Superintendent Doctor Mackey told the Alabama State Board of Education on Sept. 9 that the department continues to expand work-based learning and computer-science opportunities for students and highlighted student-produced videos submitted to a statewide contest.

Mackey said the department counts more than 8,700 high-school students in 267 high schools and career-technical centers participating in work-based learning. In his remarks he said participating students worked about 4.4 million hours and earned more than $40.5 million; he also cited an overall economic-impact figure of $284 million as part of the board’s workforce-development materials presented at the meeting.

Mackey credited local school counselors, career coaches, principals and partner postsecondary institutions for helping students capture scholarships and Pell grants through the Cash for College program. He also noted that the JAG program had a strong showing in national recognition and that the department will continue efforts to expand computer-science instruction and hands-on student programming opportunities.

The meeting included a brief showcase of student videos produced for the Alabama Association of School Boards’ statewide video contest; Mackey encouraged districts to submit entries and said department staff would publicize winning entries.

Mackey closed by introducing invited representatives from several universities who were attending the meeting and the associated work session to discuss educator-preparation programs.

The board received no public speakers at the meeting and moved on to adopt several items on the agenda, including the teacher observation program and the FY2022 operating budget.