[{"_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",6457851,"mediaKeyId","5826071-6c3e5f2fc7f376d97620ef9f8f2be8dd","parentId",5826071,"title","Board hears presentation on 'Short the Squirrel' literacy initiative and statewide rollout","audioSeconds",703,"startMs",161000,"endMs",864000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5826071-6c3e5f2fc7f376d97620ef9f8f2be8dd&start=161&end=864","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5826071-6c3e5f2fc7f376d97620ef9f8f2be8dd/thumbnail_161000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6457851/Alabama/Board-hears-presentation-on-Short-the-Squirrel-literacy-initiative-and-statewide-rollout","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6457851-cd40ad66a8627caf1d119682cbc15fa0/orig.mp4?Expires=1776065668&Signature=V68ZkHzaFvcRpVy6aeU0WeYs5oXF-A6OEsi9H9EQUeyjOD5nSwRrCrN7FdfXSdx48kIKGgoqRbRlUeoOmbVoz-f8aaBgyw9awj7dFD~YrMr2sE1cAmtSqN2HnwmZ0pT1cuIDbDlrangFCZOFbb9uEcPJMWaLpRS3xmEyIChrmcCtKSaH5N0qUlh1GL~iWRdGa0w-jDi6FCsj~0rD~5QCmNPiX4Z22rdAYCbET~gZylyFjt0n0eNAPXH3C8NbTqZ02DtMdamhTv6v7UFmzyZ751w-ihfXnDr4lhvQjdDHX-R14SymorbYBXvY8aVmQWQmrDXUDgayZXKaoo2z93LOpw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alabama State Department of Education","date","2025-09-23T17:15:32.363Z","article","At its March meeting, the Alabama State Board of Education heard a presentation from Dr. Dee Bennett about Short the Squirrel, a statewide literacy initiative that places interactive booklets and related resources in courtrooms, clinics and schools.

Dr. Bennett, a professor at Troy University, told the board the project began as “Short in Court,” providing short activity sheets for children waiting in courtrooms and later expanded into multiple settings and titles. “We now have 5 titles, which you will be receiving in a packet in your executive session today,” Dr. Bennett said. She described the materials as interactive, available in English and Spanish, and linked to videos and adult-facing tips at the bottom of the pages.

The presentation said Short was piloted in four counties and later expanded through grant support from the Alabama Law Foundation and other partners. Dr. Bennett said the initiative has partnered with Troy Elementary School, the Alabama Securities Commission (which supported a “Shorts Money Tree” pilot), Montgomery Public Schools and Monroe County schools, and that the program pursued inclusion on the state STARS vendors list so schools can purchase materials.

Why this matters: Board members and staff described literacy as a foundation for later academic and life success and framed Short as a community-based supplement to classroom instruction. Dr. Bennett said the mascot helps engage children in waiting spaces and encourages family-level conversations about reading and saving.

Board staff also clarified a numerical point raised during the presentation. Dr. Mackey of the Alabama State Department of Education corrected an earlier figure, saying, “it’s 23 percent of our students reading below grade level, not 53,” and stated that the 23 percent number comes from last year’s state test results. The transcript does not include the precise state-test citation beyond that statement.

Dr. Bennett described other outreach and engagement figures during her remarks: a virtual reading pep rally in 2021 with more than 1,200 educators participating; subsequent events and outreach that she said reached approximately 35,000 emerging readers across Head Start, pre-K and early elementary classrooms; and use of volunteer and campus partnerships for artwork, jingles and distribution. She also invited board members to promote Short the Squirrel in their communities and said contact information and materials are provided in the board packet and at shortthesquirrel.com.

The presentation noted partners including Troy University, the Alabama Law Foundation, the Alabama Securities Commission, local school systems and community volunteers. Several board members and staff praised the initiative; no formal action or vote was taken on the presentation itself.

Board chair Missus Thornton closed the item and moved the meeting to other business and the work session later in the day.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Alabama Board of Education Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","At its March meeting, the Alabama State Board of Education heard a presentation from Dr. Dee Bennett about Short the Squirrel, a statewide literacy initiative that places interactive booklets and related resources in courtrooms, clinics and schools.","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},6457841,"Board records intent to adopt amendment to Alabama Administrative Code on student health services",26,118000,144000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5826071-6c3e5f2fc7f376d97620ef9f8f2be8dd&start=118&end=144","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5826071-6c3e5f2fc7f376d97620ef9f8f2be8dd/thumbnail_118000.jpg","/articles/6457841/Alabama/Board-records-intent-to-adopt-amendment-to-Alabama-Administrative-Code-on-student-health-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6457841-7145400ec950ecc086c7b98ff3fc757e/orig.mp4?Expires=1776065668&Signature=khTtK4kBnSmW8Ja7Sxt9VajK18OG-qQ2JJrdN0mj7paVJhI0lMmjuP4-13R4mavn~8zjqK84c~yV6tvi6WHu3rg3rMQPKCJVyKrZUEkjRA68xA~QGNs4WshQuj273suvRaWXXbCE8yZCCxnqf30pQ~1pxFB39KbqIgIgVhpFmg9sANXex6MDWu8v9iYkqxczjAiiwKeil8pixY~-rj0CgESraL~E5Ge89KJ9fnPmVxZlqpUS1MnQnl8laRBrg4Eolkeh0pkolc4fg-i2rdhSt8WfJsuugKAlkeZYzpunC1lnQOlU~jLB3GMhwNLrNyN-alKrQwiwBlU51Q5xTYjjoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the March meeting, the Alabama State Board of Education considered and approved an intent to adopt an amendment to Alabama Administrative Code chapter 290-4-5, the board item described as pertaining to student health services.

A board member moved to record intent to adopt the amended rule and a second was recorded. The motion passed by unanimous vote; no further discussion of the amendment’s substance appears in the meeting transcript.

Why this matters: Amendments to the administrative code that govern student health services can change school health policies or requirements. The board’s vote recorded an intent to adopt — typically a preliminary step in the administrative-rule process — but the transcript does not include the proposed text, justification, or implementation timeline.

The item was listed on the agenda as “intent to adopt amended Alabama administrative code chapter 290-4-5 pertaining to student health services.” The transcript includes the motion, a second, and a unanimous vote; it does not include staff presentations or public comment on the rule text.","The Alabama State Board of Education voted unanimously to record an intent to adopt an amendment to Alabama Administrative Code chapter 290-4-5 on student health services; the meeting record shows a motion, a second and a unanimous vote but does not include the amendment text or discussion of specific changes.",{"_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},6457846,"State Board unanimously extends approval for Spring Hill College educator-preparation program",24,92000,116000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5826071-6c3e5f2fc7f376d97620ef9f8f2be8dd&start=92&end=116","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5826071-6c3e5f2fc7f376d97620ef9f8f2be8dd/thumbnail_92000.jpg","/articles/6457846/Alabama/State-Board-unanimously-extends-approval-for-Spring-Hill-College-educator-preparation-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6457846-ef1a38644279a55ed013796fb0cd0d46/orig.mp4?Expires=1776065668&Signature=UC2PomdVtO0ZtXEkwTGkYYaDLN8DMGSTacipt9XHH-kk2jrRXgBF7nJhqnYN1WCs~XeGWrfeEjTKMbMwWUSdaswphO3wiP7mwOmPRiK7ftAIFwkJbrbmQmF8GRCaQhWWEhJB~bOWk73ERRxp0byrPGkpXqJYZ-jVHKd3YxwiaCZa7razJ0TE3PEzCYrG3xuuLQFzX2C97uepvAHYLV8G-qK1Xj3Xmn95n45k9EB~GDxVe5NgoTia-wIGR44KKSYDC8d8fgWv32tgB4JJYdFRb2h9eNBGfLMW6K4abEqU29gGg6K9IUHKGCaZfhAx7RvJsh0AwMnnDABcIyzbU6FhaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alabama State Board of Education voted unanimously to adopt a resolution extending approval for an education preparation program at Spring Hill College.

A board member moved to adopt the resolution and a second was recorded; the motion passed by unanimous vote with no further discussion recorded.

Why this matters: Approval and extension of educator-preparation programs are part of the board’s statutory oversight of teacher certification and preparation providers. The transcript of the meeting does not specify the length of the extension, conditions attached to the approval or the text of the resolution.

The record shows the motion was made and seconded and the board signaled approval by raised hands. No public comment or staff explanation of the resolution’s terms was recorded in the board transcript for this item.

The item was listed on the board agenda as “consider a resolution to extend approval of an education preparation program for Spring Hill College.”","The Alabama State Board of Education voted unanimously at its March meeting to adopt a resolution extending approval of an educator-preparation program at Spring Hill College; the motion carried with no discussion and no details on duration or conditions were specified in the record.",{"_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},6457837,"Votes at a glance: agenda, minutes, two board items and adjournment recorded as unanimous",1170,30000,1200000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5826071-6c3e5f2fc7f376d97620ef9f8f2be8dd&start=30&end=1200","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5826071-6c3e5f2fc7f376d97620ef9f8f2be8dd/thumbnail_30000.jpg","/articles/6457837/Alabama/Votes-at-a-glance-agenda-minutes-two-board-items-and-adjournment-recorded-as-unanimous","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6457837-3ab1e03f3c059af79e10ed9c2569bd49/orig.mp4?Expires=1776065668&Signature=dsD2Cs0YqglLo-GmKshwfLdpJFl2NUU1f10QUCnWma5k-SfKM1GC8YIaLFYvV7I-eD6bksm9kTsf~SQ0Z2SDb22uqNFZzBL75LwzrzQwDuHXcybWGOY35YvFKFVHYkz9rzsX~K0ii78ThDc1wo2kiUlAV-H7y-n7PMgoDyoJ0kB-Cs5TghSlWGJZHY9u8k9wuvgfOcHoVaHyPs6v8ZgM9aNqm9amMZm87fC8mSXjyRRr5iW6gYn3B7tqDzlVZmvTiuX79yCx40VgY~ZX7mLGPxHGQNuI0ZxFmXsyfkzXkq2F7e7ejKlI2ALSR3rS2tqLcxA73i53E9S9m5Ho~~-uQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its March meeting, the Alabama State Board of Education recorded several procedural and substantive votes. All motions in the meeting transcript carried by unanimous voice or raised-hand vote.

Summary of votes recorded in the transcript:

- Approval of the March meeting agenda: motion, second, unanimous vote.
- Approval of the February meeting minutes: motion, second, unanimous vote.
- Resolution to extend approval of an educator-preparation program at Spring Hill College (agenda item G 2 a): motion, second, unanimous vote. The transcript does not specify the duration or conditions of the extension.
- Intent to adopt an amendment to Alabama Administrative Code chapter 290-4-5 (student health services) (agenda item G 2 b): motion, second, unanimous vote. The meeting record does not include the proposed text or staff presentation.
- Motion to adjourn: motion, second, unanimous vote.

Details: The transcript records motions, seconds and the board’s unanimous acceptance by raised hands or voice for each item. Individual mover and seconder names are not recorded in the itemized vote text in the transcript; where a specific speaker moved or seconded, the transcript does not supply a full name. No roll-call vote with member-by-member votes appears in the meeting record provided.","During the March meeting the Alabama State Board of Education took several routine votes: approval of the meeting agenda and February minutes, adoption of a resolution extending Spring Hill College's educator-preparation program approval, recording intent to adopt an amendment to administrative code chapter 290-4-5, and adjournment. All items were ","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board hears presentation on 'Short the Squirrel' literacy initiative and statewide rollout

Board records intent to adopt amendment to Alabama Administrative Code on student health services

State Board unanimously extends approval for Spring Hill College educator-preparation program

Votes at a glance: agenda, minutes, two board items and adjournment recorded as unanimous