The State Board of Education received its first look at the Alabama Department of Education’s consolidated plan for instructional supports during the board work session Thursday (view PPT presentation). 

The “Blueprint for Achievement” is guided by the State ESSA plan and the ALSDE’s strategic plan, Alabama Achieves, combining a vision, action plan, resources and other information for the six ALSDE offices directly involved in school improvement:

• Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative (AMSTI)
• Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI)
• ALSDE EdTechnology
• ALSDE Professional Learning
• Office of Math Improvement
• Office of School Improvement

In recent months, lawmakers have expressed a desire for the SBOE to better communicate the department’s work to address low-performing schools. Board members have shared concerns that a lack of information from the department has invited lawmakers to pass several pieces of education legislation. The consolidated plan is the department’s effort to provide clear information in one place about what is being done to improve student outcomes and to support low-performing schools. 

The comprehensive plan also includes information on the five school turnaround pillars used to determine the level of support schools receive. The pillars are based the requirements of various federal and state initiatives and laws: 

• Comprehensive Support Schools (CSI), federally mandated by ESSA - 60 schools in 2018, 50 schools in 2022
• Governor’s Turnaround Initiative - 15 schools identified in 2022
• Alabama Literacy Act - 52 schools and three feeder patterns in 2019, 40 schools and feeder patterns in 2022
• Alabama Numeracy Act - 19 full support schools, 64 limited support schools in 2023
• Alabama Accountability Act – 75 schools in 2020, 79 schools in 2023

Board members commended department staff for the information providing the “what” in the comprehensive plan, but stressed more information still is needed to outline the “how” regarding monitoring and determining effectiveness. 

The full “Blueprint for Achievement” plan is available for educators and the public to view online. 

Praxis Score Requirement Change Nets Fewer Teachers than Expected

The work session also included an update from department staff about the numbers to date of teachers taking advantage of the -1 SEM Praxis score requirement, a two-year pilot program the board approved in July 2022 in response to teacher shortages. The board resolution provided a pathway for teacher candidates scoring within -1 standard measure of measurement (SEM) on the Praxis to become certified. 

At the time, the board was told the change could lead to hundreds of teachers becoming available for certification; however, current numbers are only a fraction of that estimate:

• Out of 3,148 teaching certificates awarded through completion of a program at a college or university, 56 resulted from the -1 SEM option. 
• Out of the 129 teaching certificates issued from provisional or emergency certificates, 9 resulted from use of the -1 SEM option. 

State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey said most institutions chose not to take advantage of the -1 SEM option, and many teachers chose to take the test again to achieve a higher score. 

Board members debated the merits of the pilot program, with Stephanie Bell (District 3) using an analogy to explain her opposition. 

“If you can’t pass (the Bar), you can’t practice law. This sends the message that we are going to lower the bar,” she said, adding that the highest-need schools benefit from the best teachers.  

Board Vice President Dr. Wayne Reynolds (District 8) disagreed, stating, “You can’t infer that the highest score makes the best teacher.” 

Dr. Tonya Chestnut (District 5) reiterated her belief that the way to attract more teachers to high-need areas such as the schools she represents in Alabama’s Black Belt is to offer incentives that are competitive with those in high-performing areas. 

The board will receive another update on the number of teachers taking advantage of the -1 SEM option in August, which will include spring 2023 graduates. 

Congratulations to Alabama’s New Teacher of the Year!

Thursday’s Board Meeting featured recognition of Alabama’s Teacher of the Year finalists, including 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year Jeffery L. Norris of Oak Mountain Middle School (Shelby County) and Alternate Teacher of the Year Kevin Pughsley of Berry Middle School (Hoover City Schools). 

Other recognitions included Green Ribbon Schools awards, ESEA Distinguished Schools and Legislative School Performance Program awards. 

Board Action

The board also approved resolutions to:

• Authorize review of educator preparation programs, Faulkner University
• Modify certain passing scores as a precondition for initial certification and program admission
• Appoint the 2023-2024 State Textbook Committee for Career and Technical Education Clusters: Cosmetology and Barbering; Education and Training; and Hospitality and Tourism

Next State Board of Education Meeting

The next meeting of the Alabama State Board of Education will take place June 8 at 10 a.m. in Montgomery, with a work session immediately following.