The Alabama Board of Education (BOE) has proposed additional high school diploma requirements for high school graduates statewide.

The proposal will give the public 45 days to submit comments and concerns before the Board takes a final vote on the matter.

The new rule requires all public high school graduates to undergo post-secondary education and a workforce preparation called College and Career Readiness (CCR) to ensure they are well prepared after high school.

Some board members expressed concerns about the proposed requirements.

District 7 Board member Belinda McRae was concerned that the requirements were not fair to those learning English or those struggling to learn through schooling.

Alabama Superintendent of Education Eric McKee said federal law prohibits special pathways for “cognitively impaired” students and non-native English speakers. Many special education students in the United States said they would take the CCR before graduation.

“Under federal law, non-native English-speaking students cannot be offered dual courses,” Mackey said.

“[T]”It’s obviously hard for them to get into a non-English-speaking high school. And I think it’s not just the CCR, it’s just hard to get a diploma.”

The state proposed additional eligibility requirements after noting many low test scores among Alabama students.

“Board members want to make sure we’re doing the right thing for high school students,” said Mackey. “Everyone on the Board wants to raise expectations for all students, but we also want them to do it in a fair and proper way and take the right steps.”

BOE went 6-3 on the issue. If the board passes regulations, the requirements will begin with the 2028 graduating class.

Governor Kay Ivey, who presided over the meeting, supported the move.

“It is important to take action to close the gap between graduation and graduation rates. [CCR] “The rules are set to come into force in 2028, which will give us plenty of time to get things done, and we will be able to hold more meetings if needed. , I hope you all will work with me to close the gap.”

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