Improving grades

THE ISSUE

Alabama's education system received a grade of "C" in a national survey of public education. And that was a pretty good grade compared to many states.

It's not often that Alabama ranks well compared to other states in quality of life measurements, but it appears the state's public schools are doing OK, at least when other states' mediocre performance is considered.

Education Week magazine's annual "Quality Counts" survey gave Alabama an overall grade of "C" in its public education efforts. The nation's overall grade was also "C."

So, does that mean Alabama's schools are improving, or does it mean the rest of the country has hit a new level of mediocrity? The answer to both questions seems to be "yes."

The survey measured six areas to average overall grades for each state. In Alabama, students' chances for success received a "C-" compared to a "C+" for the nation, K-12 achievement received an "F" compared to a "D+" for the nation, standards, assessments and accountability received an "A-" compared to a "B" nationally, transitions and alignment received a "C+" compared to a "C" nationally, the teaching profession received a "B-" compared to a "C" nationally, and school finance received a "C" compared to a "C+" nationally.

Alabama, it appears, is in step with the rest of the country. Which, in this case, leaves a lot to be desired.

Our brightest hope for improving student achievement is in reading and math and science initiatives that train teachers to offer specialized help for students lagging in this subjects. Funding for the reading initiative, which has been recognized as one of the most effective programs of its type in the country, has been expanded by the Legislature. Gov. Bob Riley wants the program in every school in the state. He has the same goal for the math and science initiative. The state's archaic tax structure, however, makes dependable, long-term funding difficult to achieve. There is already talk of cuts in the education program because of lagging tax collections in some sectors of the economy.

Another bright spot in Alabama's education program is the expansion of distance learning centers. The use of Internet and video technology allows students in rural and small schools to take courses not offered on their campuses.

There's still plenty of work to be done to improve the quality of education in Alabama, as this report indicates. But there is some comfort in the fact that Alabama is not at the bottom of the list as it so often has been in the past.