A proposed statewide amendment on the March 3 primary ballot would change the way Alabama’s K–12 schools are led at the state level, but “common core” language omitted from the ballot summary has many in the state concerned.
Changes to structure
Appearing on Alabama ballots as Proposed Statewide Amendment Number One, the amendment proposes several changes to the structure of the state board of education. If the amendment passes, state board of education members will no longer be elected and the state school board will be abolished. Instead, nine representatives will be appointed by the governor to a renamed “Alabama Commission on Elementary and Secondary Education.”
The state superintendent of education would become the secretary of the commission and would be appointed by the commission. The state senate would approve all appointments to these new positions.
But if voters say yes to the amendment, this newly formed commission also would be tasked with adopting “course of study standards that ensure nationwide consistency and the seamless transfer of students from within and outside of the state, in lieu of common core.”
Common core
This language about standards and common core is not included on the ballot, but it’s what some groups are most worried about in the proposed amendment.
“What we have learned about this amendment is of great concern,” said Joe Godfrey, executive director of Alabama Citizens Action Program (ALCAP). “The wording of Amendment No. 1 appears to be deceptive. The bill indicates that support for this amendment will do away with ‘common core,’ but those words are not capitalized. The reality is that the amendment will constitutionally lock Alabama schools into following the ‘national standards,’ which are ‘Common Core’ standards.”
Godfrey said the appointment of school board members is also a concern because the people of Alabama are being asked to give up their right to elect state school board members and instead “give politicians the responsibility” of selecting those members.
“This can be good as long as the politicians in charge are of high character, but if someone is elected who does not share the values of Alabama citizens, it could have a devastating impact,” Godfrey said.
The state school board is tasked with adopting learning standards for elementary and secondary students (grades K–12), approving textbooks local schools can use, approving teacher preparation programs at the state’s colleges and universities and approving changes to certification programs.
Develop programs
The language of the proposed amendment also calls for the commission to develop “comprehensive” programs for educator certification, professional development, assessment and accountability.
Currently the state school board consists of eight members elected by voters in their districts, plus the governor, who serves as ex officio president of the board.
Alabama is one of only six states in the U.S. that elects state school board members, according to the website Ballotpedia. In a majority of states (26 states out of 50), members of the state board of education are appointed by the governor and approved by a legislative body.
The Alabama Association of School Boards and the Alabama Policy Institute both issued statements in May 2019 supporting the amendment.
Several education groups in the state are not taking a position on the amendment, including the Alabama Education Association and the School Superintendents of Alabama.
To read more about Alabama’s Proposed Amendment No. 1, including several comments on the bill, go to www.tabonline.org/A1.
Amendment 1 does three things
First, it renames the State Board of Education the “Alabama Commission on Elementary and Secondary Education” and provides that commission members are appointed for up to two terms by the Governor and approved by the Senate rather than elected by the public.
Second, it changes the title of the top public education official in the state and provides that this official’s appointment would be approved by the Senate.
Third, it requires the Commission to adopt education standards in place of “common core.”
EDITOR’S NOTE — The plain language summary of the statewide ballot measure can be found at www.sos.alabama.gov/alabama-votes/voter/ballot-measures/statewide
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