By Bart Reeves
AASB Associate Executive Director for Governmental Relations

State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey outlined preliminary implementation plans for the newly passed Numeracy Act in Thursday’s State Board of Education work session. The law is designed to address math proficiency deficits in grades K-5. As the Act requires, the ALSDE will establish a new Office of Mathematics Improvement and hire a director to lead it within 90 days. Prior to hiring a director, an Elementary Mathematics Task Force, also required by the Act, will be convened to advise and collaborate with the department. 

The job posting for the director of the Office of Mathematics Improvement was listed this week, and a national search is being performed. Mackey emphasized the importance of finding the right person to lead the office. 

"The ideal person is one who was a great math teacher, elementary school principal and maybe a superintendent who understands how it all works together," Mackey said. 

Dr. Wayne Reynolds (District 8) requested details on several issues constituents have questioned, including implementation costs for deploying math teachers and addressing math teacher shortages. Mackey said most of those issues were addressed shortly after the bill was introduced, with $20 million currently being spent to place math coaches at low performing schools, hire regional coordinators and cover administrative expenses for the initial launch. The cost at full implementation, slated for 2028, is projected to be $92 million. 

Mackey said priority for placing math coaches for the 2023-24 school year will be given to the lowest performing schools as identified by the 2021-22 ACAP results. Superintendents of these schools will be notified by October 1, 2022. Mackey also said he does not anticipate teacher shortage issues related to hiring math coaches or replacing vacant teaching positions in elementary grades.  

In Other Work Session News

• Transgender Bathroom Bill: Mackey briefly updated the board on the new Transgender Restroom Act. “Restrooms that are for multiple person occupancy, must be male or female as identified by their birth certificate. Solitary restrooms, single for either male or female may continue to be used in schools,” Mackey said. He also briefed the board on a last-minute amendment to the bill prohibiting classroom instruction and discussion on sexual orientation or gender identity in grades K-3. He explained the new law should not pose a problem regarding instruction because state standards do not include addressing sexual orientation or gender identity. However, the Act’s classroom discussion prohibition could be challenging for teachers should a student bring up the topic in class.  
• Organizational Chart: Mackey discussed proposed administrative changes to the department’s organizational chart in the division of Administration and Finance. The reorganization would reassign Dr. Brandon Payne to Deputy Superintendent where he has served as interim since former Deputy Superintendent and Finance Director Andy Craig’s departure last year. Payne would continue his current responsibilities and supervise the local education agency (LEA) support director and incoming finance director. Mackey announced moving forward with the reorganization would save the department money.  
• Course of Study Standards and Textbook Adoption Cycle: State board members reviewed the course of study standards and textbook adoption cycle and cited concerns with the late adoption date of social studies standards. Last fall, Mackey announced plans to move the social studies adoption to 2026-27 with a textbook adoption to follow. Mackey attempted to ease concerns about delaying the adoption, referencing the Thomas B. Fordham Institute’s Standard report in 2021 declaring Alabama’s social studies and civic standards as among the best in the nation. Still hearing concerns, particularly regarding outdated content and materials, Mackey said he will revisit the issue with department staff to determine if the adoption timeline can be moved up.  
• Struggling Readers – Upper Grades Report: Board members received a presentation on how the department is supporting struggling readers in upper grades with the Alabama Blackbelt Innovative Literacy Initiative, Science of Reading professional learning opportunity designed for grades 4-8, and other opportunities including multi-sensory and dyslexia training.  
• Construction Projects: The board announced intent to adopt an amended Alabama Administrative Code rule changing permit and inspection requirements for school facilities. The rule change is needed to align the code with a bill passed last year and recently amended in a bill passed this legislative session allowing school systems to bypass the Division of Construction Management for projects costing less than $750,000, including roofing or HVAC improvements.  

Board Meeting Updates

Board action in the meeting preceding the work session included:

• Approval of a resolution to adopt passing score for Foundations of Reading 190. 
• Passage of a resolution approving an addendum to recommendations of the state textbook committee for English Language Arts, Grades 4-12. Mackey explained a Zaner-Blosner spelling and writing book had been mistakenly omitted. 
• Todd Walker, with the Associated Builders and Contractors, presented information on the Academy for Craft Training. The Academy, designed to prepare students for careers in building crafts, partners with area high schools, commerce and the construction industry.  The Academy currently is located in Birmingham, and there are plans to open a second one in Mobile this fall.

Next SBOE Meeting

The board’s next meeting will take place May 12 at 10 a.m. in Montgomery with a work session immediately following.