Overview and Vision

The general function of this website is to briefly describe five of the state initiatives Alabama is developing for their students and residents. Every child deserves to achieve and accomplish their goals. With Federal legislation, like No Child Left Behind, students all across the country, and especially Alabama, failed to meet unrealistic test scores and grade requirements. After realizing the implications of No Child Left Behind, the Alabama State Board of Education took action and constructed PLAN 2020. 

Every student should be prepared for higher education, the workforce, adulthood in the 21st century. With PLAN 2020, a prepared graduate is a person who possess the knowledge and skills needed to enroll and succeed in credit-bearing, first-year courses at two/four-year college, trade school, technical school, without the need for remediation. To achieve PLAN's goal, by the year 2020 all students should be able to perform at or above proficiency and show continuous improvement (achievement/growth). Also, all students should be able to succeed in their classes exhibiting gap closure.

By having a School Readiness Plan that includes a unified Pre-K to college education and a balanced, meaningful system of assessment and accountability, Alabama will be able to increase graduation rates, improve parent-student-teacher relationships, and improve the state overall. Resources for teachers and tools for students that lead to a unified Alabama education include the initiatives created by PLAN 2020: Alabama Reading Initiative; Alabama Math, Science, and Technology; Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators, and Students Statewide; Alabama Learning Exchange; and Alabama Virtual Library.

Ultimately, these five projects have greatly benefitted the state; test scores increased, graduation rates rose, and success and confidence among students graduates is palpable. Though every initiative has drawbacks, the positives outweigh hinderances. Each of the five following posts will introduce and discuss a state Alabama initiative.

Alabama Virtual Library (AVL)

The Alabama Virtual Library, AVL, provides all students, teachers, and citizens of the state with online access to library and information resources. The Virtual Library consists of magazines, journals, and newspaper articles. Prominent examples of resources include the Britannica Library, EBSCOhost Search, and Academic Search Premier. Furthermore, there are resources for both adults and students. By using geo-location technology, AVL can be used in any home, classroom, and/or library in the state of Alabama.

One positive aspect of the AVL is that all resources, student or adult, are free! In the classroom, it is important that students have the tools to access information to complete projects, assignments, and homework readings. Additionally, because AVL uses geo-location technology, if a student still needs to utilize a resource used on AVL during class time at home, he or she can do so. Geo-location makes home access much easier.

One drawback to the AVL system is that there an enormous amount of links and resources on the homepage. The average elementary school student will easily be confused on what hyperlinks to click to reach their desired destination. The AVL needs to design a better layout for the young students that may be using it. Ultimately, the Alabama Virtual Library is an amazing state initiative. However, the website must work out a few issues before it reaches perfection.

Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI)

The Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI) is a statewide system dedicated to the development of reading and literacy skills. The ultimate goal of ARI is to significantly improve reading instruction and achieve 100% literacy among public schools. The extensive research ARI provides empowers teachers that the skills and strategies they teach are helping students who are challenged reading.

The ARI has many benefits within the state of Alabama. What sets ARI apart from other reading programs is that the system does not only target struggling readers. In fact, ARI accommodates to all readers and reading levels. ARI acts in three fronts: beginning reading, expanding reading power, and effective intervention. Students must accumulate a certain number of AR reading points before leveling up.

A drawback from the ARI is that students sometimes race through books to take AR computer quizzes. Of course, students finishing a book or multiple books is excellent. However, if students speed through novels and picture books, they may not truly absorb all the presented material. Additionally, AR points are competitive in the classroom. Students may find that they are competing against a peer or friend to earn more AR points. Though the ARI is a competitive process, literacy among elementary school students has increased drastically.

Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators, & Students Statewide (ACCESS)

The main goal of the initiative Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators, & Students Statewide, otherwise known as ACCESS, is to masterfully handling distance learning to create equity through additional educational offerings for all Alabama public high school students. The ACCESS system gives students in Alabama the ability to engage in Advanced Placement, elective, and additional studies.

The ability to enroll in advanced courses like AP Calculus, Literature, Physics, and US History, provides excellent educational opportunities for high school students. For gifted Alabama students, they will be able to accomplish extraordinary academic feats before applying to colleges or universities. These extra courses provided by ACCESS will also give them the ability to stay engaged in the course studies and will enable them to expand their knowledge on certain areas of study. Also, as ACCESS is a web-based system, students can use it virtually everywhere.

However, the ACCESS website has drawbacks. When Internet or wifi is down, students will not be able complete course work. Additionally, ACCESS may take away from the traditional high school experience. Students will have little time to interact and socialize with others because they are working on college level, advanced placement studies. Overall, ACCESS has tremendous benefits that have positively impacted students in Alabama. By having the online, distance courses, Alabama public school students will be able to compete with private and boarding school counterparts.

Alabama Learning Exchange (ALEX)

The Alabama Learning Exchange, also known as ALEX, is a website teachers utilize to find lesson and teaching plans. Beyond lesson plans, teachers also have the ability to find assessment techniques, podcasts, and work within a personal space to create documents. ALEX is sponsored by, and shares partnerships with the Alabama Virtual Library, the Alabama Supercomputer Authority, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and the Malone Family Foundation.

ALEX is an amazing resource for teachers. If a teacher is interested in constructing a lesson plan on the planets or solar system, they can search that topic on the ALEX website and look at another teacher's lesson plan for guidance. Additionally, the website has resources and lesson plans that can be applied from kindergarten to senior year of high school. All subjects are included on this website, and they meet each of Alabama's teaching standards.

A downside from the Learning Exchange is that teachers may abuse it. Those who slack off and do not create their own lesson plans lack creativity in the classroom. Teachers who lack authenticity in the classroom may not hold the attention of their students, and a comfortable climate may never be achieved. Ultimately, ALEX has the ability to join teachers, classrooms, and school districts together with it's exciting lesson plans and other virtual tools.

Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative (AMSTI)

The Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative is the Alabama Department of Education's facet dedicated to the improvement of math and science teaching statewide. The state seeks to provide all students from kindergarten to the twelfth grade with the knowledge and skills needed to enter post high school education or workforce. There is no direct cost when enrolling a school into the AMSTI system. Additionally, AMSTI delivers large buckets and tubs of science and math equipment to public schools in Alabama for students and teachers to utilize.

The AMSTI method provides hands on activities for students. Before AMSTI, teachers would have to scour and save old and weathered math and science materials. Now, with the placement of AMSTI tools, teachers continually receive new activities and materials to keep students engaged and interested in math and science. AMSTI is a hands-on method of learning that is extremely beneficial.

If a school is to receive AMSTI products and lesson plans, their teachers must pass certain certification and attend AMSTI seminars. These gatherings are day long and are inconvenient for school employees. Also, with the installation of AMSTI, some teachers feel as if they cannot teach their own material and must follow strictly to AMSTI methods and lessons. Math and science opportunities outweigh the negatives of the Math and Science Initiative, which make the AMSTI beneficial for all of Alabama.