A representative from the Alabama Department of Revenue provided an overview of implementation details for the CHOOSE Act during the Alabama State Board of Education’s work session Thursday. Board members last month requested details about implementation of the program which is managed by the Department of Revenue. The school choice program provides state-funded education savings accounts for eligible families to cover K-12 private or homeschool expenses. 

Starting with the 2025-2026 academic year, the program will distribute $100 million through digital wallets families can use to pay for tuition, fees and other qualified education expenses at approved education service providers. 

Eligible students will receive $7,000 per student for participating private schools, while families of homeschooled students will receive $2,000 per student (capped at $4,000 per family). 

The phased-in three-year implementation plan includes:

Year 1 (2025-2026)

Eligibility requirements:

• Household income below 300% of federal poverty level (approximately 75% of Alabama households would qualify)
• Alabama residency and K-12 enrollment

Distribution priorities:

1. First 500 ESAs reserved for special needs students
2. Children of active-duty service members in priority schools
3. Remaining funds distributed based on family income levels
4. Siblings of participating students receive priority consideration

Application and award dates:

• Applications open until April 7, 2025, with award notifications scheduled for May 1, 2025.

Year 2 (2026-2027)

• Adds preference for previously awarded students and maintains priority status for special needs students and military families. 

Year 3 (2027-2028) 

• Program becomes universal, extending eligibility to all Alabama students while maintaining priority status for special needs students, returning participants and military families.

Progress Updates on State Intervention in Sumter County, Bessemer

State Superintendent of Education Eric Mackey shared progress updates on the state’s intervention in Sumter County Schools and Bessemer City Schools. 

Mackey said Sumter County Schools, which has been under intervention since August 2023, has made significant strides in financial management and increases in reading proficiency and science scores on the ACAP assessment. In addition, the board currently is constructing a new elementary school. Still, Mackey said persistent challenges remain, including difficulty attracting employees to the area and the current consolidation of the middle and high school. 

Mackey also discussed the system’s severe shortage of CTE courses. 

"We have a significant problem - more students have signed up than we have facilities to offer them," he said. 

The intervention in Bessemer City Schools, which began in August 2024, is more challenging, Mackey said. While the system has made some operational progress under Dr. Daniel Boyd, who is serving as chief administrative officer, Mackey expressed concerns about governance. 

"The board continues to not be able to function on its own. We need to continue to work with that board and get them through board training this year," Mackey said.

Educator Preparation Program Updates

The board reviewed several key developments related to educator preparation, including program updates from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and proposed regulatory changes to the Alabama Administrative Code.

• A UAB representative highlighted several new initiatives and successes in its teacher preparation programs, including:
• Special education master's program partnership with Hoover City Schools
• UAB Teach program featuring 100 candidates majoring in science or math fields who complete a STEM minor in education for teaching certification
• New Blazer Core initiative offering education courses to all UAB students
• Revamped curriculum addressing literacy and numeracy requirements
• Production of 128 new teachers over the past three years

The board reviewed a resolution to approve American Board, an alternative teacher certification program that prepares mid-career professionals to teach. The organization's candidates typically are career-changers, with an average age of 39. Program details include:

• Currently operating in 14 states (Seven to 10-month completion timeframe
• $1,900 approximate cost
• Self-paced, competency-based structure
• Online modules and workshops

SBOE District 2 Rep. Tracie West raised concerns about classroom readiness of the candidates, particularly regarding classroom management skills. 

"I can't imagine somebody with professional experience who's never stepped into the classroom really being prepared," West noted, emphasizing classroom management as "probably the number one issue" facing teachers today. 

She also questioned how the program prepares candidates to address the mental health challenges currently affecting students.

American Board representatives responded with an outline of the program’s comprehensive support system, including:

• Specific training on mental health, classroom management and family engagement
• Multiple layers of support, including a help desk for immediate assistance, a remediation team staffed by licensed teachers and partnerships with districts and principals for additional guidance

Representatives also cited a research study indicating 97% of principals did retain or expected to retain their American Board trained teachers past the three-year mark, and 95% are rated as performing better than or equivalent to traditionally prepared teachers. 

Overview of Education Preparation Chapter for Alabama Code

ALSDE Administrator of Educator Preparation Alethea Hampton reviewed details of the complete rewrite of Chapter 290-3-3 of the Alabama Administrative Code pertaining to educator preparation. The revisions replace the Continuous Improvement in Educator Preparation (CIEP) process with a new framework called Alabama Program Improvement for Educators (AL-PIE).

"We wanted to make sure this process aligns with what programs need to do for other accreditation requirements," Hampton explained. The new framework reduces redundant requirements while maintaining high standards for teacher preparation, she said. 

Key changes to the chapter include:

• Addition of literacy coursework focused on science of reading
• New numeracy standards requirements
• Enhanced computer science requirements
• Reduced prescriptive language to give institutions more flexibility
• Focus on quality assessments that are valid and reliable
• Emphasis on meaningful field experiences
• Options for program approval and innovative programs

The revisions have completed their 45-day public comment period and are scheduled for final adoption at the March board meeting.

Updates on Modernizing Alabama’s Education Funding Formula

Mackey outlined a new "hybrid" approach to Alabama's education funding that preserves existing strengths while addressing modern funding needs. The plan retains the Foundation Program's core features, including teacher supply funds and advanced degree salary support, while adding $110 million in weighted funding for specific student groups as follows:

• $40 million for special education students
• $40 million for economically disadvantaged students
• $10 million for English Language Learners
• Additional funding for sparsely populated counties with fewer than 50 residents per square mile

"We do some really good things in our current base that other states don't do," Mackey explained, highlighting unique features like classroom supply money for teachers and full salary reimbursement for advanced degrees. He noted that prior to 1995, systems often discouraged teachers from pursuing master's degrees due to local funding constraints. The current system has helped distribute advanced-degree teachers more evenly across the state, particularly benefiting rural areas.

Questions about Proposed Changes at the USDOE

Mackey, responding to numerous questions he has received about U.S. Department of Education changes, told board members they may be surprised to learn he is “encouraged” by recent USDOE announcements. 

Mackey expressed optimism about new leadership nominees including Deputy Secretary nominee Penny Schwinn and Assistant Secretary nominee Kirsten Baesler, both of whom he said he knows personally. 

While organizational changes are coming, Mackey emphasized core K-12 funding streams remain secure, though states may face slower response times during staffing transitions. Mackey told the board anticipated cuts and changes being proposed will primarily have a more significant impact on higher education than K-12 education.

He also addressed concerns about the potential transfer of the Office of Civil Rights to the Department of Justice, clarifying that the office is not being closed as some have reported.

Recognitions and Academic Achievement Awards

• Top 25 high-performing schools and 25 most improved schools honored as part of the Legislative School Performance Recognition program
• Stephen Warrs - Alabama School Counselor of the Year
• Tricia Oliver - 2024 Alabama Arts Educator of the Year
• Raylin Anderson and Limi-Anna Hamner - 2025 State Superintendent's Best in Show Visual Arts Exhibit

Mackey also announced the Department of Defense has named the ALSDE as one of the top 50 agencies nationwide, selected from 13,000 participating organizations, for its activities commemorating the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War.  

Next SBOE Meeting and Work Session:

The board’s next regular meeting will take place during Thursday, March 13, 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/