Alabama: College and Career Policies

Educator Preparation and Licensure: Educator Licensure Policy

In order to obtain an Alabama teaching license, an applicant must meet, but is not always limited to, the following requirements: must have at least a BA Degree, completed an Alabama approved teacher certification program, and received passing scored on the required assessments.

Content Standards: Standards Authority

The State Board of Education has full authority to adopt standards.

The Alabama College and Career Ready Standards (CCRS), which are based on the Common Core State Standards, are a set of academic standards for math and English being taught in K-12 classrooms across Alabama. Academic standards are expectations for what students should know by the end of each school year. Alabama's standards focus on helping our students gain a deep understanding of concepts being taught and how they apply to real life. Alabama's State Board of Education has the sole authority over what standards (expectations) our state adopts. Local school systems still develop their own curricula (how it's taught) and choose their own textbooks. Individual teachers still develop their own lesson plans.

Educator Preparation and Licensure: Educator Preparation Authority

The Alabama State Board of Education evaluates and approves professional teacher preparation programs.

Educator Preparation and Licensure: Teacher Licensure Renewal

In order to renew certification, teachers must provide the necessary information and participate in professional development activities.

Professional Program Standards and Requirements: Educator Preparation Policy

In order to be approved as listed in 290-3-3-.02, programs must show content and pedagogical knowledge, have linical partnerships and practice, prove candidate quality, recruitment, and selectivity, have program impact, and provide quality assurance and continuous improvement.

Content Standards: English as a Second Language

Alabama updated the Languages other than English standards in 2006.

Content Standards: English Language Arts

Alabama updated the English Language Arts standards in 2010. These standards are aligned to the Common Core State Standards.

Graduation Requirements: English Language Arts

As per Alabama Administrative Code 290-3-1-02(8) and (8)(a), 4 credits of English are required to graduate.

Student Assessments: English Language Arts

In November 2010, Alabama adopted the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) along with selected Alabama standards.

In the 2013-14 school year, Alabama began rolling out new assessments aligned to the CCRS. The new assessments are being used to gauge how well students are mastering the standards and, ultimately, how ready students are for college and further career education and training.

Graduation Requirements: Additional Graduation Requirements

Additionally, Alabama requires the following to graduate: Electives, Career And Technical Education, Foreign Language, Arts, Career Preparedness, Health, and Physical Education.

Content Standards: Health

Alabama updated the Health Education standards in 2009.

Educator Professional Growth and Development: Administrator Licensure Renewal

In order for administrators to renew their certificate, they must complete Continuing Education Units.

Content Standards: Mathematics

Content standards in Mathematics were originally developed in 2010. They are minimum and required (Code of Alabama, 1975, §16-35-4). They are aligned to the Common Core State Standards.

Content Standards: Arts (Performing)

Alabama updated the Arts Education standards in 2006.

Graduation Requirements: Mathematics

As per Alabama Administrative Code 290-3-1-02(8) and (8)(a), Alabama requires 4 credits of math to graduate.

Content Standards: Arts (Visual)

Alabama updated the Arts Education standards in 2006.

Student Assessments: Mathematics

In the 2013-14 school year, Alabama will begin rolling out new assessments aligned to the CCRS. The new assessments are being used to gauge how well students are mastering the standards and, ultimately, how ready students are for college and further career education and training.

State Policy Database

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Alabama: College and Career Policies

Educator Preparation and Licensure: Educator Licensure Policy

Content Standards: Standards Authority

Educator Preparation and Licensure: Educator Preparation Authority

Educator Preparation and Licensure: Teacher Licensure Renewal

Professional Program Standards and Requirements: Educator Preparation Policy

Content Standards: English as a Second Language

Content Standards: English Language Arts

Graduation Requirements: English Language Arts

Student Assessments: English Language Arts

Graduation Requirements: Additional Graduation Requirements

Content Standards: Health

Educator Professional Growth and Development: Administrator Licensure Renewal

Content Standards: Mathematics

Content Standards: Arts (Performing)

Graduation Requirements: Mathematics

Content Standards: Arts (Visual)

Student Assessments: Mathematics

Student Assessments: Assessment Authority

Content Standards: Physical Education

Content Standards: Career and Technical Education

Educator Professional Growth and Development: Professional Development

Content Standards: Driver and Traffic Safety

Content Standards: Science

Educator Performance Evaluation: Educator Evaluation Authority

Graduation Requirements: Science

Educator Performance Evaluation: Educator Evaluation Policy

Content Standards: Social Studies

Educator Preparation and Licensure: Educator Licensure Authority

Graduation Requirements: Social Studies

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