>> GOOD EVENING.

AND WELCOME TO "SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION," ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION'S QUARTERLY DEEP DIVE INTO EDUCATION ISSUES HERE IN ALABAMA.

I'M TODD STACEY, HOST OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" HERE ON APT.

COMING UP HARRIET ON THE SHOW I'LL HAVE "IN DEPTH" INTERVIEWS WITH RYAN RANKINS OF THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS RESEARCH COUNCIL OF ALABAMA ABOUT RECENT STUDENT TEST SCORES AND WHAT THE NUMBERS TELLS SPECIFIC TO LITERACY.

JIM WOOTEN OF SAIL, SUMMER ADVENTURES IN LEARNING, HOW PARENTS TOOK ADVANTAGE OF SUMMER LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES THIS YEAR.

AND DR. BRIANA MORTON, VICE PRESIDENT OF EDUCATION SERVICES ABOUT ALL OF THE EDUCATION OFFERINGS THAT WE HAVE HERE AT ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

WELL, IT'S THE START OF A NEW SCHOOL YEAR WITH MOST AREAS A FEW WEEKS IN AND SOME A MONTH.

FOR MANY IT'S THE FIRST SCHOOL YEAR WE CAN SAY THE PANDEMIC AND ALL OF ITS DISRUPTIONS ARE COMPLETELY BEHIND US.

I RECENTLY SPOKE WITH STATE SUPERINTENDENT ERIK MACKEY ABOUT THE NEW YEAR AND THE OPTIMISM THAT COMES WITH IT.

>> WE FEEL REALLY GOOD ABOUT THIS SCHOOL YEAR.

HAVEN'T HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET INTO A LOT OF SCHOOLS THIS FALL.

THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN GOING TO A LOT OF SCHOOLS.

SHE AND I HAVE GONE TO SOME SCHOOLS TOGETHER AND THERE'S DEFINITELY A FEELING OF OPTIMISM AND REVITALIZATION THAT WAS MISSING THE LAST FEW YEARS SINCE COVID.

COVID DEFINITELY NOT ONLY CHANGED THINGS OBVIOUSLY WITH PHYSICAL HEALTH AND HOW WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THINGS IN SCHOOL BUT IT REALLY MADE PEOPLE KIND OF, YOU KNOW, A LITTLE WORRIED, A LITTLE DENSE TENSE.

WE DON'T FEEL THAT THIS YEAR.

>> WHILE WE'RE NOT THROWS OF THE PANDEMIC THERE ARE ILLNESSES GOING AROUND AND THAT COULD GET WORSE AT THE FALL TEMPERATURES DROP.

I RECENTLY SPOKE WITH STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS TO ASK HIS ADVICE FOR PARENTS DEALING WITH SICK CHILDREN.

>> WE KNOW KIDS ARE GOING TO GET SICK.

THAT'S ALWAYS THE WAY IT IS.

FIRST OF ALL REMEMBER TO CHECK WITH YOUR CHILD'S PEDIATRICIAN AND MAKE SURE YOU'RE UPDATED ON EVERYTHING.

THE PANDEMIC HAD SO MANY DISRUPTIONS BUT ONE OF THEM WAS THAT MANY KIDS JUST GOT BEHIND ON ROUTINE SHOTS.

SOME OF THAT WAS MISINFORMATION ABOUT VACCINES.

THAT'S ONE STORY.

ALSO THERE WERE A LOT OF DISRUPTIONS.

MAYBE THEY WERE NOT IN SCHOOL IN PERSON SO THEY DIDN'T NEED TO GET THEIR BLUE CARD UPDATED OR IMMUNIZATION OR MAYBE THEIR PEDIATRICIAN WAS ONLY SEE SEEING SICK KIDS AND NOT DOING WELL VISITS FOR A WHILE THERE WHEN THINGS WERE SO DIFFERENT SO THERE WERE A LOT OF REASONS KIDS GOT BEHIND.

WE'RE SEEING THAT START TO RECOVERY.

BUT PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOUR CHILD IS COMPLETELY UPDATED.

AND YOU KNOW THE ONE SINGLE PIECE OF ADVICE THAT WE WANT PARENTS TO REMEMBER IS THAT IT'S HARD TO IMPLEMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE A SICK KID, PLEASE TRY TO KEEP THEM AWAY FROM SCHOOL.

THAT'S TOUGH WHEN BOTH PARENTS ARE WORKING AND IT'S NOT ALWAYS EASY TO GET DAY CARE.

BUT PLEASE DON'T SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL IF YOUR CHILD IS SILK.

THE SCHOOL NURSE IS GOING TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR TAKING CARE OF THAT SITUATION AND CALL THE PARENT TO COME PICK THEM UP ANYWAY.

>> THIS SCHOOL YEAR WILL BE THE FIRST THAT THE ACCOUNTABILITY PROVISION OF THE ALABAMA LITERACY ACT WILL TAKE EFFECT.

THAT LAW, PASSED IN 2019, IS DESIGNED TO IMPROVE STUDENT READING WITH SPECIAL FOCUS IN THE EARLY GRADES.

STARTING THIS YEAR, STUDENTS WHO CANNOT READ AT GRADE LEVEL BY THE END OF THIRD GRADE WILL NOT BE PROMOTED TO FOURTH GRADE.

THIS PART OF THE LAW HAD BEEN DELAYED TWO YEARS BY THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE DUE IN PART TO COVID-19 DISRUPTIONS.

BUT IN A RECENT OP ED GOVERNOR KAY IVEY SAID NO MORE DELAYS WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE.

WRITING NOR AL .COM HE IS SAID PASSING STUDENTS ALONG WHEN THEY'RE NOT READING AT GRADE LEVEL IS DOING A MAJOR DISSERVICE.

I HAVE HAD REPORTERS ASK ME ABOUT IT ON MONTGOMERY INDICATIONS AND MY ANSWER IS CLEAR: FURTHER DELAYING THE POLICY CANNOT HAPPEN AND I WILL VETO A DELAY IF A BILL REACHES MY DESK.

DR. MACKEY ECHOED THE GOVERNOR'S COMMENTS SAYING NOW IS THE TIME FOR THE ACCOUNTABILITY PROVISION TO KICK IN.

>> I HAVE HEARD NO TALK FROM ANYBODY ABOUT DELAYING AGAIN.

I THINK THAT WAS CERTAINLY THE WISE THINGS TO DO.

I KNOW THE GOVERNOR FELT STRONG ABOUT IT AS WE CAME OUT OF COVID, THAT WE KIND OF GET SOLID FOOTING FIRST.

AND THEN THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS THEY DECIDED TO ADD ANOTHER YEAR, MAKE IT A TWO-YEAR DELAY.

BUT THIS YEAR THAT'S OVER.

I DON'T SEE ANYTHING CHANGING THAT.

IT IS GOOD FOR US THAT WE KNOW WHERE WE ARE THIS YEAR.

I FEEL REALLY GOOD ABOUT WHERE WE ARE WITH THE INTERVENTIONS AND THE PREVENTIONS.

REMEMBER WE'RE ALWAYS TALKED ABOUT, IT'S PREVENTION OVER RETENTION.

SO FOR THOSE STUDENTS WHO ARE READING BELOW GRADE LEVEL, WHICH WE KNOW THE GOVERNOR MENTIONED IN HER OP ED IS ABOUT 12 THOUSAND STUDENTS AND HAS BEEN ABOUT 12.

I CAN'T PREDICT WHAT IT WILL BE BUT WE THINK IT WILL BE IN THAT, YOU KNOW, 9 TO 10 TO 12 THOUSAND STUDENT RANGE, SIMILAR TO WHAT OTHER STATES HAVE DONE WHO LOOKED AT THIS SAME RETENTION PROVISION.

AND I THINK IT'S TIME.

I THINK WE CERTAINLY HAVE TO MAKE SURE BE THAT STUDENTS WHO ARE MOVING ON TO FOURTH GRADE ARE READING ON GRADE LEVEL AND THAT'S A BIG DEAL TO ME, HAS BEEN SINCE THE BEGINNING.

>> THIS WEEK LT.

GOVERNOR WILL AINSWORTH ANNOUNCED THAT THE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR A NEW 179 MILLION DOLLARS GRANT PROGRAM FOR K-12 PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS OFFICIALLY OPENED.

THE ALABAMA K-12 CAPITAL GRANT PROGRAM CREATED BY THE LEGISLATURE LAST SESSION, ALLOWS ONE TIME FUNDING NEEDED FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS DEFERRED MAINTENANCE, TECHNOLOGY IMPROVEMENTS, SCHOOL SECURITY ENHANCEMENTS OR EXISTING DEBT SERVICE.

THE LEGISLATURE GAVE AINSWORTH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF OVERSEEING THE GRANT FUND AND APPLICATIONS CAN BE SUBMITTED THROUGH AN ONLINE PORTAL.

ALL SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS WERE SENT AN EMAIL WITH ACCESS TO THAT PORTAL.

SO IF YOU DIDN'T GET THE EMAIL YOU MAY WANT TO CHECK YOUR EMAIL OR CONTACT THE LT.

GOVERNOR'S OFFICE TO BE ABLE TO APPLY FOR THOSE GRANT FUNDS.

LAST YEAR GOVERNOR KAY IVEY LAUNCHED THE TURN AROUND SCHOOLS INITIATIVE, A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO TRANSFORM LOW PERFORMING SCHOOLS AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES.

THESE SCHOOLS RECEIVE TARGETED SUPPORT FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S OFFICE OF SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT AS WELL AS SEVERAL COMMUNITY AND STATE PARTNERS.

THE GOVERNOR RECENTLY VISITED SUCH SCHOOLS IN WILCOX, HOUSTON, AND MONTGOMERY COUNTIES TO DELIVER AND READ BOX BOOKS AND OFFER HER ENCOURAGEMENT TO KINDERGARTEN, FIRST AND SECOND GRADE STUDENTS.

KAREN GOLDSMITH HAS THAT STORY.

>> KAREN GOLDSMITH.

>> WE HAVE 15 SCHOOLS IN THE TURNAROUND GROUP AND JUST WANT TO GIVE THEM ADDITIONAL TAILORMADE RESOURCES PER SCHOOL TO HELP THEM TURN AROUND AND GET BETTER RESULTS TO THE STUDENTS CAN ACHIEVE MORE AND DO BETTER.

>> SO WE ARE SUPER EXCITED ABOUT THE GOVERNOR'S TURNAROUND INITIATIVE.

SHE HAS REALLY INVESTED MAINLY RESOURCES INTO MAKING SURE SPECIFIC SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE OF ALABAMA CAN IMPROVE ACADEMICALLY AND BEHAVIORALLY SO WE'RE SETTING THE TONE, THE ROAD MAP, THE BLUEPRINT, FOR WHAT EDUCATION SHOULD LOOK LIKE ACROSS THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> SINCE THESE SCHOOLS ARE THE TELL ME MATE FOR WHAT IMPROVEMENTS SHOULD LOOK LIKE, DR. LAWANDA MITCHELL SAYS BEING NAMED A TURNAROUND SCHOOL IS NOT A NEGATIVE.

>> IT IS NOT A BAD THING TO BE ON THE GOVERNOR'S LIST.

IT'S AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY DREAM BIG AND THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO ARE FOR ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE.

>> PART OF THAT DREAMING BIG IS INVESTING IN THE STUDENT'S FOUNDATIONAL WELLNESS.

>> THE STUDENT'S MENTAL CAPACITY IS A HUGE AREA THAT WE MUST PAY ATTENTION TO.

SO WHEN WE'RE SPEAKINGS ON TRAUMA, INFORMED CARE, OR THOSE SOCIAL QUEUES OUR KIDS NEED IN ORDER TO BE SUCCESSFUL WE'RE HONING IN ON THOSE SO OUR GOAL IS NOT JUST SO THAT THE ACADEMIC AND THE BEHAVIORAL PIECE BUT THAT MENTAL PIECE AS WELL.

>> MONTGOMERY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, DOZIER ELEMENTARY IS A TURNAROUND SCHOOL.

>> WE HAVE SHOWN GROWTH FOR THREE CONSECUTIVE YEARS AND NOW WE HAVE BEEN RELEASED FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT PROGRAM WHERE NOW WE'RE CONSIDERED TO BE A TURNAROUND SCHOOL.

WE RECEIVE A LOT OF EFFORTS FROM -- EXITS FROM THE OUTSIDE TO SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS AS IT RELATES TO THE READING, THE MATH, THE SCIENCES.

WE'RE INSTRUMENTAL THIS YEAR IMPLEMENTING A STEM LAB IN OUR BUILDING.

WE'RE GETTING AN ARTS EDUCATION THAT IS COMING UP.

SO THE TURNAROUND PROCESS IS GOING TO BE A VERY EFFECTIVE PROCESS AND CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR STUDENTS TO LEARN.

>> THEIR SCHOOL WAS ONE OF THREE ALABAMA GOVERNOR KAY IVEY PRESENTED AND SHE READ SEVERAL PAGES FROM THIS BOOK.

>> WHERE DO THESE COME FROM?

>> THE STUDENTS IN ONE CLASS SPONTANEOUSLY PEPPERED HER WITH QUESTIONS.

>> HOW DID YOU BECOME GOVERNOR?

>> THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA ELECTED ME.

YOU GET TO VOTE ONE DAY.

THAT'S ANOTHER REASON YOU NEED TO LEARN TO READ SO YOU CAN READ ABOUT ALL OF THE CANDIDATES AND MAKE A WISE DECISION WHEN YOU VOTE.

>> WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BE A GOVERNOR?

>> IT'S AWESOME!

[LAUGHTER] IT'S BUSY.

A LOT OF RESPONSIBILITY.

BUT MY NUMBER ONE PRIORITY IS MAKING SURE THAT EVERY CHILD IN EVERY SCHOOL HAS A QUALITY EDUCATION.

>> THE GOVERNOR SAYS SHE WAS PROUD OF THEIR CURIOSITY.

>> THAT'S WHAT WE WANT STUDENTS TO DO IS KNOW AND THINK AND ASK QUESTIONS.

THEY'RE BEING GOOD STUDENTS.

>> SUPPORT "SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION," I'M KAREN GOLDSMITH.

>> RANDY SCOTT RECENTLY VISITED LOWNDES COUNTY WHERE AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IS NOW DOUBLING AS AN OUTDOOR CLASSROOM WITH EXCITING OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL STUDENTS.

HERE IS HIS STORY.

>> IT REALLY IS A UNIQUE STUDENT ESPECIALLY FROM EDUCATION, HANDS ON.

I WANT CHILDREN HAD TO COME AND ADULTS AND HANDS ON, LEAVE WITH DIRTY HANDS AND CLOTHES WHEN THAT HE LEAVE HERE FROM EXPLORINGS.

>> DEMP BILL IS ON HIS SECOND RETIREMENT.

SO WHEN HE START THINKING ABOUT HIS NEXT ADVENTURE HE JUST LOOKED DOWN.

AS THE PROPERTY HE OWNS IN BRAGS ALABAMA CALLED CORNWALL WALLACE.

>> THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CHILDREN SCHOOL GRADE AND ADULTS ON TOURS TO BE ABLE TO COME AND WALK THESE CREEKS OR WALK THE PROPERTY WHETHER IT BE ON THE HOMESTEAD OR WHETHER IT BE FISHING OR OTHER AREAS OF HISTORY, AND LIVING HISTORY, AND IT'S A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE HERE IN THE BLACK BELT.

IT'S A COMBINATION OF ALL OF IT WHICH MAKES IT VERY SPECIAL.

>> BELL DISCOVERED THIS PROPERTY HAS A PLEA HISTORIC PAST, FOSSILS OF ANIMALS AND PLANTS GOING BACK 60 MILLION YEARS HAVE BEEN FOUND HERE.

THE IDEA HIT HIM THIS WOULD BE A GREAT TEACHING TOOL BY GETTING PEOPLE OUTDOORS.

>> THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CHILDREN, SCHOOL GRADE AND ADULTS, ON TOUR TO BE ABLE TO COME AND WALK THESE CREEKS OR WALK THE PROPERTY WHETHER IT BE ON THE HOMESTEAD OR WHETHER IT BE FISHING OR WHETHER IT BE OTHER AREAS OF HISTORY.

>> A LOT OF THINGS HERE TO SEE AND DO -- THE BIRDWATCHING, THE FOSSIL HUNTING, THE ARTIFACTS, THE INFORMATION YOU CAN GABE ABOUT THAT, THE ARTIFACTS THAT WE FOUND WILL PROBABLY BE ON DISPLAY AT SOME POINT.

SO KIDS CAN COME AND SEE THAT.

>> IT'S DO YOU KNOW WHY THE HERE NOW BUT PRETTY SOON WORK IS GOING TO START TO TURN THIS INTO WHAT SOME ARE STAY SAYING WILL BE THE LARGEST CLASSROOM IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND THE FOLKS BEHIND THIS PLAN SAY IT'S GOING TO TAKE STUDENTS ON A TRIP BACK IN TIME AND GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH HISTORY.

>> PALEONTOLOGIST JEFF MCGRAW IS WORKING WITH OTHERS TO HELP DEVELOP TOURS.

>> WE SAW OYSTERS AND WE SAW CRABS AND ALL KIND OF MARINE FOSSILS AND THEY SAY THINGS ARE HERE TO SEE AND TOUCH.

>> SO THEY WILL BE ABLE TO GO IN AND LEARN ABOUT HABITAT, BIRDS OF ALABAMA SO THEY CAN PICK THAT OR PICK A TOUR, WHETHER IT'S FOSSILS OR WITH THE DINOSAURS.

SO THEY HAVE THREE OR FOUR OPTIONS AS WELL AS ADULTS ON TOURS.

>> SUPPORT "SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION," I'M RANDY SCOTT.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK WITH MORE "SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION" >> JOINING ME NEXT IS RYAN HANKINS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS RESEARCH COUNCIL OF ALABAMA.

RYAN, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU, TODD.

>> COULD YOU -- I KNOW MOST OF OUR VIEWERS KNOW PARCA VERY WELL, BUT FOR THOSE WHO DON'T REMEMBER, CAN YOU OFFER A REFRESHER ON WHAT PARCA IS?

>> IT'S THE STATE'S FIRST AND ONLY NONPARTISAN, NONIDEOLOGICAL RESEARCH AND DATA ANALYSIS ORGANIZATION.

WE'RE COMMITTED TO DOING POLICY RESEARCH, DATA ANALYSIS, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO HELP STATE AND LOCAL LEADERS NONPROFITS UNDERSTAND, DEVELOP, IMPLEMENT AND ASSESS SOUND PUBLIC POLICY.

>> WHICH IS EXACTLY WHY I WANTED TO HAVE YOU ON.

BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE A DOG IN THE FIGHT.

WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT EDUCATION DATA, SCORES, THINGS LIKE THAT, AND Y'ALL AREN'T PUSHING AN AGENDA EXCEPT TO HELP THE STATE, AND I CAN SEE THAT'S REALLY VALUABLE WHEN IT COMES TO LOOKING AT EDUCATION BECAUSE SOMETIMES THERE'S A TENDENCY TO, YOU KNOW, WEAR ROSE COLORED GLASSES OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT SO I APPRECIATE THE STRAIGHT ANALYSIS.

>> WE WILL START WITH ACAP.

THIS IS THE TEST THAT ALL OF OUR SCHOOL CHILDREN TAKE, ALABAMA COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT PROGRAM.

THEY SORT OF REFORMULATED IT TO TRAY TO TAKE ACCURATE MEASUREMENTS YEAR TO YEAR.

Y'ALL DID SOME ANALYSIS ON -- WE'RE STARTING A NEW SCHOOL YEAR BUT LET'S LOOK BACK AT LAST SCHOOL YEAR SO THERE'S A BENCHMARK.

YOU DID ANALYSIS ON THE ACAP SCORES FOR THE PAST SCHOOL YEAR.

WHAT WERE THE BIG TAKEAWAYS?

>> THE TAKE AWAYS AND I'M SPEAKING SPECIFIC I HAD ABOUT LITERACY TODAY.

THE BIG TAKEAWAYS WERE WE HAVE SAW SOME GAINS IN -- WE WILL CALL ELA, ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS, AND READING.

WE SAW SOME OF THE UPPER GRADES, FIFTH, 6, 8 GRADE, SEE A DROP, A LITTLE PERPLEXING.

AND IS WE HAVE MADE A LOT OF INVESTMENTS IN ELA BROADLY, LATE RATHER RACE IN PARTICULAR SO WE WERE ENCOURAGED TO SEE IMPROVEMENTS IN THIRD GRADE AND DISCOURAGED TO SEE DROP-OFFS IN THE HIGHER GRADES.

WE HAVE A HUNCH AT WHAT IS HAPPENING THERE.

THIS IS, I BELIEVE, THE THIRD YEAR OF THE ACAP, WHAT WE CALL A SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT, GIVEN AT THE END OF THE YEAR TO CAPTURE WHAT STUDENTS HAVE LEARNED RELATIVE TO STANDARDS IN THE PREVIOUS NINE MONTHS AND IT'S REALLY THE BEST WAY THAT WE HAVE TO SEE A COMPLETE YEAR END PICTURE OF HOW OUR SCHOOLS ARE DOING AND YEAR-OVER-YEAR GROWTH AND TO ALLOW US TO ASSESS OUR EDUCATIONAL POLICIES AND STRATEGIES WORKING.

>> RIGHT.

SO THIS IS A BIG YEAR, RIGHT, FOR LITERACY?

BECAUSE FINALLY, THE ACCOUNTABILITY PROVISION OF THE ALABAMA LITERACY ACT WILL GO INTO EFFECT.

IT'S BEEN DELAYED IN THE PAST ADMINISTRATIVELY AND THEN BY LAW.

MAINLY BECAUSE OF COVID.

THEIR ARGUMENTS WERE LOOK THESE KIDS ARE COMING OUT OF COVID AND WHY HOLD THEM BACK?

WE CAN ARGUE ABOUT THE SOUNDNESS OF THAT KIND OF POLICY BUT IT HAPPENED.

PUT NOW GOVERNOR IVEY IS SAYING -- I HAVE TALKED TO SPEAKER LEDBETTER AND HE'S IN AGREEMENT -- THE SUPERINTENDENT, ALL IN AGREEMENT -- THAT THIS LAW WILL GO BACKS INTO EFFECT AND THE HOLD BACK LAW WILL GO INTO EFFECT.

SO TALK ABOUT THAT, KNOWING THAT'S COMING AND THAT THE EMPLOYEE EFFICIENCY LEVELS THAT WE'RE AT, WHAT MIGHT BE COMING LOOKING AT MAY?

>> I'M GLAD TO HEAR YOU SAY THE WORDS ACCOUNTABILITY PROVISION, AND THAT'S A LITTLE BIT OF AN INSIDE BASEBALL.

WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT FOUR YEARS ON AFTER THE ACT WAS PASSED THERE'S STILL WIDESPREAD MISUNDERSTANDING.

ONE, THAT RETENTION IS THE SINGULAR FOCUS OF THE ACT, WHICH IS INCORRECT.

AND RELATEDLY, SINCE THAT HAS BEEN DELAYED, THERE ARE MANY WHO BELIEVE THAT THE ACT HAS NOT BEEN IMPLEMENTED, AND THAT'S -- THAT COULDN'T BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH.

SO RETENTION IS A PART OF THE ACT.

IT IS ONLY PART OF THE ACT.

THE OTHER ASPECTS OF LEGISLATION WERE ENACTED BEGINNING IN '19 AND CONTINUED TO ROLL OUT AND THOSE ARE ALL DESIGNED TO REALLY HELP US -- TO HELP US AVOID THAT WORST-CASE SCENARIO AND HAVING TO RETAIN HUNDREDS AND THOUSANDS OF THIRD GRADERS.

NO ONE WANTS THAT.

SO FIRST I WANT I WANT TO SAY MUCH OF THE ACT, ALL OF THE ACT EXCEPT THE ACCOUNTABILITY PROVISION HAS BEEN IN PLACE SOME YEARS AND WE'RE SEEING EVIDENCE OF THAT ALREADY.

WHEN FULLY IMPLEMENTED, IMPLEMENTED WELL, WE HELP TO SEE VERY FEW CHILDREN RETAINED AT THE END OF THIRD GRADE.

BUT YOU ARE RIGHT.

ALLOCATIONS ARE THAT PROVISION WILL GO INTO EFFECT AT THE END OF THIS SCHOOL YEAR, SO THOSE STUDENTS WHO ARE READING BLOW PROFICIENCY LEVELS AT THE END OF THIRD GRADE WILL BE SUBJECT TO BEING RETAINED.

THERE ARE STEPS -- NOT AN IMMEDIATE, YOUR STEP IS A .20 SO YOU WILL BE BACK NEXT YEAR.

THERE'S A PROCESS BUT THE PROCESS IS SET FOR APRIL OR MAY OF THIS COMING SCHOOL YEAR.

>> AND THAT BRINGS ALL KINDS OF POLICY AND POLITICAL RAMIFICATIONS; RIGHT?

BECAUSE NOBODY WANTS THEIR KID TO GET HELD BACK; RIGHT?

IN A PERFECT WORLD THEY JUST KEEP GOING WITH THE CLASS THEY HAVE COME UP ON.

SO THERE MAY BE SOME TOUGH REALITIES FOR SOME PARENTS OUT THERE.

WHAT WOULD YOUR MESSAGE BE TO THOSE -- BECAUSE I KNOW ALL OF THIS IS BASED ON RESEARCH.

THIS IS NOT RANDOM -- THIRD GRADE IS WHERE WE'RE DOING THIS.

THIS IS BASED ON RESEARCH AND SCIENCE OF READING AND WHAT HAPPENS TO THAT THIRD GRADER SHOULD HE OR SHE GET PROMOTED ON WITHOUT THAT SKILL.

SO WHAT WOULD YOUR MESSAGE BE TO THE PARENTS WHO MAY BE AFRAID.

>> FIRST TO SAY JUST HOW WE HAVE SAID THIS FOR SO MANY YEARS BUT IT CAN'T BE SAID ENOUGH, THE CENTRAL TEE OF BEING A STRONG PROFICIENT READER.

WE KNOW THAT STUDENTS WHO READ AT GRADE LEVEL, AT THE END OF THE THIRD GRADE, ARE FOUR TIMES MORE LIKELY TO FINISH HIGH SCHOOL.

IF YOU FINISH HIGH SCHOOL YOUR EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT INCREASES, YOUR EMPLOYABILITY INCREASES, YOUR INCOME INCREASES, YOUR CHANCE OF BEING IN POVERTY DECREASES.

YOUR LIKELIHOOD OF BEING IN POVERTY DECREASES.

SO IT INCREASES, EVERY HURT POINTS TO THE CENTRAL TEE OF BEING A STRONG READER AT THIRD GRADE.

SO THE SUBJECT MATTER IS CRUCIAL.

OF THE AGE IS CRUCIAL.

AND IT'S KIND OF TRITE TO SAY IT BUT IT'S TRUE, UP TO THIRD GRADE YOU ARE TAUGHT TO READ, AND YOU LEARN TO READ, AND AFTER THIRD GRADE YOU READ TO LEARN.

SO IN FOURTH GRADE READING IS A GIVEN.

IF YOU'RE NOT AT GRADE LEVEL YOU'RE BEHIND DAY ONE AND YOU REALLY, REALLY, REALLY HAVE TO WORK HARD TO CATCH UP.

BUT YOU ARE CORRECT.

IDEALLY THE LITERACY ACT GIVENS IN KINDERGARTEN IF NOT BEFORE.

SO SYSTEMS AND SCHOOLS ARE WORKING TO IDENTIFY WHO ARE THOSE STUDENTS AS EARLY AS FIRST SEMESTER KINDERGARTEN WHO COULD BE AT RISK OF RETENTION THREE TO FOUR YEARS LATER AND THEN WHAT MUST WE TO AS THE SYSTEM, THE SCHOOL, THE CLASSROOM LEVEL TO GIVE THAT STUDENT EVERY SUPPORT THAT THEY NEED WHICH INCLUDES THE SCIENCE OF READING.

SO WE DON'T TEACH READING THE WAY WE USED TO.

WE DON'T TEACH READING THE WAY YOU AND I LEARNED TO READ OR MY DAUGHTER LEARNED TO READ 10 YEARS AGO OR 15 YEARS AGO.

IF YOU WALKED INTO A CLASSROOM TODAY YOU MAY NOT RECOGNIZE WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE ROOM AS READING INSTRUCTION.

IT LOOKS LIKE SO DIFFERENT.

BUT BASED ON WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT HOW I COULDN'T THINK BRAINS OPERATE, HOW THEY PROCESS SOUND, THEY PROCESS VISUAL CLUES IT'S MUCH MORE ADVANCED THAN IT WAS EVEN A FEW YEARS AGO SO WE'RE TRAINING TEACHERS USING THE CURRICULAR LETTERS OF HOW TO UNDERSTAND THE BRAIN, HOW TO UNDERSTAND HOW YOUNG LEARNERS LEARN AND THEN HOW TO CAPITALIZE ON THAT TO TEACH READING.

SO THE DAYS OF "SEE SPOT RUN" THOSE ARE LONG GONE.

WE ALSO KNOW THAT TUTORING IS IMPORTANT, THAT SUMMER LEARN PROGRAMS ARE IMPORTANT AND SUMMER CAMPS.

SO SYSTEMS THAT ARE COMMITTED TO THESE ARE SEEING EXTENSIVE USE OF LETTERS TRAINED TEACHERS, EXTENSIVE USE OF COACHES AND PRINCIPALS THAT HAVE BEEN LITERACY TRAINED, EXTENSIVE BEFORE SCHOOL AND AFTER SCHOOL TUTORING, SUMMER CAMPS.

SO I WOULD SAY TO A PARENT, FIND OUT IF YOUR SCHOOL PROVIDES THOSE SERVICES.

OR WHERE TO ACCESS THOSE SERVICES.

THERE'S MONEY AVAILABLE.

THEY SHOULD BE AVAILABLE HE.

IDEALLY STUDENTS ARE PROPERTYING THAT TO AT RISK STUDENTS BUT IT'S ALWAYS THE PARENT'S RESPONSIBILITY FUNDAMENTALLY TO FIND OUT AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THOSE RESOURCES.

ALSO IF PARENTS ARE CONCERNED THEY CAN INQUIRE ABOUT THEIR STUDENT'S PERFORMANCE IN KINDERGARTEN, FIRST GRADE, SECOND GRADE -- OF THE SCHOOLS KNOW WHAT STUDENTS ARE ON WHAT TRAJECTORY.

THAT MAY NOT ALWAYS BE RELEASED PUBLICLY AND MAY NOT ALWAYS BE VERY CLEARLY TOLD TO THE STUDENTS' PARENTS, AND THERE'S NO SUBTERFUGE THERE.

BUT WE GET SO MUCH COMMUNICATION FROM OUR SCHOOLS BUT A SCHOOL, TEACHERS, A LITERACY COACH TO LOVE TO HELP THEIR CHILD UNDERSTAND WHERE THEIR CHILD IS IT ALONE THE MASTERY OF READING AND WHAT THEY CAN DO TO SUPPORT THEIR CHILD GROWTH.

>> THAT'S GOOD ADVICE.

THANK YOU.

ISN'T IT TRUE THAT WE REALLY BASED OUR LITERACY ACT OFF OF SIMILAR LAWS IN MISSISSIPPI AND MAYBE ALSO FLORIDA AND SOME OF THE SUCCESS THEY HAVE HAD THERE.

TALK ABOUT THOSE STATES.

THEY'RE OBVIOUSLY FURTHER ALONG.

IS OUR -- CAN WE TRACK THOSE -- THE SAME KIND OF PROGRESS?

OBVIOUSLY THEY MADE HUGE STRIDES IN FLORIDA AND ARE STARTING TO MAJOR STRIDES IN MISSISSIPPI.

CAN WE MAKE THE SAME STRIDES GIVEN THE FACT THAT WE HAVE FALLEN BEHIND FOR A WHILE?

>> WHAT PEOPLE ARE OFTEN SURPRISED TO LEARN, YES OUR LITERACY ACT OF '19 IS MODELED IN LARGE PART OFF OF MISSISSIPPI AND FLORIDA.

THEIR LITERACY ACT WAS MODEL AFTER ANOTHER ACT WHICH WAS DONE IN ALABAMA.

SO WE'RE IN SOME WAYS REPLICATING WHAT WE USED TO DO.

>> IS THAT THE OLD ALABAMA READING INITIATIVE FROM THE '90S?

>> YES.

SO THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF A DEJA VU HERE.

IF YOU LOOK BACK AT OUR NATIONAL SCORES EARLIER THIS SENT TEE WE WERE AT THE BOTTOM IN 4 GRADE READING AND 8 GRADE READING AND SET ABOUT TO FIND OUT WHAT CAN WE DO TO CHANGE THAT NARRATIVE BECAUSE WE FOUND OUT THE ALABAMA CHILD CAN READ AS WELL AS ANY OTHER CHILDREN IN THE COUNTRY.

WE TRIED NEW READING COACHES AND INNOVATIONS AND IT WORKED.

BY 2011, ALABAMA STUDENTS WERE READING SCORES REACHING THE NATIONAL AVERAGE SO USING ALABAMA IDEAS AND ALABAMA TEACHERS AND ALABAMA STUDENTS OUR KIDS READ AT THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

FUNDING CHANGED.

RECESSION IMPLICATIONS HIT.

SCHOOLS BEGAN TO REDIRECT THEIR READING COACHES TO OTHER PROJECTS.

AND WHAT YOU SAW WAS THAT STEADY INCREASE, AGAIN, TO BE A STEADY DECLINE AND NOW WE'RE BACK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE BARREL AGAIN.

MEANWHILE MISSISSIPPI LOOKED ACROSS THE RIVER, LOOKED AT WHAT WE WERE DOING, MODIFIED THOSE IDEAS, MODIFIED WHAT THEY HAVE SINCE DONE AND HAVE SEEN STEADY INCREASES.

SO NOW WE'RE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE COUNTRY.

MISSISSIPPI IS NOW AT THE NATIONAL ANGE.

SO WE CAN DO IT AGAIN BECAUSE WE HAVE DONE IT BEFORE.

THIS IS NOT A HUNCH.

THIS IS A TRACK RECORD, A PATH WE HAVE TROD.

WE CAN DO IT AGAIN IF WE HAVE THE COMMITMENT TO DO SO.

>> IF SOUNDS LIKE THERE'S A LESSON THERE IN KEEPING YOUR FOR THE-FOOT ON THE GAS MAY BE ONE WAY TO PUT IT, NOT LOSING FOCUS.

I HAVE HEARD PEOPLE SAY THE SAME THING FROM OTHERS SAY TALKING ABOUT, YEAH, IF WE JUST WOULDN'T HAVE LOST FOCUS WHAT COULD BE HAPPENING NOW.

SO I GUESS THAT'S A LESSON FOR THE FUTURE.

>> WE LOST FOCUS BECAUSE WE LOST MONEY.

IT'S SCANT RESOURCES.

SO AT THE MOMENT WE ARE FLUSH WITH CASH.

THE QUESTION IS, WHEN WE'RE NOT SO FLUSH WITH CASH WILL WE HAVE THE COMMITMENT TO CONTINUE TO PUT MONEY INTO LITERACY, TO RESTRICT COACHES TO ONLY SUPPORTING LITERACY AND NOT DOING OTHER PROJECTS IN THE SCHOOL.

WILL WE CONTINUE TO PUT ADDITIONAL SUPPORTS IN LOW INCOME SCHOOLS AND STUDENTS WHO NEED EXTRA HELP.

THAT IS EXPENSIVE.

BUT THE FRUSTRATING THING ABOUT THIRD GRADE READING IS THERE'S A NEW THIRD GRADER EVERY YEAR.

DOESN'T MATTER WHAT WE DO THIS YEAR, IF IT WORKS WE HAVE TO REPEAT IT NEXT YEAR AND NEXT YEAR AND NEXT YEAR.

AND THIS IS NOT -- THIS IS NOT AN INVESTMENT THAT WE CAN MAKE FOR A FEW YEARS AND SCALE BACK ON IT.

>> THAT'S EXACTLY WHY WE WANT TOE HAVE THE POLICY CONVERSATION HERE, ALL YOU HAVE OUR POLICYMAKERS, LAWMAKERS, AND THE AUDIENCE.

IT'S AN IMPORTANT CONVERSATION.

APPRECIATE YOU COMINGS ON.

BEFORE I LET YOU GO I WANTED -- Y'ALL HAVE AN EXCITING EVENT COMING UP WITH ONE OF MY FAVORITE HISTORY I UNDERSTAND.

SO I WANTED TO GET YOU TO PLUG THE EVENT.

>> SURE.

WE WILL HAVE DORIS KEARNS GOOD WIN, PULITZER PRIZE WINNING AUTHOR SPEAKING AT THE SPEAKER SERIES IN BIRMINGHAM AT RED MOUNTAIN THEATER ON A TOPIC THAT WE CAN ALL APPRECIATE, LEADERSHIP IN TURBULENT TIMES AND WHAT WE WHO ARE CITIZENS, WE WHO ARE NOT IN POSITIONS OF POWER, WHAT IS OUR OPPORTUNITY AND OUR OBLIGATION TO SUPPORT THOSE LEADERS IN THESE TURBULENT TIMES?

SO WE INVITE EVERYONE TO COME AND ENGAGE IN THAT CONVERSATION.

YOU CAN MEET HER, GET A SIGNED BOOK, HOBNOB WITH OTHER DECISION MAKERS AROUND OF THE STATE AND REALLY ADVANCE THE CONVERSATION OF DATA-INFORMED POLICY FOR ALABAMIANS.

>> TURBULENT TIMES YOU SAY?

>> SOMETHING I HAVE HEARD.

>> SO IF YOU HAVE A TEAM OF RIFLES BOOK YOU CAN MAYBE GET IT SIGNED.

>> CERTAINLY.

>> THANK YOU FOR BEING ON THE SHOW.

LOOKING FORWARD TO CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> JOINING ME NEXT IN JIM WOOTEN PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR SAIL, SUMMER ADVENTURES IN LEARNING.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON SPOTLIGHT.

>> MY PLEASURE, TODD.

>> I WAS HOPING BEFORE WE GET TOO DEEP INTO THE WEEDS YOU CAN SORT OF REMIND OUR AUDIENCE OUR EDUCATE THEM ABOUT SAIL AND IT'S BACKGROUND AND ROLE HERE IN ALABAMA.

>> SALVATION ARMY.

TODD, I'D LIKE TO DESCRIBE SAIL AS A COLLABORATION OR COMMUNITY OF ORS THAT CONDUCT HIGH QUALITY SUMMER LEARNING PROGRAMS IN ALABAMA.

SO YOU MIGHT ASK WHY SUMMER LEARNING?

IN FACT AS PART OF THE TRADITIONAL MIND SET THAT IS OUT THERE THAT SCHOOL YEAR IS FOR LEARNING BUT SUMMER OF IS JUST FOR FUN.

AND WE CERTAINLY AGREE THAT KIDS SHOULD HAVE FUN IN THE SUMMER.

BUT YOU HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT HALF OF ALABAMA STUDENTS ARE NOT PROFICIENT IN READING AND MATH.

SO WE WOULD ARGUE THAT SUMMER NEEDS TO ALSO BE ABOUT SERIOUS ACADEMIC WORK FOR THEM SO THAT THEY CAN CHOSE THAT GAP.

>> AND WE HEAR ALL THE TIME ABOUT LEARNING LOSS, THAT HAPPENS OVER SUMMER, AND WHEN YOU FACTOR IN JUST THE DEFICIENCIES THERE ARE ANYWAY, THEN THROW COVID ON TOP OF THAT, YOU CAN REALLY START TO UNDERSTAND THE ARGUMENT FOR A RIGOROUS AND LOTS OF INVESTMENTS IN SUMMER LEARNING.

BUT YOU KNOW, I GO BACK TO WHEN I WAS A KID, GROWING UP, IT WAS KIND OF A SIGMA TO SUMMER SCHOOL, I GUESS THEY WOULD CALL IT BACK THEN, WHEREAS YOU KNOW, YOU'RE GOING TO SUMMER SCHOOL, SOMETHING MUST BE WRONG.

IS THAT BEGINNING TO CHANGE THEIR DIFFERENT APPROACH NOW?

>> WELL, OUR APPROACH IS DIFFERENT.

BECAUSE WE HAVE LEARNED THAT TO DO REALLY EXCELLENT SUMMER LEARNING YOU HAVE TO BUILD PROGRAMS THAT COMBINED THE BEST ELEMENTS OF TRADITIONAL SUMMER CAMP WITH RIGOROUS ACADEMICS.

SO THE HYBRID OF THAT CREATES AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE IT FEELS LIKE CAMP, THE KIDS ARE HAPPY TO BE THERE, AND THAT TENDS TO INCREASE THEIR CONFIDENCE AND THEIR ABILITY TO LEARN AND ALSO MAKES IT COME TO UNDERSTAND THAT LEARNING CAN BE FUN.

NOT ONLY ARE THEY BETTER LEARNING IN SUMMER BUT BETTER STUDENTS WHEN THEY GO BACK IN FALL.

>> AND WHO WOULDN'T WANT TO GO TO CAMP?

WHOLE DIFFERENT THING GOING TO CAMP VERSUS SUMMER SCHOOL.

>> YOU MENTIONED SUMMER LOSS.

THAT'S AN IMPORTANT CONCEPT.

WHEN KIDS DON'T PRACTICE THEIR ACADEMIC SKILLS OVER THE SUMMER, THEY REGRESS AND LOSE GROUND AND HAVE TO PICK THAT UP WHEN THEY GO BACK TO SCHOOL IN THE FALL.

THAT'S BEEN STUDIED AND MEASURED.

IT'S BEEN SHOWN THAT KIDS ARE GOING TO LOSE ABOUT TWO TO THREE MONTHS OF MATH SKILLS AND ALSO TO DO THREE MONTHS OF READING SKILLS OVER THE SUMMER.

THAT DOESN'T HAVE TO HAPPEN.

BECAUSE WITH THE PROGRAMS THAT SAIL OPERATES WE TURN THE SUMMER LEARNING LOSSES INTO GAINS.

>> WOW, YOU SAID A COUPLE OF SOMETIMES, RIGOROUS ACADEMICS.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT.

>> THAT'S ANOTHER GREAT POINT TO GO INTO IT.

BECAUSE MOST SUMMER PROGRAMS HAVE SOME ELEMENT OF LEARNING BUILT IN.

BUT WE HAVE LEARNED THROUGH EXPERIENCE THAT IF YOU REALLY WANT TO MAKE A SERIOUS PROGRESS TOWARDS CLOSING THAT ACADEMIC GAP THAT OUR KIDS FEEL, YOU HAVE TO BUILD A PROGRAM THAT'S DESIGNED TO DO JUST THAT.

SO OUR PROGRAMS OFFER 70, 80, MAYBE MORE HOURS OF ACADEMIC INSTRUCTION DURING THE SUMMER.

THE LESSONS ARE TAUGHT BY EXPERIENCED TEACHERS, USUALLY CERTIFIED.

WE USE RIGOROUS CURRICULUM, RESEARCH-BASED CURRICULUM, AND ALSO WE USE AN ASSESSMENT.

SO WHEN OUR KIDS COME INTO THE PROGRAM, WE USE THE STAR ASSESSMENT.

AND IT DETERMINES WHAT SKILLS THE KIDS HAVE MASTERED AND WHAT THEY NEED TO MASTER, AND THAT ALLOWS THE TEACHERS TO BUILD LESSON PLANS THAT MEET THEM WHERE THEY ARE.

AND THEN WE USE THE ASSESSMENT AT THE END OF THE SUMMER SO WE CAN DETERMINE WHO THE KIDS HAVE GROWN.

AND ALSO IT HELPS US MAKE SURE THAT OUR PROGRAMS ARE BEING EFFECTIVE.

>> ARE THOSE ASSESSMENTS IN YET?

I WAS TOLD THE DATA MAY BE HERE.

>> THEY ARE NOT.

WE DO HAVE PARTIAL DATE IN.

SO LET ME JUST SHARE SOME KIND OF HISTORY WITH YOU THAT I CAN TALK ABOUT THIS SUMMER.

SO OVER -- THIS IS OUR 11 SUMMER AND THIS SUMMER WE OPERATED 35 PROGRAMS IN 46 LOCATIONS AROUND ALABAMA.

WE HAVE ABOUT 2000 ENROLLMENT.

OVER THE 11 YEARS THAT WE HAVE BEEN IN OPERATION WE HAVE ENROLLED ABOUT 20 THOUSAND KIDS.

OVER THAT PERIOD, THE AVERAGE GAIN PER SUMMER FOR STUDENTS IS 1.8 MONTHS OF READING SKILLS AND ABOUT 2.6 MONTHS WORTH OF MATH SKILLS.

SO WHEN YOU COMPARE THAT TO THE SUMMER LEARNING LOSS OF TWO TO THREE MONTHS THAT THEY WOULD HAVE EXPERIENCED ABSENT A PROGRAM LIKE SAIL THAT'S ABOUT HALF A YEAR'S DIFFERENCE.

WE KNOW THIS YORE' DATA IS GOING TO BE ABOUT THE SAME.

WE ALSO HAD SOMETHING UNIQUE THIS SUMMER THAT I WOULD LIKE TO MENTION TO YOU.

FOR THE FIRST TIME YEAR, WE HAD PUBLIC FUNDING OF -- OUR VERSION OF SUMMER BASED LEARNING.

AND WE HAD A PILOT PROGRAM THAT WAS ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND MADE GRANTS TO GROUPS OF PROGRAMS MANY OF WHOM HAVE NEVER BEEN A PART OF SAIL BEFORE.

AGAIN WE DON'T HAVE FULL DATA BACK FROM THAT BUT WE HAVE ENOUGH DATA TO KNOW THAT THOSE KIDS MADE GOOD ACADEMIC GAINS AND IT CONFIRMS THIS MODEL WORKS IN A VARIETY OF SETTINGS.

AND WE REALLY LIKE TO THINK OF IT AS A ROBUST MODEL FOR SUMMER LEARNING AND WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THAT GOING FORWARD.

>> WELL, PROBABLY MORE ROBUST SUMMER LEARNING HAPPENED THIS YEAR THAN EVER BEFORE IN THE STATE'S HISTORY BECAUSE OF, LIKE YOU SAID, THAT PUBLIC FUNDING FROM THE VARIOUS FEDERAL PROGRAMS.

I WAS TALKING WITH DR. MACKEY THE OTHER DAY, AND HE MENTIONED THAT, YOU KNOW, THE GOOD NEWS WAS, YES,, MORE PROGRAMS OFFERED MORE OPPORTUNITIES THAN EVER BEFORE BUT MAYBE THE ATTENDANCE WASN'T QUITE WHAT -- HE MENTIONED PEOPLE GOING ON VACATION AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

DOES IT TAKE A YEAR WITH ALL OF THIS NEW FUNDING TO FIGURE OUT THE BEST WAY TO DO THINGS?

>> IT ABSOLUTELY DOES.

PARENTS ARE KIND OF CONDITIONED TO THINK OF SUMMER LEARNING AS DROP IN.

SO IF THEY'RE FORTUNATE ENOUGH HAD TO FORD A VACATION OR FAMILY VISIT THEY TEND TO WANT TO PULL THEIR KIDS OUT.

BUT THE WAY THE SAIL PROGRAMS WORKS YOU CAN'T DO THAT.

OUR PROGRAMS ARE DAY CAMPS.

THE KIDS GO EVERY DAY FOR FOUR TO SIX WEEKS AND THEY GO SIX TO EIGHT HOURS A DAY SO IT'S A FULL DAY PROGRAM.

A TYPICAL DAY THEY'RE GOING TO GET ABOUT THREE TO FOUR HOURS OF ACADEMICS AND THE REMAINDER OF THE DAY IS GOING TO BE IN THE TRADITIONAL SUMMER CAMP ACTIVITIES.

ARTS AND CYSTS, SPORTS, ALL OF THE KIND OF SOCIAL SKILL AND CHARACTER BUILDING ACTIVITIES THAT CAMPS ARE GOOD AT.

SO THE KIDS HAVE TO BE THERE ALMOST EVERY DAY.

AND THAT TURNS OUT TO BE ONE OF THE BIGGER CHALLENGES THAT WE HAVE.

OUR PROGRAM HAS PUT A LOT OF EFFORT INTO THAT.

TYPICALLY WE'RE ABLE TO ACHIEVE SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 85 AND 90 PERCENT ATTENDANCE RATE OVER THE SUMMER.

>> WELL, I'M CURIOUS THAT WHEN SOMEONE -- WHEN A STUDENT GOES THROUGH YOUR PROGRAM THE DIFFERENCE THAT IT MAKES AND THIS MAY NOT BE DATA BUT MAYBE THE ANECDOTES THAT YOU HEAR FROM PARENTS AND EDUCATORS THE DIFFERENCE THAT SUMMER LEARNING MAKES ONCE THAT CHILD GOES BACK FOR THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR AND WHAT YOU HEAR ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE THAT IT MAKES.

>> SO WHEN WE'RE SUCCESSFUL OUR KIDS ARE GOING TO GO BACKS TO SCHOOL IN THE FALL AND TELL THEIR FRIENDS THEY HAD A GREAT TIME AT CAMP LAST SUMMER BUT THE TEACHERS ARE DEFINITELY GOING TO BE ABLE TO TELL THAT SERIOUS LEARNING WENT ON.

AND IT'S THAT DYNAMIC OF CAMP WITH LEARNING BUILT IN THAT REALLY MAKES THIS PROGRAM SO SUCCESSFUL.

TODD, WE CALL THIS COMMUNITY-BASED SUMMER LEARNING.

AND THE DIFFERENCE FROM SCHOOL LEARNING IN THAT MOST OF OUR PROGRAMS ARE NOT HOST BY THE SCHOOLS.

THEY'RE HOST BY THE ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT ARE GOOD AT SUMMER CAMP.

SO YOU WILL HAVE CHURCHES AND FAITH BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND HAVE YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS AND NONPROFITS ALL CONDUCTING THE CAMPS BUT THEY WILL BE DRAWING ON THE SCHOOLS FOR THE TEACHERS AND OTHER ACADEMIC RESOURCES.

SO BY BLENDING THESE TWO TOGETHER WE GET BETTER PROGRAMS REALLY THAN ANY SINGLE ORGANIZATION THAN THE COMMUNITY COULD HAVE BUILT ALONE.

>> IT'S BRILLIANT.

AND I HOPE NEXT SUMMER BECAUSE WE'RE STARTING A NEW SCHOOL YEAR, MAYBE NEXT SUMMER WE CAN COME OUT AND VISIT A FEW LOCATIONS TO DEMONSTRATE THIS, YOU KNOW, REALLY GREAT IDEA AND PROGRAM THAT Y'ALL HAVE DEVELOPED.

BEFORE I LET YOU GO, THERE MAY BE PLENTY OF PARENTS OUT THERE WHO, AGAIN, IT'S GOING TO BE A WHOLE SCHOOL YEAR UNTIL NEXT YEAR BUT THEY MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT SAIL OR THESE OPPORTUNITIES.

WHERE CAN THEY LEARN MORE?

>> TODD WE HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE WEBSITE.

WE WOULD INVITE EVERYONE TO VISIT THAT THAT WANTS TO LEARN MORE.

THERE ARE DIFFERENT SECTIONS.

IF YOU'RE PARENT AND YOU WANT TO FIND A PROGRAM FOR YOUR KID GO TO THE WENT AND CLICK ON FIND A PROGRAM.

IF YOU'RE SOMEONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE PROGRAMS OR MAYBE YOU HAVE A PROGRAM THAT YOU'RE OPERATING AND YOU WOULD LIKE TO EXPLORE BECOMING A SAIL PROGRAM JUST VISIT OF THE WEBSITE AND THERE'S A SECTION NOR YOU THAT WILL TELL YOU WHAT STEPS TO TAKE AND WHO YOU NEED TO CONTACT.

>> THAT'S SAILALABAMA.ORG AND SAIL STANDS FOR SUMMER ADVENTURES IN LEARNING.

JIM WOOTEN THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW AND EXPLAINING ALL OF THIS TO US.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS DR. BRIANA MORTON, VICE PRESIDENT OF EDUCATION SERVICES FOR ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> I HAVE BEEN EAGER TO HAVE YOU ON.

BECAUSE AS YOUR ROLE HAS GROWN HERE AT ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION, I HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH.

I'D ADMIT WHEN I FIRST KALE ON, I WASN'T BE AWARE OF ALL OF THE EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS, THE VALUABLE EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS THAT APT OFFERS.

BUT AS YOU HAVE COME ON AND SORT OF ILLUMINATED ALL OF THESE THINGS IT'S BEEN A LOT TO TAKE IN.

COULD YOU KIND OF WALK OUR AUDIENCE THROUGH SOUP TO NUTS ON WHAT EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS OR AT LEAST THE BASICS BECAUSE I KNOW THERE'S A LOT, THAT WE OFFER HERE AT APT.

>> YOU'RE NOT ALONE.

I WAS A CLASSROOM EDUCATOR FOR 10 YEARS AND SCHOOL ADMINISTER FOR TWO YEARS AND I WAS NOT AWARE OF ALL OF THE VALUABLE RESOURCES APT HAS TO OFFER.

SO WHEN I STARTED A YEAR AGO I WAS REALLY OVERWHELMED BY ALL OF THE RESOURCES THAT APT OFFERS OF WE OFFER RESOURCES FOR CAREGIVERS, FOR TEACHERS, FOR STUDENTS, AND FOR JUST CITIZENS ALIKE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN UNDERSTANDING MORE ABOUT THE EDUCATION OF YOUTH AND ABOUT HOW TO EMPOWER YOUTH FOR PROVING EDUCATION.

SO THERE ARE ON DEMAND COURSES FOR CAREGIVERS TO TAKE AND THOSE ARE CLASSES THAT YOU CAN TAKE AT YOUR OWN PACE ON YOUR OWN TIME.

THERE ARE FACE-TO-FACE COURSES OR TRAININGS THAT YOU CAN TAKE, WORKSHOPS YOU CAN TAKE, AND ONLINE TRAININGS THAT YOU CAN TAKE THAT ARE SET AT CERTAIN TIMES AND TRAININGS THAT YOU CAN TAKE ACROSS THE STATE FOR K-12 EDUCATORS OR WE HAVE EVEN ADULT LEARNING INSTRUCTORS WHO SIGN UP FOR SOME OF OUR COURSES.

WE ALSO HAVE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSES THAT WE OFFER FOR ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED BUT MOSTLY GEARED TO K-12 INSTRUCTORS.

WE OFFER A LOT OF PROGRAMS FOR PROFESSIONAL FIELD TRIPS.

SO WE GO ACROSS THE STATE TO HISTORIC SITES AND OFFER FIELD TRIPS FOR EDUCATORS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HISTORIC SITES OR HISTORICAL FIGURES ACROSS OUR STATE.

A LOT OF INFORMATION.

>> SURE.

AND I WANT TO GET TO SOME OF THOSE SPECIFICS IN A MINUTE.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AS A EDUCATOR AND HOW THAT LENDS TO YOUR NEW ROLE HERE AT APT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I SPENT 10 YEARS IN THE CLASSROOM AS A CAREER TECH EDUCATOR.

AND I WAS REALLY INTERESTED IN CAREER DESK BECAUSE I WAS VERY INVESTED IN THE FUTURE OF OUR STUDENTS AND WORKFORCE, AND I WANTED TO EMPOWER OUR STUDENTS TO FIND THEIR DESIRES AND FIND THEIR PASSIONS IN WHAT THEY WANTED TO OR WHAT PROBLEMS THEY WANTED TO SOLVE IN THE WORLD.

AND FROM THERE I BECAME A SCHOOL ADMINISTER AND ONCE AGAIN JUST WANTED TO HELP STUDENTS FIND THEIR PATH IN LIFE AND PROBLEM-SOLVE, FIND WAYS TO DEAL WITH DIFFICULT SITUATIONS.

AND AFTER I LEFT THE SCHOOL SEGMENT I BECAME AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR A NONPROFIT AND WORKED WITH STUDENTS AND PARENTS ACROSS THE STATE TO HELP UNDERSERVED YOUTH GET INTO COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES OF THEIR CHOICE AND THAT LED ME TO ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION IN 2022.

SO I HAVE BEEN WITH APT FOR A YEAR NOW AND, USING MY BACKGROUND WITH WORKING WITH STUDENTS AND WORKING WITH PARENTS, IT'S REALLY KIND OF LENT ITSELF TO THAT.

AND KNOWING WHAT TEACHERS AND EDUCATORS ARE GOING THROUGH RIGHT NOW, PARTICULARLY POST 2020, I FEEL LIKE I HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THEIR NEEDS ARE BUT ALSO UNDERSTANDING WHAT PARENTS' NEEDS ARE.

I'M A PARENT OF A 100, 5 AND 14-YEAR-OLD SO I DEFINITELY KNOW THE SPECTRUM OF ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL AND SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT STUDENTS AND TEACHERS AND PARENTS HAVE WHAT THEY FOUND TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN LIFE.

>> AS I WAS GOING THROUGH THE WEB SITE, WHICH IS REALLY EASY, BY THE WAY -- APT.ORG /EDUCATION AND THERE'S JUST A WEALTH OF INFORMATION.

BUT WHAT I WAS REALLY NOTICING IS, FOR PARENTS SO MANY TIMES PARENTS MAY NOT KNOW WHAT RESOURCES ARE OUT THERE.

THEY WANT TO DO A GOOD JOB.

OBVIOUSLY SCHOOL IS DOINGS MORE THAN IT EVER HAS BEFORE.

BUT AS A PARENT IT'S HARD TO KNOW EXACTLY HOW TO DO MORE, HOW TO OFFER THAT MORE INSTRUCTION AT HOME BUT IT'S ALL RIGHT THERE.

THERE ARE SO MANY GREAT RESOURCES.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SO IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM AREA OR IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION, YOU CAN LITERALLY TYPE IT INTO THE SEARCH ENGINE AND YOU CAN FIND SOLUTIONS TO THOSE PROBLEMS.

AND IF YOU DON'T KNOW, YOU CAN ALWAYS REACH OUT TO US AND WE CAN GUIDE A YOU.

WE CAN LEAD YOU TO WHEREVER IT IS THAT YOU NEED TO GO.

AND THERE ARE REAL PEOPLE AT APT.

LIKE, WE CAN GUIDE YOU.

WE CAN LEAD YOU TO WHERE YOU NEED TO BE.

WE CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH THE RESOURCES THAT YOU NEED AND WE CAN EVEN DWELL TRAININGS THAT ARE NECESSARY FOR PARTICULAR PROBLEMS THAT ARE EXISTING IN OUR SCHOOLS TODAY.

>> AND BECAUSE IT'S HE PUBLIC TELEVISION IT'S ALL FREE AND AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.

>> YEAH, AT NO COST.

>> TALKS ABOUT THE CERTIFIED TEACHER PROGRAM.

YOU'RE TAKING THOSE ALREADY CERTIFIED BUT GETTING THEM UP TO SPEED ON ALL OF THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES THAT WE OFFER.

>> I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS.

WE WANT TO EMPOWER TEACHERS AND BRING THEM INTO THE APT FAMILY.

SO THIS IS A BRAND-NEW PROGRAM.

IT WAS JUST PILOTED IN FEBRUARY OF '23.

WHAT IT IS, IT'S A THREE-TIER PROGRAM.

YOU CAN BE AN APT K-12 CERTIFIED EDUCATOR AND YOU MUST ALREADY BE A CERTIFIED EDUCATOR WITH THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND IT IS AN ONLINE COURSE.

IT'S ON DEMAND SO YOU TAKE IT AT YOUR OWN PACE, AND IT'S REALLY JUST SHOWING US THAT YOU KNOW HOW TO NAVIGATE THE WEBSITE AND YOU CAN USE THOSE RESOURCES IN YOUR CLASSROOM.

ONCE YOU HAVE DEMONSTRATED THAT, THEN YOU WILL BECOME AN APT K-12 CERTIFIED EDUCATOR AND THE NEXT STEP IS YOU CAN BE AN AMBASSADOR AND THEN AN ADVISOR SO IT'S A GREAT PROGRAM TO GET MORE INVOLVED IN YOUR SCHOOL, COMMUNITY AND WITH APT.

>> YOU MENTIONED ADULT LEARNING.

AND THAT CAN BE DIFFERENT THINGS -- IT CAN BE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OR EARNING YOUR GED, RIGHT, GOING BACK AND MAKING SURE THAT YOU HAVE THE GED AND TALK ABOUT THAT WENT PROGRAM AND WHY PEOPLE SHOULD BE AWARE OF IT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SO I BELIEVE THAT LEARNING SHOULD EXIST AT ANY AGE.

AND HONESTLY WE SHOULD ALL BE PERPETUAL LEARNINGS.

WITH THE GED PROGRAM WE WORK WITH COMMUNITY COLLEGES.

WE ALSO HAVE A PROGRAM FAST-FORWARD WHERE WE WORK WITH KENTUCKY EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION.

AND WITH FAST-FORWARD, THAT IS A SUPPLEMENTAL PROGRAM THAT CAN HELP LEARNERS JUST WITH ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO PROVIDE THEM WITH ACCESS TO SO THEY CAN EARN OR OBTAIN THAT GED.

>> WELL, WE KNOW CREDENTIALING IS SO IMPORTANT; RIGHT?

YOU TALKED ABOUT WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND YOUR BACKGROUND IN CAREER TECH.

THERE'S SO MUCH FOCUS ON THAT RIGHT NOW.

BECAUSE YEAH, SOMETIMES IT TAKES THAT CREDENTIAL OR THERE SOME KIND OF BARRIER TO ENTERING THE WORKFORCE AND IT'S GREAT TO KNOW THERE ARE RESOURCES RIGHT HERE FOR FREE THAT YOU CAN UTILIZE TO PREPARE FOR THAT GED.

AND I REALLY WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THIS NEW -- I GUESS ITS NEW -- THE TEACHER OF THE MONTH.

THIS WILL BE A THING GOING FORWARD?

>> YES.

I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS.

I FEEL LIKE WE HAVE SO MANY INCREDIBLE EDUCATORS ACROSS OUR STATE.

SO MANY, MANY INCREDIBLE STUDENTS, SO MANY INCREDIBLE THINGS HAPPENING IN EDUCATION ACROSS OUR STATE THAT ARE JUST NOT GETTING THE AMOUNT OF ATTENTION THAT THEY DESERVE.

SO APT IS SO PROUD SO SPONSOR THE INAUGURAL TEACHER OF THE MONTH PROGRAM.

SO WE JUST KICKED IT OFF LAST WEEK.

AND SUSAN AURELL FROM DAPHNE SCHOOL WAS INAUGURATED OUR TEACHER OF THE MONTH.

AND WE CAN'T WAIT TO NAME THE SEPTEMBER TEACHER OF THE MONTH COMING UP AND WE WANT INDIVIDUALS -- ANYONE CAN NOMINATE A TEACHER.

THE NOMINATION FORM IS ON OUR WEBSITE.

AND YOU CAN BE NOMINATED AS MANY TIMES AS YOU DESIRE.

IF YOU'RE NOT SELECTED THAT NOMINATION WILL JUST ROLL OVER FOR SUBSEQUENT MONTHS.

>> YOU HEARD IT HERE.

GO AHEAD AND NOMINATE THAT SPECIAL TEACHERS.

THAT'S REALLY GREAT.

I MEAN YOU'RE RIGHT.

SO MANY GREAT TEACHERS.

THEY DESERVE RECOGNITION.

IT'S A GREAT THING TO DO.

AND I'M CURIOUS BECAUSE YOU TALKS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SEGMENT, I'M TALKING ABOUT -- I WASN'T AWARE OF SOME OF THIS STUFF AND THE GREAT RESOURCES.

I IMAGINE IT'S THE SAME FOR TEACHERS.

TALK TO ME ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AN EDUCATOR OR A PARENT MAYBE WASN'T AWARE OF SOME OF THESE REALLY VALUABLE RESOURCES AND BECOME AWARE?

ARE THEY SURPRISED?

ARE THEY REALLY -- WOW, I DIDN'T KNOW THIS WAS HERE?

>> OH, YES.

IT HAPPENS ALL OF THE TIME AND IT'S NOTHING TO BE SHAMED OF.

I HOPE, IF ANYTHING,, THEY'RE JUST EXCITED AND NOW THEY'RE AWARE AND THEY CONTINUE TO USE THESE RESOURCES.

AS I HAD MENTIONED I WAS UNAWARE OF THE AMOUNT OF RESOURCES, AND NOW MAYBE MUCH TO THEIR CHAGRIN, MY CHILDREN, THEIR TEACHERS, ARE VERY AWARE OF ALL OF THE RESOURCES BECAUSE I AM OFTEN EMAILING THEM SOME GREAT RESOURCES THAT ALIGN WITH THE STANDARDS THAT THEY ARE CURRENTLY TEACHING MY KIDS.

BUT THERE ARE SO MANY GREAT RESOURCES.

AND IT'S ALL FREE, NO COST.

THEY ARE ALIGNED TO OUR STATE STANDARDS, WHICH ARE FANTASTIC, AS A FORMER EDUCATOR, THERE'S NOTHING BETTER THAN TO HAVE SOMETHING THAT IS SET AND READY FOR YOU AND THEN YOU CAN JUST KIND OF PUT YOUR OWN SPIN TO IT.

IT'S WONDERFUL.

>> GREAT.

PARENTS, STUDENTS, YOUNG AND OLD CAN TAKE ADVANTAGEOUS OF THE RESOURCES.

AGAIN THAT'S APT.ORG /EDUCATION.

DR. WOOTEN, THANK YOU AGAIN FOR COMING ON "SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION."

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

"SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION."

IF YOU HAVE IDEAS OR SUGGESTIONS ABOUT EDUCATIONAL TOPICS TO COVER IF THE FUTURE PLEASE LET US KNOW AT TSTACIE@APTV.ORG .

AND YOU CAN WATCH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" EVERY WEEK TO CATCH UP ON WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE ALABAMA GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS.

WE BROADCAST FRIDAYS AT 7:30 AND SUNDAYS AT NOON.

FOR ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION, I'M TODD STACEY.