Etowah Teachers prepared for mondays school start

About 1,100 Etowah county school system employees met Monday afternoon for a systemwide in-service meeting at CrossPoint Community Church. State Superintendent of Education Tommy Bice, discussed Plan 2020, the strategic plan for Alabama schools he unveiled this year to replace No Child Left Behind. Bice told the group that Plan 2020 outlines four priorities, to include learners, the support systems, the school systems and the professionals. He said the four components of the plan must function together like an “ecosystem” to meet objectives of improving student growth and achievement, closing the achievement gap, increasing the graduation rate and increasing the number of students who are college- and career-ready. Bice has been state superintendent for 18 months. He previously worked as a teacher, principal and superintendent.

He explained some of his experiences as he encouraged teachers to get to know the students when classes begin Monday in Etowah County Schools.