Recently released third grade reading scores took center stage at Thursday's State Board of Education (SBOE) work session, with SBOE members highlighting concerns about various terms used to show "on grade level." As the first year the retention provision of the Alabama Literacy Act law goes into effect, third grade reading scores are now being used to determine which students are eligible for promotion to fourth grade. The 2023-2024 scores come after five years of concentrated investments in foundational reading resources for students, teachers, and educator preparation programs.

The Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP) test results show 91% of Alabama's third graders are “sufficient” in reading and are eligible for promotion to the fourth grade and 77% of those students are reading on or above grade level. The 14%-point gap between "sufficient" and "on grade level" equals about 7,400 third graders being promoted to fourth grade who may not be reading at grade level. Approximately 4,800 students will require additional support before entering fourth grade. This number was almost 10,000 students last year.

State Superintendent of Education Eric Mackey delivered a presentation about the ACAP reading subtest scores for third graders, sparking robust discussion among SBOE members. The discussion centered on whether students who scored above the cut score had truly demonstrated grade-level readiness, and how the different terms used may be confusing. SBOE Member Stephanie Bell (District 3) referenced a recent news article detailing the cut score for "sufficient" (above 435) is lower than the cut score for "on or above grade level" (above 473), although students who scored "sufficient" are being promoted to the fourth grade.

Bell repeatedly asked for clarification on the difference between the "sufficient" and "on or above grade level" cut scores, how grade level is being defined and why there is a difference between "sufficient" and "grade level." Her questions focused on whether Alabama's cut score -- and how the state communicates it -- accurately reflect grade level reading and what will be done to support students being promoted who aren't reading “on grade level.” She also asked how the difference in cut scores is communicated to schools and parents and pointed out these concerns had previously been raised last year when the SBOE adopted a cut score for the ACAP reading subtest.

"No matter which scores you look at, our teachers and students are doing remarkably better," Mackey said. He noted that starting with a lower cut score the first year third graders may be retained enables the state to have a comprehensive view of where third graders are and the impact of Literacy Act programs, before raising the cut score over time. This process is similar to such states as Mississippi that have successfully implemented similar literacy efforts.

View the SDE 2022-2023 ACAP school-level reading data here. The ACAP summative assessment data will be made available in July.

View the news article here: Shifting terms, cut scores complicate Alabama 3rd grade reading efforts

Numeracy Act

Numeracy Act Implementation: The SBOE addressed changes to the Administrative Code to implement the Alabama Numeracy Act (Act 2022-249). The Numeracy Act requires the SBOE to adopt rules by June 2024 to fully implement the legislation. 

Numeracy Act Implementation in Higher Education: The board adopted two emergency Administrative Code rule changes while also announcing its intent to adopt the two corresponding permanent rule changes pertaining to ensure educator preparation programs are compliant with the Numeracy Act - the mathematics coaching endorsement and the mathematics coursework for prospective teachers. The proposed rule changes are open for a 45-day public comment period, with final approval no earlier than the August SBOE meeting. The emergency rules run concurrently with the public comment period and may only be in effect for 180 days. The first proposed change to Administrative Code Rule 290-3-3-.62 pertains to the mathematics coaching endorsement colleges may offer for prospective teachers, which could lead to an additional degree or a master's level program in this subject area. It would establish the minimum standards for this new coaching endorsement. The second proposed change to Administrative Code Rule 290-3-3-.63 is the numeracy coursework required of prospective elementary teachers in educator preparation programs.

In Other News

Educator Preparation Programs: The University of Alabama, University of West Alabama, and Alabama State University educator preparation programs were approved for renewal by the SBOE. Both the University of North Alabama and Auburn University program reviews were presented during the work session and are scheduled for approval at next board meeting.

Computer Science High School Graduation Requirement: The board announced its intent to adopt changes to the Administrative Code Rule 290-3-1-.02 pursuant to the Computer Science for Alabama Act (Act 2019-389). Beginning with the 2031-2032 high school graduating class, students must complete at least one computer science course or another course with embedded computer skills that meets SDE minimum standards. Completion of an SDE-approved computer science course will be part of the College and Career Readiness (CCR) Indicators. Earning at least one CCR Indicator becomes a graduation requirement in the 2025-2026 school year. Mackey noted there are currently around a dozen computer science courses that meet these minimum standards, including courses which may count toward dual credit or replace a math or science credit. Alabama is one of only 10 states that meets nine out of ten computer science education requirements recommended by Code.org.

Baldwin Preparatory Academy: The Baldwin County Board of Education requested an innovation waiver from the SDE for its new stand-alone Career and Technical Education (CTE) High School, the Baldwin Preparatory Academy, with an expected opening before the 2024-2025 school year.

Through an innovation waiver, a local school board may request flexibility on certain provisions of the state report card which must be approved by the State Superintendent of Education. This does not impact any component of the federal report card. SDE has been working with the Baldwin County Board of Education on implementation details, and Mackey noted three other school systems have approached the SDE about this unique CTE High School model. The students will spend the full school day at the CTE High School, and do not transfer to or from their "home" high school as they do under the current traditional model. More than 700 high school students have pre-enrolled for the Baldwin Preparatory Academy.

Work Session

State Course of Study Updates: Geneva City Schools Superintendent Ron Snell, chair of the Social Studies Course of Study Committee, and Talladega City Schools Superintendent Quentin Lee, chair of the Arts Education Course of Study Committee, provided updates to the board on each committee's work. Snell noted the strong collaborative effort between the Social Studies Committee and the Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI), saying "social studies education strengthens and supports Alabama's literacy efforts." The 2024 Course of Study drafts will be available for review in August with a final draft to the SBOE in November and a board vote in December 2024.

ESSER, Budget and Legislative Updates: Mackey spoke extensively on the looming financial deadline for federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds, which expire in September 2024. Alabama received approximately $2 billion in this last round of relief funds. He will provide additional information at the AASB Summer Conference on Sunday, June 30 in his state superintendent update. Both positions and programs will be cut because of the expiring federal relief funds. "We have around 3,000-4,000 more public school employees than we had in the 2019-2020 school year, but with 20,000 fewer students, and this isn't sustainable," Mackey said. This should not be a surprise to Alabama's school systems, Mackey noted, as the state has been preparing for a fiscal step-down of these funds over the last four years. SBOE Member Stephanie Bell (District 3) requested this be communicated to parents so they understand why programming and positions are being cut, and how they can prepare for it.

Mackey also said Education Trust Fund (ETF) revenues are now in decline, for the first time in several years, and noted this will impact SDE budget requests and priority items such as funding more Assistant Principals.

Two specific pieces of enacted legislation were discussed, the Teachers' Bill of Rights (Act 2024-409) and Assistant Principal Duties (Act 2024-296). AASB has been asked to draft model policy for the SBOE on the Teachers' Bill of Rights Act.

Commendations

• Resolution of Distinguished Recognition of Russell County High School, Russell County School System, as the 2023-2024 American College Application Campaign School of Excellence, State School Board District 2
• Resolution Commending Mr. Danny Higdon, Tuscaloosa County School System, as Recipient of the 2024 Robert L. Morton Award
  - Mackey presented this award recognizing an outstanding Chief School Financial Officer (CSFO) at the annual Alabama Association of School Business Officers (AASBO) Conference on May 1.
• Resolution Honoring Glenwood for 50 Years of Service -- Glenwood was the first organization in the state to provide Autism services
  - Glenwood currently provides services to more than 6,000 children with disabilities and their families, specifically those with complex medical and emotional needs. For information about eligibility for services or programming, please contact Ms. DaLee Chambers with the SDE at daleec@alsde.edu.

Next SBOE Meeting & Work Session

The board’s next meeting will take place Tuesday, July 9 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