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

Recapping important State Board of Education policy decisions for you

Here are our key takeaways from the February 12th State Board of Education board meeting and work session. Governor Ivey was not present, but all other members of the board attended the meeting and work session. Click here to see the agenda for the full meeting and work session.

Top 4 Takeaways

1.Social Studies Textbook conversation

During the work session, the board had an extensive conversation about the Social Studies textbook adoption process. The Alabama Social Studies Course of Study was approved unanimously by the board in December 2024. After approving the standards, the board selected and approved a Social Studies Textbook Committee to identify resources that aligned with those standards in April 2025. In October 2025, the board received the recommendations from the committee. Next, the board must take action on those recommendations. 

The textbook recommendations that the SBOE adopts for every Course of Study are only recommendations. Local boards of education ultimately have control over the textbooks that are chosen, though state funds can only be used on recommended materials. The Social Studies Textbook Committee followed the mandated process for evaluating the textbook options based on the rubric they were given and the board-approved Social Studies standards. Now, school districts need those recommendations in order to make decisions for their local students and utilize their textbook funds. 

The board’s debate today focused mainly on the merits of the elementary-level textbook options. They discussed their options for proceeding, which include:

• approving the list as it is
• rejecting the list and providing no support for local schools
• amending one portion of the list through a supermajority vote
• separating the list by elementary and secondary levels, to be voted on individually 

The SBOE has already approved the Social Studies Course of Study unanimously. Districts need the SBOE to approve textbooks that are aligned with those standards quickly, so that they can use approved resources to teach their students to the new standards. The Board must take action and adopt the textbook recommendations made through the committee process soon, so that local boards can proceed with choosing resources for their students.

2. School Counseling

During the work session, the board heard from the School Counseling Task Force. This group convened from April to October 2025 to revise and update Alabama’s School Counseling Model. They have developed a framework for comprehensive school counseling programs so that counselors have clear definitions, goals, and standards. The report provides guidelines, rather than requirements, for districts to follow when centering school counselors’ goals around academics, career development, and foundational wellness for students.

During the meeting, the board recognized Kimberly Jones, from Nan Gray Davis Elementary in Mobile County, who is the 2026 AL School Counselor of the Year. The board also recognized schools from Cullman City, Cullman County, Mobile County, Shelby County, Altoosa County, Tallapoosa County, and Trussville City for the 2025 Alabama School Counseling Program of Distinction. Finally, the board adopted February 2025 as Alabama School Counseling Month.

3. New CTE Energy and Natural Resources State Course of Study

During the work session, Mackey shared that the board would be creating a new CTE-focused Course of Study for Energy and Natural Resources. The National Association of Career and Technical Education has realigned their standards, and Alabama is following their lead. This course of study replaces environmental studies, embedding that curriculum within. The board received a representative list of individuals for the Course of Study Committee, and the committee can be approved as soon as the March board meeting. The committee will likely present their report by the fall of 2026.

4. Congratulations to our schools and students!

Last January, the SBOE nominated five schools for the 2025 National Blue Ribbon Award. This program was sunset at the federal level last year. During the meeting, the board recognized and congratulated the schools Alabama nominated for the award in its last year: Lakewood Elementary School in Phenix City, Shades Mountain Elementary School in Hoover City, Kilby Laboratory School in Florence City, Monte Sano Elementary School in Huntsville City, and Heritage Elementary School in Madison City. 

Next, the board recognized Mountain Brook City Schools and Houston County Schools for earning the Top School System Performance Awards for 2026. These systems achieved the highest proficiency scores in the state on the ACAP and Alternative ACAP assessments. 

Next, the board recognized Kaleigh Tanner, a student at East Elementary School in Cullman City, for receiving the 2026 Elementary Division Best of Show award in the State Superintendent’s Visual Arts Exhibit. Crinan Marlin, a student at James Clemens High School in Madison City, received the award for the Secondary Division. The board recognized March 2026 as the Alabama Arts Education Month. 

Finally, congratulations to the Alabama teacher of the year, Katie Collins, who teaches at Bluff Park Elementary School in Hoover City. During the work session, the board heard from Collins about her experience as a teacher with 21 years of experience in Alabama elementary classrooms. Collins highlighted the need for mental health supports for both students and educators across the state.

The next Board meeting will be on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at 10 am at the Auditorium in the Gordon Persons Building in Montgomery, Alabama. The work session will follow at 11 am.

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.