[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6655643,"mediaKeyId","5383773-ebdd10dd4da84d757ff255a2458a7fe5","parentId",5383773,"title","Alabama education department describes HR overhaul: DocuSign, Everbridge, new personnel roles and lower attrition","audioSeconds",571,"startMs",6481000,"endMs",7052000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5383773-ebdd10dd4da84d757ff255a2458a7fe5&start=6481&end=7052","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5383773-ebdd10dd4da84d757ff255a2458a7fe5/thumbnail_6481000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6655643/Alabama/Alabama-education-department-describes-HR-overhaul-DocuSign-Everbridge-new-personnel-roles-and-lower-attrition","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655643-04fe867c66f1bb19e69661607d136123/orig.mp4?Expires=1773786155&Signature=PAxcf1PD08Gpypab-VhUwsG5H~NHkgXyeGrHM3XGni5QouK9~0u89GxgHFl8gg7oQYkEK5u4E5P84zQTxUTjQpYYtU1pTtVmrw6Yb85lNzvMjT-OVaqv3ISpfjF0XYUax4GbnRG34bdykpHkx~PxYgD2loZKAvF4eTPFjP8zfJ9Xy1pMN7xC9f8whUkDdgIwz2FYjcfL88ZidQ0Qm9B7tHE4vdPwgjugkTw7Ld8VNxmNm9SuqAPf9q89c3w1p0S-jmGmzhIZmx5tSg~ZjNJftCjhAn~ec9SSLgccE6Ka72ZH4nrI~S3HJ10oGRoD3QiuOoJih22QefZmgwnYjjv6ig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alabama State Department of Education","date","2025-07-14T18:07:03Z","article","A department official told the State Board of Education that the Alabama State Department of Education has reorganized its human‑resources operations to improve onboarding, safety and personnel oversight.

Dr. Payne, who oversees human resources work for the department, said the department created and filled a director‑of‑personnel position and a personnel manager role, updated the employee handbook (the most recent full copy dated 2007 was replaced in 2021), and moved many forms to digital platforms including DocuSign and an internal forms system.

Why it matters: Board members said the department’s ability to recruit and retain staff affects day‑to‑day operations and program delivery across offices that monitor federal and state programs.

Details provided to the board
- Staffing and organization: The department hired a director of personnel and a personnel manager and added personnel assistants to handle onboarding, separations and retirements; retired state employees were engaged to staff the information desk.
- Onboarding and onboarding communications: Staff now send a detailed DocuSign welcome letter signed by the superintendent; the department runs regular new‑employee orientation sessions and provides state‑personnel mandatory training for supervisors.
- Safety and communications: The department implemented Everbridge for emergency notifications, updated AEDs and safety plans, provided CPR and AED training to employees, and maintains evacuation and shelter procedures.
- Workflow and systems: HR processes were digitized (DocuSign and internal forms); organizational charts are kept current in a system called Physio and approvals require budget certification before personnel actions proceed.
- Metrics: Dr. Payne said attrition fell to about 11% in 2023 and that the department continues to track separations, transfers and retirements.

Board discussion and next steps
Board members suggested the department consider a formal anonymous climate or new‑hire survey; staff said supervisors and the personnel manager conduct periodic check‑ins with new hires and that the department is considering further improvements. The department said it will continue semi‑annual review of the employee handbook and will maintain required state‑personnel training for supervisors.

Ending
The superintendent and HR leadership asked board members to raise other questions or suggestions directly with HR leadership; no formal board action was recorded on HR during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Alabama Board of Education Work Session","oneSentenceSummary","Department staff summarized human-resources changes at the Alabama State Department of Education, including a new director of personnel, an updated employee handbook, DocuSign onboarding, an Everbridge emergency-notification system and a decline in attrition to about 11% in 2023.","taxTitle","Alabama State Department of Education, State Agencies, Executive, Alabama","taxId",80275,"location","Alabama","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6655648,"Board briefed on new principal professional-learning standards and $30 million stipend program; public comment and phased rollout planned",726,4867000,5593000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5383773-ebdd10dd4da84d757ff255a2458a7fe5&start=4867&end=5593","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5383773-ebdd10dd4da84d757ff255a2458a7fe5/thumbnail_4867000.jpg","/articles/6655648/Alabama/Board-briefed-on-new-principal-professional-learning-standards-and-30-million-stipend-program-public-comment-and-phased-rollout-planned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655648-9fc350b77ec776fc18a0549e0173ea3a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773786155&Signature=EKQbZH5GC1rzLcNqGQQdxJneuZDin5k-Xo~yRqjoqX0I9smHYpZY7jeSUmkmyXxVQDFdE15vFKmmH-9EQQumimhMkrjMaeWaHxibXSWYTGu-ynnnb8XqF9otDwkutoOPDsfeEm8F4IbZ9PDoH1r9tZlA4xQH9TH6dGx~rzhDcjsbfNoi01hNjlnSNpUaRriqTJwkmIC2WXBr4L0ifSHb7aUCJjipiEs4XfydbIJ3T14GZzbsqeygoDHr8iLkQ7rmizHwDdAne0yP-Hiu~YBZfzmAkBOPgo94-q-UTbeOggqq8KHVAhEJd85LzC8FOXPgzXtFMazUE5ldKUeiubOS-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Department staff and members of the School Leadership Act design team told the State Board of Education that they plan to announce intent to repeal and replace existing professional‑learning standards for school leaders, and that the changes are tied to a legislative stipend program for principals and assistant principals.

Anna Shepherd Jones, who helped lead the standards design work, said the design team is “a dynamic group made up of principals, assistant principals, teachers, superintendents, school board members, all across the state of Alabama” and described a multi‑stakeholder drafting process.

Why it matters: The legislature tied new professional‑learning requirements to a stipend program intended to increase principal pay and professional development. Staff said the budget contains $30 million for stipends beginning in the next fiscal year; staff also said $850,000 is currently available for administrative startup costs such as software, staffing and consultant support.

Key points presented
- Staff explained the statutory requirement to align Alabama standards with current professional‑learning research and said the design team drew language from Learning Forward’s updated professional‑learning standards while adapting for Alabama’s administrative code.
- Under the statute discussed in the session, principals may be eligible for up to a $10,000 stipend and assistant principals up to $5,000 if they meet specified professional‑development and mentoring criteria; staff said stipends are phased in over time and tied to completion of required activities, including mentoring for new principals.
- Staff said the department will follow the administrative‑rule process: announce intent to repeal old standards and to adopt new ones in March, solicit public comment, return for final board action in May, and implement a phased schedule so stipends begin after funds are available in the new fiscal year.

Public outreach and concerns
Board members and staff discussed confusion among retirees and other stakeholders about how the standards and the stipend program were developed. Staff said the draft standards will be public after the board’s announcement and that the public-comment period will allow the department to return suggested revisions to the design team.

Timing and fiscal details
Staff said the $30 million appropriation appears in the budget for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1; they said the earliest districts could receive stipend payments is later that fiscal year and that the department expects an initial disbursement cycle in December after budget release and allocation to local education agencies. Staff said the department has $850,000 for initial program setup in the current year to hire staff, buy software and pay consultants.

Ending
Staff asked board members to expect the standards to be posted for public review after the March meeting and to anticipate additional agenda items as the department moves to implement the new statutory requirements. No final adoption vote took place during the work session.","Staff and a design team described proposed professional‑learning standards linked to a legislative principal‑stipend program, outlined a public-comment schedule and said $30 million is included in the coming budget year for stipends while $850,000 is available now for startup costs.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6655653,"National alternative-certification provider 'Hashtag Teach' presents application to Alabama board; staff recommends consideration next month",968,1566000,2534000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5383773-ebdd10dd4da84d757ff255a2458a7fe5&start=1566&end=2534","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5383773-ebdd10dd4da84d757ff255a2458a7fe5/thumbnail_1566000.jpg","/articles/6655653/Alabama/National-alternative-certification-provider-Hashtag-Teach-presents-application-to-Alabama-board-staff-recommends-consideration-next-month","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655653-29f74a6bc365e0574ed0a651d5d9f949/orig.mp4?Expires=1773786155&Signature=jBWEY2jOiko7K0REJqluowsJGZ2oQRxysjwrrynthv8h9-ftsO39TFYP8xe5JSXxqZmy2I0JBWZiLUHBaNfG2PSq2uiz4E44UgJdVZuTejBQqU5TnVW48DbdXxjWhd3SD-raS4mLot4AxnOBO9WhXJSJgEfTXszfqXLXBe7u-rwXuLm1cksnVnNAJmi6Z8MWMyS2nMd8sUgm2Da7RixNk5lMwfgb0x9C53WbVOBf7rsShcbNG8g4eYe0A4ckVJLtewMP2aC68CKmG2AO7pkzMgPJhh5WTFMcFsztf8F6565-8zRc3sl8tKFBSUKoYdo7Ewy1InSk7KqSpmsWDGanWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives from Hashtag Teach, an alternative teacher-preparation organization that operates in Michigan and other states, presented an application and program overview to the State Board of Education during a work session and said staff will recommend the board consider the application at the next meeting.

Dr. Carol Kilgore, identified by staff as a Hashtag Teach representative, told the board the organization began in Michigan in February 2018 and has since expanded to Indiana, North Carolina and Arizona. “We have a pretty basic mission…to drive exceptional outcomes for students by developing great teachers and great schools,” Dr. Kilgore said.

What the presenters said
- Hashtag Teach described its model as fully online coursework combined with individualized instructional coaching. The presenters said Hashtag Teach’s instructional coaches remain with program participants for the full program cycle (presenters described a typical three‑year cycle) and provide lesson feedback, planning support and induction coaching.
- The presenters said the provider emphasizes the science of reading in literacy coursework, offers restorative-practices training, and maintains special‑education coursework that includes law, IEPs and an eight‑week field experience.
- The presenters said the program attracts paraprofessionals, long‑term substitutes, career‑changers and applicants with associate degrees who pursue degree completion while working through Hashtag Teach coursework.

Costs, delivery and accreditation
Dr. Megan Brown, Hashtag Teach presenter, said program costs vary by state and by credential path; the presenters gave a range of $3,300 to $6,200 to cover a full certification pathway. Brown said Hashtag Teach is delivered online with local coaching and that states sometimes deploy further on‑site support depending on state law. The presenters said the organization was pursuing accreditation and expected an upcoming site visit.

Timeline and status
Board staff told members the application from Hashtag Teach was received promptly and will be brought back to the board for consideration at the next regular meeting; staff said additional alternative‑preparation applications are likely to follow. Hashtag Teach representatives said they can typically begin recruitment and implementation within about 60 to 90 days after state approval, based on their experience in other states.

Board members asked about program oversight and reporting; Hashtag Teach presenters said the organization submits annual reports and works with state workforce‑development programs, school districts and Title II funding where applicable. Presenters also said Hashtag Teach uses multiple payment plans and partners with workforce‑development funds to reduce costs for candidates.

Ending
Staff said they will bring a formal recommendation on Hashtag Teach to the board at the next meeting for action. No board action on Hashtag Teach was recorded during the work session.","Representatives from Hashtag Teach, an alternative teacher-preparation provider active in Michigan and other states, described their curriculum, coaching model and costs and asked the State Board to consider their application for Alabama certification next month.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6655658,"Six Alabama universities launch UTeach sites; program managers report nearly 400 STEM majors exploring teaching",67,451000,518000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5383773-ebdd10dd4da84d757ff255a2458a7fe5&start=451&end=518","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5383773-ebdd10dd4da84d757ff255a2458a7fe5/thumbnail_451000.jpg","/articles/6655658/Alabama/Six-Alabama-universities-launch-UTeach-sites-program-managers-report-nearly-400-STEM-majors-exploring-teaching","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655658-ce8ae49f621d7acdb124ce50d8b8dcfe/orig.mp4?Expires=1773786155&Signature=lOOPGVAdfBGklkM6jnZKe~8bQoqfku2a8YkmL6tCt6R-ldZSH05L25sRZywqR1CU~LA0OTPsCNuf6P5s7uYY~SXf7jVsqURmrKsxrYx~aY8p6pSKMY2mpo-vv6h~pAQSqD8Ovuk2CMY2FRgBNcNsPDoMR1vRAaek2Lq5O4SmLHar7~PTOkRbzlqbeOOYwQ1Z8z6yvGOPVpOkJNT9QC10xdWGkyBJdmGmZ6AWQzzTqSbynFF7NEJNwHNs8-eFCKY5WXutqwsh5p0iPKc0KXa85ToQeWlrWuqOhm1aQW-ruiCRpyrZl6nPvjuYoB59HKscHzcmQhUh9pr3maJ8eq9Etg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Officials from six Alabama universities told the State Board of Education during a work session that they have launched UTeach-style educator-preparation sites and that nearly 400 STEM majors across the state are taking exploratory courses that could lead to teaching certification.

The UTeach representative said, “We currently have almost 400 STEM majors across the state exploring STEM PGA. The actual number is 392,” and added that the six new sites brought in 229 of those students so far. Lawrence Cooper, program manager for the Alabama STEM Council, said the parallel curricula and administrative structures between sites have made collaboration easier.

Why it matters: The UTeach model is an alternative pathway intended to shorten and coordinate preparation for STEM majors who want teacher certification while preserving their degree plans. State officials and the UTeach sites said the approach aims to increase the supply of qualified STEM teachers in Alabama public schools.

What presenters told the board
- The six institutions described similar scaffolds for coursework, field experiences and transition points that culminate in methods courses specific to grade band or content.
- The UTeach representative described a “master teacher” model in which veteran classroom teachers are hired as full‑time university staff to mentor candidates throughout undergraduate studies and into the first two years of classroom induction; presenters said master teachers often remain involved with cohorts for up to six years.
- Lawrence Cooper, program manager for the Alabama STEM Council, said the parallel course and administrative design has enabled master teachers at different universities to coordinate problem‑solving and logistics.

Accountability and reporting
Presenters said the UTeach Institute (the national mentor organization for the model) requires semester and annual reports from each UTeach site and compiles a cross‑site summary. The presenters said those reports will be provided to the Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE) and will be available to the State Board. The UTeach representative said sites must meet teacher‑preparation requirements, including required performance assessments and supervised student‑teaching experiences.

Recruitment and funding
Presenters said a statewide communications and recruitment plan will begin later this year, supported in part by legislative funding. The UTeach representative described campus‑level outreach to students, high school counselors and parents and said early marketing had already produced the initial enrollment numbers.

Questions board members asked included how sites coordinate local school placements, who serves as co‑directors on campuses and how the statewide reporting will be provided to the board. Presenters offered to share UTeach Institute reports and a condensed executive summary for board review.

Background and next steps
Presenters noted that the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s UTeach site has been on an innovative status since February 2014 and that the current rollout expands the model to additional public institutions. Board members were asked to expect future executive summaries and semester reports and were told recruitment and site development will continue into the coming academic year.

Ending
Presenters said they will provide the board with UTeach Institute annual reports and a statewide executive summary; board members asked staff to arrange for the condensed reports going forward. No formal board vote was recorded on the UTeach sites during the session.","University and state officials described the rollout of UTeach-style educator preparation at six Alabama institutions, reporting 392 STEM majors currently enrolled in exploratory courses statewide and outlining accountability and recruitment plans funded by the legislature.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Alabama education department describes HR overhaul: DocuSign, Everbridge, new personnel roles and lower attrition

Board briefed on new principal professional-learning standards and $30 million stipend program; public comment and phased rollout planned

National alternative-certification provider 'Hashtag Teach' presents application to Alabama board; staff recommends consideration next month

Six Alabama universities launch UTeach sites; program managers report nearly 400 STEM majors exploring teaching