Across the Board May: Key Takeaways from the ALBOE Meeting

Recapping important State Board of Education policy decisions for you

Here are our key takeaways from the May 14th State Board of Education board meeting and work session. Governor Ivey, and board members Tracey West, and Yvette Richardson were not present. All board members were present. Click here to see the agenda for the full meeting and work session.

Top 5 Takeaways

1. Alabama’s Federal Waiver Request To Be Submitted

During the work session, the board heard from Dr. Mackey about Alabama’s waiver request, which seeks approval from the federal Department of Education to change several education policies. Many of the changes could provide helpful funding flexibility, however the waiver would also incorporate the WorkKeys Assessment into Alabama’s state report card. If approved by the federal Department of Education, the request would allow Alabama to merge students’ ACT scores with their WorkKeys scores, and base school and district accountability on the combined scores. Unfortunately, WorkKeys is far less rigorous than the ACT. For example, the math skills that WorkKeys assesses are directly aligned with Alabama’s elementary and middle school standards.

Dr. Mackey first discussed the possibility of a waiver during the September 2025 work session. On February 10, 2026, the ALSDE released a draft of the waiver and opened a public comment period, which was set to close on March 10. Dr. Mackey announced during today’s work session that he had previously reopened the public comment period from April 6 through April 20. Dr. Mackey stated that the ALSDE is preparing to submit the waiver this summer. It is unclear if any changes have been made to the waiver proposal to express concerns.

While A+ Education Partnership supports the seven sections of the waiver that request funding flexibility, we oppose including WorkKeys in the state’s proposed measurement of achievement because it would lower the bar significantly for students. For more information, check out our overview of the ALSDE’s request.

2. 2025-2026 Third Grade Reading Data Released

The board heard from Assistant State Superintendent Shanthia Washington, and Director of the Alabama Reading Initiative Bonnie Short on the new third grade reading data during the board work session. In the spring 2026 round of ACAP testing, 88.3% of third graders (47,956 students) scored above the reading cut score of 444. Last year, with the same cut score, 88.4% of third grade students scored above the cut score. Dr. Mackey shared that next year the cut score is set to increase for the final planned time. 

Through the Alabama Literacy Act, the 11.7% of third grade students who are not reading on grade level will have the opportunity to receive additional support and interventions through summer reading camps. They will then have the opportunity to show they are reading on grade level through a second test, or a student reading portfolio, before being retained. Districts will receive their data tomorrow, and parents will receive information about their students’ proficiency rates in the coming days. The board will review district level data during the June board meeting.

3. 2024-2025 Graduation Rate and College and Career Readiness Data

The board also heard from Assistant State Superintendent Dr. Melissa Shields and Instructional Services Coordinator Sean Stevens about the graduation and CCR rates for high school students. The 2024-2025 high school graduation rate was 91.6%. This was an increase of 1.2% from the 2023-2024 graduation rate. 

The CCR attainment rate has also increased, from 87.9% in 2024 to 90.7% in 2025. This is the percentage of graduating students who have completed one of nine CCR indicators. For the current 2025-2026 school year, attaining one CCR indicator is required for students to graduate high school. The CCR indicators are:

• Benchmark score on the ACT 
• Silver or higher on the ACT WorkKeys exam
• Qualifying score on an Advanced Placement exam
• Qualifying score on an International Baccalaureate exam
• Approved college or postsecondary credit
• Approved industry credential
• Military enlistment
• Career and Technical Education Completor 
• Completing an in-school youth apprenticeship program

4. Textbook Committee for Digital Literacy and Computer Science

During the work session, the board discussed the Digital Literacy and Computer Science textbook committee convening. The Digital Literacy and Computer Science Course of Study was approved in December 2025, and now the committee to recommend textbooks will spend time reviewing and rating the materials against a rubric. The committee members will present their ratings for the computer science textbooks by the end of the year, and the board will vote in early 2027. 

From now on, the board will have an opportunity to review the textbook options at the Gordon Persons building. 

5. Wins to Celebrate

During the meeting, the board recognized and celebrated the following 2026 award recipients:

• Alabama Teacher of the Year: Elizabeth Eubanks Von Hofe, special education teacher at Spanish Fort Elementary School in Baldwin County
• Alternate State Teacher of the Year: Eshwaa Godfrey, anatomy and physiology teacher at Selma High School in Selma City
• Dale County School System, Highest County Performance on the Alabama State Report Card
• Mountain Brook City School System, Highest City Performance on the Alabama State Report Card
• Good Hope Primary School in Cullman County, 2026 Alabama Green Ribbon Schools Award Nominee

Additionally, Alabama has been highlighted in the Education Scorecard that was published yesterday. Alabama is now 13th in the nation for reading growth and 10th in the nation for math growth. Tuscaloosa City, Birmingham City, and Dekalb County were highlighted in the report as effective case studies. The report elevated Birmingham City, Auburn City, and Muscle Shoals City as effective in teaching reading and math. Cullman County, Homewood City, Hoover City, and Houston County were highlighted for reading success, and Franklin County, Geneva County, and Marion County were highlighted for math success. Statewide, Alabama’s chronic absenteeism rate has decreased from 17% to 12%. 

For more information on the Education Scorecard, check out this Alabama Daily News article.

The next Board meeting will be on Thursday, June 11, 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.