Alabama public schools are experiencing their largest enrollment decline in five decades, with preliminary data showing approximately 5,700 fewer students enrolled this school year compared to last year.

In an update to State Board of Education members during Thursday's work session, State Superintendent of Education Eric Mackey reported the following numbers, noting the information is preliminary until final verification Oct. 17.

• Only 12 of Alabama's school systems saw enrollment growth, while 126 saw declines
• About 3,000 students transitioned to private schools or homeschooling through the CHOOSE Act
• 2,100 students are unaccounted for – they were enrolled last year but are not reported in public schools, private schools, homeschools, or schools in other states this year

Mackey said many local superintendents indicated the missing students are disproportionately Hispanic, suggesting concerns about immigration enforcement may be keeping families from enrolling their children. He emphasized if these students are still in Alabama, parents need to get them back in school.

Impact on school systems: This enrollment decline will result in 500 to 700 teacher positions being eliminated in the next budget cycle due to Alabama's Foundation Program, which calculates teacher units based on student enrollment, Mackey explained.

FY27 Budget Proposal, RAISE Act Rules

FY 2027 Budget Proposal and RAISE Act Rules 

At its Thursday meeting, the board approved:

• Foundation Program Budget Request: The board voted to send the ALSDE's FY27 budget request to Governor Kay Ivey's office. The governor will use this request as she develops her recommended budget, which will be presented to the Legislature during the first week of the 2026 Legislative Session which begins January 13. View detailed coverage of budget request in from last month’s FYI Newsletter.
• RAISE Act Administrative Code: The board adopted new regulations (Rule 290-2-1-06) adding RAISE Act language to Alabama's Administrative Code. For FY26, school systems wanting to move money flexibly between student groups must get approval from the state superintendent if the amount exceeds 10% of the weighted allocation for that student group. This represents the first significant change to Alabama's school funding structure in 30 years. The board also adopted amended Rule 290-2-1-01 pertaining to Foundation Program fund apportionment.

State Intervention Updates

Mackey's report during the board meeting included updates on three school systems currently under state intervention: Sumter County Schools, Bessemer City Schools and Dallas County Schools. He noted all are progressing well, with board members completing intensive leadership training.

Office of Mathematics Improvement

Strong Growth in Struggling Schools ALSDE Office of Math Improvement (OMI) Director Karen Anderson presented encouraging data on schools receiving support through the Alabama Numeracy Act, with Mackey noting Alabama has become "the tip of the spear for the whole nation" on elementary math work. View Presentation.

Results:

• 88% of full support schools showed growth in ACAP math scores
• 78% of limited support schools showed growth in ACAP math scores
• About 35 schools improved enough to no longer need OMI support
• Some schools demonstrated 10-20 percentage point increases in student proficiency

Mackey emphasized the 88% growth rate is "kind of remarkable" given that most full support schools face compounding challenges including disproportionate numbers of uncertified teachers, high teacher turnover, high poverty, high minority populations and limited teacher recruitment pools due to inner-city or rural locations. The board discussed various factors contributing to improvements, including 60 minutes of protected daily math instruction, high-quality instructional materials and intensive coaching cycles designed to help teachers improve their practice rather than evaluate them.

School Counseling Plan Update

The School Counseling Task Force presented updates on their comprehensive plan to define school counselor roles and support structures. View Presentation. 

Major changes from the 2003 plan:

• Updated list of necessary counselor skills and definitions
• Comprehensive analysis of program benefits
• Increased emphasis on parental involvement
• Alignment with current state and federal legislation

The task force is seeking public comment on the draft plan as they work with experts to ensure it meets stakeholder needs. View information for public comment process.  

Positive Behavior Interventions and School Supports

Assistant State Superintendents Melissa Shields and Shanthia Washington updated the board on efforts to support teachers with classroom management, particularly important given Alabama's high teacher turnover and the number of emergency-certified teachers entering classrooms. View Presentation.

Three-tiered support approach:

• Tier 1 (80-85% of students): Foundational classroom structures including clear behavior rules, routines, and expectations
• Tier 2: Alternative strategies and interventions for students needing additional support
• Tier 3: Individualized plans including counseling, modified schedules, and functional behavior plans for students with intensive needs

Programs and training include:

• Trauma-informed practices and rethinking traditional discipline approaches that may exacerbate behavioral problems rather than repair relationships
• Special education training on disability-related behaviors (helping teachers understand triggers and sensitivities specific to disabilities like autism), with Board Certified Behavior Analysts support through grants to 113 school systems
• Youth Mental Health First Aid training
• Regional professional development tailored to specific system needs through in-service centers

Support model: Coaches work alongside teachers to provide immediate, in-classroom support for behavior management, meeting teachers where they are—from emergency-certified teachers needing foundational classroom structures to experienced teachers refining their pedagogy.

Teacher-reported outcomes:

• Less job-related stress
• Increased happiness and job satisfaction
• Better health
• Higher likelihood of remaining in the profession

Student outcomes:

• More instructional time
• Increased engagement during instruction
• Fewer disruptions

Arts and Social Studies Textbook Adoptions Coming in November

Board members received confidential packets containing textbook committee recommendations for Arts and Social Studies courses that will be voted on next month.

Mackey emphasized the strict confidentiality requirements of the textbook adoption process, noting board members cannot share the recommendations publicly until after the vote due to contract law. He stressed this is the only board process that carries potential criminal penalties if protocols are not followed, given the multimillion-dollar contracts at stake.

• Arts: View information for public review process.
• Social Studies: View information for public review process.

Recognitions and Resolutions

The board approved numerous resolutions honoring outstanding educators, including principals, assistant principals and teachers of the year across various disciplines.

The board also recognized the Alabama School Counseling Program of Distinction and proclaimed October as Principals Month, Dyslexia Awareness Month, Manufacturing Month, and Statewide Parent Engagement Month, along with designating specific weeks for the Alabama College Application Campaign and School Bus Safety.

Next SBOE Meeting and Work Session

The board’s next regular meeting will take place Thursday, Nov. 13, 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/ 

Dana Vandiver
AASB Director of Public Relations