This bill requires all public high school students in Alabama to complete a course on violence prevention, conflict resolution, and mediation before graduating, starting with the 2027-2028 school year. The instruction must cover topics such as responsible decision-making, causes of school violence, nonviolent conflict resolution techniques, and the relationship between drugs, alcohol, and violence, and must be taught to students in grades six through twelve. The State Department of Education is tasked with developing instructional standards and materials by June 30, 2027, and assisting local schools in training teachers to deliver this curriculum. Local school boards will have the authority to determine the specific curriculum used to meet these requirements. The bill takes effect on October 1, 2026.
This bill creates a new Accountability Council to review Alabama's public K-12 education accountability system and recommend improvements focused on closing achievement gaps and ensuring long-term student success. The council will be led by an elected chair and include members appointed by the Governor, legislative leaders, education officials, and various stakeholder groups representing business, schools, and higher education. Additionally, the bill requires the Alabama Workforce Board, along with the State Department of Education and the Alabama Commission on Higher Education, to develop a system for measuring student performance data related to college and career readiness indicators. This data collection system will track outcomes such as postsecondary enrollment, industry credentials, income within six years of graduation, and employment in high-wage sectors to assess the return on investment of the education system. The council will meet annually to review current report cards, analyze the new data, and provide recommendations to state officials for revisions to the accountability system.
This bill creates the American History and Civics Excellence Initiative within Alabama's Department of Education to offer high school teachers an optional online course on American history and civics. Teachers who complete the 50-hour course can earn an American History and Civics Seal of Excellence Endorsement on their teaching certification and may apply for a one-time $3,000 stipend if funds are appropriated. The initiative includes a program director appointed by the State Superintendent of Education and confirmed by the Senate, with the State Board of Education responsible for overseeing the program and adopting necessary rules. The course covers topics such as American government foundations, civic participation, and citizen rights and responsibilities.
This bill creates a new program within Alabama's Department of Education called the American History and Civics Excellence Initiative, which would offer high school teachers an online course focused on American history and civics topics. Teachers who complete the required 50-hour online course would become eligible for a special certification endorsement and could apply for a one-time $3,000 stipend if funding is approved. The State Board of Education would oversee the program and establish rules for implementation, while a program director would be appointed by the State Superintendent and confirmed by the Senate. The initiative aims to provide professional development for teachers in specific areas of American history and civic education.
HB 376 requires Alabama public K-12 schools to implement age-appropriate screen time limits and internet access restrictions for each grade level. It mandates the State Board of Education to create a model policy for technology use in classrooms, which local school boards must adopt and implement by the 2027-2028 school year. The bill also requires schools to provide parents with access to a list of instructional technology used in their child's classroom and, upon request, details about device usage and browsing history. All instructional technology must support learning, avoid distractions, comply with privacy laws, and be evidence-based. The State Board must adopt implementing rules to enforce these requirements.
This resolution (HJR 189) is a non-binding legislative expression of support for increased funding for Career and Technical Education (CTE) in Alabama. It urges the Alabama Legislature to appropriate an additional $150 million in the 2026 session to expand CTE programs, building on prior funding of $100 million allocated for regional career technology centers. The resolution highlights that 34% of Alabama jobs by 2031 will require post-high school education below a bachelor’s degree, and CTE prepares students for key industries like bioscience and advanced materials. It directly affects Alabama’s public school districts and students participating in CTE programs by advocating for future state funding to support infrastructure and training. As a resolution, it does not allocate funds but formally recommends this action to the Legislature.
HB 520 creates a streamlined process for career and technical education (CTE) teachers moving to Alabama from another state to obtain Alabama teaching certification without additional testing or coursework. To qualify, applicants must hold a valid out-of-state CTE teaching certificate, submit an application with fees, secure a local superintendent's recommendation, and pass a background check. Once approved, Alabama's State Superintendent of Education must issue the certification promptly for CTE courses only, with no extra requirements. The bill also requires annual reporting on certificate issuance, school placements, and program effectiveness to the Governor and legislature.
HB 396 revises Alabama's public school grading system to create separate evaluation formulas for schools with and without 12th grade. Schools without 12th grade use weighted metrics focused on academic achievement (40%), growth (40%), and growth for low-performing students (20%). Schools with 12th grade include additional college and career readiness indicators (30%) and graduation rates (10%), such as ACT scores, dual enrollment, or industry credentials. The bill requires the Alabama Workforce Board and State Department of Education to develop a system for tracking student outcomes related to these readiness metrics, and creates an Accountability Council to review the grading system. This directly affects all Alabama public K-12 schools through their annual accountability ratings.
SB 74 renames Alabama's AMSTEP program to the LASEA Program (Loan Assistance in Support of Educators in Alabama) and expands eligibility to include teachers certified in *any* state-identified acute educator shortage area - not just math, science, or computer science. It provides standard loan assistance to educators in shortage fields and adds supplemental payments for those working in schools or districts designated as having acute shortages (determined by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education with the State Department of Education). The bill directly affects public K-12 teachers in shortage subjects and their schools, aiming to attract and retain educators in high-need areas through financial incentives. It also requires the commission to develop an accountability plan for the program’s evaluation.
HB 353 requires Alabama school districts to create an "Advanced Math Pathway" to prepare students for Algebra I in middle school and college-level math in high school. It automatically enrolls students who score proficient or higher on state math assessments (grades 5-11) but allows parents to opt their child in or out of the pathway. School districts must provide transparent information to families about math pathways, offer academic support for students in the pathway, and report annually to the legislature on enrollment, performance, and support usage. The bill directly affects students in grades 5-11, parents/guardians (through enrollment choices), and school districts (through implementation and reporting requirements).
