[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,76,88,99,111],{"_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",6460976,"mediaKeyId","5826066-202368315412363bfbb39f11c7ab4a5a","parentId",5826066,"title","Alabama board approves English textbooks for grades 4–12; K–3 recommendation left unresolved","audioSeconds",229,"startMs",573000,"endMs",802000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5826066-202368315412363bfbb39f11c7ab4a5a&start=573&end=802","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5826066-202368315412363bfbb39f11c7ab4a5a/thumbnail_573000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6460976/Alabama/Alabama-board-approves-English-textbooks-for-grades-412-K3-recommendation-left-unresolved","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6460976-6e6a3147647a7ad5b98f7c13e39a4861/orig.mp4?Expires=1775881512&Signature=NDrESYBReBj6V1aKmlWUe~x4DzytjgfqSfGbIiDoNbpKmlrCRd8SA21~ZPMz5bXjlGiPTXhVQ3sUWik9hv9GJ4jNHZ2UGEQLIAPuu8bW-AW3W0QNzG-p3BA~7EJMc8FU6uNYIWt37VrDourAR1kAPZoXeR-MmOLkEsRQup0ORYmp~5mEt3OPJFXEU-mLaIxtFz8VJFiqfbyjhPx0MdTJO5-7GmSghHTytpD3WrAHLvRMRBiR~1NJy7c9iwRoHheh2NQowbSCNwhNaoQ28IskxMfAo2iVJ2TDCSXPSbcbKw9YfRzb9NmDRx3IE0z1hLKRBilt9jIu4n5KvTXK7mGv8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alabama State Department of Education","date","2025-09-23T17:15:32.363Z","article","At the Alabama State Board of Education's February meeting, members voted to adopt the state textbook committee's recommended English language arts textbook list for grades 4 through 12, while leaving the K'3 recommendation unresolved.

State Superintendent Dr. Mackey told the board the vote was split into two parts because board members were uncomfortable leaving only a single K'3 option available statewide. \"For 4 through 12, the whole suite of those recommended by the textbook committee is now considered approved and local districts can purchase those using state funds,\" he said. \"For K'3, what the board has voted to do is to not reject the one that made it, which means that if it's rejected, there are some implications in what local school boards can and can't do. So it's not rejected, but it's also not approved.\"

Why it matters: the decision determines which state-funded textbook options local districts can buy this school year and preserves local choice for early grades while the department and legislature address statutory limitations. Dr. Mackey said the board referenced an existing textbook law and a literacy task force memo in framing the option set and noted the state senate had recently moved forward a bill that could change the procurement process.

Board direction and next steps: Dr. Mackey described three paths for K'3 materials: local districts may (1) use a local selection process with department support and purchase from one of two vendors recommended by the literacy task force; (2) use local or federal funds to buy different materials; or (3) wait for a rebid of the state adoption if and when the legislature's pending bill becomes law and allows reprocurement. \"It's laid out in law, how they can do that,\" he said, and emphasized rebidding would take time.

The board recorded at least one abstention during the broader textbook votes earlier in the meeting; the record shows the board approved the 4'12 recommendations and left K'3 unresolved rather than formally rejecting the single recommended K'3 option.

Background: Board members previously discussed concerns that the K'3 process produced only a single option after scoring. The literacy task force and the state textbook committee were repeatedly referenced during discussion as documents and processes guiding local and state choices. The superintendent said a legislative change under consideration could address some statutory constraints on rebidding.

The board did not specify a timetable for resolving the K'3 procurement; local districts were directed to proceed under the department's guidance if they choose to procure materials before any rebid.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Alabama Board of Education Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","At the Alabama State Board of Education's February meeting, members voted to adopt the state textbook committee's recommended English language arts textbook list for grades 4 through 12, while leaving the K'3 recommendation unresolved.","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},6460971,"Alabama board adopts rule letting local districts handle smaller school projects; emergency rule takes effect immediately",370,997000,1367000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5826066-202368315412363bfbb39f11c7ab4a5a&start=997&end=1367","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5826066-202368315412363bfbb39f11c7ab4a5a/thumbnail_997000.jpg","/articles/6460971/Alabama/Alabama-board-adopts-rule-letting-local-districts-handle-smaller-school-projects-emergency-rule-takes-effect-immediately","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6460971-04f1af9954eaffd762d484db07a4427a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775881512&Signature=Ikw7QB60-wUvDPi4XQSnhk9kXPHx9jWxvf-nVeElDz9SKmpDbi673nEKDPcuQl7kVdal4goaXGfbt4M58A0ng1wZv-dT5Vgr5u3QHMvYqYCPsW1B0PMqmSg6kUtH~JQ9ATr4x9i3N0CmImsk0f6ht09M40K3pyJMFFFF4ydVzbFehfjFYaEtRGLYk3BquKbkQDQNz3EtS5Epb47qoveenum2hsM9DB-cHYPBrAdcDuhmAaw13vZnmyJ6~jJVT8x4OrwwWHutcwIVRGuXNNgYjrdMwb3IQ2soMFtLY~X6swJ972EkdFsNPjvIfTy179jqus9ddJBXO8bpycXQI3VK7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alabama State Board of Education voted in February to amend its administrative rules so local school districts may handle certain school construction projects without routing them through the state Division of Construction Management, and the board adopted an emergency rule making that change effective immediately for six months.

State Superintendent Dr. Mackey said the change reflects legislation enacted last year and effective this February. Under the new rule described to the board, projects that cost less than $500,000 and projects that involve only roof replacement/repair or HVAC replacement/repair do not have to go through the state Division of Construction Management. \"Projects that cost less than $500,000 or projects that deal solely with replacing roofs, replacing or repairing roofs, or replacing or repairing HVAC systems ... do not have to go through the Division of Construction Management,\" he said. \"Local school boards that want to choose not to submit projects up to $500,000, roofing or HVAC, do still have to register those with us, and we still have to approve their contracts.\"

Dr. Mackey said the rule requires local boards, superintendents and contractors or architects to sign affidavits acknowledging that the local entity is assuming the permitting, inspection and liability responsibilities the state previously retained. \"They have to sign an affidavit saying they recognize they're waiving the state required permitting and inspection process, and they are accepting that as a local board of education,\" he said.

Why it matters: the change shifts inspection and permit responsibilities and potential liability from the state to local boards for qualifying projects. Board members were told the update aligns the department's administrative code with a statutory change and that the emergency rule ensures the change is effective immediately while the permanent rule proceeds through the public-comment process.

Board actions: The board considered adoption of the amended Alabama Administrative Code Rule 2'90'''1 as a permanent rule and voted to adopt it; subsequently the board voted to adopt the amended rule as an emergency rule (Rule 2'90''.01 ER) to make the change effective immediately for six months, pending the 45-day public-comment period and a future permanent-rule vote. Both votes were recorded as unanimous.

Implementation and limits: Even when districts handle eligible projects locally, the department will still require registration and contract approval to confirm licensure and basic compliance. Dr. Mackey emphasized the statute changed the state's role; the department's administrative update merely puts that statutory change into the department's code.

","The board amended Alabama Administrative Code to let local school districts handle certain projects under $500,000 and roofing/HVAC work without state permitting, and it adopted an emergency rule to make the change effective immediately.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":80,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6460968,"State board adopts electronic signatures and records policy to speed transactions",96,901000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5826066-202368315412363bfbb39f11c7ab4a5a&start=901&end=997","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5826066-202368315412363bfbb39f11c7ab4a5a/thumbnail_901000.jpg","/articles/6460968/Alabama/State-board-adopts-electronic-signatures-and-records-policy-to-speed-transactions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6460968-8d320d0aab206bd8c8d3926bf1974201/orig.mp4?Expires=1775881512&Signature=eHGjZ3IDFp9EaDqxvV7zOaCyIwq3UHTb3TJN7YqBLEP~3MK1CQbxPR4~CdWA2VvNBDiU-~-CXefiH9g2uahv~-WBZN~nB~r7FKv0or~bYtPDArZZk3CMD80CCUg9qARoB5LlcuEtX2AQUf2AlEwneTT-4MRBiQ78bwsAzMgtc4lzoollQw7dOS3bGZGAVBMcnUmCG3fyu9YXIL0aWwqsGbmWYob7zhjgtPXDzxs6SORhIrfs5cGxrV4rxIBW8nt8-fw373jgmTPdlXQ~l8jCW8TGE5VAPE1ltrJddKTn2-NXexU0TGS9WIRnmKjdWrh4mykV~tjQ91Nyv-aAm13Y-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alabama State Board of Education on Thursday adopted a new administrative rule authorizing electronic signatures and records for department transactions, saying the change will reduce paperwork delays.

State staff described routine processes in which memoranda of agreement and other documents had to be mailed to districts for multiple signatures and returned to the department for additional signatures. Dr. Mackey said those steps \"can take days to weeks, whereas with electronic signatures, we'll be able to do those transactions in a day.\"

Board members noted the item had been discussed at a prior work session and that the department had reviewed the policy in advance. The board voted unanimously to adopt the new rule, listed in meeting discussion as Alabama Administrative Code Rule 2-90-1-1.15 pertaining to electronic signatures and records.

Implementation: The department said it expects the rule to speed routine MOAs and similar transactions between the department, districts and external signers. The department did not provide specific vendor names or technical standards during the board discussion.

","The Alabama State Board of Education voted to adopt new Administrative Code language allowing electronic signatures and electronic records for routine department transactions, a change officials said will reduce multi-day paper mailing and signing processes to same-day transactions.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6460959,"Votes at a glance: February Alabama State Board of Education meeting",2796,352000,3148000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5826066-202368315412363bfbb39f11c7ab4a5a&start=352&end=3148","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5826066-202368315412363bfbb39f11c7ab4a5a/thumbnail_352000.jpg","/articles/6460959/Alabama/Votes-at-a-glance-February-Alabama-State-Board-of-Education-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6460959-508310af20a1e82449d1181da1e69a1c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775881512&Signature=UqufC1OP2IrMGJzVfrNG214zyAM0ztVucmTx70nVAC1~~V2-ROiQJF48KZuPSXrXB3b9gD44Cn1j-gwLhc4SUCAIJubsOKADzNx6P66g1n~bUZlpJY4NygsypBRhwv60ECfvXxLuFsU6UIUDjHJ22RqiFqOg7YSlC4WQQnr5erGQGcsKK-zTpvc6uxaxt7mj43CRXOSA1YSZTSV-TMToiXXXo8463DXigpaqX9Fc1gVg~rFdNcc7oh7hXmY7H7~ZGehjMsDWU2sg-sMlz9GD5jSKEDU-i-Drnh-TUyP6nuyZ7KgjZUNUAZMq8aJsCEizfbBY6f3VqZeZPpbhZyHqXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alabama State Board of Education recorded the following formal actions at its February meeting (summary of motions and stated outcomes as read in the meeting):

- Resolutions recognizing student winners in the State Superintendent's Visual Arts Exhibit (Camilla Duarte, Emily Rastad and other contestants): adopted (unanimous).
- Resolution recognizing March as Arts Education Month: adopted (unanimous).
- Resolution recognizing School Breakfast Week in Alabama: adopted (unanimous).
- Resolution recognizing National School Counseling Week: adopted (unanimous).
- Resolution to authorize review of an educator preparation program for Birmingham'Southern College: adopted (unanimous) (action described as authorizing review).
- Resolution to approve an educator preparation program for Jacksonville State University: adopted (unanimous).
- Adopt recommendations of the state textbook committee for English language arts: grades 4'12 approved; K'3 recommendation left unresolved (board did not formally approve or reject the single K'3 option; see full article on textbook action for details).
- Adopt new Alabama Administrative Code Rule 2-90-1-1.15 (electronic signatures and records policy): adopted (unanimous).
- Adopt amended Alabama Administrative Code Rule 2-90-2-2-1 (school facilities): adopted (vote recorded) and also adopted as an emergency rule (Rule 2-90-2-2.01 ER) to take effect immediately for six months (unanimous).
- Announcement and administrative appointment: Dr. John E. Brandon named to fill a vacancy on the Pickens County Board of Education; he has assumed the role and will serve the remainder of the term and must run for election if he seeks to continue.

Notes: Many votes were recorded as unanimous in the meeting. The textbook matter was handled as a bifurcated vote: the 4'12 recommendations were adopted; the single K'3 recommendation was neither formally approved nor rejected and the board provided guidance for local districts and possible future rebid pending legislative changes. Where the meeting reading did not specify a motion mover, second or a full roll-call tally the summary records the outcome as the chair announced it.

","The board unanimously approved several recognition resolutions, adopted administrative rules on electronic signatures and school facilities (including an emergency rule), authorized educator preparation program actions and recorded an interim appointment to the Pickens County board; the textbook decision was split between grades 4'12 and K'3.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6460963,"State education leaders spotlight CareerTech Month and 'Earn and Learn' hospital program",614,1832000,2446000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5826066-202368315412363bfbb39f11c7ab4a5a&start=1832&end=2446","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5826066-202368315412363bfbb39f11c7ab4a5a/thumbnail_1832000.jpg","/articles/6460963/Alabama/State-education-leaders-spotlight-CareerTech-Month-and-Earn-and-Learn-hospital-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6460963-14e12e6abc137dfe7de54f3d31174b40/orig.mp4?Expires=1775881512&Signature=kCwlZtC71UAWPZw4d-eUpvDci225W3K0Zq9PALSdamiTQE5R6C2X0f4Y2CQzCLRvBBp0x~t9kJbV8IcEJbpSQozGb0DIK5KvAIipQ6j14WMHIeyQJhuBu7S7UkeIrl7jLYwqQWQLOLiJDeDeqy-6EN7jH3PQrvYrdnoUXqz6S0prB1kBeBpHaJA7Ga2Jn2141ggmS8fp4h55ljSohcptjZn5jyl6UOFSZGi9EsqL87zD7eR6lpnzQ7DnqVwFRNbpsoLGBtDkPas~5SMsjV51UVhRUjBT987TrRYrNMDB-aRdqVISkKVJ3X71QqTkjeU17BvjrmCw9qFVX~JoMFHDJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alabama State Board of Education used part of its February meeting to spotlight Career and Technical Education (CTE) month and to showcase an \"Earn and Learn\" hospital partnership that places qualified high school seniors into paid health-care jobs.

Dr. Jimmy Hall, the department's CTE director, introduced the program and a short video emphasizing CTE participation and graduation rates. He said the department had distributed a middle-grades CTE grant, planned further rounds of grants and was developing drone and cyber-technology grants for JROTC programs.

The board heard directly from students in an East Alabama Health \"Earn and Learn\" program based in Opelika. Laura Lee Farmer, a senior from Auburn High School, said working in the emergency department confirmed her desire to major in nursing. \"In just a few short weeks of being involved in the program, it has made me realize I want to major in nursing and pursue a career in emergency department,\" she said, describing tasks including wound care, assisting with EKGs, triage, completing patient charts and COVID tests. Zoe Dollar, a senior at Beauregard High School, said the experience exposed her to hospital terminology, operations and the range of roles on a care team.

Details the department provided: the Earn and Learn program began in 2007, expanded with a private grant, and this year offered jobs to 18 applicants from Auburn, Beauregard and Opelika high schools. Participating students are high school seniors enrolled in a health-science program who have earned a nationally recognized credential; they work up to 20 hours per week at $10 per hour for a 90-day period and are then considered for full- or part-time employment at higher pay.

Why it matters: department leaders said the program gives students real workplace experience, helps address local workforce shortages and strengthens school'to'career pathways. Dr. Hall said the state is working to expand middle grades CTE and align programs to in-demand jobs across workforce regions.

","At the February board meeting officials celebrated Career and Technical Education month and highlighted an \"Earn and Learn\" partnership with East Alabama Health in Opelika that hires qualified high school seniors as nurse techs; students described hands-on experience working in emergency departments during the COVID-19 pandemic.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Alabama board approves English textbooks for grades 4–12; K–3 recommendation left unresolved

Alabama board adopts rule letting local districts handle smaller school projects; emergency rule takes effect immediately

State board adopts electronic signatures and records policy to speed transactions

Votes at a glance: February Alabama State Board of Education meeting

State education leaders spotlight CareerTech Month and 'Earn and Learn' hospital program