The Praxis content knowledge assessment could be suspended for teacher candidates completing an Alabama educator preparation program in a teaching field should the State Board of Education accept the recommendation of a teacher certification work group. 

College of education students seeking initial certification in secondary education would instead be required to take the Educator Teacher Performance Assessment (EdTPA), with the Praxis content knowledge assessment only being offered in areas where the EdTPA is unavailable. Those seeking certification in early childhood, elementary education and collaborate special education (K-6) would be required to take the EdTPA and the Pearson Foundations of Reading 190 assessment, a test aligned to the science of reading and required by the Alabama Literacy Act.

The work group also recommended suspending the EdTPA or PLT performance assessments for those completing alternative certification routes requiring at least one year of teaching experience. Those teacher candidates would be required to demonstrate content knowledge through the Praxis assessment or official transcript confirming an academic major or equivalent in the specific teaching field. 

Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) Administrator Dr. Deanise Peacock and Perry County Schools Superintendent Dr. Marcia Smiley explained how the recommendations would help alleviate the teacher shortage by increasing the candidate pool. 

Stephanie Bell (District 3) said that while we need more teachers, quality is crucial. She questioned if the changes to teacher testing requirements would lead to unqualified personnel in the classroom. Representatives from higher ed who served on the work group explained the Praxis has often been a barrier to those entering the teaching field and has not been a reliable predictor of whether candidates would be better teachers. 

Board members asked questions about teacher retention recommendations; however, Mackey informed them a separate work group will be developed to work on that issue separately. 

Peacock also updated the board on setting cut scores for the Foundations of Reading 190 assessment at 233 out of 300, one standard deviation below the national benchmark of 240. 

The board also discussed a resolution approving an addendum to State Textbook Committee recommendations for English/Language Arts (grades 4-12). Mackey explained one supplemental material was mistakenly left off the list the board approved last month. 

In Other Work Session News

Other discussion included:

• ELL Students and School Report Cards: SB170 (Orr) would exclude test scores of English Language Learner students from school report card grades for five years after the student enters school. Should that bill become law, Mackey explained the department would have to produce two report cards to maintain compliance with both state and federal law, which would come at an additional cost more than $500,000.  
• Online Certification Portal: The department’s new online teacher certification portal currently is in the testing phase. While feedback from users has been positive, staff continue to troubleshoot issues uncovered as part of the testing. 
• Teacher Observation Tool: The Alabama Teacher Growth Program (formerly the Alabama Teacher Observation Program), a new web-based observation tool that focuses on teacher professional growth, is now in the testing phase with implementation scheduled to begin in Fall 2022. The new tool will make it easier for administrators to conduct the annual teacher observations now required under federal law. 
• Ed Prep Program Evaluations: A contract with the Barksdale Institute to evaluate how well Alabama colleges of education are preparing pre-service teachers on the science of reading has been extended. The initial deadline was March 31; however, pandemic-related staffing and scheduling issues have caused delays, and the board will receive a report on the findings later this year. 

Board Meeting Updates

The State Board of Education’s brief meeting preceding the work session featured a special visit from Alabama’s Literacy mascot, “Short the Squirrel,” following an update on last week’s Read Across America activities. The mascot now is available to communities statewide to help promote literacy.

Other board meeting news included:

• Unanimous board approval of a resolution extending approval of a Class B Visual Arts educator preparation program at Spring Hill College; and
• Announcement of the board’s intent to adopt a change to the Alabama Administrative Code related to student health services and training of school personnel authorized to administer emergency seizure medication.  

Next SBOE Meeting

The Alabama State Board of Education will hold its annual retreat March 30, and its next regular meeting will take place April 14 at 10 a.m. in Montgomery, with a work session immediately following.