STRONGER ACCOUNTABILITY
Mapping Alabama's Educational Progress 2008
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Every day, we learn what works so students can make greater progress. Six years after No Child Left Behind's passage – and mid-way to the nation's goal of having students on grade level or better in reading and math by 2014 – we have collected more data than ever before about the academic performance of our students and schools. This information enables all of us to chart where we are as individual states and as a nation and to map a course of action for future progress. The foundation of our success will depend on our continued commitment to the following core principles:

  • High Standards
  • Annual Assessments
  • Accountability for Results
  • Highly Qualified Teachers in Every Classroom (HQT)
  • Information and Options for Parents
  • All Children on Grade Level By 2014
Student Demographics: White 59.2%, Black 35.9%, Hispanic 2.8%, Asian/Pacific Islander 1%,  American Indian/Alaskan Native 0.8%

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Common Core of Data, 2004-05 School Year

Alabama Students

  Alabama United States
Total Students 741,758 49,676,964
Low-Income Students 51.7% 40.9%
Limited English Proficient 2.2% 8.5%
Students with Disabilities 16.8% 13.6%

Source: National Center For Education Statistics (NCES), Common Core of Data, 2005-06 School Year

Alabama Schools

  Alabama United States
Number of Schools 1,596 98,905
Schools Making Adequate Yearly Progress 1137 (83.7%) 64,546 (70%)
Schools in Need of Improvement 63 10,676
Schools in Restructuring 4 2,302

Source: Consolidated State Performance Report, 2006-07 & NCES CCD, 2005-06

Alabama Facts and Figures

Total NCLB Funding (2007): $313,138,149; a 52% increase over 2001 levels
Public AYP Release Date: August 2007
Testing System Status: Approved

Alabama Teachers

Elementary Classes Taught by Highly Qualified.  98.1% in low poverty schools, 95.2% in high poverty schools.

Secondary Classes Taught by Highly Qualified.  93.2% in low poverty schools, 79.3% in high poverty schools.

Source: Consolidated State Performance Reports, 2006-07

Alabama's Record of Achievement

Reading Achievement for 2006-2007
  Alabama 4th Graders
  State Data–% Proficient NAEP Data–% Basic NAEP Data–% Proficient
All 85% 62% 29%
White 90% 73% 39%
Black 76% 43% 13%
Hispanic 73% 45% 17%
Low Income 78% 47% 15%

  Alabama 8th Graders
  State Data–% Proficient NAEP Data–% Basic NAEP Data–% Proficient
All 72% 62% 21%
White 80% 73% 29%
Black 59% 43% 9%
Hispanic 57% 61% 20%
Low Income 61% 50% 11%

Math Achievement for 2006-2007
  Alabama 4th Graders
  State Data–% Proficient NAEP Data–% Basic NAEP Data–% Proficient
All 78% 70% 26%
White 85% 83% 36%
Black 67% 50% 10%
Hispanic 69% 55% 17%
Low Income 70% 57% 13%

  Alabama 8th Graders
  State Data–% Proficient NAEP Data–% Basic NAEP Data–% Proficient
All 66% 55% 18%
White 75% 70% 27%
Black 52% 31% 4%
Hispanic 58% 37% 3%
Low Income 54% 37% 6%

Source: Alabama Testing Data and 2007 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Data

Achievement Trends

Alabama Reading Achievement: In 2007 4th graders scored approximately 218, while nationally they scored approximately 220; 8th graders scored 251, while nationally they scored 261.  In 2005 4th graders scored approximately 210, while nationally they scored approximately 217; 8th graders scored 251, while nationally they scored 260.  In 2003 4th graders scored 209, while nationally they scored approximately 217; 8th graders scored 252, while nationally they scored 261.  In 2002 4th graders scored 209, while nationally they scored approximately 218; 8th graders scored 252, while nationally they scored 263.

Alabama Math Achievement: In 2007 4th graders scored approximately 230, while nationally they scored approximately 240; 8th graders scored 266, while nationally they scored 280.  In 2005 4th graders scored approximately 225, while nationally they scored approximately 238; 8th graders scored 261, while nationally they scored 278.  In 2003 4th graders scored 222, while nationally they scored approximately 236; 8th graders scored 261, while nationally they scored 276.  In 2002 4th graders scored 224, while nationally they scored 224; 8th graders scored approximately 264, while nationally they scored 272.

Source: National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)

Preparing Alabama Students for Success

Alabama's high school graduation rate was 81.6% The percentage of high school students who graduate as reported by the state.

Source: Consolidated State Performance Report, 2006-07


The Averaged Freshman Graduation Rate was 65% for Alabama, 75% for the nation. The Averaged Freshman Graduation Rate (AFGR) is a reliable definition for comparing across the states the percentage of students who graduate on time.

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)



High School Students Taking Advanced Placement Exams

Source: College Board

Alabama Nation
3,378
(10.2%)
666,067
(24.2%)

Options for Parents

  # of Eligible Alabama Students % of Eligible Alabama Students Participating % of Eligible Students Participating Nationally
Tutoring 55,166 2,031 (18.9%) 529,627 (14.5%)
Choice 18,980 2,543 (13.4%) 119,988 (2.2%)

Source: Consolidated State Performance Report, 2006-07

Flexibility Options for States - Alabama

Teacher Incentive Fund Not Participating
Limited English Proficient Partnership Not Participating
Flexibility for Students with Disabilities Participating
Tutoring Pilot Not Participating
Growth Model Not Participating
Districts in Need of Improvement Pilot Not Participating

 
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Last Modified: 08/05/2008