Staff Reports
Governor Ivey stated that improving educational outcomes for Alabama’s children is one of her top priorities. Because of that, Governor Ivey recently signed four education-focused executive orders to help reach her goal of seeing Alabama among the top thirty ranked states for literacy and numeracy by the end of her term. One of those orders allocates $4.1 million for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Network.
Governor Ivey stated, “I am proud to sign these executive orders into effect and believe they will lay an essential foundation for ensuring every Alabama student receives a high-quality education.” Ivey continued, “This is the first of many steps I plan to take in this new term to increase Alabama’s national ranking in our students’ reading and math performance. Our children are our future, and by investing in their education, we are investing in a better Alabama.”
Executive Order No. 729: Promoting Early Literacy by Establishing a Statewide Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Network
• Governor Ivey authorized $4.1 million for the roll-out of the program, which will ensure every Alabamian will begin receiving age-appropriate books by mail each month after they are born until five years of age.
• Parents will have the right to opt their children out at any time.
Executive Order No. 730: Establishing the Governor’s Commission on Teaching and Learning
• The commission, comprised of a diverse group of subject matter experts, will examine ways to enhance the quality of elementary and secondary education in Alabama and will produce a report of recommendations by December 1, 2023.
Members of the commission include the following:
• Business Education Alliance President and former State Superintendent of Education Dr. Joe Morton (Chair)
• State Superintendent of Education Dr. Eric Mackey
• State Sen. Donnie Chesteen (R-SD29)
• Alan Baker (R-HD66)
• Barbara Drummond (D-HD103)
• Montgomery City Schools Superintendent Dr. Melvin Brown
• Holtville High School Principal Kyle Futral
• Mountain Brook Schools Superintendent Dr. Dicky Barlow
• Booker T. Washington K-8 Teacher Reggie White
• Alabama Parent Teacher Association President Donna McCurry
• Alabaster City Schools Schoolboard Member Derek Henderson
• Retired Mississippi State Superintendent Dr. Carey Wright
• Co-founder and CEO of Whiteboard Advisors Ben Wallerstein
Executive Order No. 731: Ensuring Progress Toward Full Implementation of Vital Education Initiatives
• During Governor Ivey’s tenure in office, the state of Alabama has launched several education-focused initiatives, such as the Literacy Act (2019), the Numeracy Act (2022), the Computer Science for Alabama Act (2019), a civics-test requirement (2017), and a requirement of the State Board of Education that every high school graduate obtains a college and career readiness indicator (2022).
• Executive Order No. 731 directs the State Superintendent of Education to submit a report outlining past progress and future action items to expeditiously ensure the implementation of the initiatives, as mentioned earlier. The reports are due June 30, 2023.
Executive Order No. 732: Establishing a K-12 Teacher Registered Apprenticeship Pilot Program to Increase Pathways to the Teaching Profession
• This pilot program will provide an additional pathway—initially, in areas with documented teacher shortages—for qualifying paraprofessionals and teacher’s aides to obtain a Class A or Class B teaching certificate by demonstrating competency in the classroom.
• The Alabama Office of Apprenticeship will administer the pilot program within the Department of Commerce.
Additionally, Governor Ivey sent a memo to the Secretary of Early Childhood Education, Dr. Barbara Cooper, directing the department to prioritize creating new First-Class Pre-K classrooms in counties where more than 20% of the population falls below federal poverty guidelines. Governor Ivey believes that increased access to Alabama’s nation-leading program is vital to reaching our education-based goals.
Governor Ivey also signed an executive order that has been applauded by the Alabama Broadcasters(ABA) and the Alabama Press Association (APA). This order deals with access to public records.
The executive order, issued on January 26, 2023, makes the process of requesting public records very clear and gives citizens an understanding of what to expect when making such a request. The executive order becomes effective on April 26, 2023.
Governor Ivey stated in a press release, “Access to public records is essential to guaranteeing transparency in government, and I am proud to sign this executive order that improves this process as a whole.”
ABA President Sharon Tinsley responded to the Governor’s announcement with gratitude. Tinsley said, “Broadcasters across the state appreciate Governor Ivey’s action. Her effort to ensure transparency and to provide a clearer process for obtaining the people’s records is welcomed. We urge the Legislature to follow Governor Ivey’s lead by making needed changes to the Alabama Open Records Act.”
“We applaud the Governor’s Executive order that provides a minimum time for state agencies to respond to records requests and addresses the fees charged for obtaining the records. It provides definitions of what is considered a standard request and those that will take more time to gather. It also offers guidance on how to address both,” APA Executive Director Felicia Mason said. “These are much-needed improvements, and we look forward to working with state elected officials to make access to public records easier for Alabamians.”