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Votes at a glance: State board recognizes Blue Ribbon and A+ schools, approves CTE updates and program actions
Summary
At its Nov. 9 meeting in Montgomery the Alabama State Board of Education unanimously adopted multiple resolutions recognizing schools and approved updates to career and technical education courses and a University of Alabama at Birmingham program; several routine items were approved with little debate.
The Alabama State Board of Education on Nov. 9 in Montgomery adopted a series of unanimous resolutions and approvals recognizing National Blue Ribbon and A+ College Ready schools, approving updates to career and technical education (CTE) course standards and work‑based learning, and approving a University of Alabama at Birmingham psychology P‑12 program.
The board moved quickly through multiple ceremonial recognitions and routine education actions. Dr. Mackey, presenting department remarks, said the recognitions and updates reflect statewide work on college‑and‑career readiness and career‑technical standards; he noted legislative support for some partnerships and thanked the legislature for recurring funding related to the A+ partnership.
Votes taken at the meeting (motions moved and seconded; in most cases the transcript records unanimous votes by raised hands):
- Adopt resolution recognizing Creek View Elementary School (Alabaster City School System) as a 2023 National Blue Ribbon School — outcome: approved (unanimous).
- Adopt resolution recognizing Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School (Jefferson County School System) as a 2023 National Blue Ribbon School — outcome: approved (unanimous).
- Adopt resolution recognizing Cordova Elementary School (Walker County School System) as a 2023 National Blue Ribbon School — outcome: approved (unanimous).
- Adopt resolution recognizing Mount Carmel Elementary School (Madison County School System) as a 2023 National Blue Ribbon School — outcome: approved (unanimous).
- Adopt resolution recognizing Skyline High School (Jackson County School System) as a 2023 National Blue Ribbon School — outcome: approved (unanimous).
- Adopt resolution honoring 2023 A+ College Ready Schools of Excellence and Schools of Distinction (statewide list) — outcome: approved (unanimous). Dr. Mackey noted the program’s partnership with the A+ Education Partnership and legislative grant support that helps expand advanced placement opportunities.
- Adopt resolution recognizing Inclusion in Alabama Schools (inclusion week, Dec. 2023) to honor special educators and inclusive practices — outcome: approved (unanimous).
- Adopt resolution approving a Class P‑12 School Psychology program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham — outcome: approved (unanimous).
- Adopt revision of the 2022 Career and Technical Education State Course of Study: Career Cluster in Finance — outcome: approved (unanimous).
- Adopt revision of the 2022 Career and Technical Education State Course of Study: Work‑Based Learning — outcome: approved (unanimous).
One agenda item was not moved for consideration: the proposed Alabama Administrative Code chapter 290‑3‑6 pertaining to charter schools (the chair called for a motion; none was made and the board moved on).
Board members and staff offered brief remarks during several items. Dr. Mackey described the Blue Ribbon and A+ recognitions as highlighting schools’ academic achievement and advanced placement gains; he also pointed to an office audit recognition for department asset tracking and thanked staff. The department read aloud lists of schools designated as “schools of excellence” and “schools of distinction,” and staff said each school will receive an individualized resolution and a group photo after the meeting.
Most votes were procedural or recognition items with limited debate; the lone item that drew extended policy discussion during the meeting was the rule on alternative teacher preparation organizations (Item L), which the board also adopted (see separate article).
