Alabama State Board of Education approves educator-prep programs, code changes and resolutions in unanimous votes

The Alabama State Board of Education at its December meeting unanimously approved a series of resolutions including authorization of alternative educator preparation programs, notices of intent to adopt or amend portions of the Alabama Administrative Code and routine governance matters.

The board approved a motion to temporarily suspend certain provisions of the Alabama Administrative Code related to hand-raising, physical-presence quorum requirements and meetings by electronic means; the suspension was adopted unanimously. The board then approved a revised agenda and the minutes from its Nov. 12, 2020 meeting.

Board members voted to recognize the week of December 2020 as Computer Science Education Week in Alabama schools. The board also approved alternative Class A collaborative special education educator preparation programs (grades K-6) at Stanford University; an alternative Class A collaborative special education (K-6) and an alternative Class A elementary education program at Troy University; and alternative Class A choral and instrumental music educator preparation programs (P-12) at the University of South Alabama. Each of those program authorizations passed on unanimous roll-call votes.

The board announced its intent to adopt a new Alabama Administrative Code provision, listed in the meeting as Group 290-4-3-.03, pertaining to the Alabama Core Teaching Standards, and adopted an amendment to Alabama Administrative Code Group 290-2-01-.01 relating to the annual apportionment of the foundation program. The board also ratified the 2020-21 state superintendent—s evaluation results and approved the 2021 Alabama State Board of Education meeting and work session dates. All of those measures passed unanimously.

All motions were adopted by roll-call vote with no recorded no votes, abstentions or recusals. The meeting record notes each vote as unanimous.

Votes at a glance (motions adopted) - Motion to temporarily suspend certain provisions of the Alabama Administrative Code (rules about hand-raising, physical quorum and electronic meetings); seconded (name recorded in minutes); outcome: approved (unanimous roll call). - Approved revised meeting agenda; outcome: approved (unanimous roll call). - Approved minutes of the Nov. 12, 2020 meeting; outcome: approved (unanimous roll call). - Adopted resolution recognizing the week of December 2020 as Computer Science Education Week; outcome: approved (unanimous roll call). - Approved alternative Class A collaborative special education educator preparation program (K-6) at Stanford University; outcome: approved (unanimous roll call). - Approved alternative Class A collaborative special education (K-6) and alternative Class A elementary education programs at Troy University; outcome: approved (unanimous roll call). - Approved alternative Class A choral music and instrumental music educator preparation programs (P-12) at the University of South Alabama; outcome: approved (unanimous roll call). - Announced intent to adopt new Alabama Administrative Code Group 290-4-3-.03 (Alabama Core Teaching Standards); outcome: approved (unanimous roll call). - Adopted amendment to Alabama Administrative Code Group 290-2-01-.01 (annual apportionment of foundation program); outcome: approved (unanimous roll call). - Ratified the 2020-21 state superintendent—s evaluation results; outcome: approved (unanimous roll call). - Approved 2021 Alabama State Board of Education meeting and work session dates; outcome: approved (unanimous roll call).

The board recorded each roll-call vote in the minutes and identified no dissenting votes. The meeting proceeded without public comment and concluded with a motion to adjourn.