Alabama’s high school seniors will complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as part of their graduation requirements beginning with the 2021-22 school year. The board, with three members opposing, gave final approval of this requirement Thursday after a second public hearing. Several current college students who had received financial aid after completing FAFSA while in high school were on hand to speak in support of the new requirement. Also in attendance was Madison County Board of Education President David Weis, who spoke against the requirement, citing privacy issues and other concerns. Weis said he does not believe the FAFSA should be forced upon students as a requirement for graduation. The new FAFSA requirement does allow parents the option to opt-out by requesting and submitting a non-participation waiver for their child.

The meeting agenda included the following resolutions unanimously adopted by the board:

• Modifying the passing Praxis score for the area of family and consumer science as a precondition for initial certification;
• Review of educator preparation programs at the University of Alabama in Huntsville; and
• Extension of approval for educator preparation programs at Spring Hill College and the University of South Alabama.

The board discussed the following proposed Alabama Administrative Code changes that will be voted on at the June meeting:

• Removal of the requirement to provide Social Security numbers for enrolling in K-12 public schools, which would bring Alabama in line with federal law; and
• Discontinuing the mention of specifically named accrediting agencies - some of which are no longer in existence – in favor of a broader statement referring to any accrediting agency recognized by the USDOE.

The board approved two personnel appointments recommended by State Superintendent of Education Dr. Eric Mackey. Angela Martin will become Deputy State Superintendent of Education for the Division of Instruction, a position currently held by Dr. Daniel Boyd, who recently announced his retirement. Shanthia Washington, who previously retired from the ALSDE, is returning to serve as Assistant State Superintendent for Evaluation, Accountability and Support.

Mackey’s report to the board highlighted that the majority of Alabama’s schools and students are back to in-person instruction. He also stated that many schools still will require face coverings until the end of the school year, but school operations are expected to look much more normal in the fall.

Work Session Features Presentation, Discussion on Improvements to Textbook Selection Process

The work session following Thursday’s meeting began with a presentation by Deputy State Superintendent Dr. Daniel Boyd and Sean Stevens with the ALSDE’s Office of Student Learning on changes and improvements to the textbook selection and approval process. Board members asked the ALSDE to develop a process to ensure textbooks submitted to the board are high quality and cover Alabama's standards. 

The remainder of the work session consisted of individual state board member questions and requests on a range of issues, including:

• Future distribution of local superintendent surveys as part of Dr. Mackey’s annual evaluation
• Current local school system information regarding professional development and training opportunities related to the Alabama Literacy Act (LTRS, MSLE, etc.)
• Heat map illustrating the number of students in each system taking the ACT and PSAT
• Keeping board members informed about ALSDE vendor contracts well in advance of the review process
• Possible hiring of an attorney to represent the board, as needed
• COVID-19 ESSER III funds

Boyd told the board that the ALSDE is creating a roadmap to aid local superintendents in their decisions for best uses of the latest ESSER III dollars. Boyd said part of these funds will be to provide mental health supports for students, which will differ between school systems based on needs. He added that there will be checks and balances in place to ensure funds are spent appropriately.

Rounding out the work session was a presentation by Jennifer Crutchfield, co-secretary of the Alabama Career Technical Education  State Textbook Committee. Crutchfield detailed the committee’s review process and recommendations on which the board will vote at the May meeting.

Next SBOE Meeting

The next State Board of Education meeting is set for May 13, 2021 at 10 a.m. in Montgomery, with a work session to follow.