Retired teachers with 25 years of service could soon have a permanent, lifetime pathway back to Alabama classrooms under a proposed rule change announced Thursday by the State Board of Education.

The board announced its intent to repeal and replace Alabama Administrative Code Chapter 290-3-2, which governs teacher certification and professional services regulations. The proposed Retirement Permanent Certificate would allow retired educators to return to Alabama schools more easily when needed. The rule changes will be open for public comment for 35 days and are expected to return before the board at its June meeting. For additional information about other proposed changes to the code, see AASB’s coverage of last month’s meeting and work session.

The board also approved the Digital Literacy and Computer Science Course of Study. State Superintendent Eric Mackey announced that Alabama has been recognized by Code.org as the first and only state to fully integrate Artificial Intelligence into its state computer science standards. A textbook committee for the new course of study will begin forming at the May meeting.

Work Session

In the work session immediately following, Mackey called this year's legislative session one of the best in recent years, noting fewer education-related bills passed overall while key priorities advanced. Among the highlights he presented:

• Screentime Limits (HB78): Requires development of regulations limiting screen time for children ages 0–5 in daycares and preschools. A similar bill for K–12 students did not advance.
• The TRAIN Act (HB517): Allows businesses to loan qualified employees to serve as CTE teachers in partnering local schools.
• Military Veteran Teacher Certification (SB149): Directs ALSDE to create a new certification pathway for veterans who served at least 48 months with an honorable discharge or medical separation.
• CTE Teaching Certification Pathway (HB520): Requires creation of an expedited certification pathway for individuals coming from CTE occupations.

On the budget front, Mackey expressed gratitude for PEEHIP funding and Transportation Operations and Fleet Renewal allocations in the FY 2026–27 Educate Alabama Budget Package. He also highlighted increases in RAISE Funding, CHOOSE Funding, Career and Technical Education funds and a 2% teacher pay raise, predicting sufficient funds to cover next year's direct budget with a narrowing gap between income and expenditures.

Recognitions

Mackey opened Thursday’s meeting with a special recognition and moment of silence for Maj. John Alex Klinner, an Alabama resident and member of the 99th Air Refueling Squadron, 11th Air Refueling Wing in Birmingham, who was among six Air Force crew members killed when his KC-135 aircraft crashed during a mission in support of Operation Epic Fury.

The board also passed resolutions honoring:

• Four Teachers of the Year in health and physical education
• The Barbara Fannin Memorial Employee of the Quarter
• The 2025 ACT American College Application Campaign School of Excellence
• Christian Stanley of Pike County Schools, as a National Milken Educator — a prestigious recognition accompanied by a $25,000 unrestricted award
• Alabama's 2026 Purple Star Schools from Autauga, Baldwin, Chambers, Cherokee, Cullman, Elmore, Jackson, Lee, Madison, Mobile and Montgomery counties, as well as Daleville, Madison, Ozark, Phenix City, Pike Road and LEAD Academy Charter School

Mackey noted that Alabama's Purple Star Schools program has drawn national attention, with Washington officials recognizing the state as the most family-friendly state for military families.

Coming in May

At the May meeting, the board will recognize Mountain Brook City Schools and Dale County Schools — the two systems with the highest State Report Card grades this past year. Dale County earned the highest grade ever recorded for a county school system.

Next SBOE Meeting and Work Session

The board’s next regular meeting will take place Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 10 a.m. in Montgomery with a work session immediately following.

• Gordon Persons Building Auditorium
• Livestream viewing: https://www.youtube.com/user/aldeptofed/live 
• Archived meeting and work session recordings: https://www.alabamaachieves.org/state-board-of-education/meeting-videos/