The Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) presented the 2023-2024 statewide Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP) results for K-12 public school students during Thursday's State Board of Education (SBOE) Work Session, revealing improvements in reading proficiency across all grades but widening declines in math proficiency at all grade levels.

More than 50% of students demonstrated reading proficiency in each grade, with gains attributed to the Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI) and the Alabama Literacy Act's significant impact on educator preparation programs, teachers and students through concentrated investments in reading coaches, classroom supports, and instructional resources in grades K-3. 

State Superintendent of Education Eric Mackey noted the math assessment results are more concerning, with a regression in proficiency at each grade level, showing gaps in student knowledge which widen and compound year over year. Specifically, students in both second and third grades dropped in math proficiency compared to last year's data. Based on these results, about 20% of students are proficient in math by the end of the 8th grade and ready for high school math.

ACAP 2023-2024 Student Assessment State Data Overview - SBOE members discussed the need to expand access to quality literacy instruction and supports for both students and teachers beyond 3rd grade, commending the increases in proficiency rates compared to last year's data. Tonya Chestnut (District 5) noted reading proficiency impacts learning in all content areas and requested ARI provide recommendations and strategies to serve students in 4th grade and beyond, such as additional middle school reading coaches. The ALSDE received a $5 million line item in the FY24 Education Trust Fund (ETF) supplemental appropriation to support struggling readers beyond the 3rd grade.

Mackey highlighted the number of English language learners (ELL) has increased by almost 10,000 students from 2021 (37,138 students) to 2023 (46,456 students), yet the percentage of students assessed proficient to exit ELL has remained at the same level of less than 5% each year. The Alabama Legislature increased funding for ELL in the FY25 ETF budget, to be allocated directly to systems based on their 2023-2024 school year student population data. Mackey noted the number of ELL students is increasing each year, while the overall student population numbers are decreasing, with some school systems identifying up to 50% of their student population as ELL.

The ACT with Writing test results, taken by 11th grade students, also show static growth with the average composite score only up by one point.

School-level ACAP data already has been made available to schools for review and verification and will be publicly released by the end of the summer. The 2023-2024 National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) state test results from January and March 2024 are anticipated to be released in winter 2025.

Teachers' Bill of Rights - As required by the recently enacted Teachers' Bill of Rights (Act 2024-409), the SBOE announced its intent to adopt a model policy that local boards of education may adopt for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. The law became effective June 1, 2024. Each local school board must adopt a policy addressing the minimum requirements of the Teachers' Bill of Rights and may choose to adopt the SBOE Model Policy as is, amend it, or create their own. 

Editor's Note: AASB assisted with drafting this model policy and is providing additional guidance in its annual Policy Pipeline being released to subscribers July 18.

View the SBOE model policy for the Teachers' Bill of Rights.

Alternative Teacher Preparation Organization #TEACH - The alternative teacher preparation program #TEACH that previously presented to the SBOE returned to seek approval now that the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) site visit has been completed and approved. There was extensive discussion among SBOE members and representatives of #TEACH about the program's course requirements and alignment with Alabama's teacher certification and licensure process. This item may be placed on next month's session agenda when all members are present, as multiple SBOE members were absent Thursday.

New SBOE Vice President Chestnut (left) and President Pro Tem Manning (right) elected at Thursday's meeting.

New SBOE Leadership - With Governor Kay Ivey in attendance, the SBOE elected Tonya Chestnut (District 5) as Vice President and Marie Manning (District 6) President Pro Tem for 2024-2025.

In Other News

• Alabama Administrative Code Rule 290-2-1-.01 will be updated to reflect the 2% education personnel pay raise effective with the new fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2024.
• Educator Preparation Programs at both Auburn University and the University of North Alabama were approved.
• The SBOE announced its intent to adopt guidelines pursuant to the Tyrell Spencer Act informing student athletes, parents, and coaches about sudden cardiac arrest beginning in the 2024-2025 school year (Act 2023-235). The corresponding training course for public school athletic coaches will be provided by the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) or Alabama Independent School Association (AISA) once every two years.
• The 2024 Career and Technical Education State Course of Study, Career Cluster - Human Services, will be revised to include instruction and training in using Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) pursuant to the recently enacted law (Act 2024-114).

Commendations

• Resolution for Revision of 2023 Career and Technical Education State Course of Student (Career Cluster: Human Services)
• Resolution for Revision of 2022 Career and Technical Education State Course of Study (Career Cluster: Hospitality and Tourism)

Next SBOE Meeting & Work Session

The board’s next meeting will take place during the 2024 SBOE retreat in Anniston Aug. 27 and 28. 

• 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