State board announces intent to adopt literacy rule; approves teacher recognitions and program actions

The Alabama State Board of Education on Jan. 11, 2024 voted to announce its intent to adopt a new administrative rule on literacy coursework — Alabama Administrative Code Rule 290-3-3-.061 — and approved a series of resolutions recognizing teachers and school-system achievements, board members and staff said.

Board staff described the rule as establishing the state epartment—ducation—oursework standards for the science of reading. Dr. Mackey, a department official who presented the item, said outside reviewers praised the draft and that the rule "prohibits" the use of the three-cueing system in educator preparation programs (EPPs) and in Alabama public schools. "The utilization of [the three-cueing] system within coursework, materials, instructional strategies, etcetera, is prohibited in Alabama EPPs and in Alabama public schools," he said.

The vote on Jan. 11 was the board's first vote (notice of intent to adopt). Dr. Mackey and other board members said the rule text is now open for public comment for 45 days and that the board will consider final adoption at a subsequent meeting currently scheduled for March. Dr. Mackey told the board the draft was prepared by a cross-departmental team that included personnel from ARI and the teacher certification section and that external reviewers described the draft as "excellent" and among the most rigorous higher-education reading standards the reviewers had seen.

Beyond the rule action, the board approved a set of ceremonial and program items by voice vote or raised hand. Resolutions passed recognizing 2023 Presidential Award finalists: Mary Gray (WP Davidson High School, Mobile County, District 1) for science; Sherry Whitehead (Mountain Brook Junior High, Mountain Brook City Schools, District 3) for mathematics; Nathan Kenny (Hillcrest High School, Tuscaloosa County, District 4) for mathematics; David Dye (Barton Academy for Advanced World Studies, Mobile County, District 5) for mathematics; Melanie Dimler (Hewitt-Trussville High School, Trussville City Schools, District 7) for science; and Brandon Renfro (Geraldine High School, DeKalb County, District 8) for science.

The board also adopted a resolution recognizing Jasper City School System as the first district in Alabama to earn Level 1 certification under Marzano High Reliability Schools. Dr. Mackey praised Jasper—ity nd asked the superintendent, Dr. Anne Jackson, and her principals to be recognized. The board approved a resolution naming Jamie Daniels the Barber-Fannin Memorial employee of the quarter (January pril 2024), a resolution recognizing January 2024 as Gifted Education Month, and a resolution approving educator preparation program offerings at Faulkner University, which the department noted are being reinstated after low enrollment in prior years.

All of the listed resolutions and motions at the Jan. 11 meeting were adopted by voice vote or by members raising hands; no roll-call tallies were recorded in the public transcript.

The board's chair announced the next meeting will be at 10 a.m. Feb. 8, 2024, in the Gordon Persons Building Auditorium.