Commitment to smart education policy adds up for Alabama students

Last week, the nation learned about the long-awaited 2024 NAEP results. The National Assessment of Educational Progress, also known as the Nation’s Report Card, is the Super Bowl for education policy nerds. So, we hope you will forgive some cheesy math puns as we highlight the incredible progress that Alabama has made.

Let’s start with the great news in math! Alabama’s fourth graders led the nation in growth with a six-point increase from 2022 to 2024, which is the largest state increase in the country. Alabama now ranks 32nd, our highest ranking ever, up from 40th in 2022 and dead last in 2019. Alabama is the only state in the country to surpass pre-pandemic NAEP achievement levels in math.

This progress is due to the hard work of students and educators, as well as the continued commitment of state leaders to doing what works. Alabama has discovered an equation that adds up for students: strong policy plus strong investments plus strong implementation equals academic growth. The Alabama Numeracy Act, our state’s comprehensive strategy for improving math instruction in K-5, is only in its second full year of implementation, and the benefits are already paying dividends. The adoption of high-quality instructional materials, high-quality professional learning, addition of math coaches in every K-5 school by 2027, and an emphasis on stronger postsecondary teacher preparation is all adding up. If we keep our foot on the gas, we will only multiply our efforts and see these results increase.

Fourth-grade reading results held steady, bringing Alabama’s ranking to 34th in 2024, up from 39th in 2022 and 49th in 2019. Alabama was one of only two states, along with Louisiana, to surpass pre-pandemic NAEP scores in reading. Effective implementation of the Alabama Literacy Act is also adding up for students.

While we have a lot to celebrate, we still have a lot of work to do. This is especially true when it comes to our students with greater needs and those in middle school. While our 4th-grade math results are incredible, we still have a significant gap (a 36-point difference) between our economically disadvantaged students and non-economically disadvantaged students. Our 8th-grade scores also put us at the bottom of the class at 48th in both math and reading.

We can learn from other high-scoring states leading the nation, like Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana, all of whom have had a laser focus on effective implementation of high-quality instructional materials, curriculum-based professional learning, and the science of reading. They are cracking the code and we can, too!

So, what’s next? Alabama leaders should continue their commitment to smart policies that work. That’s why A+ is glad the Alabama Legislature is exploring modernizing K-12 school funding through a hybrid formula, which would pair our existing Foundation Program with an innovative weighted formula for student need. We must ensure that our students with the greatest needs, like students in poverty, students with disabilities, and English Learners, have access to impactful academic levers like effective teachers, interventionists, and high-dosage tutoring. With these investments, Alabama will continue our steady march to the top of the class.

We are thrilled that Alabama is making real progress, but our work together has just begun. Let’s keep going!

Published on Alabama Daily News, February 3, 2025. Click here to read it.