With an increased cut score on the Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP), Alabama’s third graders are continuing to see progress in achieving grade-level proficiency in reading at or above grade level at the end of the third grade, meeting the benchmark to be promoted to the next grade. At the end of summer, 91.5% of third graders scored on or above grade level and 8.5% of third graders did not reach the cut score in reading.

Out of the 55,930 third graders tested, 4,755 did not reach the new cut score. Not all students were retested over the summer; however, this does not mean they will be retained. Compared to last year:

• Alabama had 2,438 more students take the 3rd grade ACAP reading test
• 1,000 more students took the test over the summer
• 400 more students scored at or above grade level during the summer testing period. 

ACAP Reading Data Comparison

2025 Spring and Summer Reading Results (Cut Score: 444)

2024 Spring and Summer Reading Results (Cut Score: 435)

Download system- and school-level data from the Spring 2025 ACAP

New Laws & Policies

The board approved new Administrative Code rules for the recently enacted laws:

Paid Parental Leave
Implementation of the Alabama Public Employee Paid Parental Leave Act of 2025 

• View guidance on the new paid parental leave law for K-12 education employees

RAISE Act
Adoption of the Renewing Alabama’s Investment in Student Excellence “RAISE” Act for student-weighted funding. 

• View guidance on the new RAISE Act student-weighted funding allocations for school systems in the 2025-26 school year

Vaping Awareness Program
Creation of  a Vaping Awareness, Education, and Prevention Program for K-12 public schools. By Nov. 1, local boards of education are required to adopt a policy that, at a minimum, contains the criteria established in the model policy adopted by the board. 

• View the model policy
• View the curriculum for the new Vaping Awareness, Education and Prevention Program

Note: The Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) will be issuing a memo to school systems and superintendents soon with this information.

Child Nutrition Program Personnel Changes

The board announced its intent to adopt amended Alabama Administrative Code Rule 290-080-030-.05 pertaining to school-based Child Nutrition Program Personnel. These changes respond to updates made by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to position qualifications, offering increased flexibility in hiring practices for smaller and rural school systems. 

State Superintendent of Education Eric Mackey noted to the difficulty in finding qualified applicants under current position requirements. The changes include:

Resolutions Passed

• Approving the Alabama Public Education Paperwork Reduction Committee
• Recognizing September 2025 as Attendance Awareness Month in Alabama
• Approving the University of South Alabama’s educator preparation programs.

Recognition: American Legion Boys Nation Leadership

The board recognized two high school students who, for the first time in Alabama’s history, were both elected to the top two leadership positions at American Legion Boys Nation in Washington, D.C. in July. 

• Luke Lawson of Headland High School (Henry County Board of Education) was elected president of the American Legion Boys Nation after serving as governor of Alabama Boys State.
• Nicholas Frazier of Stanhope Elmore High School (Elmore County Board of Education) was elected vice president after serving as the Alabama Boys State lieutenant governor. 

This marks the first time since 2003 that both seats have been filled by students from the same state. 

Next SBOE Meeting and Work Session

The board’s next regular meeting will take place Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at 10 a.m. in Montgomery with a work session immediately following:

• Gordon Persons Building Auditorium
• Livestream viewing: https://www.youtube.com/user/aldeptofed/live 
• Archived meeting and work session recordings: https://www.alabamaachieves.org/state-board-of-education/meeting-videos/ 

Ada Katherine van Wyhe, MPA
AASB Director of Governmental Relations