[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6457542,"mediaKeyId","5860880-92c66d3d60a2c8f14bed04fd561742b1","parentId",5860880,"title","Board members seek clarity after $4.2 million special‑education contracts awarded; staff says funds are IDEA Part B awards to multiple vendors","audioSeconds",644,"startMs",7292000,"endMs",7936000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5860880-92c66d3d60a2c8f14bed04fd561742b1&start=7292&end=7936","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5860880-92c66d3d60a2c8f14bed04fd561742b1/thumbnail_7292000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6457542/Alabama/Board-members-seek-clarity-after-42-million-specialeducation-contracts-awarded-staff-says-funds-are-IDEA-Part-B-awards-to-multiple-vendors","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6457542-e13a2ad76c541456173faf1bc4685d0b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773580797&Signature=oPvQuGdzYBauQmhAcBrAOXrJa5NIDdVNlehBb0NyYfSlqwjTfecAWLMS2BjjbKpuPdlMg1rvVni1x8i1gdqHEGu0mEW0f7-7ezWSwJl8yJdW1pkq9RWNLKP57Aq8sgULfF5BV3RQZg3UoRYw9uJVukZNGymLSUdCMeC12DYUPZXiexUzVMl9fp9CuQh99TKyE1ghSJFg~uG2dScgb4l1fpsEPsbAEb9yV8wPkJH6ZnvHu-Gd9sr5gns7nR~0~zTBWGuS~LaBMziI4yFZ~3i71qnsJ3l-y9V~eBtG1~ycj-X8iet59l9xV~2bYlTePAlHvtu4C6qUdMhErMB-xplkUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alabama State Department of Education","date","2025-09-30T21:50:46Z","article","Several board members raised concerns after press reports that a $4.2 million contract had been awarded to a consulting firm in connection with special‑education work. One member said she had not been aware of the awards before the media report and described that as an omission; other members asked for clearer advance notice and more detailed contract materials.

Staff clarified the competitive procurement process and funding source. The department’s special‑education office said the awards resulted from an RFP intended to improve outcomes for students with disabilities. The office received 19 proposals from 17 vendors, scored them, and ultimately funded 11 proposals across eight vendors to provide professional‑development modules and other services aimed at raising outcomes for the special‑education subgroup. Staff emphasized the awards use IDEA Part B federal funds rather than ESSER or other COVID‑era funds that were incorrectly reported in early coverage.

Staff also explained the state’s contract process: contracts go through the legislature’s contract‑review process and then to the governor’s office for signature before they are fully executed; some board members asked that the board receive contract review materials earlier so members can ask questions before items reach the legislature or the press.

Board members requested additional transparency and documentation, including the procurement scoring, vendor scopes, and the identities of the vendors selected. Staff offered to provide more detailed documentation and to schedule deeper briefings on the special‑education initiative; the department said the director of special education could present the work and expected deliverables at a future session.

No board action or vote on the contracts occurred at the meeting. Staff said they would supply the board with further information about the RFP awards and the timeline for final contract execution.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Alabama Board of Education Work Session","oneSentenceSummary","Board members raised concerns after media coverage of a $4.2 million special‑education award; department staff said the dollars were part of multiple IDEA Part B‑funded awards made through a competitive RFP process and promised further documentation.","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},6457547,"Board staff moves ahead on electronic board packet; procurement, training and confidentiality discussed",392,4418000,4810000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5860880-92c66d3d60a2c8f14bed04fd561742b1&start=4418&end=4810","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5860880-92c66d3d60a2c8f14bed04fd561742b1/thumbnail_4418000.jpg","/articles/6457547/Alabama/Board-staff-moves-ahead-on-electronic-board-packet-procurement-training-and-confidentiality-discussed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6457547-c5105ebd85e76a9819598f0ce81cd044/orig.mp4?Expires=1773580797&Signature=gjabT3OG6h0HFOScrb6V00GBsVnm-lS2Tkis0bhYJI4U9J4byeurMJ4qtE--zM4PacH0JUuY-D2Vy-ZGtpo2Wr1h-D-23UVlWX5TLOKsNzfGlvUXBLxYv6aFqoVO5Py~gARY8P3UeboZ4TzNjKT01fZnz4H46Mj8E~4UoPv1ZliY4hjl7MLIZxvaMkh~Bw1gMpbcm87dkxaKe1lkJ-sNWLwmr892HCKsjI4gFvv6TtJ3nhHQa~rXpQ99vnPOAVC4FtwiES4xm6mLAIxUBgOIDjHonmITOlVvdYWsSTFDR60XDnMsyUu0YlLm0p4clsopEMgCH6e69-XGgoHAWsWF9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Board staff updated members on the procurement and planned rollout of an electronic board packet system designed to replace bulky paper binders and give members searchable, annotatable access to agenda materials. Procurement staff reported they are preparing a purchase order for an assembly software package used by other boards, and that a common vendor used by several boards had been evaluated.

Brandon Patton in procurement and staff said they expect to be close to a purchase order and that the department will offer members a choice of device (for example an iPad or a basic laptop) or the option to continue receiving paper packets. Staff proposed training and a target of a September meeting for members to receive devices and practice using the system.

Members and staff also discussed operational details: the system will allow annotations and search, and staff said paper will remain available for those who prefer it. Staff emphasized the need to clearly label draft or unverified data as confidential when it is circulated to board members ahead of public release; the superintendent's office said it will continue to give boards district‑specific draft data in advance but will mark it confidential until verification and a public release.

Several members asked that procurement follow state rules and that training be provided; staff said they are arranging practical, user‑focused modules rather than long in‑person sessions. The board discussed opt‑in device logistics (members can request an iPad or laptop or use their own device) and staff said they will circulate a preference survey by email to compile a single purchase order if devices are requested.

No formal rule change or purchase order was executed during the session; staff said procurement steps were in progress and committed to returning with implementation dates and training materials.","Board staff said procurement of an electronic meeting/package system is advancing and staff plans training and device options for members; members raised data‑security, public‑records and draft‑data distribution concerns.",{"_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},6457552,"Alabama board discusses making college‑and‑career readiness a minimum high‑school graduation requirement",4108,292000,4400000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5860880-92c66d3d60a2c8f14bed04fd561742b1&start=292&end=4400","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5860880-92c66d3d60a2c8f14bed04fd561742b1/thumbnail_292000.jpg","/articles/6457552/Alabama/Alabama-board-discusses-making-collegeandcareer-readiness-a-minimum-highschool-graduation-requirement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6457552-449df7e496bb7e9315f34e07f6b33087/orig.mp4?Expires=1773580797&Signature=PMSqNSda-8av5~73MBkI~yjN9yy3ILVUnaDiRDuNTmk5QfC1q3kONl8L~GCJUOgs22lT-Ju9G0khj-lBiYHKHk7yQ85dFvhW9ngjTj82H2ZtITkEOZb~EAS~KiBoV5NUnlxhJEGQPBntJWh2vkZ9nx6kj0XRhv-nQp2mWi~3TGiu60LCi8PY8JIlGaLG-vOXQu4S6IAysj1fWYgtfuOZgo9KgHVeKamI5LYBUA0GFVDFY7OJuU~kiF24ToJ4gXNGeQmRP7A3v-kv-JEGiVfzouypLPw7yUELKkpQfeqy52ax~QC-k902pC8foYGq4~FVMDXhcWAy3KEDz360tj-Mbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","State Board of Education members spent the bulk of a work session debating a proposal to make a college‑and‑career‑readiness (CCR) indicator a required minimum for a regular high‑school diploma, State Superintendent Dr. Reynolds said. Staff framed the change as prospective: if adopted, it would be written so the requirement could be included in four‑year plans for current eighth graders, targeting the graduating class of 2028.

Board members and staff described why the change matters and how it would be measured. Under the draft framework, a student would meet CCR by achieving any one of several options: a benchmark score on an ACT subject, a qualifying Advanced Placement (AP) score, college credit while in high school (dual enrollment), WorkKeys (an ACT product), a career‑technical (CTE) industry credential listed on the state’s credential registry (referred to in the meeting as the ACCP registry), completion of a CTE “completer” sequence, or military enlistment before graduation. Staff noted some pathways are stronger in certain regions and that many students meet CCR by a combination of measures.

The proposal intends to use the CCR indicator as an additional graduation requirement, not as a waiver or a single‑year one‑off change. Dr. Reynolds told the board that some high schools already show very high CCR rates—two schools were cited as having 100 percent—because they run approved local CCR pathways. Switching to the statewide registry would require some local programs to retool. Staff stressed the need for lead time so counselors can incorporate CCR into rising 8th graders’ four‑year plans.

Board members pressed on capacity, equity and funding. Several board members and superintendents told staff that districts with high poverty or limited staff capacity are only now beginning to raise CCR rates and would need time and resources to implement a requirement. At least one superintendent asked the department to use the foundation program to fully fund CTE teacher units so each high school could support a CTE course sequence without cannibalizing local units currently devoted to career‑tech centers.

Scheduling and geography also featured in the discussion. Members noted block scheduling can increase the number of Carnegie units students can earn and help with transportation to regional CTE centers, but long travel times and equipment costs at regional centers can still limit access. Staff and several board members urged consultation with superintendents, principals and CTE directors to identify barriers and unintended schedule impacts (for example, on athletics and fine arts).

Board members also asked how the CCR indicator would interact with the state report card. Dr. Reynolds said federal rules limit the state’s discretion: the U.S. Department of Education treats graduation rate as the primary academic indicator for high‑school accountability, so CCR cannot replace the graduation‑rate weighting on the report card.

Staff outlined next steps: a deeper work session on CCR in the next board meeting, including a presentation on a new career‑development model and more district‑level data. Dr. Reynolds recommended against rushing adoption; board members discussed seeking additional budget support and aiming for a formal vote after further analysis and outreach, with implementation scheduled far enough ahead to allow counselors and districts to prepare.

The board did not take a formal vote on the proposal during the session. Instead, members asked staff for: (1) a district‑by‑district report showing current CCR pathways and how many schools offer AP, dual‑enrollment or CTE sequences that would meet completer status; (2) an assessment of which CCR pathways could be offered through ACCESS (the state distance‑learning platform) or two‑year colleges; and (3) an estimate of funding needed (for example, to request additional CTE teacher units via the foundation program) to avoid forcing districts to reallocate existing units.

The board scheduled a deeper discussion at the next work session so members can review program‑level data, access options, and implementation timelines before considering rule changes.","State education officials opened detailed discussion on requiring a college‑and‑career‑readiness (CCR) indicator for a high‑school diploma, with staff proposing a phased timeline, multiple CCR pathways, and requests for funding and implementation support from districts.","actionData","errors"]

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Board members seek clarity after $4.2 million special‑education contracts awarded; staff says funds are IDEA Part B awards to multiple vendors

Board staff moves ahead on electronic board packet; procurement, training and confidentiality discussed

Alabama board discusses making college‑and‑career readiness a minimum high‑school graduation requirement