The State Board of Education moved quickly through its regular meeting Thursday, approving resolutions proclaiming March as Arts Education Month, March 2-6 as School Breakfast Week and February as Career and Technical Education Month.

Representatives from the Alabama Microsoft Imagine Academy were recognized, as the board passed a resolution congratulating the program on exceeding 100,000 industry certifications earned by students. Alabama is one of 24 states to offer the program and only the third state to achieve this certification milestone. In all, more than 200,000 of Alabama’s career tech students have been enrolled in courses through the program, which provides curricula and certifications to meet the demand of an increasingly tech-driven job market.

The board also acknowledged a large contingency of students, parents and teachers present for a luncheon celebrating the Annual State Superintendent’s Art Exhibit.

Computer Science Education Update

At the afternoon work session, Deputy State Superintendent Dr. Daniel Boyd provided an update on the state’s computer science education plan (CS4Alabama), which was developed to meet requirements of Alabama’s Computer Science Act 2019-389 passed last year. Boyd summarized progress made in each of the plan’s five priority areas: 1) developing and sustaining a teacher pipeline; 2) strengthening student pathways; 3) alignment of secondary and post-secondary career pathways; 4) computer science expansion; and 5) industry support and funding.

Key takeaways from Boyd’s update included:

• The department is coordinating with in-state entities to offer high-yield professional learning opportunities for teachers such as technical assistance visits, curriculum and instruction “roadshow” presentations, MEGA Conference sessions and high-quality professional development providers.
• The department has received a $2.3 million federal grant award to provide a computer science professional development week during which four trainings for up to 440 teachers and 120 counselors will be offered throughout the state.
• More work is needed to improve alignment between secondary and post-secondary CTE pathways and to ensure the state’s two- and four-year institutions are accepting courses as part of articulation agreements.
• The department is seeking increased legislative support in the ETF for its CS4AL efforts, including the goal to provide 50 percent of students with CS/STEM interests opportunities to participate in internships, mentorships and apprenticeships by 2026. These efforts support Gov. Kay Ivey’s goal of a larger computer science workforce by 2025.

Literacy Updates

State Superintendent of Education Dr. Eric Mackey and Assistant Superintendent for the Division of Teaching and Learning Dr. Elisabeth Davis updated the board on the department’s work related to the Alabama Literacy Act. Two committees formed under the Act -- the Committee on Grade Level Reading and the Literacy Task Force -- have been working to vet assessments and materials. The Committee on Grade Level Reading currently is rewriting the state literacy plan.

Davis said she expects to distribute a memo regarding a new K-3 assessment by Feb 26. The memo will include part of the implementation guide expected to be finalized by the end of March. Mackey said the department will finalize the cut score in August to determine what score will be considered as “grade-level” reading, after results are compiled from the new state assessment.

Much of Davis’ update included information about the establishment of requirements for reading coaches and supports for teachers in the science of reading. She said the state’s original ARI modules are being aligned to current, evidence-based research on helping struggling readers. Mackey added that a LETRS training cohort would be available this summer for any teacher who wants to complete the rigorous, time-intensive program. He also shared that alternative training options facilitated by Neuhaus would be available at the state’s 11 in-service centers for those not able to complete the LETRS program. Both training options are approved by the International Dyslexia Association.

Jackie Zeigler, (District 1) urged the department to find what works and stick with it. She also stressed the importance of a “common language” around the science of reading and the importance of administrators undergoing the same literacy training as teachers.

Mackey explained to board members that the department’s work related to the Literacy Act is a large, fast-moving undertaking with many moving parts. He said the board will continue to receive regular updates as the work progresses.

Other Work Session News

In other work session news, the board decided to move the date of its next retreat from March to May. The retreat will be held at First Baptist Church in downtown Montgomery May 14 and 15.

Several topics were discussed during the portion of the agenda devoted to board member questions.

Explaining that he wanted to address the “500-pound gorilla in the room,” Wayne Reynolds (District 6) requested a legal opinion from the department’s legal staff outlining what the immediate effect would be on the board should the constitutional amendment pass replacing the elected state board with a governor-appointed education commission. The amendment will appear on the ballot when Alabama voters head to the polls for the March 3 primary election. Reynolds added that he would consider legal action if the amendment passes.

Cynthia McCarty (District 8) requested the department provide the board with more frequent updates on the budget, explaining that board members do not receive information about the budget after they approve it. She also asked for updates on the status of the strategic plan and the LeanFrog report on the department’s Teacher Certification section. Mackey said the board will receive an update on the strategic plan at the March meeting, and he said the department is working on a request for information from vendors on their capacity to build out a new system for teacher certification.

Board members also requested to see the report completed by a consulting firm on potential reorganization of the ALSDE. That report was commissioned by the legislature during the 2019 legislative session.

The next State Board of Education meeting will take place March 12 at 10 a.m. in Montgomery, with a work session to follow.