The Alabama State Board of Education held its regular board meeting and work session Thursday but dismissed earlier than normal due to severe weather conditions across the state. The following items were discussed and/or approved: 

1. Alabama Numeracy Act Update

Rep. Alan Baker addressed the State Board of Education (SBOE) during its work session, stressing the importance of meeting the Alabama Numeracy Act deadlines. Baker acknowledged legislators authorized two necessary delays, but reiterated the legislative intent was to get the plan moving with all deliberate speed and to get it right, adding, “We must all keep our foot on the gas with its implementation.” 

• Numeracy Act sponsors Sen. Arthur Orr and Rep. Baker approved an extension early on for State Superintendent of Education Dr. Eric Mackey to find, vet and hire the right person to serve as the new Director of the Office of Mathematics Improvement (OMI). 
• The second delay came at the request of the Executive STEM Council last fall, which was directed to employ a consultant by January 15, 2023, to evaluate sections 1-19, the work of the mathematic coaches and the implementation and outcomes. Both Orr and Baker agreed to a slight extension, explaining there currently is little to evaluate.  
  

Beyond those two exceptions, Baker emphasized the critical need of meeting the Numeracy Act timeline as established and said remaining deadlines are reasonable and should be adhered to.

Why it matters: Although the 2022 Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP) showed a 9% increase in mathematics for grades 2-5, only 37% of students are proficient.  

2. Board Meeting Action

• Approved resolution announcing an intent to adopt two new Alabama Administrative Code Rules pertaining to:
  
  First Grade Readiness - The administrative code proposal would mandate that local school boards adopt policies and procedures requiring students to demonstrate first-grade readiness skills before being promoted or entering first grade. 
  
  Alternative Teacher Preparation Program - The administrative code rule would provide an alternative teacher certificate pathway with for-profit vendors for individuals who already have earned at least a bachelor’s degree in college.  
  
  
• Approved a resolution recognizing Dr. Cynthia McCarty, SBOE member (District 6) retiring from board service this month.  
• Approved recommendation to hire Dr. Melissa Shields as Assistant State Superintendent – Student Learning, effective January 16, 2023.
• Approved resolutions recognizing the 2022 Mathematics Presidential Awards finalists:  Amy Garcia, Shelby County Schools; Cory Wilks, Walker County Schools; Kimberly Gulledge, Madison County Schools
• Approved resolutions recognizing the 2022 Science Presidential Awards finalists: Nicole Bolton, Mobile County Schools; April Smith, Trussville City Schools; Sadi Bess, Decatur City Schools
• Approved resolution recognizing January 2023 as “Gifted Education Month” in Alabama Schools.
• Approved resolution authorizing review of Troy University’s Education Preparation Program.
• Approved resolution to accept recommendations of the State Textbook Committee for adoption of textbooks for career and technical education clusters: architecture and construction; information technology; and transportation, distribution, and logistics.

3. Next SBOE Meeting

The board’s next meeting is February 9, 2023, at 10 a.m. in Montgomery with a work session immediately following.  e