Alabama students in grades 2-8 showed marked improvements in both reading and math proficiency on the Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP) compared to last year. Reading and math proficiency increased across all grade levels, meaning more students are performing at or above grade level.

Grades 2-5 surpassed the 60% proficiency goal in reading, and statistically significant progress (3% or more proficiency growth) was seen across multiple grade levels. Notably, fifth graders improved nine percentage points to 68% reading at or above grade level compared to last year, showing how these gains are being sustained across multiple grade levels.

"The work we're investing in instruction, high-quality materials, professional development and extra help is moving students,” said State Superintendent of Education Eric Mackey during the State Board of Education’s annual business meeting and work session Tuesday.

Board Leadership Changes 

The board unanimously elected Marie Manning (District 6) as vice president and new member Kelly Mooney (District 3) as its president pro tem for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year. The board approved both the Miles College and Oakwood University Educator Preparation Programs.

New Funding Formula Implementation

The board work session included discussion on the implementation of several new laws, including the Renewing Alabama’s Investment in Student Excellence (RAISE Act) student-weighted funding formula. The board announced its intent to adopt amended Alabama Administrative Code Rule 290-2-1-.01, pertaining to the annual apportionment of Foundation Program funds. This is updated annually, following the legislative enactment of the next fiscal year’s Education Trust Fund (ETF) budget, which goes into effect Oct. 1.

The board also announced its intent to adopt a new Alabama Administrative Code Rule 290-2-1-.06, pertaining to the annual apportionment of RAISE Act funds: Beginning with the 2025-26 school year, school systems will receive additional funding to address educational needs and improve outcomes for specific student populations through the RAISE Act. For the upcoming school year, the RAISE Act uses the FY26 ETF Foundation Program average of $7,547 as a “base,” and will allocate additional funding for students in poverty, English Language Learners (ELL), special education and gifted programs. Charter schools also will receive additional funding.

Some systems will receive temporary “hold harmless” funding for the upcoming year to prevent decreases they would otherwise experience under the new formula. Mackey emphasized that hold harmless funding is only guaranteed for the 2025-2026 school year. 

Vaping Awareness in Education Model Policy and Curriculum

The SBOE is developing a model policy and curriculum, as required by the new Vaping Regulation Law (Act 2025-403), which enhances regulation of tobacco and electronic nicotine delivery systems, specifically the use of e-cigarettes and vaping devices. The ALSDE will make the curriculum, which is established by the Drug Education Council, available to each local board. 

The law also requires local boards to:

• Adopt a policy by Nov. 1 that at a minimum covers the same criteria as the model policy; and
• Include the adopted policy in the Code of Conduct, with applicable school discipline for any vaping infractions at school. 

The model policy will be adopted at next month’s SBOE meeting.

Of note: Many school systems already include vaping in their Code of Conduct. Please review your policy to ensure compliance with the new law. AASB’s Policy Pipeline will be published July 17 with this information.

Alabama Teacher Paperwork Streamlining Act 

Beginning with the 2026-27 school year, the ALSDE, working with local school boards, will develop a unified digital platform and data-sharing system to streamline documentation requirements for the Alabama Literacy and Numeracy Acts. The law also creates the Alabama Public Education Paperwork Reduction Committee, comprised of classroom teachers and school administrators who will recommend ways to reduce paperwork. The committee, which will begin its work by Sept. 1, includes 19 distinguished educators, among them former "Sweet 16" Teachers of the Year, Milken Educator Award recipients, and National Board Certified Teachers. 

Other Test Results

ELL student enrollment in Alabama public schools rose from 41,081 in 2022-23 to 50,488 in 2024-25. Both the number and percentage of students passing the WIDA ACCESS exam which assesses English language proficiency have increased over three years, with 2,670 students (5.29%) successfully exiting ELL support services. 

The state report card excludes English Language Learner (ELL) students who meet both of the following criteria:

1. Scored below proficiency level on their most recent WIDA ACCESS exam; AND
2. Have attended school in Alabama for less than six years.

The statewide ACT with Writing average dropped slightly from 17.4 to 17.3 in 2024. Mackey noted students in the new Workforce Diploma Pathway don't have their ACT scores counted in state report cards (though they remain on federal reports), and Mackey estimates 50% of students will choose this pathway within five years due to reduced math and science requirements and unreported ACT scores.  

Federal Funding Update

Mackey updated the board on two separate federal funding issues that have directly impacted Alabama’s schools.

• On June 26, state education agencies were notified federal relief funds previously allocated under Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) would be made available, after halting the disbursement of these funds in March. The ALSDE has since re-applied for these funds which should be forthcoming. 
• On June 30, state education agencies were notified that FY25 Title funds scheduled for release July 1 were frozen pending federal review, despite congressional approval and appropriation. This has withheld roughly $68 million from Alabama's K-12 public schools, creating immediate problems for systems planning to use these funds for payroll and summer programming. There is no timeline for when or if these funds will be released before the 2025-26 school year begins. The affected programs include Title I-Part C (migrant education), Title II-Part A (effective instruction), Title III-Part A (English language acquisition), Title IV-Part A (student support and academic enrichment), and Title IV-Part B (21st century community learning centers). 

Other Board Action 

• Resolution recognizing September 2025 as Attendance Awareness Month in Alabama (of note, Alabama reduced chronic absenteeism by 3% on the most recent state report card 2024).
• Educator Preparation Programs: The board approved programs at both Miles College and Oakwood University.

Next SBOE Meeting and Work Session

The board’s next regular meeting will take place Thursday, Aug. 15, 2025, 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/ 

Ada Katherine van Wyhe, MPA
AASB Director of Governmental Relations