Alabama Department of Education wants to boost literacy in later grades
Jemma Stephenson, Alabama Reflector Having spent years focusing on reading skills for early elementary school students, the Alabama State Board of Education is seeking funds to boost literacy after third grade. The State Board of Education on Oct. 12 approved a budget request for “struggling readers beyond grade 3” for $22 million. Last year, the Board had requested $3 million but did not receive any funding for the program. State Superintendent Eric Mackey said during the September work session that the earlier program had been a small one for a small number of students. The rest of the board members wanted to see something larger. The $22 million would go to professional training for teachers. Mackey said in a phone interview they’ve heard from superintendents that they want an equivalent professional development for teaching literacy for teachers from fourth to sixth grade, like kindergarten through third grade under the Literacy Act. “Some of them are already doing it but this would give us a chance to really expand that,” he said. The Alabama Literacy Act, passed In 2019, aimed to get all students reading on grade level by the end of third grade and boost overall literacy scores in the state. The bill provides funding for teaching training and reading coaches to ensure students master reading. Students that are not reading at grade level by the end of third grade could be held back a year. At the September work session, Mackey said that the department need funding for readers beyond third grade because the law states that Alabama Reading Initiative funds cannot be used beyond that point. But students don’t stop struggling with reading after third grade. Vicky Askew, a reading specialist with Tallapoosa County Schools, said that continuing reading instruction past the third grade is important. She said that some students in her system are getting reading intervention in fourth and fifth grade, if they have enough instructors who work with at-risk students in learning literacy. “I feel like they need it because we can’t just say, ‘Oh, they’re in fourth grade: Good luck,’” she said. House Ways and Means Education chair Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, said he was not familiar with the specific request in the board’s budget, but he supports literacy. “Reading is a priority for the Department of Education and also for the Legislature,” he said. Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, the chair of the House Education Policy committee and the sponsor of the Literacy Act, said Tuesday she has not looked into what exactly the board is asking for, but she said she was happy to hear about the request. “I think that we will see a large group in summer school this year which is one of the ways to go ahead and move towards promotion, which is what we want for all of the students but we want to make sure that they’re reading,” she said. Collins said that having teachers know how to teach the science of reading, a body of research about learning literacy, is a good thing. In the National Assessment of Education Progress, or the “nation’s report card,” scores released in 2022, Alabama improved relative to many other states due to learning loss in other states. Alabama’s own scores were relatively stagnant and remained below average. NAEP proficiency is not equivalent to Alabama grade level. Mackey told the Montgomery Advertiser in 2022 that the department had been focused on elementary grade level scores for a while, and middle school had not received as much attention. Mackey said this funding is part of a focus on the middle school years. He said the Numeracy Act, which focuses on math improvement, looks at grades kindergarten through eighth grade. The Literacy Act, he said, also discusses intermediate years. “It’s just that it’s not funded, so we’re asking for some funding,” he said. The education budget is first reviewed by the governor, who will make a funding request to the Legislature when the Legislature returns for its regular session in February. Mackey said he doesn’t know what the grand total for the Education Trust Fund will be. He said that their roughly $6.2 billion request, which is just for kindergarten through twelfth grade, is probably more than will be allotted. Higher education funding also comes from the Education Trust Fund but is not included in the department’s request. Later, he said, the department will work with executive offices on a real budget number to identify priorities and how funding is allocated. Mackey said their role is identifying needs in schools, not balancing the budget. “So we’ve identified needs, and we’ve asked for a lot,” he said. Alabama Reflector is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Alabama Reflector maintains editorial independence. Follow Alabama Reflector on Facebook and Twitter.
State Legislators updated on the progress of the Numeracy Act
On Tuesday, members of the House Ways and Means Education Committee and the House Education Policy Committee held a joint meeting where they received an update from the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) on the progress of implementing the changes in elementary math education that the Legislature ordered during the passage of the Numeracy Act. Dr. Karen Anderson is the director of ALSDE’s Office of Mathematics Improvement (OMI). She previously worked with ALSDE’s Office of School Improvement. “We are gearing up to prepare for NAEP in 2024,” Dr. Anderson said. “We are hoping to gain and improve on our stance when NAEP is given (in 2024).” Anderson said the goal is to ensure third-grade elementary students are at or above grade level in math. “An elementary school teacher should not engage in any practice that minimizes sense making and understanding of mathematics concepts,” Anderson said. “When a student is identified as having a deficiency in math, immediate action is taken,” Anderson said of the new teaching standards for math. Anderson said that the LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) program used to improve reading performance is excellent, but “we are still searching for that equivalence in math.” Anderson said it establishes elementary and postsecondary mathematics task forces and provides mathematics coaches and training. Anderson said her office has had difficulty finding vendors for their new program. “We put out an RFP (request for proposal) for a fractional reasoning screener, and we got no response,” Anderson said. “Two companies said that they would develop one for us.” The Office of Mathematics Improvement has released another RFP seeking a qualified vendor. Anderson said the act also establishes the Alabama Mathematics Summer Achievement Program. “There are 18 OMI regional coordinators,” Anderson said. “Coordinators are assigned where the need is greatest.” Anderson said that currently, OMI has 83 schools receiving full and limited support. “The numeracy act provides very specific instruction for what instruction looks like in the classroom,” Anderson said. Specifically, that means there will be 60 minutes of instruction for Tier 1. “Math is not just a sit-and-get strategy,” Anderson said. “There is a real focus on classroom discourse and problem-solving. It should not be 100% sit and get.” “Immediate intervention is to be received if a math deficiency is identified,” Anderson said. “They are immediately provided with multi-tiered support.” Anderson said that she often hears folks say that they simply don’t like math. “That has really upset me,” Anderson said. “I am appalled to hear that.” Anderson said that some parents say, “I can’t do math. My father could not do math, and my son probably will not be able to do math.” Anderson said that OMI is “working to change that (mindset). Everyone can learn math.” “This is the first year that every student identified with a mathematical deficiency was invited to attend a math camp,” Anderson continued. “Thank you for providing that funding.” “Grades K-3 should have their mathematics embedded in their reading instruction,” Anderson explained. Anderson extolled the benefits of the Fun Zone program. “Fun Zone is comprised of 8 different tasks,” Anderson said. “We have trained more than 800 teachers in Fun Zone. Those that implemented Fun Zone as it was designed to be used saw improvement across the board.” “Thank you for the funding of math coaches,” Anderson said. “205 schools in all 11 regions will have math coaches. Math coaches trained by AMSTI. The Alabama coaching framework is foundational to all of the training.” “There are a number of external partnerships that we are working on,” Anderson explained. “174 areas require data under the Alabama Numeracy Act.” “We have gone across the state to provide professional development,” Anderson added, “Regional coordinators have been invited to provide a framework for what is in the law.” Anderson said there will be repercussions for schools not achieving the ALSDE goals. “If not successful after four years, even more strict consequences will be imposed,” Anderson said. “By fall of 2027, all K-5 schools will have a math coach in the school.” The House Ways and Means Education Committee is chaired by State Rep. Danny Garrett (R-Trussville). “We have to make sure that we are implementing the Numeracy Act,” Garrett said. “How is the task force functioning? Is there any areas of dissension or disagreement that we should be aware of?” Anderson replied, “No. We do have very spirited conversations, but I find those spirited conversations very uplifting.” “I have heard from people who were against the Numeracy Act to begin with who are concerned with how things are going,” Garrett said. “There is always a lot of Monday morning quarterbacking,” Anderson said. “Things are not going as quickly as I would have liked. We are getting things recommended as quickly as we can.” Anderson said that she has issued an RFP for intervention materials. “Twelve vendors have submitted packages,” said Anderson. “Are you comfortable then that there is the urgency that we seek? At this point, what do you look at to see if we are on track?” Garrett asked. “I don’t have a lot of data,” Anderson said. “The coordinators just came on in January. They have been working on building relationships.” “Is the state department ready for (school) interventions in 2025?” Garrett asked. “If we were expected now, we are not ready, but we are on track to be ready,” Anderson said. “I think we have a very good law and a very good plan,” said Garrett. Rep. Terri Collins (R-Decatur) asked about the tools available to implement the plan. “NUMBERS is not even close to LETRS,” Anderson said. Collins asked about OGAP (Ongoing Assessment Project. “OGAP is pretty sophisticated training,” Anderson said. “We have many teachers working on emergency certificates. We need to make sure that teachers have the proper pedagogy to be ready for OGAP.” “We have got ongoing meetings with our IT team,” Anderson said. “We are building structures as we need them.” Many legislators were at the Southern Legislative Conference (SLC) in Charleston, South Carolina, last week. Rep. Allen Baker (R-Brewton) said, “For those who weren’t present at SLC, Dr. Anderson- she is
Gov. Kay Ivey signs school choice bills into law
When the State Legislature left town for the year on Tuesday, they left a lot of bills on the desk for Governor Kay Ivey to consider. Ivey signed into law a handful of bills on Thursday that she says deliver on her promises and will benefit Alabamians now and in the future. During the governor’s inaugural and state of the state addresses, Ivey promised that more parents in Alabama emphasized the importance of improving school choice in Alabama. Ivey said that those efforts must begin with improving the school choices that Alabama already has: Public charter schools and the Alabama Accountability Act scholarship program. The Legislature responded by passing both House Bill 363 and Senate Bill 263. Upon signing those bills in her office earlier today, the governor then issued the following comment: “While some parents in other states are finding themselves being forced aside, here in Alabama, we believe strongly that a parent should be able to decide what is best for their own child’s education. To help support high-quality education and create more choices for parents, I have prioritized improving school choice. Both HB363 and SB263 will certainly help us make progress, and the bill sponsors, Representative Terri Collins and Senators Donnie Chesteen and Will Barfoot did yeomen’s work in getting this needed legislation across the finish line. I am proud to put my signature on these two bills so that more students have an opportunity for a strong educational experience.” SB263 is an expansion of the landmark 2013 Alabama Accountability Act, which created a mechanism for scholarship granting organizations to award scholarships for students in Alabama’s most dreadful public schools. Chesteen said that in the old bill, students from just 79 failing schools can apply for scholarships to leave their failing schools. This will open it up to students from a school with a D or an F on its report card – 212 schools. SB263 would open up to 25% of the scholarships for students who live outside of those targeted D and F-scoring schools if they meet the poverty thresholds. It also raises the poverty thresholds for children to be eligible for the scholarships and changes the name the state uses for its most dreadfully performing schools from failing schools to priority schools. Collins explained that HB363, the Alabama School Choice and Student Opportunity Act, changes the appointment process for the Alabama Public Charter School Commission; authorizes the Commission to hire staff; requires commissioners to receive annual training; provides additional guidelines for the authorizing and application review process; provides further for the operational and categorical funding of public charter schools in their first year of operation; and clarifies the per pupil federal, state, and local funding of conversion public charter schools during their first year of operation. “All charter schools are public schools,” explained Rep. Collins. “We have three conversion schools in Montgomery, Mobile, West Alabama, Birmingham has a few, Fairfield, and there are a couple more in Montgomery.” The current law allows a public school system to convert an existing public school into a charter school. It also allows nonprofit groups that recognize a need to take their own funds to build and operate a charter school and apply for permission from the local school authorities to open a charter school. If that application is denied, that organization may submit its request to the Alabama Public Charter School Commission for review. Governor Ivey also successfully championed funding charter schools in addition to this needed legislation. A much more vigorous expansion of school choice – the PRICE Act – was never considered on the floor of either House. SB202/HB295 was carried by Sen. Larry Stutts (R-Sheffield) and Rep. Ernie Yarborough (R-Hartselle). It would have allowed education dollars to follow the child and was not limited to just poor children or children zoned to the worst schools in the state. It was not regulated by a state commission as to whether an alternative was needed or not. Every child in the state would have been given $6,900 in an education savings account that could have followed the child to another public school, a private school, a church school, or even to cover the expenses of home school. That legislation was strongly opposed by the Alabama Education Association (AEA) and the Alabama School Superintendents. Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) told reporters moments after the regular session ended on Tuesday that more school choice bills will likely be passed in future legislative sessions. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Lawmakers approve expansion of private school scholarship program
Alabama lawmakers approved on Wednesday an expansion of a scholarship program aimed at helping low- and moderate-income students attend private schools. The House of Representatives voted 75-22 for the bill that would expand income eligibility and make other changes to increase the number of students participating in the program. The measure now goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. The bill advanced as Republicans across the country have championed various forms of so-called “school choice” legislation, ranging from vouchers to scholarship programs, to provide public support for private school or other alternative school options. “More children will have access to it,” Republican Rep. Terri Collins, of Decatur, said of the legislation during debate. Republican Sen. Donnie Chesteen, the bill’s sponsor, estimated last week that the number of students participating in the program could increase from about 3,000 to 4,400 with the changes. The existing program, known as the Alabama Accountability Act, gives tax credits for donations to organizations that provide the scholarships. Scholarship priority is given to students zoned to attend schools labeled as “failing” because they are in the lowest 6% of test scores. It also gives tax credits to help families transfer out of schools that have been designated as “failing.” The approved legislation raises the income cap for new scholarships from $55,500 for a family of four to $75,000. It expands eligibility to also include students with Individualized Education Programs because of a diagnosed learning disability or other condition. The bill raises the maximum scholarship to $10,000 per student. It would also provide more money for the program by gradually raising the annual cap on the tax credits from $30 million to $40 million and eventually up to $60 million. It would also do away with the label of “failing” school and replace it with “priority” schools. Schools would be given that label based on receiving a D or F on state report cards instead of just test scores. Republicans created the Alabama Accountability Act in 2013, pushing through the bill via conference committee during a chaotic legislative night. “I always have a bad taste in my mouth about this bill,” Democratic Rep. Laura Hall, of Huntsville said. Republished with the permission of The Associated Press.
Alabama House to consider ambitious special-order calendar on Wednesday
The Alabama House of Representatives will meet on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. to consider a very ambitious proposed special-order calendar. Senate Bill 206 (SB206) is sponsored by State Senator Clyde Chambliss (R-Prattville). It is being carried on the floor by State Representative Allen Treadaway (R-Morris). SB206 creates the crime of organized retail theft and turns what used to be misdemeanor shoplifting into a felony. Senate Bill 261 (SB261) is sponsored by Sen. Dan Roberts (R-Mountain Brook). It is carried in the House by Rep. Chip Brown (R-Hollinger’s Island). The anti-ESG legislation would prohibit state and local governments from entering into certain contracts that boycott businesses in certain sectors or based on certain environmental or corporate governance criteria. Senate Bill 279 (SB279) is sponsored by Sen. Randy Price (R-Opelika) and carried in the House by Rep. Matt Woods (R-Jasper). SB279 deals with elected county superintendents of education. Under existing law, the salary for an elected county superintendent of education is required to be set by the county board of education before the beginning of the term of office. This bill would remove that requirement retroactive to July 1, 2021. Senate Bill 94 (SB94) is sponsored by Sen. April Weaver (R-Briarfield) and is carried in the House by Rep. Corley Ellis (R-Columbiana). SB94 would move the Shelby County juvenile probation services and probation officers into the state court system. Senate Bill 99 (SB99) is sponsored by Sen. Sam Givhan (R-Huntsville) and carried in the House by Rep. Prince Chestnut (D-Selma). SB99 would increase the mileage reimbursement rate received by jurors Senate Bill 56 (SB56) is sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) and carried in the House by Rep. Allen Baker (R-Brewton). SB56 would require the use of video cameras in certain special education classrooms. Allen is bringing a substitute version of the bill. Senate Bill 292 (SB292) is sponsored by Sen. Roberts and carried by Rep. Joe Lovvorn (R-Auburn). SB292 would provide for the Department of Revenue to grant certificates of exemption from sales and use taxes to contractors and subcontractors licensed by the State Licensing Board for General Contractors for the purchase of building materials and construction materials to be used in the construction of a project for an entity that is exempt by law from paying sales and use taxes. Senate Bill 223 (SB223) is sponsored by Sen. Vivian Figures (D-Mobile) and carried in the House by Rep. Matt Simpson (R-Daphne) would include a child witness in the definition of “a physical offense, sexual offense, or violent offense” for the purpose of the Child Physical and Sexual Abuse Victim Protection Act. Senate Bill 309 (SB309) is sponsored by Sen. Chambliss and carried by Rep. Wood in the House. SB309 is related to contracts for professional services to provide for the procurement of certain professional service contracts based on competitive, qualification-based policies and procedures, as well as to provide for the advertisement of such contracts; and to subject such contracts to a fee schedule established by the Division of Construction Management of the Department of Finance. Senate Bill 198 (SB198) is sponsored by Sen. Orr and carried in the House by Rep. Cynthia Almond (R-Tuscaloosa). It would add additional offenses that would be subject to the presumptive sentencing guidelines; to modify the criminal penalties for criminal solicitation, attempt, and criminal conspiracy; to give a judge discretion when sentencing a person convicted of a Class C or Class D felony offense. Senate Bill 184 (SB184) is sponsored by Sen. Greg Albritton (R-Atmore) and carried in the House by Rep. Kyle South (R-Fayette). SB184 would authorize the Department of Corrections to expend funds for the recruitment and training of law enforcement officers and to further the mission of the department. South will introduce a substitute version of the bill. Senate Bill 224 (SB224) is sponsored by Sen. Figures and carried in the House by Rep. Simpson. It provides for the age of a child for the crime of transmitting obscene material to a child by computer, to establish jurisdiction for a violation of distributing a private image, and further provides for the crime of incest. Senate Bill 281 (SB281) is sponsored by Sen. Albritton and carried by Rep. Margie Wilcox (R-Mobile). SB281 creates a new distinctive license plate to benefit the USS Alabama Battleship Commission. Senate Bill 285 (SB285) is sponsored by Sen. Jones and carried in the House by Rep. Terri Collins (R-Decatur).SB285 will allow nonprofit organizations to host wine festivals. Senate Bill 176 (SB176) is sponsored by Sen Orr and carried by Rep. Collins. SB176 is the Student Right to Know Act of 2023. It requires the Alabama Commission on Higher Education to collect and make available online data for students to plan for their educational and professional futures; and for the Workforce Division of the Department of Commerce to share data and information with ACHE. Senate Bill 192 (SB192) is sponsored by Sen. Albritton and is carried in the House by Rep. Donna Givens (R-Loxley). SB192 would allow private corporations to limit access to industrial facilities and that industrial access roads to continue to be maintained as a public corporation. Senate Bill 263 (SB263) is sponsored by Sen. Donnie Chesteen (R-Dothan) and carried in the House by Rep. Terri Collins (R-Decatur). SB263 makes changes to the Alabama Accountability Act of 2013. It revises the law to change the term failing school to priority school and nonfailing to qualifying school to make other changes. Senate Bill 258 (SB258) is sponsored by Sen. Andrew Jones (R-Centre). It deals with nonprofit corporations that provide water services to the public authorizing a one-time audit by the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts. There is a substitute version of this bill. Senate Bill 103 (SB103) is sponsored by Sen. Orr: and carried by Rep. Almond. It would require the Alabama Ethics Commission to provide exonerating evidence to persons accused of ethics wrongdoing. Almond will introduce a substitute. Senate Bill 76 (SB76) is sponsored by Sen. Will Barfoot (R-Pike Road). It is carried in the House by Rep. Lovvorn. SB76 establishes the Rural Logging Support Act, funding supporting rural economic Development. Wednesday will be Day 28 of the 2023 Alabama Regular Legislative Session. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Alabama House committee advances bill to cut half of state’s 4% sales tax on groceries
Alabama lawmakers on Wednesday advanced legislation to remove half of the state’s 4% sale tax on food, a proposal that has garnered wide bipartisan support among lawmakers this year. The House Ways and Means Education Committee approved the tax cut as part of an appropriations package that also included a nearly $9 billion education trust fund budget, the creation of a new state savings account, and a one-time tax rebate of $210 per tax person. The bills now move to the full House of Representatives. Alabama is one of only three states that tax groceries at the same rate as other purchases. Removing the tax has been unsuccessfully proposed for decades in Montgomery, but has finally gained traction this year in the face of the budget surplus and soaring food prices. The proposed legislation would gradually remove the tax, provided there is enough growth in tax collections to offset the revenue loss, until the tax drops to 2%. Proponents said reducing the tax would help Alabamians every time they walk in the grocery store. “Untaxing groceries has long been at the top of the list to help regular, everyday working-class folks who spend a disproportionate amount of our income on sales taxes like groceries,” Robyn Hyden of Alabama Arise, an organization that lobbies for policies benefiting low-income families, told the committee. Almost every member of the Alabama Legislature is in support of the proposal. All 35 state senators and 100 of the 105 representatives have signed on as sponsors of the initial legislation. But some groups, including the organization that lobbies for teachers and public school employees, expressed concern about a loss of revenue for the state education budget. The 4% tax provides $608 million annually to the state, according to estimates from the Legislative Services Agency. Allison King of the Alabama Education Association told the committee the state’s budget surplus is temporary. “AEA is not against cutting grocery taxes, but we are against cutting grocery taxes without an equally reliable funding source to replenish the lost revenue,” King said. King said while Alabama is one of the few states to fully tax groceries, most other states have higher property taxes or other revenue sources to fund education. In the wake of a record education budget surplus, legislative leaders said, they are trying to strike a balance between spending, tax breaks and and saving. The committee also approved an $8.8 billion education trust fund budget that includes a 2% pay raises for public K-12 education employees. The House committee on Wednesday also increased the amount of proposed one-time tax rebates. The committee approved rebates of $210 per taxpayer and $420 for married couples. That is double the size of the rebates approved by the Senate. Lawmakers are also proposing to steer nearly $300 million to a new savings account called the Educational Opportunities Reserve Fund, which could be tapped during a revenue shortfall or to address education needs as they arise. “All of this extraordinary revenue is going to run out eventually … so having a little reserve, and extra places where we have put money away that we could slide into those low points, is very, very wise,” said Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur. Republished with the permission of The Associated Press.
Bills expanding school choice options advance in Legislature
Bills to increase school choices for parents are still being considered by Alabama state legislators as time remaining in the 2023 Alabama Regular Legislative Session is starting to become an issue. There is growing support for giving parents options on where their children are educated. Now how to do that without harming the existing legacy public school systems is an issue that the Alabama Legislature is presently grappling with. House Bill 363 (HB363) is sponsored by State Rep. Terri Collins. HB363 passed the Alabama House of Representatives on a 76 to 25 vote on May 11. Since then, the charter schools legislation has been referred to the Senate Education Policy Committee. HB363 is on the committee agenda for Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. in the Finance and Taxation Room on floor eight of the Alabama Statehouse. The Alabama School Choice and Student Opportunity Act changes the appointment process for the Alabama Public Charter School Commission; authorizes the Commission to hire staff; requires commissioners to receive annual training; provides additional guidelines for the authorizing and application review process; provides further for the operational and categorical funding of public charter schools in their first year of operation; and clarifies the per pupil federal, state, and local funding of conversion public charter schools during their first year of operation. “All charter schools are public schools,” explained Rep. Collins. “We have three conversion schools in Montgomery, Mobile, west Alabama, Birmingham has a few, Fairfield, and there are a couple more in Montgomery.” The current law allows a public school system to convert an existing public school into a charter school. It also allows nonprofit groups that recognize a need to take their own funds to build and operate a charter school and apply for permission from the local school authorities to open a charter school. If that application is denied, then that organization may submit its request to the Alabama Public Charter School Commission. Senate Bill 202 (SB202) is sponsored by State Senator Larry Stutts. The Parental Rights In Children’s Education (PRICE) Act for K-12 education “would secure the fundamental constitutional rights of parents to direct the education of their children according to their religious faith, beliefs, values, and morals. This bill would create and provide for the PRICE Program and would establish a three-year phase-in period.” It establishes a Parent Advisory Board and “would provide for the funding of the PRICE ESA Fund and the PRICE Administration Fund for the costs of administering the PRICE Program.” The bill would also provide for implementing and administrating the PRICE Program and using education savings accounts. It would specify the qualified expenses that can be paid from an education savings account. The bill would give parents $6,900 to put into an Education Savings Account that the parents could use at a public school, a public charter school, a private school, or a religious school. SB202 spent three weeks in Senate Committees; but received a favorable report on May 17. The program cost was capped at $50 million in the substitute that passed the committee. SB202 could be considered by the full Senate as early as Tuesday. House Bill 295 (HB295) is sponsored by Rep. Ernie Yarborough. HB295 was referred to committee in the House and has not been acted on in committee and is not on the committee agenda for Wednesday. That the House has yet to address HB295 is not a good indicator for the PRICE Act if it gets out of the Senate. Senate Bill 297 (SB297) is sponsored by Sen. Will Barfoot. SB297 is the Senate version of HB363. It received a favorable report from the Senate Education Policy Committee on May 11. It could be considered by the full Senate as early as Tuesday. SB297’s having advanced in committee indicates that HB363 will also advance out of committee. The Alabama Republican Party has endorsed school choice, but the Alabama Education Association and the Alabama School Superintendents Association are both staunchly opposed to any serious expansion of parental choice. Republicans have commanding supermajorities in both Houses of the Alabama Legislature, so they can pass school choice whether or not Democrats are in support. The question is how many Republican legislators are influenced by conservative principles on government versus how many are influenced more by lobbyist campaign dollars. Tuesday will be the 24th legislative day of the 2023 Alabama Regular Legislative Session. The Constitution of Alabama of 1901 limits the regular session to a maximum of 30 legislative days. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
House Committee advances legislation providing stipends to principals who receive additional training
On Wednesday, the Alabama House of Representatives Ways and Means General Fund Committee advanced legislation that would provide up to $15,000 in additional stipends for principals who complete advanced leadership training. Senate Bill 300 (SB300) is sponsored by State Senator Arthur Orr. “This bill will be important for principals, compensating them and increasing the training for principals,” Orr explained. “There are extra stipends for hard-to-fill schools,” Orr said. “The principals are very much for it around the state.” The Senate adopted a substitute version of the bill. The substituted version of SB300 passed the Senate on Tuesday by a vote of 34 to 0. The legislation is being carried in the House by State Representative Alan Baker. Baker said this bill “creates the School Principal Leadership and Mentoring Act.” The synopsis states, “Existing law requires principals and assistant principals to complete five professional learning units every five years specific to serving in those administrative positions beyond the initial instructional leadership certification provided by state institutions of higher education. This bill would create the School Principal Leadership and Mentoring Act. This bill would require the creation and implementation of the Alabama Principal Leadership Development System and would require all principals and assistant principals to attend and satisfactorily complete the program.” Baker said that the bill provides a $10,000 stipend for principals that complete the program plus $5000 for those “serving in low-performing or high-poverty schools.” Rep Terri Collins said, “One of the biggest issues we have is discipline. I think this could really make a difference in student performance.” “I am pleased with all of the things I see in this,” Collins said. Rep. Debbie Wood asked, “Where did the $850,000 appropriation come from?” Baker said, “This rolls out in phases.” A clerk answered, “That is based on the figure that is in the ETF budget.” Committee Chairman Danny Garrett said, “Principals are so key and critical in good schools.” Garrett said, “My son, who is a teacher, told me, ‘I think anyone who is a principal for five years needs to go back to a classroom, and everyone who wants to be a principal needs to shadow a principal first.’” Baker said, “Professional development at the K-3 level would show them (principals) what proper teaching is in regard to the Literacy Act and the Numeracy Act.” The bill also appoints a 21-member design team and states a professional leadership academy. The legislation could be considered by the full House as early as Thursday. Thursday will be day 22 of the 2023 Alabama Regular Legislative Session. The legislature is limited to thirty legislative days in the regular session. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
House passes legislation making changes to the public charter schools statute
On Thursday, the Alabama House of Representatives passed legislation making several changes to the Alabama Public School Charter Commission. House Bill 363 (HB363) is sponsored by State Representative Terri Collins. The Alabama School Choice and Student Opportunity Act changes the appointment process for the Alabama Public Charter School Commission; authorizes the Commission to hire staff; requires commissioners to receive annual training; provides additional guidelines for the authorizing and application review process; provides further for the operational and categorical funding of public charter schools in their first year of operation; and clarifies the per pupil federal, state, and local funding of conversion public charter schools during their first year of operation. “All charter schools are public schools,” explained Rep. Collins. “We have three conversion schools in Montgomery, Mobile, west Alabama, Birmingham has a few, Fairfield, and there are a couple more in Montgomery.” “A public system could choose to make a starter school,” Collins stated. “If they have a specific need, they can do it through the charter process.” Collins explained how a public system can convert a failing public school to a charter public school through the formal conversion process. Rep. Tracy Estes thanked Collins for bringing the bill and the hard work in crafting the substitute. The House voted to adopt the negotiated substitute version of the bill to address issues that some members had with the original legislation in a 88 to 13 vote. Rep. Mark Gidley said, “I want to express my appreciation for how you have worked hard on this.” Rep. Jamie Kiel brought an amendment that would restore the local school board as an authorizer. An earlier version of the bill removed that. This amendment was ratified. “I appreciate you working with all of the parties on this,” Kiel said to Collins. Rep. Barbara Boyd said, “I want to thank you for where you have gone and for working with all of the parties, but I would still have preferred magnet schools because those are set aside for specific purposes. I am going to have to vote no today.” “They have to be nonprofit,” Collins said of charter schools. “They can’t be a for-profit. They have to have local support.” Rep. Laura Hall said, “African American boys have a great need, particularly between K and 3irth grade.” Hall said that she had visited the new aviation-focused charter school in Fairfield. “I have been there,” Collins said. “What they are doing is very exciting.” Collins said that students there can work on actual planes and “learn takeoff and landing through a simulator.” Hall said, “The dollars that the system has used sound like they are very well used.” Collins said, “They do everything that a public school does. They do ACAP. They give grades.” Collins said that members of the Commission would be appointed by the governor, the lieutenant governor, the Speaker of the House, the Senate Pro Tem, the House Minority Leader, and the Senate Minority Leader. “They look at applications, and they approve or disapprove,” Collin said of the Commission. “This extends their term from two years to four years.” Rep. TaShina Morris suggested changing the bill so that the state superintendent of education hires the Commission staff. Collins said, “No, we want the commission to choose their own employees.” Rep. Mary Moore said, “I don’t think the state of Alabama can support multiple forms of public schools with one pot of money for education.” Moore complained that the local school board can deny a charter application and “the state of Alabama will go ahead and authorize them to be a charter school when they know they are deficient.” Moore attacked the performance of charter schools. “They (students) are coming back to public schools, and they are not able to do the work,” Moore said. “They are not doing their due diligence. They are not hiring proper teachers. They have teachers that don’t even know how to set up a proper classroom.” Collins replied, “They all have a long waiting list to get in. I don’t know of any who are coming back.” Moore said, “They are taking dollars from the public schools, and they are hurting public schools because they are taking resources.” Collins said, “Charter schools are public schools.” The Alabama House passed HB363 in a 76 to 25 vote. The legislation now goes to the Senate for their consideration. Thursday was day 20 of the 2023 Alabama Regular Legislative Session. The House convenes at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Alabama House passes two education bills
The Alabama House passed a bill that would create an education savings account program and another that would change the way the state manages charter schools on Thursday. House Bill 334, authored by Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, would create an education savings account program for students who are either homeless, have an individual education program, have a parent on active duty in the military, or had a parent die on active duty in the military. Individual education programs are drawn up for special education students who deal with a disability or impairment, home-bound students who deal with an illness or autism. The bill passed 99-5 and is headed to the Senate. HB334 is known as the Students with Unique Needs Education Scholarship Account program and would give these families $5,600 per year and would be capped at 500 scholarships in the first year, which would be 2024, and increase by 500 new scholarships annually. The measure was amended by Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, to require standardized tests administered by their resident school districts for program participants. The bill met with opposition by Democrats, who argued against providing public funds to private schools in the education savings account that aren’t judged by the same accountability standards as public schools. “These are dollars that are designed for the public good,” said Rep. Artis McCampbell, D-Demopolis. “But if we are taking these dollars and actually putting them into the private sector and using a different measure, how is that a fair measure?” House Bill 363 is sponsored by Collins and would alter the way the state governs charter schools. The biggest change would be how funding would be disbursed to new charter schools. They would be funded during their first few years in operation based on anticipated enrollment and would also receive state funds in the same way as conventional public schools. The measure would change the appointment process for the state’s charter authorizer body, the Alabama Public Charter School Commission, and allow the commission to hire staff along with requiring commissioners to receive annual training. The bill would also change the processes of authorization and the review of applications. Alabama, which passed charter legislation in 2015, has only five charter schools. HB363 passed 76-25 and is headed to the Senate. Republished with the permission of The Center Square.
House passes legislation requiring first graders to go to kindergarten or pass skills competency test
On Tuesday, the Alabama House of Representatives voted in favor of legislation requiring all incoming first graders to have either attended kindergarten or pass a test proving that they have the competency to enter first grade. Children who fail the test will be forced to attend kindergarten rather than first grade with their peers. House Bill 43 (HB43) is sponsored by State Representative Pebblin Warren, who has carried this legislation for the last few years. “I am back again. I am back with the kindergarten bill again,” Warren said. “This bill is what is referred to as a First Grade readiness bill.” “This issue has become a really important issue in the State of Alabama,” Warren said. “It is a tragedy that we would let a child reach third grade without being able to read competently.” “This bill does not make kindergarten mandatory,” Warren continued. “A child can attend kindergarten or may be in homeschooling, private schooling, or religious schooling. As long as they demonstrate competence, they can enter into first grade.” Rep. Mary Moore asked, “Will this make it mandatory?” Warren answered, “It does not make it mandatory, but the child must pass a skills competency test to be admitted into first grade.” “If their parents aren’t education-oriented, that is the group that is always going to be behind,” Moore said. “We need to make K-4 and K-5 mandatory instead of leaving that up to the parents.” “I agree,” Warren said. “It should be mandatory, but this is a process. This is our beginning step to making it mandatory.” “What I want to see is Alabama’s ranking improved,” Warren said. “It is that foundation that is going to build the foundation of Alabama.” “We need to go back to K to 8,” Moore said. “They get to sixth grade, and they have been left behind, and they just look for that crack to get out without even going to go to high school.” “We are not giving up. We are going to continue fighting,” Warren said. “I have prayed to God, asking him what I can do to get this bill passed.” “I think unless we are going back to a time where a three-year-old goes to pre-K, we need to get that four-year-old in K4,” said Rep. Kyle South. The House voted to adopt the substitute version of the bill that Warren had prepared in the Education Policy Committee in a 92 to 7 vote. Rep. Phillip Pettus said, “I would like to see us mandate kindergarten.” “If this goes through, let’s come back next time and mandate kindergarten,” Warren said. Rep. Danny Garrett said, “The synopsis says that this mandates kindergarten. A lot of people in my district do not want to be mandated kindergarten.” There was some discussion on whether or not a parent could enroll the child in first grade even if they did not pass the skills competency test that will be required for children who did not have kindergarten before first grade. Rep. Terri Collins stated, “I have an actual amendment that spells it out that if they are not ready for first grade that the child shall enroll in kindergarten.” “This is mainly those children who have never been in any kind of organized program before,” Collins explained. “They do not know their numbers. They do not know their letters. They are not ready for first grade.” “Legally, you have to go to school as a six-year-old,” Collins stated. “This amendment says that if that child comes to school as a six-year-old and is not prepared to start in first grade, then they will be enrolled in kindergarten. It will be the best thing for the child at that point.” Rep. Barbara Drummond asked, “Will the parent have the option of placing them in the first grade?” “No, they will start at the most appropriate place,” Collins answered. “This is a friendly amendment,” Warren said. Collins explained that the Alabama State Department of Education would write the first-grade readiness test. The House voted to adopt the Collins Amendment 92 to 5. The House voted to pass HB43 in a vote of 87 to 12. This is the fourth year that Warren carried similar legislation. It has not passed the Senate in the past. Governor Kay Ivey endorsed the bill in her State of the State speech. It has been referred to the Senate Education Policy Committee. Tuesday will be day 14 of the 2023 Alabama Regular Legislative Session. The Alabama Constitution of 1901 limits the legislature to no more than 30 legislative days in the regular session. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Senate committee advances education reform legislation
On Wednesday, the Alabama Senate Education Policy Committee advanced legislation with several educational goals – including requiring that future Alabama High School seniors must meet at least one college or career-ready benchmark to graduate. House Bill 109 (HB109) is sponsored by State Representative Terri Collins. Collins explained that HB109 is omnibus legislation that includes three acts: the Alabama Credential Quality and Transparency Act, the Alabama Terminal on Linking and Analyzing Statistics on Career Pathways Act, and the Alabama College and Career Readiness Act. “They are based on the recommendations of the Alabama Workforce Task Force,” Collins told the Committee. The Career Pathways Act would let students see what the high demand job in their area are and what it takes to get those jobs,” Collins explained. “And hopefully grow our labor participation rate.” Collins explained that students must complete at least one benchmark for college or career-ready standards. To prove college readiness, that could be a high score on the ACT, completing an advanced placement course, or completing a dual enrollment course. For military readiness, the benchmark could be taking the ASVAB test. Career readiness could be completing an apprenticeship, receiving a skills credential, or completing other skills training. Collins said, “In order to graduate in 2025, you would either have to be college ready or be career ready.” State Senator Donnie Chesteen is the chair of the Education Police Committee. Chesteen said there was a committee amendment to the bill. Collins said, “The original bill said that the college and career-ready part of this had to be in place by 2024-2025. The amendment puts that back to 2025-2026.” Chesteen said, “Moving the start date back to 2026 is important for those who may have slipped through the cracks. Thank you for working with us on this amendment.” Sen. Rodger Smitherman said, “I like this bill. I was an orderly. We don’t have orderlies now – we have LPNs. The advantage was that I was career-ready when I graduated from high school. I was working while in high school.” To make it easier for employers and workers to navigate the increasingly complex system of credentials needed to apply for positions in the 21st-century economy, the bill creates a free searchable public online registry of educational and occupational credentials. The act includes restrictions on releasing personally identifiable information, including procedures for handling data breaches. The Committee voted to give HB109 a favorable report on an 8 to 0 vote. The full Senate could consider the amended bill as early as Tuesday. Tuesday will be day 11 of the regular session. The Legislature is limited by the Alabama Constitution to no more than thirty legislative days during a regular session. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
