ARI and AMSTI - The Truth

For the last few weeks, we educators have been mystified about the newest anti-CCRS claim that ARI and AMSTI have been defunct this year.  We know full well these programs haven't slowed a bit, and if anything, have increased momentum, thanks to the new math and English standards.  

Mrs. Zeanah recently accused Dr. Bice of diverting "millions of additional dollars from the Alabama Reading and Math Initiatives to implement Common Core" (Her Press Release).   Last time I checked, that's slander. This man has given his life to improving Alabama's education (check his record).     

And because I must, let me address her accusations against Dr. Bice.   Alabama has updated both the English and Math courses of study (CCRS), which do include, but are not limited to, the Common Core standards.  That much is true. AMSTI (Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative) has not slowed down a beat.  I supervise AMSTI for my entire school system.  I can attest that those supplies are in my schools right now, as I personally helped get them there many times throughout the year.  Of course, AMSTI will address our new course of study. It's our MATH STANDARDS! And just to be clear, our previous math standards are still in our course of study.  It's just math, folks.    

As for ARI (Alabama Reading Initiative), the same holds true.  We have dedicated literacy coaches in each of our elementary schools, who are still doing exactly what they did before the CCRS.  ARI regional specialists are in our schools often, and yes, they do show our teachers best practices in teaching the CCRS reading standards. They wouldn't be doing their jobs if they didn't.   

And finally, Dr. Bice couldn't mismanage funding if he wanted to.  It's not like he holds the Education Trust Fund checkbook (although I wished he did). Every penny we spend is appropriated first and accounted for later.

Mrs. Zeanah, for the zillionth time, get your facts straight before you go public with them.  Let me introduce to this Common Core Content Literacy Standard for grades 9-10: "Develop claim(s) and counterclaims fairly, supplying data and evidence for each while pointing out the strengths and limitations of both claim(s) and counterclaims in a discipline-appropriate form..." You might do well to learn that one.