Alabama Assessment Letter

February 3, 2010

The Honorable Joseph B. Morton
State Superintendent of Education
Gordon Persons Building
P.O. Box 302101
Montgomery, Alabama 36130-2101

Dear Superintendent Morton:

I am writing in response to Alabama’s request to amend its state accountability plan under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). Following discussions between the Department and your staff, Alabama made one change to its accountability plan, which is now included in the amended plan that Alabama submitted to the Department on January 12, 2010. I am pleased to approve Alabama’s amended plan, which we will post on the Department’s website. A summary of Alabama’s requested amendments is enclosed with this letter. As you know, any further requests to amend Alabama’s accountability plan must be submitted to the Department for review and approval as required by section 1111(f)(2) of Title I of the ESEA.

Please also be aware that approval of Alabama’s accountability plan for Title I, including the amendments approved herein, does not indicate that the plan complies with Federal civil rights requirements, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

I am confident that Alabama will continue to advance its efforts to hold schools and school districts accountable for the achievement of all students. If you need any additional assistance to implement the standards, assessment, and accountability provisions of the ESEA, please do not hesitate to contact (Victoria.Hammer@ed.gov) or (Valeria.Ford@ed.gov) of my staff.

Sincerely,

Thelma Meléndez de Santa Ana, Ph. D.

Enclosure

cc: Governor Bob Riley
Gloria Turner


Amendments to Alabama’s Accountability Plan

The following is a summary of Alabama’s amendment request. Please refer to the Department’s website (/admins/lead/account/stateplans03/index.html) for Alabama’s complete accountability plan.

Acceptable amendment

The following amendment is aligned with the statute and regulations.

Including an additional academic indicator in making adequate yearly progress (AYP) determinations (Element 7.2)

Revision: Alabama will lower its attendance rate requirement used as the other academic indicator in making AYP determinations from 95 percent to 90 percent for AYP determinations based on assessments administered in the 2009-10 school year only.


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