FAIRHOPE, Ala. — When the roll was taken at J. Larry Newton School on Thursday morning, Gov. Bob Riley was marked absent due to inclement weather.

Riley had intended to visit the school to discuss the successes the Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative (AMSTI) has achieved since it was first established by the state seven years ago in Huntsville. Severe thunderstorms kept his plane grounded, however.

A film crew from the documentary program “National Education Report,” hosted by broadcast journalist Hugh Downs, was at Newton to see the strides made in student scores, and share news about the initiative with the nation. AMSTI is being featured because, according to producer Garrett O’Rourke, “AMSTI’s innovative and effective approach towards math and science proves it is on the cutting edge of education.”

Steve Ricks, AMSTI director, said the documentary will air on 355 Public Broadcasting System (PBS) stations, and the Alabama effort will also be profiled in one-minute segments on several commercial cable networks, including CNN, FOX News, MSNBC, Discovery and The Learning Channel.

Baldwin County School Superintendent Dr. Faron Hollinger said, “It all starts with a partnership. It’s a community effort. We’re pleased to be a part of the initiative and pleased we’re going to be able to share it with the nation.”

Newton, Fairhope Middle and High schools, as well as two AMSTI-certified Mobile County public schools will all be under the spotlight when viewers turn their attention to what the state is doing right, Ricks noted.

“It’s going to move Alabama to the forefront in education in the nation,” the state education official told an assembly of dignitaries gathered inside Newton’s media production center, a facility made possible by local education dollars, but also being utilized to help the University of South Alabama College of Education produce graduates who already will be AMSTI trained.

Ricks said, “AMSTI is the largest math and science initiative in the nation, and we believe it’s the most successful. About 40 percent of the schools have access, and we hope to be at 45 percent by the end of the summer.”

Alabama Department of Education statistics reveal that 573 schools in the state are AMSTI schools, and another 53 will make the grade this year.

“We hope to (eventually) roll it out to all schools,” Ricks said.

Ninety percent of Newton’s faculty are currently AMSTI ready, according to principal Suellen Brazil, and the rest will receive the needed training when students go on hiatus between academic years.

AMSTI provides teachers with ongoing, grade-specific professional training, onsite support, equipment and materials needed to teach math and science using hands-on, activity-based instruction. Ninety-eight percent of AMSTI schools made their Adequate Yearly Progress goals in 2008.

Newton fifth-grader Brendan Knight believes AMSTI is working for him, and is better than conventional instruction. He said, “You get to work with your friends. You get to work together.” He pointed out that math is his best subject.

“What student ever said ‘math is my favorite subject?’” Ricks asked. “AMSTI is changing attitudes. You work in groups, not isolation.”

Student Scott Wasilkoff agrees with Knight and Ricks that working together is the key. He said, “AMSTI provides a better learning experience, and with interaction, you’re getting better comprehension. A lot of people say, ‘two heads are better than one.’”

The same could be said for educators. University of South Alabama teaching students are able to link to Newton via a remote-controlled camera located in the elementary school’s production facility and watch an AMSTI-trained instructor in action. These video conferences will help USA education graduates hit the ground running.

Dr. Phillip Feldman, associate dean of the USA College of Education, said, “It allows our teachers-in-training to observe the best practices of the best teachers in Alabama. Newton teachers are well qualified and the school is an exemplary model.”

He noted that nearly 100 students at a time can benefit from this form of remote experience because it would not be possible to fit all of them in the back of a working classroom. Collaborative planning between USA faculty and Newton teachers enable the virtual classroom activities to fit seamlessly into the college curriculum.

“It involves both sides,” Feldman said. “USA students see something they would never see. For the classroom teacher, it elevates what they do to other professionals. All you need is careful planning, administrative leadership and great teachers.”

The teachers involved in the program spend two weeks of their summer vacation in AMSTI training for two consecutive years, according to Ricks, who was acknowledging their dedication.

“What an exciting time it is for education in Alabama,” Brazil declared. “We’re able to prove this type of education works. We’re averaging a 20 percent increase in our math scores.”

She added, “It doesn’t happen just because you decide you’re going to work a little harder. We’ve been transformed through AMSTI. The teacher has become more of a facilitator.”

In a press release, the governor’s office indicated AMSTI is the cornerstone of Riley’s efforts to improve the quality of math and science education in Alabama.

The program operates in 11 in-service regions, providing statewide coverage. The initiative, which is provided at no cost to the school or school system, currently enjoys the involvement of 123 of the state’s 132 school districts.

For more information about the Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative, visit www.amsti.org.