The State Board of Education held a comprehensive discussion Thursday on a final report from the Barksdale Reading Institute examining coursework alignment with the Science of Reading for 25 Alabama teacher education programs. Barksdale was contracted in 2020 to provide an external review of the nine-hour required sequence of early literacy courses in Alabama’s educator preparation programs. The purpose of the review was to ensure that these reading courses are aligned with the Science of Reading (SOR) and the intent of the Alabama Literacy Act #2019-523 (ALA). 

Barksdale Reading Institute representative, Dr. Kelley Butler, presented nine takeaways to the board, with most of the discussion centering around the first two: 

Takeaway #1: Alignment to Science of Reading (SOR) 

• 23% of courses are fully aligned with SOR and evidence-based practices. 
• 16% are not aligned at all. 
• 51% of courses are inconsistent in alignment to SOR, reflecting a confusing mix of SOR and non-SOR practices. However, it is clear there is growing awareness of what is meant by the Science of Reading and reviewers conclude that Alabama Educator Prep Programs are moving in the right direction. 
• 10% of programs provided insufficient information to determine alignment.

Takeaway #2: Textbooks 

• Out of 93 textbooks reviewed, 63% were identified as either fairly aligned, minimally aligned or not aligned.
• Courses most aligned to SOR adhere to a handful of SOR-aligned textbooks. 

State Representatives Terri Collins, who sponsored the Alabama Literacy Act, and Alan Baker, along with many college deans attended the board work session to hear the report.  

Praxis Results

State Board Vice President Dr. Wayne Reynolds (District 8) opened the work session discussion with concern over a recent Alabama Commission on the Evaluation of Services (ACES) report which indicated six out of 14 public universities in Alabama have a first-time pass rate above 50% for elementary praxis test takers. Board members requested more information about how these numbers could be so low. State Superintendent of Education Dr. Eric Mackey attempted to address board member concerns, calling on ALSDE Assessment Coordinator Dr. Deanise Peacock to provide further information and analysis. 

Peacock explained prospective elementary teachers must take the multi-subject Praxis assessment  – math, science, English language arts and history – and if they pass all four assessments, they are included in the first-time Praxis pass rate. Conversely, if a teacher candidate fails just one assessment, they are excluded from the first-time pass rate. Peacock said subject area first-attempt pass rates are 10-15 points higher than the overall passage rate of all four assessments at 53%. Stephanie Bell (District 3) said the state must do better. 

Legislative Priorities

ALSDE legislative staff members Jessica Sanders and Connor Johnson presented the SBOE legislative priorities and bills that may return in the 2023 legislative session, including the First-Grade Readiness bill and Alabama Credential Quality and Transparency Act. Sanders reminded board members most of their priorities are illustrated in the FY24 budget request with an emphasis on the classroom, including lowering divisors to increase the number of teachers at the middle school level as well as increasing the number of assistant principals and school counselors. 

CCR Graduation Requirement

Mackey provided the board with another opportunity to discuss College and Career Readiness Indicator as a graduation requirement, saying it was a “significant enough topic” to continue the discussion. Mackey said he has fielded questions from superintendents on system-specific plans to address the requirement, but overall feels positive about moving forward with the requirement. He also suggested school systems can take full advantage of ALSDE CCR Grants available to get programs off the ground. Grants can go toward equipment up to $50,000 and can be used to fund a teacher unit for one year to start a program. Mackey emphasized to board members that funding is not intended to sustain the program but simply to help get it started. Supported by Gov. Kay Ivey, the proposed rule is open for public comment for 45 days with a vote expected in November.  

Board Meeting Action 

• Approved the FY24 Foundation Program Appropriation Budget Request, which includes a $25 million dollar increase for career technical education grants in support of the proposed CCR graduation requirement. 
• Approved resolutions honoring Alabama’s 2022 School Principals of the Year recipients: Bridgett Stewart, Piedmont Elementary, Piedmont City School System; Dr. Larry Haynes, Oak Mountain Middle School, Shelby County School System; Kyle Futral, Holtville High School, Elmore County School System  
• Approved resolutions honoring Alabama’s 2022 Assistant Principals of the Year recipients:  Dr. Andrea Datson, Riverton Elementary School, Madison County School System; Dr. Ashley Bowling, Florence Middle School, Florence City School System  
• Approved resolution honoring Alabama’s 2022 History Teacher of the Year: Caitlin Halperin, Auburn High School, Auburn City School System 
• Approved resolution recognizing October as Dyslexia Awareness Month 
• Approved resolution proclaiming October as Manufacturing Month 
• Approved resolution recognizing October 10-14 as School Lunch Week in Alabama Schools 
• Approved a resolution endorsing October 17-21 as Alabama’s School Bus Safety Week

Next SBOE Meeting  

The board’s next meeting will take place on November 10, 2022, at 10 a.m. in Montgomery with a work session immediately following.