Alabama: College and Career Policies

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.

Alabama updated the Health Education standards in 2009.

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.

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

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.

Alabama updated the Physical Education standards in 2009.

Alabama follows 12 standards for professional development.

Alabama's new science standards have been recently adopted in the fall of 2015, for implementation in the 2016-2017 school year.

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

Alabama updated the Social Studies standards in 2010.

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

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.

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