The Alabama State Board of Education voted unanimously to intervene in Sumter County Schools to address myriad issues plaguing the system. This intervention comes on the heels of troubling reports the Alabama Department of Education received about the school system. A subsequent site visit in June further revealed the depth of challenges facing the Sumter County Board of Education (SCBOE), particularly regarding facilities, personnel and finances.

State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey issued a show-cause notice last month, highlighting significant shortcomings observed during the visit and signaled potential state intervention. 

• Mackey also directed the SCBOE to provide a formal written response by August 3, 2023. 
• However, instead of a written reply, the SCBOE met on the same date they received the letter, reaching a unanimous decision (4-0) to approve the state's proposed intervention rather than contest it in a hearing before the SBOE.

Problems continued to mount this week when four of the six board members present could not agree on a meeting agenda, which included hiring personnel for the upcoming school year. 

• The vote ended in a 2-2 tie, leading the board to adjourn without resolution. This deadlock resulted in a lack of necessary personnel to commence the school year, forcing the superintendent to postpone its start.
• State board members expressed dissatisfaction with the local board's inability to come together and hire staff needed to start school. 

The SBOE has appointed former Perry County Schools Superintendent John Heard as chief administrative officer (CAO) to oversee the intervention. Heard will possess full authority but will work under the guidance of the state superintendent.

The intervention will continue until the SCBOE successfully addresses cited concerns and demonstrates full compliance.

ACAP Reading Cut Scores Stay at -2 SEM

ALSDE Coordinator of Student Assessment Maggie Hicks presented the proposed ACAP reading cut scores, a collaborative effort between a committee of 2nd and 3rd grade teachers and the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). 

• Mackey intends to recommend to the board cut scores of 435 (with a -2 SEM adjustment) for 3rd graders and 455 (with the same adjustment) for 2nd graders, based on the committees' joint proposal. 
• A representative from TAC present in the work session backs the -2 SEM for its 90% reliability. 
• Mackey highlighted that while an unadjusted score offers 75% reliability, it increases to 90% with a -2 SEM adjustment. He voiced concerns about potentially holding back a 3rd grader, especially if the test's reliability might be questionable after just one year. Mackey added last spring’s reading assessment was more rigorous and he anticipates data from the next two years will better shape the suggested cut score, which could then move his recommendation to -1 SEM.  

Hicks' presentation revealed that before any adjustments, 32% of 3rd graders wouldn't meet the required threshold this year. However, with a -2 SEM adjustment, this number drops to 17%. It's essential to note this percentage does not represent students who actually would be held back, as it doesn’t account for exceptions such as the summer reading program or student portfolios allowing an opportunity to demonstrate proficiency, among other good cause exemptions.

SBOE Vice-President Tracie West (District 2) advised board members to address any queries related to the cut score to Mackey. Per the Alabama Literacy Act, the SBOE is mandated to set and approve a cut score. A vote on reading cut score is expected during next month’s SBOE meeting. 

Board Meeting Updates 

• Approved resolution authorizing review of the following educator preparation programs: Alabama A&M, Athens State, Auburn University, Auburn University at Montgomery, University of South Alabama and University of West Alabama.
•  Approved administrative code rule 290-2-1-.01 pertaining to the annual apportionment of Foundation Program funds. 

Next SBOE Meeting

The board’s next meeting is Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, at 10 a.m. in Montgomery with a work session immediately following.