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State-by-State Analysis: Alabama

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Elementary

Middle

High School

Elementary

Middle

High

Standards
The table below indicates the content the AFT looks for when reviewing English, math, science, and social studies standards. Standards that are clear and specific at the elementary, middle, and high school levels are shaded as indicated in the legend above. Standards that do not meet our criteria remain clear or "empty." Refer to the Content Standards link at the right to read our complete criteria for evaluating standards.

English

Reading Basics

Reading Comprehension

Writing Conventions

Writing Forms

Elementary

Elementary

Elementary

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary

Math

Number Sense

Measurement

Geometry

Algebra

Data Analysis

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Science

Earth Science

Physical Science

Life Science

Elementary and Middle

Elementary and Middle

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Social Studies

Civics

U.S. History

World History

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Updated 8/2004 

Curriculum & Instruction
The table below identifies the components of a standards-based curriculum. If the components are present the appropriate levels—elementary, middle, and high school—are shaded as indicated in the legend above. If the components are missing, than the graphic remains clear or "empty." Refer to the Curriculum & Instruction link at the right to read our complete criteria for evaluating standards-based curriculum materials.

 

English

Math

Science

Social Studies

Learning Continuum

Elementary, Middle and High

Middle and High

emh

Elementary, Middle and High

Instructional Resources

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Instructional Strategies

Elementary and High

Middle and High

None

None

Performance Indicators

Performance descriptors

None

None

None

None

Rubrics / scoring guides

Elementary and Middle

None

None

None

Sample student work

Elementary and Middle

None

None

None

Commentary on student work

Elementary and Middle

None

None

None

Lesson Plans

Specifies standards addressed

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Specifies prior knowledge needed

High School

High School

None

None

Integrates two or more standards

None

High School

High School

High School

Indicates necessary materials

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary and Middle

Includes classroom assessments

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Indicates length of time needed

Elementary and Middle

Elementary and Middle

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary and Middle

Includes sample student work and rubrics

None

None

None

None

Provides instructional guidance

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Includes instructional strategies for diverse learners

None

None

None

None

Updated 1/2002 

Assessing Student Performance
The table below indicates the features of an "open" or transparent assessment system that is based on the content standards. If the features are present the appropriate levels—elementary, middle, and high school—are shaded as indicated in the legend above. If the features are missing, than the graphic remains clear or "empty." Refer to the Assessing Student Performance link at the right to read our complete criteria for evaluating open and aligned testing systems.

 

English

Math

Science

Social Studies

Grades assessed

3-8, 10

3-8, 10

10

10

Alignment report available

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

High School

High School

State indicates standards tested

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

High School

High School

State indicates number of items per standard

None

None

None

None

Test or sample items released

High School

High School

High School

High School

Released items indicate standard tested

High School

High School

High School

High School

State provides grade-specific performance level descriptors

None

None

None

None

State provides rubrics

None

None

None

None

State releases scored student work

None

None

None

None

Released student work includes scorer commentary

None

None

None

None

Updated 4/2004

Accountability
The table below indicates the elements of a student accountability policy. If the elements are present, the appropriate levels—elementary, middle, and high school—are shaded as indicated in the legend above. If the elements are missing, than the graphic remains clear or "empty." Refer to the Accountability link at the right to read our complete criteria for evaluating student accountability policies.

 

English

Math

Science

Social Studies

State requires academic intervention for struggling students

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

High School

State funds academic intervention for struggling students

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

Elementary, Middle and High

High School

Promotion from grade to grade in elementary or middle school and/or graduation from high school is based, in part, on state test results

High School

High School

High School

High School

Students can earn awards for meeting higher standards

High School

High School

High School

High School

Updated 4/2002

 

 


Documents Reviewed

Alabama Course of Study: English Language Arts, Bulletin 1999, No. 17 (standards, curriculum)

Alabama Course of Study: Mathematics, Bulletin 2003, No. 4 (standards, assessments)

Alabama Course of Study: Science, Bulletin 2001, No. 20 (standards, curriculum)

Alabama Course of Study: Social Studies, Bulletin 1998, No.18 (standards, curriculum)

Alabama Direct Writing Assessment of Writing: Grade Five, Instructional Packet (curriculum, assessments)

Alabama Direct Writing Assessment of Writing: Grade Five, Annotated Student Response Packet, 1996-97 (curriculum, assessments)

Alabama Direct Writing Assessment of Writing: Grade Seven, Instructional Packet (curriculum, assessments)

Alabama Direct Writing Assessment of Writing: Grade Seven, Annotated Student Response Packet, 1996-97 (curriculum, assessments)

Alabama English Language Arts Course of Study: Assessment Correlation, 1999 (assessments)

Alabama Mathematics Course of Study: Assessment Correlation, 1999 (assessments)

Alabama Science Course of Study: Assessment Correlation, 1999 (assessments)

Alabama Social Studies Course of Study: Assessment Correlation, 1999 (assessments)

Alabama High School Graduation Exam: Today's Students, Tomorrow's Citizens—Pathways for Learning Language and Reading Comprehension(curriculum, assessments)

Alabama High School Graduation Exam: Today's Students, Tomorrow's Citizens—Pathways for Learning Mathematics (curriculum, assessments)

Alabama High School Graduation Exam: Today's Students, Tomorrow's Citizens—Pathways for Learning Science (curriculum, assessments)

Alabama High School Graduation Exam: Today's Students, Tomorrow's Citizens—Pathways for Learning Social Studies(curriculum, assessments)

Great Expectations: A Guide to Alabama's High School Graduation Exam (accountability)

Knowledge and Skills Teachers Need to Deliver Effective Reading Instruction, 1998 (curriculum)

Pathways for Learning (curriculum)

Requirements for the Alabama High School Diploma and the Alabama High School Diploma with Advanced Academic Endorsement (accountability)

SB169: Tutoring for Students Who Score Poorly on SATE (Stanford 9), 2000 (accountability)

SB379: Hope Scholarship, 1999 (accountability)

SB551: Relating to Student Assessment, 2000 (assessments, accountability)

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