[{"_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",6484357,"mediaKeyId","5809632-2e4d4afbd2c223accf21fa4cd008df61","parentId",5809632,"title","State board adopts requirement that graduates earn a college-or-career credential; debate centers on equity and special‑needs pathways","audioSeconds",2592,"startMs",1622000,"endMs",4214000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5809632-2e4d4afbd2c223accf21fa4cd008df61&start=1622&end=4214","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5809632-2e4d4afbd2c223accf21fa4cd008df61/thumbnail_1622000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6484357/Alabama/State-board-adopts-requirement-that-graduates-earn-a-college-or-career-credential-debate-centers-on-equity-and-specialneeds-pathways","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6484357-438382bb22c95cd0e4ae22d178be2c58/orig.mp4?Expires=1773399212&Signature=nTgK8iwirRkAKkkoRcP8jfkjVQbQ11Q0iHRXszdeTc5bise8eOqqVwE8IZwiGAc8LO2dSZNMaK9ey1a6LEMYkgxovQ51Tk-~oZNL5c1yMbvmTgC5xeBPeCnFeJRn0v7mFeQz-9j80zvfeK2Es4aI3R6G-G-JWPgIW5D96FIAcpDqlZUNBaDKYb~NSeNf9xakxhx5X2u78XgVw1W3SJtyP1i3TRyhsOYwBaqz6K8wyVMgfXuJzFjowmfRZBqyXxuUMN7Z6ltYgxrezE3MELYh5BQmDyGI08ElukrIXI5Wk5lDHtoadbRqFRyxGhUA8Ett-ZbcAnSyMFGwAkqEeuKk9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alabama State Department of Education","date","2025-09-22T17:01:28Z","article","The Alabama State Board of Education voted to adopt an amendment to Alabama Administrative Code Rule 290-3-1-.02 that would require students graduating in 2028 to earn at least one college- or career-readiness (CCR) indicator.

Board members and Department of Education staff spent more than an hour questioning how the change would be implemented, who would pay for expanded programs, and how the state would accommodate students with disabilities and English learners. The board’s action follows department modeling that shows a 16-percentage-point gap between the statewide graduation rate (92%) and the college-and-career readiness rate (76%) for recent cohorts, a gap proponents said the rule is intended to close.

Superintendent Eric Mackey told the board the department intends the requirement to take effect for the cohort that enters ninth grade in 2023 and graduates in 2028, and that the department is working with the community college system, the Alabama Workforce Council and industry partners to expand options such as dual enrollment, AP/IB, ACT benchmarks and career-technical credentials. “This would not affect until the class of 2028,” Mackey said, adding the department is developing pathways for students who take alternate assessments.

Several board members urged caution. Members repeatedly raised concerns about unequal access across school districts, the availability of dual-enrollment and career-technical programs in rural counties, and whether sufficient funding will exist to scale programs where offerings are limited. A board member cited family calls and principal concerns and said she planned to vote against the measure in its present form; others said they supported the policy’s goals but wanted more detail on special-education accommodations and supports for English learners.

Mackey and department staff told the board there is an existing committee that evaluates new credentials and that the department has roughly 150 credential options on the list, though most high schools offer only a fraction of them. Mackey described a two-pronged approach the department is pursuing: expanding academic options such as AP and ACT prep while accelerating dual-enrollment and career-technical opportunities statewide. He said the legislature currently provides a $26 million appropriation to cover community college tuition for some dual-enrollment students and that additional funding would be needed to scale services.

Board members asked about special-education students who do not qualify for alternate assessments but still struggle academically; Mackey said the department is exploring separate credentialing options for students on individualized programs of study but warned that federal law limits creating separate diplomas. He pointed to districts that have achieved high CCR rates, including two districts where 100% of graduates earned a CCR, including substantial special-needs enrollments, as evidence that pathways can be created.

The board moved and seconded the amendment and took a roll-call vote. The motion carried. Multiple board members voiced lingering concerns and asked for continued outreach to superintendents and written guidance describing the pathways and implementation timeline.

What happens next: the rule is subject to the department’s public-notice process; the department said the earliest the board could adopt a final rule is November, and it would be open for the 45-day public-comment period required for rulemaking.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Alabama Board of Education Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Alabama State Board of Education voted to adopt an amendment to Administrative Code Rule 290-3-1-.02 that will require students graduating in 2028 to earn at least one college- or career-readiness indicator.","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},6484343,"Votes at a glance: Alabama State Board of Education, Sept. 8, 2022",4733,257000,4990000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5809632-2e4d4afbd2c223accf21fa4cd008df61&start=257&end=4990","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5809632-2e4d4afbd2c223accf21fa4cd008df61/thumbnail_257000.jpg","/articles/6484343/Alabama/Votes-at-a-glance-Alabama-State-Board-of-Education-Sept-8-2022","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6484343-60f6339d45295af209df044304487a7b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773399212&Signature=J4t0O5NY2wQZgjDBEobZQe1c1f2MxLnRQLLgGnsjij-y8CPdFy0b4-b2DqiDKgWSNlF45i2B8IKJTWONd2vWOB-E6uoudbRrULArx~6faVarKxe3luyX8V6fs-ypytdc5nR-Z6vfxUSx7cg~SA9wGhKrolytCBylX7UEqskXiJZRkpZMRJmDK8UBCiA4~PztkQ5WpZLqT5kYmh0oJfTwEAHvLSMJv4OY9~UsJcb7GpAibObqrWMWiROe5lFT3fpW1A6YDex11upA3y4tP-f3oBGVBKoGptCCzevupIb6FI4NC0AXdXJpEHTzUVLTu4RHHKoQSHQf~QHvhIr2Uk4hkQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alabama State Board of Education recorded the following formal actions during its Sept. 8, 2022 meeting. Where the transcript recorded a roll-call or indicated a unanimous or carried vote, that outcome is listed; where a named tally was not given the entry notes that the motion carried.

- Approve meeting agenda — Motion moved and seconded; outcome: unanimous approval.

- Approve minutes from 08/11/2022 — Motion moved and seconded; outcome: unanimous approval.

- Resolutions of distinguished recognition for multiple school counselors and school counseling programs (multiple named resolutions recognizing counselors at Daphne Middle School, ER Dixon Elementary, J. Larry Newton Elementary, Malachi Wilkerson Mill Middle, Hillcrest High School, and others) — Each resolution moved and seconded; outcome: unanimous approvals.

- Proclamation: September 2022 as Workforce Development Month — Entered into record; motion to adopt proclamation moved and seconded; outcome: unanimous.

- Proclamation: October 2022 as Statewide Parent Engagement Month — Motion moved and seconded; outcome: unanimous.

- Recognition: Alabama inaugural Purple Star class of 2022 (12 districts, 53 schools) — Motion moved and seconded; outcome: unanimous.

- Approval: Class B early childhood education P–3 program for the University of Montevallo — Motion moved and seconded; outcome: unanimous.

- Approval: Alabama State Department of Education fiscal year 2023 operating budget — Motion moved and seconded; transcript records the motion and the chair's announcement that the vote carried.

- Adopt amended Alabama Administrative Code Rule 290-2-4-.06 (local mechanic certification) — Motion moved and seconded; outcome: unanimous.

- Adopt amended Alabama Administrative Code Rule 290-2-1-.01 (annual apportionment of foundation program funds) — Motion moved and seconded; outcome: unanimous.

- Adopt amended Alabama Administrative Code Rule 290-4-0040 (certain teaching techniques) — Motion moved and seconded; outcome: unanimous.

- Adopt new Alabama Administrative Code Rule 290-4-5-08 (mental health service coordinators) — Motion moved and seconded; outcome: motion carried (transcript records debate and a member said they planned to vote against, but the motion carried).

- Adopt amended Alabama Administrative Code Rule 290-3-1-.02 (college- and career-readiness requirement for graduation; item n) — Motion moved and seconded; outcome: transcript records a motion carried after extended debate and public input.

- Alabama Public Charter School Commission nominee selection — Speaker of the House recommendation considered; board selected Louis Ferrer as the nominee.

Adjournment and photo recognitions for Purple Star schools and school counselors followed the meeting.

","Summary of formal motions and outcomes recorded during the Sept. 8, 2022 board meeting, including rule adoptions, budget approval and recognitions.",{"_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},6484348,"Board adopts amended rule on certain teaching techniques after teacher commenters urge clearer, less-subjective language",1041,414000,1455000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5809632-2e4d4afbd2c223accf21fa4cd008df61&start=414&end=1455","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5809632-2e4d4afbd2c223accf21fa4cd008df61/thumbnail_414000.jpg","/articles/6484348/Alabama/Board-adopts-amended-rule-on-certain-teaching-techniques-after-teacher-commenters-urge-clearer-less-subjective-language","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6484348-4a543b84656d0e793b4cc856b2b8c84e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773399212&Signature=B2svKAp0Y0RoD2T-WGPLqV~3RDagDzpjjRPCyA7luF5DxPgmvqyIlznGeHrB4vyyiigomnsri7XNSGFhM-gPS5zfMsqvsLug0MhJazvA21aeDS9zVH8uplUxQFITVfokMtLby17ZQn27ybq1i3fptyc0txFQn1ALqLvmUjIXnMleNpeHsZkK-054AQNbtFF9EC16Ow4ozaTynAR7ZMTkrYKVgIqWZlRF-73zG1Ck0fIN3LhSkC9DZVUjcrtRwaYI28xHoaRPFd5a3jKm~LjAyzoj3YGJItkB7QYD6ZPnUEpxQEFvMTqx51Bmt4Cw6gUKTLXq8l329so8eOqOoEdpOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alabama State Board of Education unanimously adopted an amended Administrative Code Rule 290-4-0040 governing \"certain teaching techniques\" after two public commenters asked the board to revise subjective language that could lead to confusion or punitive investigations of teachers.

Dana Pigg, an educator from Tuscaloosa, told the board that \"criminalizing a robust discussion, age appropriate, but robust discussion about very important topics ... is poisoning our communities,\" and urged the board to weigh language changes carefully so educators are not left unsupported.

Rachel Mobley, an eight-year teacher who previously taught AP English, urged removal or clarification of subjective terms in the rule, including \"indoctrinate,\" \"promote,\" \"engage,\" and \"age-appropriate/developmentally appropriate.\" Mobley argued those terms should be made precise so administrators have a clear investigative standard and so teachers are not vulnerable to litigation or wrongful termination.

Mobley recommended the rule include a range of consequences and clearer guidance about sources used for determining appropriate materials. She said clearer language would reassure teachers and help avoid possible disputes with the Alabama Education Association.

After the public comments and brief board consideration, a motion to adopt the amended rule was seconded and approved by unanimous vote.

","The board unanimously adopted an amendment to Rule 290-4-0040 pertaining to certain teaching techniques after public commenters — including classroom teachers and an AP English instructor — urged revisions to remove subjective terms that could lead to unfair investigations and chilling of instruction.",{"_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},6484353,"Board adopts rule defining mental-health service coordinator role; debate over parental consent for \"ongoing\" services",911,709000,1620000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5809632-2e4d4afbd2c223accf21fa4cd008df61&start=709&end=1620","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5809632-2e4d4afbd2c223accf21fa4cd008df61/thumbnail_709000.jpg","/articles/6484353/Alabama/Board-adopts-rule-defining-mental-health-service-coordinator-role-debate-over-parental-consent-for-ongoing-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6484353-1f68d93d630288298606b590e1a7fa7c/orig.mp4?Expires=1773399212&Signature=JrcXUh-nAIF1xdFPsM3fF2zrSL6unnOEiTmsrB1Nr3sDQQK2bc~a3w61CBk1O09zoCHygN0qllbjSFwRxC--l0iIygbXSL0npWf~pLySvaZ4GKGxwbKUMFTT1kSgJgP361AnKovdrkYDEGjWXUuUSfdItqG5B~k3NhQluXIaO7CvmJ7c45ePYAPZmCYlAyeUeZT41kyUw3S2cCH-EgTTt3XaZQkpF946rbw47w5MO4RGvXIBBXT2J~9gfBnoKt7Q5JfPW808jCBKQCSzK~qgZClBtqm~PmnXT1iS7iyM~cNQX1EjwUVODOZJTZWc2Jxxb54ud2agHsl8ckb6xGm8Nw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alabama State Board of Education voted to adopt a new administrative rule, 290-4-5-08, that defines the role of mental-health service coordinators and seeks to distinguish the coordinators' work from certified school counseling programs.

Supporters in public comment included Dr. Daniel Birdsong, president of the Alabama School Counselor Association, who asked the board to approve the rule and said it \"clearly distinguishes between mental health services implemented by licensed mental health providers through the mental health service coordinator and school counseling services implemented by certified school counselors.\" Birdsong said school counseling programs promote students' academic, career and personal-social development and that the rule will help ensure students \"continue to benefit from school counseling support services that they deserve.\"

Marlo Young, a mental-health service coordinator for the Escambia County School System, also spoke in favor and described the coordinator's work as a supplement to school counseling that connects students and families with tier‑3 community mental-health services. Young said an \"opt in\" approach and parental-consent requirement for ongoing services has created confusion in some districts and described how consent is obtained through local community mental-health agencies.

During discussion, board members focused on one provision that says \"no student K–12 public school under age 14 may be allowed to participate in ongoing school counseling service ... unless specific written instruction has been granted by the student's parents, unless there's an imminent threat to the health of the student or others.\" Several superintendents and board members asked for a departmental clarification of the term \"ongoing school counseling services\" so that existing school counseling programs would not be misinterpreted as restricted by the rule.

One board member told the meeting they planned to vote against the rule, saying too many questions remained about departmental authority and the board's continuing oversight. The motion to adopt the rule carried the vote following discussion; the board chair indicated Dr. Mackey would issue clarifying guidance to explain what constitutes \"ongoing\" services and how parental consent interacts with therapeutic services delivered by community providers.

","The board adopted new Administrative Code Rule 290-4-5-08 to clarify the duties of mental-health service coordinators in schools. Supporters said the rule distinguishes coordinators from school counselors and will help students access services; some board members voiced concerns about language on parental consent for students under 14.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

State board adopts requirement that graduates earn a college-or-career credential; debate centers on equity and special‑needs pathways

Votes at a glance: Alabama State Board of Education, Sept. 8, 2022

Board adopts amended rule on certain teaching techniques after teacher commenters urge clearer, less-subjective language

Board adopts rule defining mental-health service coordinator role; debate over parental consent for "ongoing" services