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State textbook committee recommends CTE titles after multiweek review; public comment period opens
Summary
The State Textbook Committee presented its review of career and technical education (CTE) materials for architecture, construction, information technology and transportation/logistics. Committee members used a tiered rubric; recommendations will enter a 30-day public comment period before final board action.
The board received a report from the State Textbook Committee on career and technical education (CTE) textbook adoption in the clusters of architecture and construction, information technology, and transportation, distribution and logistics. Committee leadership described a multi-week review process that included 23 appointed members, additional subject-area appointees and civilian reviewers. Publishers were invited to present materials; four companies''Cengage, Coffee Scholar, eDynamic Learning and Goodheart-Willcox''submitted materials for committee review.
Committee members described a three-section rubric: (1) nonnegotiable submission requirements (for example, online access for reviewers), (2) alignment to Alabama course-of-study standards, and (3) classroom application and quality indicators. Materials were scored using a tiered system: Tier 1 (90''100%) recommended for approval, Tier 2 (80''89%) approaching quality and recommended, and Tier 3 (below 80%) not recommended.
The committee reported mixed results across titles. Some comprehensive and supplemental publications received scores in the 90s and the committee recommended them for approval; other titles scored below the 80% threshold and were recommended for rejection. The committee traced scores to the number of course standards addressed and to the sum of points across classroom-application indicators.
Committee staff said publishers had been asked for clarification when submissions were ambiguous about bundling or online access, and that reviewers used product materials, teacher guides and credible external references when available. The committee will open the formal 30-day public comment period required by state textbook law; members or publishers may request to appear before the board during that period. The board acknowledged the committee''s work and prepared to place the committee''s recommendations on the January agenda for possible final action after public input.
