The Alabama State Board of Education announced Dr. Andrew Jackson, a fourth-grade teacher at Pell City’s Eden Elementary School, as Alabama’s 2020-2021 Teacher of the Year at its meeting Thursday, August 13. David Dai, a secondary school teacher at Alma Bryant High School (Mobile County Schools) was named Alternate Teacher of the Year. This year’s virtual announcement via candidate videos took the place of the usual Teacher of the Year reception due COVID-19 safety precautions.

Department staff updated board members about student assessments for the upcoming school year during the board work session following Thursday’s meeting. State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey said the U.S. Department of Education does not have direct authority from Congress to waive federal assessment requirements. Although waivers may become available, the ALSDE is moving forward with the expanded timeframe of January 25 to March 19 as the window to administer the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) test in 2021. The test is administered to fourth and eighth graders in 176 randomly selected schools in Alabama. In addition, current seniors will be given additional dates this fall for the opportunity to take the ACT test to prepare for college applications. ACT testing schedules were interrupted last Spring due to the pandemic.

Although some are calling for no state assessments to be taken this school year, Mackey said he wants students to take the new ACAP assessments which were scheduled to be unveiled last year. Even if the accountability requirement (report card) is ultimately waived, Mackey explained it is important to see where students are and collect the first set of data as a baseline. He acknowledged concerns about incomplete data that could result from the large number of virtual students who may choose not to go to school to take the tests in person. Mackey said the data need not be used for high-stakes decisions. He encouraged educators to focus now on getting schools up and running and to leave the assessment discussion for later. View meeting PowerPoint presentation for in-depth breakdown of federal and state tests and schedules.

Also during Thursday’s work session, Mackey unveiled a new tool on the ALSDE website that links school system reopening plans as they become available. The resource provides each school system’s reopening date and will outline each system’s mode of learning for every nine-week term, specifying in-person, virtual and/or blended model.

ALSDE Director of Teaching and Learning Dr. Jayne Meyer provided an update on the progress colleges of education are making to incorporate the nine hours in reading coursework for new teachers as required by the Alabama Literacy Act. She explained the ALSDE’s process to ensure the state’s universities comply as a condition of program approval. The Alabama Literacy Task Force has begun reviewing a rubric to ensure assessments appropriately measure graduating teachers on the standards taught in their reading coursework. One such assessment is the current Praxis test and the other is referred to as the Massachusetts Test which currently is being updated. Board member Dr. Cynthia McCarty (District 6) emphasized that a mastery of the science of reading would be needed to pass the tests. View PowerPoint.

The board also discussed progress on the development of the state superintendent’s evaluation. Gov. Kay Ivey urged the board to “get serious” about the task, as Mackey and the board have had three opportunities to give feedback and those adjustments have been made. She set an August 31 deadline for Mackey and board members to provide specific additions, deletions or changes before the board takes a vote next month. In answering board member questions, Ivey said the evaluation process is outlined in the proposal and provides a preliminary discussion with Mackey before the results are discussed in a public meeting. She also explained the development of the evaluation instrument and process is needed to comply with the terms of the superintendent’s contract. Ivey said the evaluation should be completed by December.

In other work session news:

• Deputy State Superintendent Andy Craig shared the ALSDE’s proposed 2021 operational budget.

1. Enhance teacher quality and quantity;
2. Increase student scores in reading, writing and math on NAEP;
3. Create clear definitions for terms “Grade-level reading” and “College and Career Readiness” (CCR);
4. Close the gap;
5. Enhance the quality and alignment of CCR indicators;
6. Align CTE programs to labor market demand and data;
7. Enhance dual enrollment programs; and
8. Create a Best-In-Class Comprehensive Communication Program for all ALSDE stakeholders.

Next State BOE Meeting & Work Session

The next State Board of Education meeting will take place Sept. 10 at 10 a.m. in Montgomery, with a work session immediately following.