, especially in the areas of economics, social studies, and personal finance. Dr. McCarty has also been involved with several other organizations. She currently serves as president of 3E, an organization that strives to enhance the connections between the business community and area schools. She is a member of the Alabama Council for Social Studies and has previously served as a Board member of the Alabama Council on Economic Education. Active in area Chambers of Commerce, she graduated from Leadership Calhoun County in 1999 and taught several sessions of Youth Leadership Calhoun County. In recognition of her contributions to the field of economics, Dr. McCarty was inducted into the Alabama Educator’s Hall of Fame in 2013. Jeff Newman, State Board representative for District 7, was elected as President Pro Tem. By virtue of her office, Governor Kay Ivey serves as President of the board. Watch the official video of Tuesday’s election here.
Alabama education board chooses Eric Mackey for state superintendent
The director of Alabama’s superintendent association, Eric Mackey, was chosen Friday as the state’s new education superintendent in a tight vote clouded by an ongoing lawsuit between a candidate and a state education board member. Mackey beat out Hoover City Schools Superintendent Kathy Murphy and Jefferson County Superintendent Craig Pouncey. A fourth finalist, former Texas Education Commissioner Robert Scott, dropped out of the running Friday morning. Mackey is a former teacher, principal and city superintendent who has served as the executive director of the School Superintendent Association of Alabama since 2010. He said his top priority will be to find an “assessment that fits right” on top of addressing unequal funding between rural and urban areas and school safety concerns. Members of the Alabama State Board of Education voted for Mackey after three hours of interviews with the three finalists in Montgomery on Friday. There were five votes for Mackey and four for Pouncey. After the vote was announced, board member Ella Bell raised the concern that Pouncey has an ongoing lawsuit against another member Mary Scott Hunter and others saying he was victim to a scheme that kept him from getting the job two years ago. Before the 2016 vote, someone anonymously gave board members a packet of information, including internal department emails, accusing Pouncey of getting state staff to write his 2009 dissertation when he was with the department. Pouncey said the accusation was untrue. A subsequent department report found that employee statements cleared Pouncey. Hunter did not recuse herself from the vote, saying she was fair and impartial. She voted for Mackey. Bell, who voted for Pouncey, said she wanted to initiate a lawsuit because without Hunter’s vote there could have been a run-off. “She shouldn’t be able to vote in this because it’s understood they have an adversarial relationship,” Bell said. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, who serves as board president, said she had not spoken to any attorneys about the legal question but she was not aware of any rule where the chair could tell a board member to recuse him or herself. The board was seeking a replacement for former Superintendent Michael Sentance, who resigned in September after one year and one day on the job. Sentance stepped down after receiving a poor performance evaluation. A search firm whittled a field of more than 40 applicants to seven semifinalists, who were voted by the board down to the finalists. On Friday, each finalist was asked the same nine questions in an hour-long interview. Questions covered how to make students job-ready, creating a framework for assessment, ensuring equal funding between rural and urban schools and spearheading state interventions to help failing schools like is currently happening in Montgomery. Ivey said “this is the most important decision that this board will make in our terms.” She said she voted for Mackey because of his support for her “Strong Start, Strong Finish” initiative and his focus on teaching students computer science and coding. “I believe Dr. Mackey will serve us well and we will see forward thinking results,” she said. In his interview, Mackey expressed a desire to stay long-term – at least eight or ten years – in the role. Ivey said “that would suit me fine.” Mackey will start May 14. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Alabama education board to choose next state superintendent
Alabama State Board of Education members will choose the state’s next superintendent of education Friday. Board members will interview the four finalists Friday in Montgomery to pick the next head of Alabama’s education system. The finalists are Jefferson County Superintendent Craig Pouncey, Hoover City Schools Superintendent Kathy Murphy, Superintendent Association of Alabama Executive Director Eric Mackey and former Texas Education Commissioner Robert Scott. The board is seeking a replacement for former Superintendent Michael Sentance who resigned in September after one year and one day. He stepped down after he received a poor performance evaluation. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Alabama becomes early adopter of new computer science standards
The Alabama State Board of Education on Tuesday announced new statewide learning standards that will help students integrate technology into their current studies. The Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) standards blend the ability to use information and communication technologies with the study of computers to create an integrated approach to instruction that can enhance any existing educational subject. Alabama is an early adopter in these practices; being one of only 15 states in the nation to adopt them. The standards are not a stand-alone course; they work within the existing standards in all subject areas — reading, math, history, science, social studies, etc. — and in all grades. The DLCS standards will provide access to various forms of digital learning and computer science, allowing students to become computational thinkers and to familiarize themselves with the digital culture, which is fueling much of the current, and future workforce. “We want Alabama children to have the benefit of the most significant education standards – especially those that take advantage of an emerging world of careers,” said Ed Richardson, Interim State Superintendent of Education. “The future belongs to those who are best prepared to meet the challenges of a changing educational, professional, and technological landscape.” Making sure teachers are trained and prepared to implement the DLCS standards is a priority of the SBOE. A+ College Ready, CODE.org, and other organizations have partnered together to educate teachers on how to effectively incorporate DLCS into their classrooms. “Proficiency in computer science has positive impacts across the curriculum and should be a priority statewide,” said Dr. Cynthia McCarty, a representative on Alabama Governor Kay Ivey’s Computer Science Advisory Council, and SBOE Representative for District 6. “We know that the careers of the future are increasingly dependent on having some familiarity with computer science, algorithms, and the cognitive and technical skills these standards provide, I would like to see every school in the state embrace this opportunity and continue preparing our students for the future and high-demand careers.” School systems across the state are given the option to participate in using the new standards for the 2018-2019 school year, but all schools will be required to use the standards at the beginning of the 2019-2020 school year.
Alabama BOE calls special work session to finalize superintendent search plans
The Alabama State Board of Education (BOE) will meet Wednesday for a special-called work session to receive, discuss and finalize the plan for conducting the search for the new state superintendent of education. The vacancy in the position follows former State Superintendent Michael Sentance‘s resignation in September. Sentance was named to the position in August 2016. With less than a full year under his belt, he found himself on the firing line in July as the Alabama Board of Education began to question his performance. Sentance, who oversaw nearly 900 employees at the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE), was given a performance review by the state Board of Education in July, where in received low marks, and within two months resigned. The BOE named Dr. Ed Richardson as the interim superintendent following Sentance’s resignation. Richardson had served as the state superintendent from 1995-2004. In December, Alabama’s Board of Education presented a timeline for hiring a state superintendent through a firm. According to AL.com: On Feb. 8, during the regular board meeting, the board will vote on the wording and contents of the “notice of interest” packet for candidates to complete, he said. On Feb. 9, the vacancy will be posted, and applications will be accepted, Taylor said. During the month of March, Taylor said the firm will review candidates and in April, the board will interview finalists. The BOE meeting and work session will be available for live online viewing here.
Alabama State Board of Education selects Ed Richardson as Interim State Superintendent
The Alabama State Board of Education appointed Dr. Ed Richardson as the interim State Superintendent during their Thursday morning meeting. Richardson is no stranger to the Alabama education system. He previously served as the Alabama State Superintendent of Education from October 1995 to January 2004, and then as President of Auburn University from 2004-2007. “I have a lot of confidence in Dr. Richardson in being the (interim) superintendent.” said Governor Kay Ivey, who also serves as the President of the Alabama State Board of Education. As a retired state employee, Richardson’s contract will be limited to a maximum of two six-month terms, giving the State Board of Education a limited window to find a permanent replacement. Richardson fills the void left Michael Sentance who resigned from the State Superintendent post on Wednesday following months of the board questioning his communication and management skills. Richardson was approved for the position by an 8-1 vote. “There are so many accomplishments that the board is responsible for, because of the leadership of Dr. Richardson,” said Stephanie Bell, Vice President of the Alabama State Board. Dr. Richardson holds a B.S., M.Ed. and Ed.D. from Auburn University, and began his career in education as a classroom teacher in Montgomery County. He was also superintendent of schools for the Auburn City Board of Education.
Mary Scott Hunter: Tests are a part of life
No one likes standardized tests. My kids don’t. But the truth is, just like in life, tests are a necessary part of school. In a couple of months your child and his or her classmates will take the ACT Aspire. It’s a scene that will repeat itself in classrooms and gymnasiums across the state. My children will be among those sitting for the exam. My youngest is in the third grade. This will be his first major test. My other children are old pros at this point. In fact, my eldest has taken the exam every year it has been offered. At this point, I know what to expect on test day. My children will beg me to let them call in sick, but my husband and I will remain resolute. We will make sure that all three of our kids are well rested for the several nights before the test, eat a good dinner and breakfast and are on time to school. Tests are hard, but so is life. Sometimes you just have to buck up and do things that scare you. While I am the only member of the Alabama State Board of Education that currently has children in public school taking the test, several of my colleagues have grandchildren. All of us want a good test. Every single year, we seem to have a big debate right before testing time about whether it is a good idea or not. I shudder at this conversation every time. It’s terrible to second-guess yourself. Especially right before a big event like a test. We replaced the state’s previous end-of-year exam, the Alabama Reading and Math Test, because we believed that the ACT Aspire would more accurately tell us how our children are learning in school. We wanted an assessment that would help teachers identify students who need additional help to get on the right track toward college and career readiness before it becomes too late. There are rumors, of course, that Alabama may be moving away from the ACT Aspire next year. And, the truth is, that’s a possibility over the next couple of years. Nevertheless, the ACT Aspire will be administered this Spring as planned. The goal of every school is to prepare children for success after they graduate from high school. Regardless of what the State Board of Education decides in the future about the ACT Aspire, there will be an end-of-year assessment given to students to provide parents with feedback on how our schools are preparing our children. This is true in every state in the nation. Earning an education in Alabama schools should mean something, and, just like in life, tests help make sure we stay on track. Otherwise, a diploma in Alabama will be nothing more than the equivalent of a participation trophy in little league baseball. We deserve more than that. And, I won’t let it happen on my watch. ••• Mary Scott Hunter represents the 8th District on the Alabama State Board of Education. She and her husband Jon live in Huntsville where their children attend public school.
Six finalists named for Alabama School Superintendent
Six finalists have been identified by the Alabama State Board of Education to become the next superintendent of Alabama schools. The board received 12 applications from educators across the country after Tommy Bice announced his retirement in March, and managed to winnow the list down to the final six at the board meeting Tuesday. The finalists include three local school superintendents, including one veteran of the state Department of Education: Bill Evers: research fellow at Stanford University Dee Fowler: superintendent of Madison City Schools Craig Pouncey: superintendent of Jefferson County Schools and former deputy state superintendent Jeana Ross: secretary of the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education Michael Sentance: former Massachusetts Secretary of Education and regional representative to the U.S. Department of Education. Janet Womack: superintendent of Florence City Schools The candidates will begin the interview process Aug. 4 with State Board of Education members, and a selection will be made at the Aug. 11 board meeting. The finalists’ applications can be viewed here.
Alabama adds evolution requirement, climate study for schools
Alabama is updating its decade-old science standards to require that students understand evolution and learn about climate change, topics that can still be controversial in the Bible Belt state. Educators say the new rules – part of a major change that includes more experimentation and hands-on instruction and less lecturing – don’t require that students believe in evolution or accept the idea that climate is changing globally. But public school students will be required for the first time to understand the theory of evolution. And teachers will be required to address climate change, which wasn’t a focus the last time the state set science standards in 2005. The new standards take effect in 2016 after being unanimously approved by the Republican-controlled Alabama State Board of Education on Thursday. No one spoke against the new standards when they were discussed at a board meeting in August, but supporters praised them as a step forward for the state. A 40-member committee that developed the new course of study included people with “very strong religious beliefs” who considered the state’s faith traditions and worked together to develop the new guidelines, said Michal Robinson, science specialist for the state education agency. “We still have to teach what the science is,” Robinson said in an interview Friday. “If students want to go into a science field in college or beyond, they have to have a foundation.” The current state standard says students “should understand the nature of evolutionary theories,” but such knowledge isn’t required. The new standard goes further, stating in the preface: “The theory of evolution has a role in explaining unity and diversity of life on earth. This theory is substantiated with much direct and indirect evidence. Therefore, this course of study requires our students to understand the principles of the theory of evolution from the perspective of established scientific knowledge. The committee recognizes and appreciates the diverse views associated with the theory of evolution.” Steve Ricks, director of the Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative, said the biggest changes under the new standards are the teaching methods that will now be used in science classrooms. Rather than relying solely on lectures and memorization of facts from textbooks, teachers will now be required to let students figure out things on their own through observation and experimentation, just like real scientists. “I don’t see how students would be able to learn this material without doing the science,” he said. “We are trying to teach kids to reason and solve problems.” The state course of study only sets minimum standards. Local school officials will still make curriculum decisions. Textbooks used in Alabama science classes have carried a disclaimer sticker for years stating that evolution is a “controversial theory,” not fact, and the new course of study doesn’t change the warnings, which were advocated by Christian conservatives. A committee that will review science texts could consider whether to remove or alter the stickers, officials said. A public hearing is set for Nov. 9 in Montgomery. Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
Robert Bentley swears in new board for 2-year colleges
Gov. Robert Bentley has appointed the state’s first commission to oversee Alabama’s 25 community and technical colleges. Senate Bill 191, sponsored by Sen. Trip Pittman was signed into law in early May. During floor debate, Rep. Steve McMillan, who carried the bill in the House of Representatives, said that the shift would help the schools to focus on developing more specialized training programs and preparing entry-level employees to meet growing workforce demands. The state board of education had been responsible for community colleges, junior colleges, technical colleges, and trade schools. The group was not in favor of the legislation, calling it a “power grab” by Alabama lawmakers. Mary Scott Hunter, member of the state board, will serve as a nonvoting member of the commission and a liaison between the community college system and the BOE. Bentley swore in the new commission in a ceremony at the Capitol on Wednesday. The eight-member committee has already been sworn in by the Senate. Al Thompson III, representing Alabama Congressional District 1 Ron Fantroy, representing Alabama Congressional District 2 Susan Blythe Foy, representing Alabama Congressional District 3 J. Frank Caldwell, representing Alabama Congressional District 4 Crystal Brown, representing Alabama Congressional District 5 Milton Davis, representing Alabama Congressional District 6 Chuck Smith, representing Alabama Congressional District 7 Blake McAnally, representing the at-large position
