Across the Board August: Key Takeaways from the ALBOE Board Meeting

Recapping important State Board of Education policy decisions for you

Here are our key takeaways from the August 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.

During the board meeting, Rep. Wayne Reynolds (District 8) announced that he would not be seeking reelection to the Alabama State Board of Education. Reynolds joined the SBOE in January 2019, and his current term will end in January 2027.

Top 4 Takeaways

1. 2025 Third Grade ACAP Supplemental Assessment in Reading Data Released

Each year, students in grades 2 through 8 take the ACAP summative assessment to monitor our students’ progress and inform our state’s report card. In July, Dr. Mackey shared the state-level 2024-2025 ACAP scores. Students who did not score high enough in reading on the ACAP to move on to 4th grade had the opportunity to attend Summer Reading Camps and take the ACAP Supplemental Assessment. After this second assessment, 91.5% of 3rd-grade students are reading on or above the cut score to be promoted to fourth grade. The summative data can be found here.

In accordance with the Alabama Literacy Act, 3rd-grade students who score above the cut score, which is 444 this year, can be promoted to fourth grade. 3rd-grade students who do not meet the cut score are identified and encouraged to attend summer reading camps at their school. At the end of the summer reading cap, students take the ACAP Supplemental Assessment, which is focused solely on reading to gauge their reading skills after the summer extra support. If a student does not pass the ACAP Supplemental Assessment, the district will assess their student reading portfolio and/or IEP, plus any possible avenues for a good-cause exemption from retention. If a student still does not qualify for promotion, they will be retained in the third grade for intensive support. To read more about the Alabama Literacy Act, click here, and to learn about the pathways for promotion to fourth grade, click here.

Today, during the work session, Dr. Mackey shared data on the 3rd-grade students who took the ACAP Supplemental assessment. Of the 6,470 third graders who scored below the ACAP cut score this year, 1,743 students passed the ACAP Supplemental Assessment. These students will be promoted to fourth grade. 4,727 students, or 8.5% of Alabama’s third graders, will be considered for retention. Local districts will now look at student portfolios and other good-cause exemptions. Data on the total number of students retained through the Alabama Literacy Act will be available by the October SBOE meeting.

2. RAISE Act, Paid Parental Leave, and Other Legislation-Related Regulations

RAISE Act

During the board meeting, the board approved the new administrative rules for RAISE Act funds. The RAISE Act modernized Alabama’s school funding formula by adding funding that targets student needs on top of the funding that districts currently receive from the Foundation Program. Funding levels for each student group in each district were released in June (see Dr. Mackey’s memo). The administrative rules mirror the RAISE Act’s requirements. In addition, it adds a requirement that districts must apply for approval to move over 10% of the funds from one student group to another. For more information, see our 2026 Budget Watch and the RAISE Act legislation.

Paid Parental Leave

During the board meeting, the board approved the new administrative rules for Paid Parental Leave for Alabama Public Employees, making the rule permanent. Under the law and regulations, eligible state employees, K-12 teachers, and AL Community College System employees who have been working for 12 months or more will receive 8 weeks of paid leave (females) or 2 weeks of paid leave (males) in conjunction with the birth, stillbirth, miscarriage, or adoption of a child. 

Teacher Paperwork Reduction Act

During the board meeting, the board approved the committee for the new Teacher Paperwork Reduction Act. The committee is tasked with determining the paperwork workload for teachers, identifying which reports are not necessary, and which could be digitized.

Foundation Program Allocations

During the board meeting, the board approved the Foundation Program allocation section of the Administrative Code. This is an amendment to the code that happens each calendar year. This year, one change to note is that teacher classroom instructional funds cannot be used on technology or instructional materials that are required by the state. This year, teachers will receive $1,000 for classroom materials. 

Vaping Awareness

During the board meeting, the board approved the new Vaping Awareness requirement and model policy. Dr. Mackey presented the model policy created by the ALSDE for the board’s consideration during the work session in July. The creation of the model policy, curriculum, and guidelines for districts was required by the legislature. 

3. Foundations of Reading Assessment Required for Teacher Certification Undergoing Branding Changes, but Content and Cut Score will Remain the Same

During the work session, the board discussed the upcoming technical changes to the Pearson Foundations of Reading Assessment. This is an exam that aspiring educators are required to take for initial certification in Alabama. The content, structure, item bank, and passing score for the test will stay the same, but the identification number for the test will change from FOR 190 to FOR 890. The assessment will transition to Pearson’s National Evaluation Series, which will provide some additional benefits beyond what Alabama teachers were experiencing before. The exam will now be free for test takers after the third failed attempt, and test takers will have access to a full-length interactive practice exam. New modules to prepare for the exam will be available for purchase, and test takers will receive subject-specific data on their scores.

4. Dr. Mackey’s Update on the U.S. Department of Education

Dr. Mackey provided updates on the recent freeze and release of education funds. About  $68 million was withheld in July and reviewed by the USED, but it will now be released after pressure from Alabama Senator Katie Britt, Representatives Terri Sewell and Shomari Figures, and other members of Congress. These programs included Migrant Education, Supporting Effective Instruction, English Learner Acquisition, Student Support and Academic Enrichment, and 21st Century Community Learning Centers. In Alabama, these funds support programs like educator professional development and afterschool programs. Dr. Mackey shared that the ALSDE now has all of the Grant Adjustment Notices for those funds in with the USED, and that there will be a webinar with more information between the USED and ALSDE next week. 

Additionally, Dr. Mackey shared that the ALSDE doesn’t know when Secretary McMahon will be visiting Alabama on her “Returning Education to the States” 50-State Tour. To read more about the tour, click here.

To stay up to date on the actions of the U.S. Department of Education and how they might impact Alabama, we have created a Federal Updates blog and a Special Edition of the Budget Watch.

The next Board meeting will be on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at 10 am in the Gordon Persons Building Auditorium. The work session will follow at 11 am. The annual board retreat will be on August 27, 2025, at the American Village in Birmingham.

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.