State Board approves K–3 ELA textbook list after hours of public comment and debate

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Alabama State Board of Education on March 9 approved recommendations from the state textbook committee to adopt textbooks and core reading programs for kindergarten through third grade English language arts, voting 7–1 after an extended public hearing and discussion.

The vote authorizes the state to move forward with the vendor list forwarded by the literacy task force and the textbook committee; specific contracts will be completed and made public after legal and procurement steps, the superintendent said.

The decision follows a public hearing at which eight speakers addressed the board, sharply divided over which reading program the state should endorse. Supporters urged adoption of programs aligned to the “science of reading,” while opponents pressed the board to reject materials they described as inappropriate for young children.

"McGraw Hill's been publishing curriculum for our schools for over 70 years," said Julia Cleland, representing Eagle Forum, urging the board to adopt McGraw Hill's Open Court for K–3. "This curriculum is still fresh, timely, and includes up to date technology for our bright technology driven students."

Speakers opposing one of the recommended series criticized content and illustrations in materials published by Amplify. "These stories were characterized by a complete absence of joy," Donna Cood told the board, saying she reviewed first- and third-grade readers and found themes she said were negative. Melinda Willowford said the Amplify materials "do not support community and pride in America heritage" and complained about specific storylines and illustrations.

"Amplify materials are designed to indoctrinate our children," said Melissa Gates, addressing the board during public comment.

Supporters of the recommended list described the adoption as necessary to give teachers vetted, research-aligned instructional materials. "A high quality core reading program aligned to the science of reading is the most important tool in the hands of our teachers every day," Mark Dixon of A+ Education Partnership told the board, urging adoption of the literacy task force's recommendations.

State Superintendent Dr. Matt Mackey described the multi-step review process used this year. He said the literacy task force — a group of reading experts created under state law — vetted submitted programs for alignment with the Alabama Literacy Act and recommended multiple options. The textbook committee then reviewed the task force's recommendations and forwarded the same set of programs to the board.

"I have stayed completely absent from the process of reviewing and selecting textbooks. I have not read any of them. I stay away from it," Mackey said, describing the department's role as facilitator rather than selector. He also explained why the board could not disclose which vendors were on the recommended list before the vote: the procurement process and state law bar releasing those details before contracts are executed because premature disclosure could affect pricing and contract negotiations.

Board members debated the legal limits and the substance of specific series. One board member, identifying herself as Isabelle, said she would vote against the recommendation because of concerns about a single series on the list. "I will vote against it because of 1 series on the list," she said. The board nonetheless adopted the textbook committee's recommendations 7–1.

The board's approval creates a state-approved list from which local school systems may choose. Mackey and board members repeatedly emphasized that local boards retain authority to decide which approved program best fits their classrooms and that local districts may omit or redact individual stories or lessons they consider inappropriate.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution recognizing March 2023 as National School Breakfast Week in Alabama — approved unanimously (vote recorded as unanimous). - Resolution proclaiming March 2023 as Child and Adult Care Food Program week — approved unanimously. - Adoption of recommendations of the state textbook committee for English language arts grades K–3 — approved 7–1. - Adoption of new Alabama Administrative Code rule 290-3-1-.01 (first-grade readiness) — approved 6–2; the rule directs boards to adopt local first-grade readiness assessments and directs the department to provide model tools and resources. - Adoption of new Alabama Administrative Code rule 290-3-3-0.60 (admit alternate teacher preparation organizations) — approved 7–1. - Personnel approval to hire Dr. Autumn Jeter as assistant state superintendent for support services (effective 04/03/2023) — approved with one objection noted.

What happens next

Approved programs on the state list will proceed to contract negotiations and signature; the contents of vendor proposals and final contracts become public only after procurement and execution. Local school boards may select from the state-approved list, adopt materials locally that were not state-approved through a local adoption process, or purchase materials with non-state funds if the state board rejects a title.

The board noted that many materials were available at public libraries and online for review and that the department will work to improve public access to vendor materials in future adoption cycles. Superintendent Mackey and members said the state will continue work on literacy supports and other textbook adoptions scheduled for future years.

The board meeting record shows the public hearing, superintendent explanation, debate and final vote taking place during the March 9, 2023 meeting of the Alabama State Board of Education at the Gordon Persons Building in Montgomery.