The State Board of Education in Thursday's work session unanimously approved adoption of the new arts education and social studies courses of study, marking a significant step for the latter subject area which has not been revised since 2010. Five speakers spoke in support of the social studies course of study committee's work and the newly revised standards, commending efforts to engage and solicit feedback from multiple stakeholders. 

The board also voted to adopt an amended Alabama Administrative Code rule change for the new workforce diploma pathway created through the Alabama Workforce Pathways Act of 2024, with Stephanie Bell (District 3) abstaining. The new diploma pathway reduces math and science credit requirements from four each to two each for students who intend to enter the workforce immediately after high school.

New Social Studies Standards: State Superintendent of Education Eric Mackey praised the committee's work, attributing positive support for the revised standards to changes in how public input was gathered during the revision process. The new standards provide for more breadth and scope in the coverage of United States history, Alabama history, and civics and government across multiple grade levels. Representatives from higher education, the Coalition for True History, the Alabama Holocaust Commission and the Poarch Creek Indians spoke in support of the new standards, citing increased opportunities for historical analysis and a more authentic telling of Alabama’s history. Speakers said the new standards will ensure future generations of Alabama students receive a receive a comprehensive social studies education to become engaged and informed citizens. 

Teacher Shortages: Mackey updated the board on teacher shortages by subject areas, with this year's five largest shortages in elementary education (K-6), early education (P-3), high school special education, elementary special education and general science. General science which previously was the second hardest-to-fill subject area has now dropped to last, and mathematics is no longer on the list, both of which Mackey attributed to TEAMS. Long-term substitutes and emergency certified teachers were filling 551 elementary education positions and 261 early education positions at the beginning of this school year. This number is expected to decrease as the school year progresses.

Educator Preparation Programs: The Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) presented the Higher Education Annual Report Card to the board, which includes 2023-2024 survey data on first- and second-year teachers and 2022-2023 teacher certification data, test passage rates and results on the Praxis, Foundations of Reading and edTPA exams. This report card marks the first year the Foundations of Reading test data is included, as part of the Alabama Literacy Act. The ALSDE also updated the board on proposed changes to the Alabama Administrative Code pertaining to educator preparation programs. These changes reflect recent legislation, incorporate best practices (such as a greater focus on classroom management) and allow higher education institutions more flexibility. The board will announce its intent to adopt these changes in January, with final approval scheduled for the board’s March meeting.

Other Board Business
Other key board actions included:

• Adoption of new Alabama Guidelines for Exemplary School Libraries
• Approval of recommendations from the state textbook committees for career and technical education (CTE) and science 
• Approval of 2025 meeting dates
• Unanimous approval of Mackey’s 2023-2024 evaluation

Alabama State Supreme Court Justice Lyn Stuart will swear in new board members on Jan. 28 before they convene for the January board retreat. 

Resolutions

• Recognizing Dr. Walter B. Gonsoulin, Jr., as the 2025 Alabama Superintendent of the Year, Jefferson County Schools, SBOE Districts 3, 4, and 7
• Recognizing Brookwood Elementary School, Enterprise City Schools, as a National Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Distinguished School, SBOE District 1
• Recognizing Hamilton Elementary School, Marion County Schools, as a National Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Distinguished School, SBOE District 7

Next SBOE Meeting and Work Session:

The board’s next meeting will take place during Thursday, Jan. 9, 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
Director of Governmental Relations