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June 13, 2007 Riley: Education Budget Increases Funding for Reforms That Get Results BIRMINGHAM – Appearing before about 1,000 school teachers and principals at a technology conference Wednesday, Governor Bob Riley touted the $6.7 billion education budget he signed into law last week. The budget is the largest in the state’s history and increases funding for key reform initiatives promoted by the Governor throughout his term. It also includes a seven percent raise for teachers. "This budget is about the future of our children and making sure they have every advantage available to them so they’ll succeed," said Governor Riley. "The education reforms we’ve fought for are working because they put our dollars into the classrooms." Governor Riley told the educators that the reforms, including the Alabama Reading Initiative and the Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative, are working to improve student achievement. He noted that student test scores have gone up in almost every category since 2002 and that schools with the initiatives outperform schools they do not yet have them. "With a solid foundation in the basics, in reading, math and science, nothing is beyond the reach of our children," said Governor Riley. In addition, the budget doubles funding for a distance learning program Governor Riley established in 2005 – ACCESS (Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators and Students Statewide). The increase from $10 million to $20 million for ACCESS means the program will reach 8,000 additional students in 100 more high schools. Right now, 70 high schools in the state are part of the ACCESS program. “What we’re doing with technology rivals any other state in the union. This one program will level the playing field so students throughout the state have opportunities to take advanced coursework, regardless of where they go to school. We should have ACCESS in every high school by 2010,” Governor Riley told the educators. The education budget also contains increased funding for Advanced Placement courses and for monetary bonuses for improving schools that Governor Riley sought. It also includes $4.9 million for a new teacher mentoring program that Governor Riley included in his Plan 2010 agenda. NOTE: Highlights and key points from the Fiscal Year 2008 education budget follow. ### Highlights from the FY 2008 Education Budget
FY 2008 Education Budget Facts Largest education budget in Alabama history - $6.7 billion $450 million increase over FY 2007 7% pay raise for teachers, support personnel, and postsecondary employees Doubled ACCESS distance learning funding Doubled funding to the School Rewards Program Increased Advanced Placement funding Increased AMSTI funding by 50 percent Implements new mentoring program for all new teachers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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