Across the Board November 2024: Key Takeaways from the ALBOE Board Meeting

Recapping important State Board of Education policy decisions for you

Here are our key takeaways from the November 14th State Board of Education meeting – and what they mean for Alabama’s students. All board members were present. Click here to see the agenda for the full meeting and work session.

Top 6 Takeaways

1. Social Studies Course of Study Committee

During the work session, the Alabama Social Studies Course Of Study Committee presented its recommendations for revising the social studies standards, which haven’t been revised since 2010. Through its process, which started in January 2024, the committee engaged over 200 organizations from across industries, backgrounds, geography, and interest/political perspectives, who reviewed and provided input for the proposed changes. To watch the full presentation and follow the discussion, watch the meeting recording here.

The committee stated that the goal of this new Course of Study was to focus on skills and content knowledge that produce students who are active and informed citizens. The chart below provides a high-level comparison between the two courses of study sequences. The Board was presented with the full course of study prior to the meeting.

Some elements will remain the same, including:

• It makes limited changes to K-2, given the ongoing implementation of the Alabama Literacy Act and Numeracy Act that impacts those grades
• It maintains a strong emphasis on U.S. History
• It maintains the civics, economics, geography, and Alabama history threads throughout the entire course of study. Those are now called “connections.”
• It maintains a strong emphasis on responsible and engaged citizenship.

Overall, the committee said that the shifts in the course of study allow for more continuity and the exploration of more modern history post World War II. An example of that expansion is the inclusion of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The proposed changes include:

• World History would now expand over three years from 7th to 9th grade, which is a change from the current two-year requirement.
• There are increased Alabama history connections throughout the entire Course of Study.
• There would no longer be a stand-alone Civics course because Civics is strongly incorporated throughout all grade levels.
• There would no longer be a stand-alone Geography course, because, like Civics, Geography is a thread throughout all grade levels to ensure geography is providing context as students learn historical events.
• There would be some shifts in courses in grades 3 through 5 (see comparison chart below).
• In Response to the feedback from secondary teachers, the 12th-grade content (Government and Economics) would be condensed to make the course more manageable. 
• There would now be more elective options: Alabama Studies, Historical Studies, and Holocaust Studies. These would be added to the current offerings: Contemporary World Issues, Human Geography, Psychology, and Sociology. 

Board members Yvette Richardson and Jackie Ziegler stated their full support for the new Course of Study. Tracie West mentioned that she felt that the committee addressed the need for students to practice writing skills and become great writers, which is critical for education in all subjects. Stephanie Bell voiced a couple of clarifying questions, specifically about the need for geography education. The committee reiterated that geography is now integrated into every course and gave a few examples of what that looks like in practice.

The Board will vote on adopting the revisions at the December board meeting, where there will likely be a public hearing. A+ Education Partnership fully supports the adoption of the new standards and is grateful for the great work of the Social Studies COS Committee.

2. Science Textbook Adoption

During the work session, Dr. Mackey presented the textbook selection process for Science (K-12). Textbooks are rated with a specific rubric that highlights alignment to the Course of Study and classroom application. They are ranked as exemplifying quality (tier 1) or approaching quality (tier 2). Tiers 3 and 4 are not recommended. 

The Board will now review the recommendations, ask questions, and receive clarification on any of their concerns. Tracie West voiced concern about whether districts can decide to use different textbooks that may not be on the approved list. Dr. Mackey clarified that districts cannot use disapproved textbooks, nor can they use their state textbook money to purchase them. Given that districts will now need to purchase many new textbooks, the Alabama Legislature provided a special appropriation of $150 per textbook (up from the normal $75) to help cover the increased cost. 

The Board will vote on the Science Textbook Committee’s recommendations at the December board meeting, and then the process will continue.

3. Preliminary Report Card Data

Dr. Mackey presented preliminary statewide report card data in his Superintendent’s Report during the work session. Overall, the state scored an 85 on the state report card. The department will release individual school and district data on November 22nd at 3 p.m.

He also presented the federal report card data. Dr. Mackey highlighted that Alabama schools are hitting their growth targets, even though we are lagging on achievement targets. He pointed out that we still have a gap between graduation rates and college and career readiness rates. 

At the end of the report, Stephanie Bell raised concerns about chronic absenteeism in schools. Dr. Mackey stated that trends show that larger city districts struggle more with absenteeism than other districts. Dr. Mackey said that they would pull together attendance data for the Board.

4. A+ College Ready Schools Recognition

During the board meeting, A+ College Ready Schools of Excellence, Schools of Distinction, and Mary D. Boehm Schools of Achievement were recognized. Our A+ College Ready program partners with middle and high schools to develop a diverse pipeline of students prepared for success in college, career, and life. A+ College Ready’s high-quality, content-specific teacher training and rigorous curricula are fully aligned to the Alabama Courses of Study and the College Board’s AP requirements. The program supports 48 total courses in math, science, English, social studies, computer science, art, and Spanish, comprised of 29 non-AP courses and 19 AP courses. Each year, A+ College Ready awards schools that have met their growth and achievement goals on the PSAT 8/9 and/or the number of qualifying scores on AP exams. Three awards are given:

• Schools of Excellence have met their goals for one year while in the program. Schools that received these awards are: Foley High School, John Herbert Phillips Academy, W.J. Christian School, Hokes Bluff Middle School, Fort Payne Middle School, Hartselle High School, Hartselle Jr High School, Moody High School, and Bankhead Middle School
• Schools of Distinction have met their goals for two years while in the program. The schools that received these awards are Denton Magnet School of Technology, Hewitt-Trussville High School, Orange Beach High School, Plainview High School, and Wetumpka High School.
• Mary D. Boehm Schools of Achievement receive the highest honor, as they have met their goals for all three years during their time in the program. Geneva High School and Hewitt-Trussville Middle School received these awards.

Congratulations to these schools! We are so proud to partner with these educators and students. We are thankful for their hard work and dedication in ensuring every child receives a world-class education, regardless of circumstance.

5. Alternative Teacher Prep

During the board meeting, board members voted to permanently adopt an amended Administrative Code for the rules governing Alternative Teacher Prep Organizations (ATOPs) operating in Alabama. This is a months-long process to adjust the administrative code that was a result of the law passed in the 2024 legislative session.

6. Library Guidance

During the work session, the Board received an update from the task force responsible for updating the Alabama Guidelines for Exemplary School Libraries. These standards are used during comprehensive monitoring to ensure school libraries follow the correct guidelines. The last time these guidelines were updated was in 2008. Board member Marie Manning, who is a librarian herself, worked closely with the task force. While she was not in attendance, she provided a statement of her support of the new guidelines. 

These guidelines assist schools in developing exemplary library programs and provide defined learner outcomes with expectations by grade bands. Presenters mentioned that Alabama is one of the only states that requires a certified school librarian in every school, which is best practice. The goal of the guidelines is to ensure that libraries in the state contribute to literacy proficiency, underscoring that literacy happens in every aspect of school. The Board will vote on these recommendations at the December board meeting.

The Alabama State Board of Education usually meets on the second Thursday of each month, with the exception of the July meeting, to discuss important policies, procedures, and changes for Alabama’s K-12 public schools. The Board takes official action during their monthly meeting and then follows up with a Work Session to get updates and discuss future action that will be voted on at the next board meeting. You can watch them live and see old meetings here.

Contact Your Board Member:

Have feedback on any of the above items – or anything else? Contact your state school board member using the resources below:

-To contact your State Board of Education Member, click here.

-To find out which district you live and/or teach in, click here. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and enter your address in the “Polling Place Search” box. Once entered, it will take you to a page that shows your polling place and the districts you live in.

-To view a map of the state school board districts, click here.