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LWVAL Action Priority Level II - Monitoring occurs; action dependent on opportunity and available resources.Click a bill to see sponsor(s), synopsis, link to the bill, League action and justification for that action, and progress of the bill through the legislative process.
Legend:
= LWVAL's support for the legislation. 
= LWVAL's opposition to the legislation.
= new bill activity; change from previous week's report such as new progress in the legislature and/or League action. Bill may be one newly added to the report. These updates are in green font.Contact information for legislators and committees referenced in the bills below:
Representatives Standing House Committees Senators Standing Senate Committees Find my legislators
LWVAL has taken a position on these bills:
HB100 - Americans First Act, clarifying status of institutions of higher education as agencies of state under Beason-Hammon Alabama Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act and required to comply with all immigration laws or be subject to forfeiture of certain funds, Sec. 31-13-5.1 added
Sponsor(s): Representatives Williams (P) and Lee
Synopsis: Under existing law, public officials, agencies, and political subdivisions of the state are prohibited from adopting any policy or practice that limits or restricts the enforcement of certain federal immigration laws. This bill would create the Americans First Act, clarifying that two-year and four-year public institutions of higher education in the state are agencies of the state and subject to the Beason-Hammon Alabama Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act. This bill would also express the intent of the Legislature that public institutions of higher education with constitutionally created boards of trustees comply with the prohibitions of the Beason-Hammon Alabama Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act. This would prohibit a public declaration of sanctuary status for immigrants. The penalty for failure to comply by the agency or institution is forfeiture of state funding.
League Action and Justification: Oppose. From LWVUS’ Impact on Issues 2014-16 under Unauthorized Immigrants Already in the United States: “In achieving overall policy goals, the League supports a system for unauthorized immigrants already in the country to earn legal status, including citizenship, by paying taxes, learning English, studying civics and meeting other relevant criteria. While policy reforms, including a path to legal status, remain unachieved, the League does not support deporting unauthorized immigrants who have no history of criminal activity.”
Bill Progress in Legislature:
02/07/2017: First Read and referred to House committee on State Government (SG)
02/09/2017: 2nd Read and placed on the calendar; pending 3rd Read and favorable from SG
02/14/2017: 3rd Reading Passed; Lee Amendment (182226-2) Offered; Lee Motion to withdraw his amendment; Motion to Adopt adopted; Motion to Read a 3rdTime and Pass adopted by Roll Call; Cosponsors Added; Engrossed
Senate Action:
03/15/2017: Read for the first time and referred to the Senate committee on Judiciary (JUD)
Synopsis: Under existing law, public officials, agencies, and political subdivisions of the state are prohibited from adopting any policy or practice that limits or restricts the enforcement of certain federal immigration laws. This bill would create the Americans First Act, clarifying that two-year and four-year public institutions of higher education in the state are agencies of the state and subject to the Beason-Hammon Alabama Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act. This bill would also express the intent of the Legislature that public institutions of higher education with constitutionally created boards of trustees comply with the prohibitions of the Beason-Hammon Alabama Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act. This would prohibit a public declaration of sanctuary status for immigrants. The penalty for failure to comply by the agency or institution is forfeiture of state funding.
League Action and Justification: Oppose. From LWVUS’ Impact on Issues 2014-16 under Unauthorized Immigrants Already in the United States: “In achieving overall policy goals, the League supports a system for unauthorized immigrants already in the country to earn legal status, including citizenship, by paying taxes, learning English, studying civics and meeting other relevant criteria. While policy reforms, including a path to legal status, remain unachieved, the League does not support deporting unauthorized immigrants who have no history of criminal activity.”
Bill Progress in Legislature:
02/07/2017: First Read and referred to House committee on State Government (SG)
02/09/2017: 2nd Read and placed on the calendar; pending 3rd Read and favorable from SG
02/14/2017: 3rd Reading Passed; Lee Amendment (182226-2) Offered; Lee Motion to withdraw his amendment; Motion to Adopt adopted; Motion to Read a 3rdTime and Pass adopted by Roll Call; Cosponsors Added; Engrossed
Senate Action:
03/15/2017: Read for the first time and referred to the Senate committee on Judiciary (JUD)
SB88 - Education, gifted or talented children, grants for educational programs provided by State Department of Education, local match required
Sponsor(s): Senator Orr
Synopsis: This bill would authorize the State Department of Education, pending available funds, to offer certain grants to public schools for the purpose of developing new advanced educational and specialized programs for gifted or talented children; to require the department to adopt rules providing for the evaluation of applications for grants; to provide public access to applicant scoring; and to require local boards of education to match awarded grant funds.
League Action and Justification: Support. League positions support efforts to increase funding to public schools.
Bill Progress in Legislature:
02/07/2017: First Read and referred to Senate committee on Finance and Taxation Education (F&TE)
02/16/2017: 2nd Read and placed on the calendar; pending 3rd Read and favorable from F&TE
02/21/2017: 3rd Reading Passed; Motion to Read a 3rd Time and Pass adopted by Roll Call
House Action:
02/23/2017: Read for the first time and referred to the House committee on Ways and Means Education (W&ME)
03/02/2017: 2nd Read and placed on the calendar; pending 3rd Read and favorable from W&ME
Synopsis: This bill would authorize the State Department of Education, pending available funds, to offer certain grants to public schools for the purpose of developing new advanced educational and specialized programs for gifted or talented children; to require the department to adopt rules providing for the evaluation of applications for grants; to provide public access to applicant scoring; and to require local boards of education to match awarded grant funds.
League Action and Justification: Support. League positions support efforts to increase funding to public schools.
Bill Progress in Legislature:
02/07/2017: First Read and referred to Senate committee on Finance and Taxation Education (F&TE)
02/16/2017: 2nd Read and placed on the calendar; pending 3rd Read and favorable from F&TE
02/21/2017: 3rd Reading Passed; Motion to Read a 3rd Time and Pass adopted by Roll Call
House Action:
02/23/2017: Read for the first time and referred to the House committee on Ways and Means Education (W&ME)
03/02/2017: 2nd Read and placed on the calendar; pending 3rd Read and favorable from W&ME
HB463 - Education, Alabama School Choice and Student Opportunity Act, subject charter schools to same laws, rules, policies, and procedures as other public schools, Sec. 16-6F-9 am'd.
Sponsor(s): Representative Howard
Synopsis: Under existing law, charter schools, organized according to the Alabama School Choice and Student Opportunity Act are not required to comply with state or local laws, rules, regulations, policies, or procedures relating to non-charter public schools. This bill would subject charter schools to the same state and local laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures as non-charter public schools.
League Action and Justification: Support. This bill mirrors LWVAL’s position on Charter Schools, requiring them to comply with the same laws, regulations, policies and procedures as their non-charter counterparts. Additionally, it assigns responsibility to Charters to provide the same services to disabled, special education, and ESL students as non-charters and prohibits discrimination in the selection process. It still gives private charters the OPTION to participate in the retirement system and requires public charters to do so. It also requires the same qualifications for educators as public schools.
Bill Progress in Legislature:
04/04/2017: First Reading and referred to House Committee on Education Policy (EP)
Synopsis: Under existing law, charter schools, organized according to the Alabama School Choice and Student Opportunity Act are not required to comply with state or local laws, rules, regulations, policies, or procedures relating to non-charter public schools. This bill would subject charter schools to the same state and local laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures as non-charter public schools.
League Action and Justification: Support. This bill mirrors LWVAL’s position on Charter Schools, requiring them to comply with the same laws, regulations, policies and procedures as their non-charter counterparts. Additionally, it assigns responsibility to Charters to provide the same services to disabled, special education, and ESL students as non-charters and prohibits discrimination in the selection process. It still gives private charters the OPTION to participate in the retirement system and requires public charters to do so. It also requires the same qualifications for educators as public schools.
Bill Progress in Legislature:
04/04/2017: First Reading and referred to House Committee on Education Policy (EP)
LWVAL is monitoring these bills:
SB32 and HB153 - Education, civics test, requirement for graduation from high school
SB32 Sponsor(s): Senator Orr
HB153 Sponsor(s): Sponsor(s): Representatives Collins, South, Garrett, Whorton (I), Patterson, Fincher, Baker, Henry, Johnson (K), Butler, Harper, Williams (JW), Hill, Weaver, Williams (P), Fridy, Sanderford, Holmes (M), Sells, Faust, Rich, Drake, Brown, Wood, Ingram, Nordgren, Farley, Williams (JD), McCutcheon and Gaston
Synopsis: Beginning in the 2018-19 school year, students would be required to pass a civics test in order to graduate from high school or receive a graduation equivalency certificate. The language of the bill indicates the test will be identical to that given as the U.S. Citizenship test. (Link to test questions on citizenship test 100 Citizenship questions for the US Naturalization test with answers | Civics Questions). Special education students who are not obtaining the general education diploma would not be required to pass the test.
There is no discussion of the cost of implementing this bill included in the draft of the bill. Local board of education would determine the method and manner in which to administer the civics test to students. Would this mean the local boards of education would be required to absorb the cost of the test? This is an unknown. A student who did not obtain a passing score on the civics test would retake the test until he or she obtains a passing score.
Students are currently mandated to pass a semester each of government and economics in their 12th grade year. These tests include comprehensive final exams unless schools have an exam exemption policy as an attendance incentive. It may be redundant and costly to ask for a separate test. It also adds to the current array of tests students are currently taking, and they are over-tested already. However, testing of selected subject areas (English and Math) has de-emphasized government and social studies in the school curriculum for many years, especially at the elementary level.
[Note: A newly released Fiscal Note indicates costs to local school budgets for implementing the bill that will vary depending upon how the implementation is done. The State Board of Education also will incur costs due to its responsibility for promulgating rules necessary to implement the provisions of the bill. ]
League Action and Justification: Monitor for now to assess movement and information on funding.
Bill Progress in Legislature:
SB32
Senate Action
02/07/2017: First Read and assigned to Senate committee on Finance and Taxation Education (F&TE)
02/09/2017: First Read and referred to the House committee on Education Policy (EP)
02/16/2017: 2nd Read and placed on the calendar with 1 Amendment (182306-1)l 1st F&TE Amendment Offered; Pending 3rd Read and favorable from F&TE
03/07/2017: 3rd Reading Carried Over to Call of the Chair; F&TE Amendment Offered; Orr motion to Table adopted by Voice Vote; Orr 1st Substitute (183058-1) Offered; Orr motion to Adopt adopted by Roll Call: Orr motion to Carry Over to the Call of the Chair adopted by Voice Vote; Further Consideration.
[NOTE: The substitute has the test given in the 12th grade civics class, requires passage of at least 60 of the 100 questions, denies credit for the course if the test is not passed; and establishes the conditions under which special education students are exempt from passage.]
03/16/2017: Third Reading Carried Over to Call of the Chair; Orr second Substitute (183058-2) Offered; Orr motion to Adopt adopted by Roll Call; Orr motion to Carry Over to the Call of the Chair adopted by Voice Vote; Further Consideration
[NOTE: The 2nd Substitute makes 25% of the total grade earned in the civics class based on successful completion of the civics test. Schools must document test passage on student transcripts. Chief administrative officers in the schools may waive the test for good cause for up to 10% of a graduating class membership.]
04/04/2017: 3rd Reading Carried Over to Call of the Chair; Orr 3rd Substitute (183058-3) Offered; Orr motion to Carry Over to the Call of the Chair adopted by Voice Vote
04/06/2017: 3rd Read Carried Over to Call of the Chair; Orr 3rd Substitute Further Consideration; Orr motion to Table adopted by Voice Vote; Orr fourth Substitute (183058-5) Offered; Orr motion to Adopt adopted by Roll Call; Orr motion to Carry Over to the Call of the Chair adopted by Voice Vote; 3rd Reading Passed; Motion to Read a 3rd Time and Pass adopted by Roll Call; Engrossed
[NOTE: The 3rd Substitute removes the ability of the chief admin officer in a school to give the waiver allowed in the 2nd Substitute; the 4th version reinstates the waiver and adds:. Having taken and failed the civics test two times and otherwise having a passing grade in the course in government shall be considered good cause [for the waiver].]
House Action
04/06/2017: Read for the first time and referred to the House committee on Education Policy (EP)
04/11/2017: 2nd Read and placed on the calendar;
04/18/2017: 3rd Read Passed; Hall Amendment 1 (185500-1) Offered; Collins motion to Table adopted by Roll Call; Holmes, M. motion to carry over temporarily lost by Roll Call; Hall Amendment #2 (185507-1) Offered; Collins motion to Table adopted by Roll Call; Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass adopted; Signature Requested
Senate Action:
04/18/2017: Enrolled; Assigned Act No. 2017-173.
HB153
02/09/2017: Read for the first time and referred to the House committee on Education Policy (EP)
02/16/2017: 2nd Read and placed on the calendar with 1 Amendment (182265-3); pending 3rd Read and favorable from EP; 1st EP Amendment Offered
[Note: The House and Senate amendments on 02/16/2017 are identical. Students would have to pass a civics test to graduate, but the test is described as multiple choice -- the 100 questions that, as of February 1, 2017 are the test that officers in the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services use with applicants for U.S. citizenship.]
05/17/2017: Indefinitely postponed.
HB153 Sponsor(s): Sponsor(s): Representatives Collins, South, Garrett, Whorton (I), Patterson, Fincher, Baker, Henry, Johnson (K), Butler, Harper, Williams (JW), Hill, Weaver, Williams (P), Fridy, Sanderford, Holmes (M), Sells, Faust, Rich, Drake, Brown, Wood, Ingram, Nordgren, Farley, Williams (JD), McCutcheon and Gaston
Synopsis: Beginning in the 2018-19 school year, students would be required to pass a civics test in order to graduate from high school or receive a graduation equivalency certificate. The language of the bill indicates the test will be identical to that given as the U.S. Citizenship test. (Link to test questions on citizenship test 100 Citizenship questions for the US Naturalization test with answers | Civics Questions). Special education students who are not obtaining the general education diploma would not be required to pass the test.
There is no discussion of the cost of implementing this bill included in the draft of the bill. Local board of education would determine the method and manner in which to administer the civics test to students. Would this mean the local boards of education would be required to absorb the cost of the test? This is an unknown. A student who did not obtain a passing score on the civics test would retake the test until he or she obtains a passing score.
Students are currently mandated to pass a semester each of government and economics in their 12th grade year. These tests include comprehensive final exams unless schools have an exam exemption policy as an attendance incentive. It may be redundant and costly to ask for a separate test. It also adds to the current array of tests students are currently taking, and they are over-tested already. However, testing of selected subject areas (English and Math) has de-emphasized government and social studies in the school curriculum for many years, especially at the elementary level.
[Note: A newly released Fiscal Note indicates costs to local school budgets for implementing the bill that will vary depending upon how the implementation is done. The State Board of Education also will incur costs due to its responsibility for promulgating rules necessary to implement the provisions of the bill. ]
League Action and Justification: Monitor for now to assess movement and information on funding.
Bill Progress in Legislature:
SB32
Senate Action
02/07/2017: First Read and assigned to Senate committee on Finance and Taxation Education (F&TE)
02/09/2017: First Read and referred to the House committee on Education Policy (EP)
02/16/2017: 2nd Read and placed on the calendar with 1 Amendment (182306-1)l 1st F&TE Amendment Offered; Pending 3rd Read and favorable from F&TE
03/07/2017: 3rd Reading Carried Over to Call of the Chair; F&TE Amendment Offered; Orr motion to Table adopted by Voice Vote; Orr 1st Substitute (183058-1) Offered; Orr motion to Adopt adopted by Roll Call: Orr motion to Carry Over to the Call of the Chair adopted by Voice Vote; Further Consideration.
[NOTE: The substitute has the test given in the 12th grade civics class, requires passage of at least 60 of the 100 questions, denies credit for the course if the test is not passed; and establishes the conditions under which special education students are exempt from passage.]
03/16/2017: Third Reading Carried Over to Call of the Chair; Orr second Substitute (183058-2) Offered; Orr motion to Adopt adopted by Roll Call; Orr motion to Carry Over to the Call of the Chair adopted by Voice Vote; Further Consideration
[NOTE: The 2nd Substitute makes 25% of the total grade earned in the civics class based on successful completion of the civics test. Schools must document test passage on student transcripts. Chief administrative officers in the schools may waive the test for good cause for up to 10% of a graduating class membership.]
04/04/2017: 3rd Reading Carried Over to Call of the Chair; Orr 3rd Substitute (183058-3) Offered; Orr motion to Carry Over to the Call of the Chair adopted by Voice Vote
04/06/2017: 3rd Read Carried Over to Call of the Chair; Orr 3rd Substitute Further Consideration; Orr motion to Table adopted by Voice Vote; Orr fourth Substitute (183058-5) Offered; Orr motion to Adopt adopted by Roll Call; Orr motion to Carry Over to the Call of the Chair adopted by Voice Vote; 3rd Reading Passed; Motion to Read a 3rd Time and Pass adopted by Roll Call; Engrossed
[NOTE: The 3rd Substitute removes the ability of the chief admin officer in a school to give the waiver allowed in the 2nd Substitute; the 4th version reinstates the waiver and adds:. Having taken and failed the civics test two times and otherwise having a passing grade in the course in government shall be considered good cause [for the waiver].]
House Action
04/06/2017: Read for the first time and referred to the House committee on Education Policy (EP)
04/11/2017: 2nd Read and placed on the calendar;
04/18/2017: 3rd Read Passed; Hall Amendment 1 (185500-1) Offered; Collins motion to Table adopted by Roll Call; Holmes, M. motion to carry over temporarily lost by Roll Call; Hall Amendment #2 (185507-1) Offered; Collins motion to Table adopted by Roll Call; Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass adopted; Signature Requested
Senate Action:
04/18/2017: Enrolled; Assigned Act No. 2017-173.
HB153
02/09/2017: Read for the first time and referred to the House committee on Education Policy (EP)
02/16/2017: 2nd Read and placed on the calendar with 1 Amendment (182265-3); pending 3rd Read and favorable from EP; 1st EP Amendment Offered
[Note: The House and Senate amendments on 02/16/2017 are identical. Students would have to pass a civics test to graduate, but the test is described as multiple choice -- the 100 questions that, as of February 1, 2017 are the test that officers in the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services use with applicants for U.S. citizenship.]
05/17/2017: Indefinitely postponed.
SB92 - Schools, dual enrollment, high school students taking college courses, authorized
Sponsor(s): Senator Orr
Synopsis: Under existing law, a high school student may take college courses if it fits into his or her schedule. This bill would establish a program allowing eligible 11th and 12th grade students admitted unconditionally to an eligible Alabama public post-secondary institution to take all courses at the eligible public institution and receive high school credit for the coursework with the goal of completing graduation and high school diploma requirements. This bill would authorize the Department of Education to pay an institution of higher learning for courses taken pursuant to the program through appropriation of state Education Trust funds.
League Action and Justification: Monitor. LWVAL has a general position on education that does not include anything this specific.
Analysis suggests the following Costs and Benefits of this legislation:
Costs
Benefits
Other Concerns
Most students at the secondary school level are not prepared for the rigor and requirements of college in 12th grade, and most definitely not in 11th grade. Developmentally, they often are not mature enough to manage their time and resources to be successful. Unsuccessful completion of their courses is not addressed in the legislation and will delay their graduation. Current law allows them to experiment with one or at most two courses at the time, which is a more manageable schedule that allows them to grow into the responsibilities associated with attending college.
Bill Progress in Legislature:
02/07/2017: First Read and referred to Senate committee on Finance and Taxation Education (F&TE)
Synopsis: Under existing law, a high school student may take college courses if it fits into his or her schedule. This bill would establish a program allowing eligible 11th and 12th grade students admitted unconditionally to an eligible Alabama public post-secondary institution to take all courses at the eligible public institution and receive high school credit for the coursework with the goal of completing graduation and high school diploma requirements. This bill would authorize the Department of Education to pay an institution of higher learning for courses taken pursuant to the program through appropriation of state Education Trust funds.
League Action and Justification: Monitor. LWVAL has a general position on education that does not include anything this specific.
Analysis suggests the following Costs and Benefits of this legislation:
Costs
- This further erodes public education by removing the most capable students from the 11th and 12th grade student population.
- Funding for the tuition, fees, and supplies would be taken from local school system funding.
- Local schools would need to have staff allocated to manage the program. This would most likely be given to the already over-extended school counselors who are already struggling with the requirements of the newly implemented virtual schools legislation.
Benefits
- Students receive college credits and high school credits for two years of school at state expense with successful completion of their coursework.
- State colleges would receive a significant influx of students' and payment of their tuition, books, and fees.
Other Concerns
Most students at the secondary school level are not prepared for the rigor and requirements of college in 12th grade, and most definitely not in 11th grade. Developmentally, they often are not mature enough to manage their time and resources to be successful. Unsuccessful completion of their courses is not addressed in the legislation and will delay their graduation. Current law allows them to experiment with one or at most two courses at the time, which is a more manageable schedule that allows them to grow into the responsibilities associated with attending college.
Bill Progress in Legislature:
02/07/2017: First Read and referred to Senate committee on Finance and Taxation Education (F&TE)
SB123 - Accountability Act of 2013, cap on income tax credits increased, credit against utility gross receipts tax liability for donations to scholarship granting organizations created, audits of scholarship granting entities required, Secs. 16-6D-3, 16-6D-4, 16-6D-6, 16-6D-8, 16-6D-9 am'd.
Sponsor(s): Senators Marsh, McClendon, Glover, Whatley, Waggoner, Shelnutt, Pittman, Dial, Allen, Williams, Albritton and Melson
Synopsis: This bill would amend the Alabama Accountability Act of 2013. The bill would:
League Action and Justification: Monitor. League positions support, oppose or are silent on differing aspects of this legislation.
Bill Progress in Legislature:
02/09/2017: First Read and referred to Senate committee on Finance and Taxation Education (F&TE)
02/16/2017: 2nd Read and placed on the calendar; pending 3rd Read and favorable from FT&E
02/21/2017: 3rd Reading Carried Over to Call of the Chair; Marsh 1st Substitute (182564-1) Offered; Marsh motion to Adopt adopted by Roll Call; Marsh motion to Carry Over to the Call of the Chair adopted Voice Vote
02/23/2017: Third Reading Passed; Ross Amendment (182924-1) Offered; Ross motion to Adopt adopted by Roll Call; Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass adopted by Roll Call; Engrossed.
House Action:
02/23/2017: Read for the first time and referred to the House committee on Ways and Means Education
04/11/2017: 2nd Read and placed on the Calendar with 1 W&ME Amendment (184966-2); pending 3rd Read and Favorable from W&ME with 1 Amendment
[NOTE: Amendment removes references to being zoned to attend failing or underperforming schools and replaces them with attended failing or underperforming schools.]
05/19/2017: 3rd Reading Carried Over; W&ME Amendment Offered; Johnson (K) motion to Table pending Roll Call; Johnson (K) motion to Carry Over Temporarily adopted Voice Vote; Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass lost Roll Call; Lost in second house
Synopsis: This bill would amend the Alabama Accountability Act of 2013. The bill would:
- provide further for definitions [e.g., underperforming school);
- made income tax credits available to trusts and estates;
- increase the cap on income tax credits for donations to scholarship granting organizations;
- create a credit against utility gross receipts tax liability for donations to scholarship granting organizations as the funding mechanism for the scholarships;
- establish procedures for claiming a credit against the utility gross receipts tax;
- authorize scholarship granting organizations to assist eligible students with qualifying expenses; and
- require scholarship granting organizations to obtain audited financial statements annually;
- require the Department of Revenue, or its agent, to perform an audit of each scholarship granting organization at least triennially.
League Action and Justification: Monitor. League positions support, oppose or are silent on differing aspects of this legislation.
Bill Progress in Legislature:
02/09/2017: First Read and referred to Senate committee on Finance and Taxation Education (F&TE)
02/16/2017: 2nd Read and placed on the calendar; pending 3rd Read and favorable from FT&E
02/21/2017: 3rd Reading Carried Over to Call of the Chair; Marsh 1st Substitute (182564-1) Offered; Marsh motion to Adopt adopted by Roll Call; Marsh motion to Carry Over to the Call of the Chair adopted Voice Vote
02/23/2017: Third Reading Passed; Ross Amendment (182924-1) Offered; Ross motion to Adopt adopted by Roll Call; Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass adopted by Roll Call; Engrossed.
House Action:
02/23/2017: Read for the first time and referred to the House committee on Ways and Means Education
04/11/2017: 2nd Read and placed on the Calendar with 1 W&ME Amendment (184966-2); pending 3rd Read and Favorable from W&ME with 1 Amendment
[NOTE: Amendment removes references to being zoned to attend failing or underperforming schools and replaces them with attended failing or underperforming schools.]
05/19/2017: 3rd Reading Carried Over; W&ME Amendment Offered; Johnson (K) motion to Table pending Roll Call; Johnson (K) motion to Carry Over Temporarily adopted Voice Vote; Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass lost Roll Call; Lost in second house
HB350 and SB267 - County Superintendent of Education, required to be appointed unless provided otherwise by constitution
HB350 Sponsor(s): Representative Steve McMillan
SB267 Sponsor(s): Senator Brewbaker
Synopsis: This bill would require superintendents of education be appointed instead of elected. Currently, each school system decides which method to choose their superintendents. Some choose their superintendents in elections; others have their Board of Education select the superintendent.
League Action and Justification: Monitor. League has no specific position on appointed or elected superintendent.
Bill Progress in Legislature:
SB267
03/02/2017: Read for the first time and referred to the Senate committee on Education and Youth Affairs (E&YA)
03/09/2017: 2nd Read and placed on the calendar; Pending 3rd Read and Favorable from E&YA
05/17/2017: Indefinitely postponed.
HB350
03/02/2017: Read for the first time and referred to the House committee on Education Policy (EP)
SB267 Sponsor(s): Senator Brewbaker
Synopsis: This bill would require superintendents of education be appointed instead of elected. Currently, each school system decides which method to choose their superintendents. Some choose their superintendents in elections; others have their Board of Education select the superintendent.
League Action and Justification: Monitor. League has no specific position on appointed or elected superintendent.
Bill Progress in Legislature:
SB267
03/02/2017: Read for the first time and referred to the Senate committee on Education and Youth Affairs (E&YA)
03/09/2017: 2nd Read and placed on the calendar; Pending 3rd Read and Favorable from E&YA
05/17/2017: Indefinitely postponed.
HB350
03/02/2017: Read for the first time and referred to the House committee on Education Policy (EP)
HB558 - Common Core Curriculum Standards, terminated, prior courses of study to be implemented, Alabama Traditional Education Standards Act, created
Sponsor(s): Representatives Moore (B), Ledbetter, Ingram, Butler, Farley, and Williams (JW)
Synopsis: Under existing law, the State Board of Education is required to establish curriculum standards for all K-12 public schools. This bill would create the Alabama Traditional Education Standards Act. This bill would terminate the adoption and implementation of the standards commonly known as the Common Core Standards, also known as the Alabama College and Career Ready Standards (ACCRS). This bill would direct the State Board of Education to replace the Common Core Standards for Math and English Language Arts with the courses of study for Math and English Language Arts in place immediately prior to adoption of the Common Core Standards. This bill would further protect state and local control of education by restricting the State Board of Education from adopting or implementing any other national standards from any source or requiring the use of any assessments aligned with them.
The State Board of Education voted in 2013 to rescind the agreement that added Alabama to the group of states participating in Common Core.
League Action and Justification: Monitor since our position does not specifically include state education standards.
Analysis: The Common Core Standards were written by experts from a consortium of states and did not originate with the U.S. Department of Education as many believe. The difficulties in their implementation included the problem of variation between the states' standards. While some were not as rigorous as the Common Core, some were actually more so. The termination of the Flexibility Waiver is further distancing Alabama from perceived control by the Federal government.
The most troubling section of the bill is that which prohibits the use of any assessments that are aligned with the Common Core or similar standards. This is problematic for two reasons. The Alabama State Department of Education and the citizens of Alabama will have no measure with which to compare the education of students in Alabama to those of other states. Tests prohibited would include those written by the College Board, the ACT and Advanced Placement tests and the SAT, which are aligned with national standards. This could handicap our students as they compete with students from other states for entrance to universities nationwide. Furthermore, standards evolve and are shaped by the changing educational and social climate. Alabama's standards would need to include new ideas and content that emerges most often as changes in national standards.
Bill Progress in Legislature:
04/25/2017: First Read and referred to the House committee on Referred to Education Policy (EP)
Synopsis: Under existing law, the State Board of Education is required to establish curriculum standards for all K-12 public schools. This bill would create the Alabama Traditional Education Standards Act. This bill would terminate the adoption and implementation of the standards commonly known as the Common Core Standards, also known as the Alabama College and Career Ready Standards (ACCRS). This bill would direct the State Board of Education to replace the Common Core Standards for Math and English Language Arts with the courses of study for Math and English Language Arts in place immediately prior to adoption of the Common Core Standards. This bill would further protect state and local control of education by restricting the State Board of Education from adopting or implementing any other national standards from any source or requiring the use of any assessments aligned with them.
The State Board of Education voted in 2013 to rescind the agreement that added Alabama to the group of states participating in Common Core.
- They also declared the collection of personal data concerning students in Alabama schools would cease.
- This bill would also eliminate the College and Career Readiness Standards established by the State Board of Education and would replace both with the previously written standards for Math and Language Arts in place prior to the adoption of the Common Core.
- The ALSDE is directed to proceed with updating the previously written standards for their reuse.
- The bill orders the termination of the Flexibility Waiver with the U.S. Department of Education, relating to the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
- The act also prohibits the adoption of any national standards from any source or the use of assessments aligned with these standards. These prohibited standards include the Next Generation Science Standards, History Standards, Social Studies Standards, or Sexuality Standards.
League Action and Justification: Monitor since our position does not specifically include state education standards.
Analysis: The Common Core Standards were written by experts from a consortium of states and did not originate with the U.S. Department of Education as many believe. The difficulties in their implementation included the problem of variation between the states' standards. While some were not as rigorous as the Common Core, some were actually more so. The termination of the Flexibility Waiver is further distancing Alabama from perceived control by the Federal government.
The most troubling section of the bill is that which prohibits the use of any assessments that are aligned with the Common Core or similar standards. This is problematic for two reasons. The Alabama State Department of Education and the citizens of Alabama will have no measure with which to compare the education of students in Alabama to those of other states. Tests prohibited would include those written by the College Board, the ACT and Advanced Placement tests and the SAT, which are aligned with national standards. This could handicap our students as they compete with students from other states for entrance to universities nationwide. Furthermore, standards evolve and are shaped by the changing educational and social climate. Alabama's standards would need to include new ideas and content that emerges most often as changes in national standards.
Bill Progress in Legislature:
04/25/2017: First Read and referred to the House committee on Referred to Education Policy (EP)
HB584 - Education, local superintendent of education and principals, qualifications of provided further, required to teach while serving in positions, additional certification required, Secs. 16-9-2, 16-12-2, 16-23-1, 16-24B-3 am'd.
Sponsor(s): Representative Ball
Synopsis:
This bill would require, commencing on August 1, 2018
It also would require the prospective employee to hold an Alabama certificate in administration and supervision based upon Alabama Department of Education certificate requirements and to provide proof of three years successful educational experience to the State Superintendent. There are also education requirements and "general fitness" requirements.
Analysis:
We believe this bill is unlikely to pass and is mainly a political statement. It appears to be a statement of displeasure at the selection of the new Alabama Department of Education Superintendent. Some of the requirements imply the person selected should be an Alabamian, and some are just unworkable. The principal and definitely the superintendent do not have the time to teach a course while holding their office.
League Action and Justification: Monitor. This bill is not supported by our positions but will be monitored in case it is amended in a way that makes it a workable piece of legislation.
Bill Progress in Legislature:
05/02/2017: First Reading and referred to the House Committee on Education Policy (EP)
Synopsis:
This bill would require, commencing on August 1, 2018
- all candidates for city or county superintendent to have at least five years of full-time public school instructional experience before taking office.
- The bill would require, commencing on August 1, 2020
- all applicants for a certificate issued by the State Superintendent of Education to serve as a local superintendent of education or a principal, to also be certified to teach a core subject matter in the public schools of the state.
- every person employed as a local superintendent of education or a principal to serve as a classroom teacher for one core subject course each semester, excluding summer semesters, during the academic year.
- The bill would prohibit, commencing on August 1, 2020
- any contract between a local board of education and a principal to be executed unless the person has at least five years of full-time public school experience at the time the contract is executed.
It also would require the prospective employee to hold an Alabama certificate in administration and supervision based upon Alabama Department of Education certificate requirements and to provide proof of three years successful educational experience to the State Superintendent. There are also education requirements and "general fitness" requirements.
Analysis:
We believe this bill is unlikely to pass and is mainly a political statement. It appears to be a statement of displeasure at the selection of the new Alabama Department of Education Superintendent. Some of the requirements imply the person selected should be an Alabamian, and some are just unworkable. The principal and definitely the superintendent do not have the time to teach a course while holding their office.
League Action and Justification: Monitor. This bill is not supported by our positions but will be monitored in case it is amended in a way that makes it a workable piece of legislation.
Bill Progress in Legislature:
05/02/2017: First Reading and referred to the House Committee on Education Policy (EP)
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