[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6390853,"mediaKeyId","2111877-9787fcea59e5ac6d85fb5e534090c8af","parentId",2111877,"title","Board reviews academic guide changes: ELOs, homeschool extracurricular access, AP weighting clarified","audioSeconds",1164,"startMs",3335000,"endMs",4499000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2111877-9787fcea59e5ac6d85fb5e534090c8af&start=3335&end=4499","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2111877-9787fcea59e5ac6d85fb5e534090c8af/thumbnail_3335000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6390853/Alabama/Board-reviews-academic-guide-changes-ELOs-homeschool-extracurricular-access-AP-weighting-clarified","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6390853-22c895754ccad8c4ba843255da69d18e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770974099&Signature=TfNbtgK4JC0IaNFTSB-VdH-hBDqH96V3iNMKbTS1Y-VNWKkR8Nnq7AQdpqXX5J6WdCr-PHqSpuZoW-zTqmoBIvWO-2TK-5JjNYS4ehsGy~LZLoRAO6fWMoeKTUUgKadAggLPT77M6A7Fnzj8wRnO4~IP2kw8qDwlLiYgCVHoZk9s1VDpyIWoipLZwS90KsC8Ph0hIMUTM0cES95q4m6DwfljxL7hwXpS-ze3j59GkfsOpJCH8-WZFSAyItisJb5Jh6lXOov0BPMpOIYy7yO~98MTyjkDtJKxiN4vL-icKQl609iaBsQ6YTWcFRVoldsfYRrKY9JG2-Na6~8Uz0lgBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Madison County Schools","date","2025-01-09T00:00:00Z","article","District staff reviewed proposed edits to the Madison County high school academic guide on Jan. 9, previewing a board vote to follow. The guide changes presented by Jennifer Fanning focus on consistent district policy for weighted grades, homeschool student participation in extracurricular activities, and a new Extended Learning Opportunities (ELO) course for seniors.

Fanning said the proposed guide standardizes weighted credit for Advanced Placement, honors, dual enrollment and similar programs so that extra GPA points are consistently applied only when students pass the course. She explained the change is intended to prevent students from receiving weight for a course when they fail to meet the passing requirement: \"If you're committing to an AP class, you're going to do the best that you can do, and you're going to pass that class. … We do want to make sure that you put in enough effort to pass the class,\" she said.

On extracurricular access for homeschool students, Fanning said the district convened high school principals and reached consensus to allow homeschool students to participate in ROTC, band, athletics (including cheer and dance) at the high‑school level. Board members asked about middle‑school coverage and whether the Tim Tebow law or other statutes constrain grade spans; staff said they would research middle‑school policy and return with clarification.

Fanning also introduced an Extended Learning Opportunities (ELO) course approved under state guidance that would allow seniors who have met graduation and CCR requirements to apply for an unpaid, supervised off‑campus learning placement (internship, competitive arts training, equestrian training and similar activities) for an elective credit. The district presented a rubric and application form aligned to state guidance; staff stressed that paid work would be categorized under coop/workforce options and not ELO. The course requires an application, school approval, and evidence that the student completed the described activity.

Fanning said the district had previously run a senior exploratory program similar in spirit and that the ELO pathway gives students “opportunity to explore some things outside of just the boxed in curriculum.” The academic guide changes are posted for board review; the district expects to present the final guide for board approval in the formal meeting process.

Board members raised questions about uniform implementation and scheduling impacts, including master‑schedule constraints for AP drops (the guide currently allows principal discretion for withdrawals within a short window), and the need for consistent middle‑school policy on homeschool participation. Staff said they would provide additional language and districtwide uniform procedures before a final vote.

No board vote was taken on the academic guide at the Jan. 9 session; staff asked the board to review the posted changes and prepare for an upcoming approval vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","MCSS Board of Education Work and Special Session January 9, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","District staff previewed proposed 2025–26 high‑school academic guide updates, including a new Extended Learning Opportunities course, standardization of weighted grades, and a district consensus on which extracurriculars homeschool students may join at the high‑school level.","taxTitle","Madison County Schools, School Districts, Alabama","taxId",13590,"location","Alabama","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6390858,"Madison County maintains 89 district score; officials outline literacy, numeracy actions under state laws",1851,304000,2155000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2111877-9787fcea59e5ac6d85fb5e534090c8af&start=304&end=2155","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2111877-9787fcea59e5ac6d85fb5e534090c8af/thumbnail_304000.jpg","/articles/6390858/Alabama/Madison-County-maintains-89-district-score-officials-outline-literacy-numeracy-actions-under-state-laws","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6390858-6ca12628666bfea0426e5261c1afeb0d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770974099&Signature=GbbjrSmo~S-PW8d2fzv59UojJuW1YRYLhgpG7n0HbM4M654iCFqsutUvb~CqK-6bqd0fjciPo5qWdzbd-dUezX6mChx8RVh-y2DleFTgidF-wdq37Y7YsIFnXhiXQtu0ig-2HSw7v2Om5Aa34~209qKhMiH3slXfj-bmZSkDMLnI9gWj5YIcEFcUKmGpB3GsixIog3Gvq2YfaRwwQgDAXrvUzna6J7SZa6HwSmHs8zWqrr8EEahll5G18icrwsPPyPmyeBWntVmnQPZeiU6nJC9L2mUeDFMU0zL3WbqNiigHHIqvCyC-GImDWO9J0v16uRi6vy2-7nQetX1PzZqn2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Madison County Schools officials told the board on Jan. 9 that the district’s state report card score remained 89 for the 2023–24 school year and outlined how district programs and state laws drive instruction and interventions.

A district staff member who identified their office as federal programs director explained to the board that the state and federal report cards use different business rules. The district’s state report card score is a transparency measure based on academic achievement, growth, graduation rate and chronic absenteeism; the federal report card, governed by ESSA, applies different subgroup and English‑language proficiency rules and can show modest score differences.

The presenter emphasized district strengths and needs: near‑maximum points for growth, improving graduation rates and rising college‑and‑career readiness (CCR), and rapid growth in the English learner population (about 620 EL students, up from fewer than 100 several years earlier). The presenter said Madison has increased EL staffing from three teachers to 16.

Ginger Henshaw, who introduced herself during the meeting, reviewed the Alabama Literacy Act (in effect since 2019). She summarized the act’s core elements: adoption of a science‑of‑reading aligned English language arts course of study, use of an approved core reading program (Madison County selected CKLA), use of an approved early literacy screener (MCAS/DIBELS/ MCLASS) given three times a year, development of reading improvement plans (SRIPs/SREPs) when students show consistent deficiency, and required family notification and periodic progress letters. Henshaw explained the pathways to promotion from third grade (ACAP cut scores, ACAP supplemental retest after summer intervention, portfolios and good‑cause exemptions for limited English proficiency or certain disabilities), and said summer reading camps and targeted interventions are available; she noted one school (Madison County Elementary) may be on full‑support summer programming this year.

Bonnie Richburg summarized the Numeracy Act (effective 2022) and the district’s implementation for K–5 math: K–2 early math screeners tied to diagnostic assessments, targeted math summer learning (40–70 hours for 4th and 5th graders with deficits), and adoption of a math intervention program “Do the Math” for districtwide use K–12. Richburg said the district has math coaches in most elementary schools—15 of 17—partially funded earlier by ESSER; the state has agreed to fund math coaches sooner than initially scheduled so the district did not lose existing coaches. She said the fractional screener called for in law has not yet been released by state developers.

Presenters identified specific schools flagged under federal targeted support and improvement (TSI) designations for subgroups: Leckhorn High School, Leggett Elementary School, Madison County Virtual Academy, and New Hope High School were listed as TSI due to subgroup performance among students with disabilities. The staff presenter said the district will assign special education resource specialists to support continuous improvement plans and interventions for underperforming subgroups.

Board members asked about ACT scoring rules and how state report card calculations capture only the junior‑year ACT administration, which can undercount students who take ACT earlier; a board member and staff said districts have previously asked the State Department of Education to allow use of highest available scores (super scores).

Officials said the district has restructured instructional supports, added instructional coaches at the elementary level, begun monthly administrator instructional training, and created a teacher advisory committee to gather classroom‑level input into professional learning plans. The presenters invited board members to request school‑level follow‑ups and data reviews.

No formal vote was taken; the presentation was informational and board members were invited to request follow‑up meetings on particular schools or subtopics.","District presenters said Madison County’s state report card score remained 89 for 2023–24, highlighted large growth measures and graduation-rate improvements, and explained how the Alabama Literacy Act and Numeracy Act shape interventions, screeners, summer programs and coaching.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6390863,"Madison County officials say state guidance leaves pre-K programs at risk; board weighs options",698,4952000,5650000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2111877-9787fcea59e5ac6d85fb5e534090c8af&start=4952&end=5650","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2111877-9787fcea59e5ac6d85fb5e534090c8af/thumbnail_4952000.jpg","/articles/6390863/Alabama/Madison-County-officials-say-state-guidance-leaves-pre-K-programs-at-risk-board-weighs-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6390863-1dbd6e0ba080d8dc8ff24a47debe437a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770974099&Signature=M7AgiaD8zstR8sjaEFOyvPgXdEu5aIRkaOpnkcQCR8iGCt3Q0W~Trr9zAA3JrLoEbafZWE2iyKYGjjm3R5jLCwJ3DNkXRwcU99CRt0rTmMmyleXtEKoIuaYs34X4aBfeBSMsZuGFnwIqVMb0YMVJ7OqdPL6yobJT-o7NeLNmtS74BJTBa02B5RX24dwYpiKHlKZUnxAg-x9~02VNEKLrAFVicbvm4qD1pgmKt7Pmbu509TQf-eOMRoFBbpe2etW92GhdAutVJnIGxDSi0vHcecFhCF8bjTcRXl2L6q~qR389Y~NIfv~gVMPtRSYK7smE8L5vWaKtEYTQ1z94UJlvkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Madison County Schools officials told the school board on Jan. 9 that state guidance issued last year — and follow‑up responses from the Department of Early Childhood Education — left the district without a clear funding path for several OSR (Office of School Readiness) preschool classrooms.

At a work session presentation, district staff said the department emailed a notice in May saying public schools could no longer charge tuition in state‑funded preschool classrooms. That change, staff said, would remove about $145,000 a year the district had been collecting at non‑Title I schools to cover classroom shortfalls. Staff reported using accumulated tuition funds as a stopgap for 2024–25 while they wait for a definitive answer from the department or the Legislature.

The board heard that the OSR classrooms carry specific program requirements: a maximum of 18 students per classroom and a requirement that two adults be present. The district said those rules increase recurring costs because each classroom must be staffed by a certified teacher plus an aide.

“We need an answer before January 15th because I cannot, in good conscience, advertise classrooms and then later come back and tell parents we’re not going to have it,” said Miss Bass, the district staff member presenting the program status. She told board members she had pressed the Department of Early Childhood repeatedly but had only received noncommittal replies about whether the department or the Legislature would fully fund the difference or allow the district to resume charging tuition.

District staff outlined three realistic options: 1) the board funds the full shortfall for every current preschool classroom (staff estimated last year’s shortfall around $145,000 and gave a rough districtwide figure in the high hundreds of thousands depending on grant levels); 2) the Department of Early Childhood/Elected officials provide additional funding to fully cover classroom costs; or 3) the department permits the district to reinstate sliding‑scale tuition at non‑Title I sites. Staff warned that if none of those three outcomes materialize the district may have to return non‑Title I OSR grants and discontinue those classrooms.

Board members asked practical questions about capacity and timing. Staff said some schools are full and have waiting lists; OSR caps classrooms at 18 students and requires two adults per room. The district estimated roughly 450–475 preschool students across its OSR classrooms and said the number of classrooms is constrained in several schools by available classroom space.

Miss Bass recommended continuing to advertise and enroll Title I school classrooms immediately because funding for those classrooms was already netted through Title I allocations, but she recommended pausing advertising at the non‑Title I sites until the department or the Legislature provides a clear funding decision. Several board members expressed concern about parent impact if enrollments were opened and later canceled.

The district said it would continue pressing state officials and asked the board whether it preferred to fund the shortfall locally if a state solution is not forthcoming. No board vote was taken on funding at the Jan. 9 meeting.

For families and community groups, the immediate consequence is uncertainty in enrollment timelines. Staff said lotteries and waiting lists historically follow the department’s schedule (advertising around Jan. 15 and selection drawings in March/April), and that delaying public advertising could reduce parent notice but might avoid the worse outcome of accepting enrollments it cannot support.

The district also warned that keeping these OSR programs without stable state funding carries ongoing budget risk because staffing costs grow with step increases and advanced‑degree pay differentials. Staff said they would return to the board with a refined cost estimate and recommended next steps if the department does not provide permission to charge tuition or full funding.","District staff told the school board the state Department of Early Childhood has not confirmed whether it will fully fund Office of School Readiness (OSR) classrooms or allow the district to charge tuition, leaving roughly $145,000 previously covered by tuition at risk and forcing the district to consider pausing non‑Title I preschool enrollment.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6390843,"Madison County board receives draft AI policy; staff to route for association review",217,153000,370000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2111877-9787fcea59e5ac6d85fb5e534090c8af&start=153&end=370","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2111877-9787fcea59e5ac6d85fb5e534090c8af/thumbnail_153000.jpg","/articles/6390843/Alabama/Madison-County-board-receives-draft-AI-policy-staff-to-route-for-association-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6390843-4613b77bdd8eca6528b3a8d502220322/orig.mp4?Expires=1770974099&Signature=aj~0UTGhTN7Mf6Amhqz0GNj5vvNA97oM-NeW70iOR7BftDu~0JhTsP1KGe2aCJaJdKrhGhxpEk8oCSrU~DSSTpFJZSUDcIp9q1vOaN3rJ-i3z122Zr6ABGmT3lrCuYa6uPSJgxPwqQXTt8AnUlqVcalHHKe3FqBZ3vE~zKScJgXyVwQJx~EBZvTzzygUUlnWsgQvWsQXll5kv-uTWrfCmXxj0QXpSiAMH8UX366RoBzjYt1Pe9Wwmg3OYGigNLFLuu7UHRiSCiN3SzOc-zwlFHPFeU3IGkz0W7yl11VvbL1K1Okzes~bk8FEomoTXZIKfdfxxOhVUgNeiz5YGnGFEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A brief informational item in the Jan. 9 work session noted that Madison County Schools has a draft artificial intelligence (AI) policy in the board folder, prepared to align with Alabama State Department of Education guidelines.

The presenter said the policy outlines pillars the state required: data governance, privacy and security, procurement, implementation, educator competency, risk management, utility and effectiveness. Staff said the rollout will prioritize educator training before student use and that the policy will be shared with teachers’ associations and other stakeholder groups before a formal board review.

No board action was taken; staff invited board questions and said they would accept feedback before bringing the policy forward for formal consideration.","District staff told the board a draft artificial intelligence policy, prepared using state guidance, is in the board folder; the policy will be shared with teacher and support associations and later presented for further review.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6390848,"Board approves agenda, minutes, contracts and personnel items in special session; new Monrovia principal confirmed",46,7920000,7966000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2111877-9787fcea59e5ac6d85fb5e534090c8af&start=7920&end=7966","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2111877-9787fcea59e5ac6d85fb5e534090c8af/thumbnail_7920000.jpg","/articles/6390848/Alabama/Board-approves-agenda-minutes-contracts-and-personnel-items-in-special-session-new-Monrovia-principal-confirmed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6390848-1d5a1038a06250e2e7918a25c60717ea/orig.mp4?Expires=1770974099&Signature=ON4hwTL19uZyte6VUc5PP6yYomwfHj7-km9Gl8EVVGFvcvaO8piWIvYMUK8~TLxS3dkImd21KHfXtMyIuaunfhi1Q8Swjl0oT2Lhs1VtaZq8nFaWX23X7IgP1YROEXOmN2NU6aQ3awjd2QdECp1jpw3v4Y6XTovM~3-R4bqB1g8khSTifKk7b87trNjmjqjvehv2pwhOHrskDXtq5pkvyK2VZ6vNjottKqyqHKb2hFv6XY2IYyf5OU6bTdjObezaDX4f3GRdsmsw59M8F5UgT766GLAlUvxlv~iJuC6GQRdVtRaITjIlUtdfv6QSJbiTnW-KxLcwHfYceXONN~boHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Madison County Board of Education took several procedural approvals during the special session on Jan. 9.

The board recorded motions and seconds and approved the following items (all recorded in the transcript as approved by voice vote with board members saying “Aye”):

- Approval of the agenda dated Jan. 9, 2025 (motion; second; outcome: approved).
- Approval of the minutes dated Dec. 17, 2024 (motion; second; outcome: approved).
- Approval of contracts for services as submitted (motion; second; outcome: approved).
- Approval of personnel items as submitted (motion; second; outcome: approved).
- Approval of a probationary principal contract as submitted; the transcript identifies Miss Reasoner (from River Shaney Intermediate School) as the district’s new principal at Monrovia Elementary School (motion; second; outcome: approved).
- Approval of supplemental contracts as submitted (motion; second; outcome: approved).

The transcript records motion/second exchanges but does not name the members who moved or seconded the motions. Each vote was approved by voice; no roll‑call tally with individual votes was included in the meeting record excerpt.

No contested or substantive policy measures were decided in these votes; the approvals were procedural and personnel items normally handled by motion and voice vote.","In the special session portion of the Jan. 9 meeting the Madison County Board of Education approved the meeting agenda, previous minutes, contracts for services, personnel items, a probationary principal contract and supplemental contracts; votes were taken by motion/second and recorded as 'Aye.'","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board reviews academic guide changes: ELOs, homeschool extracurricular access, AP weighting clarified

Madison County maintains 89 district score; officials outline literacy, numeracy actions under state laws

Madison County officials say state guidance leaves pre-K programs at risk; board weighs options

Madison County board receives draft AI policy; staff to route for association review

Board approves agenda, minutes, contracts and personnel items in special session; new Monrovia principal confirmed