Alabama Administrative Code Title 290 - ALABAMA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Title 290 of the Alabama Administrative Code is a comprehensive set of regulations promulgated by the Alabama State Board of Education. This Board is a constitutional administrative agency responsible for the "general control and supervision over the public schools of the state," as outlined in the Code of Alabama 1975, Title 16. It is composed of eight elected members and the Governor, who serves as an ex officio member and president. The Board also appoints the State Superintendent of Education, who enforces the rules.
Given its broad mandate, Title 290 covers a vast array of topics related to K-12 public education in Alabama, and it directly impacts students, teachers, administrators, and local school systems.
Here's a breakdown of the major areas you'd find regulated under Title 290:
I. Governance and Administration (Chapters 290-1-X, 290-2-X, 290-3-1):
Organization and Rules of Procedure (290-1-1): Governs how the State Board of Education conducts its meetings, sets agendas, and makes decisions.
Review of Local Board Actions (290-1-2): Outlines the process by which the State Superintendent of Education reviews and may intervene in decisions made by county and city boards of education.
Local School Board Governance (290-1-5): Sets forth principles of educational governance, including codes of conduct for local board members, training requirements, and accountability measures to ensure decisions are based on student and system needs. This includes rules on financial oversight, personnel recommendations, and adopting policies.
Apportionment of Funds (290-2-1): Details how state education funds are allocated to local school systems.
School Facilities (290-2-2): Regulations related to the construction, maintenance, and safety of school buildings and facilities.
Chief School Finance Officers (290-2-5): Rules governing the qualifications and responsibilities of financial officers in local school systems.
Public School Governance (290-3-1): Broad rules for the overall governance of public schools.
II. Educator Standards and Certification (Chapters 290-3-2, 290-3-3, 290-4-3):
Educator Certification (290-3-2): This is a critical and extensive chapter. It sets the requirements for obtaining and maintaining all types of educator certificates and licenses in Alabama, including:
Initial certification for teachers, administrators, and support personnel.
Renewal requirements, often including continuing education.
Specific rules for various fields (e.g., elementary education, secondary subjects, special education, counseling).
Regulations regarding the revocation, suspension, or denial of certificates for unprofessional conduct, immoral conduct, or other violations.
Rules on background checks and suitability determinations.
Teacher Education - Professional Services (290-3-3): Regulations for colleges and universities that prepare educators, covering program approval, curriculum standards, field experiences, and clinical practice.
Educator Development (290-4-3): Rules related to professional development programs for educators.
III. Curriculum and Instruction (Various Chapters):
Kindergarten Programs (290-5-1): Specific standards for kindergarten education.
Career/Technical Education (CTE) (290-6-1): Regulations for vocational and technical education programs.
Academic Standards: While not always a direct chapter, the Board adopts academic standards for all core subjects, which are then implemented by local schools.
IV. Student Services and Special Programs (Various Chapters, e.g., 290-4-5, 290-080-092):
Student Health Services (290-4-5): Rules related to health services provided in schools.
Special Education Services (290-8-9, and others under 290-080-XXX): A very detailed section ensuring compliance with federal and state laws (like IDEA) regarding:
Child identification and evaluation.
Disability definitions and eligibility criteria.
Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
Least Restrictive Environment (LRE).
Procedural safeguards for parents.
Discipline procedures for students with disabilities.
Rules for specific programs like the Catastrophic Trust Fund for Special Education.
Public School Governance (290-3-1): Contains rules related to student discipline, including prohibitions on chemical and mechanical restraints and seclusion in public schools (with specific exceptions for physical restraint in immediate danger situations). It also mandates policies for drug detection, tobacco use, and deadly weapons on school property.
V. Other Specialized Areas:
Private School Licensure (290-030-050): Rules for the licensure of private schools in Alabama.
Division of Rehabilitation Services (290-070-XXX): Although typically a separate state agency, some rules related to the Division of Rehabilitation Services (which may have been historically part of education or closely linked) can be found here, including Early Intervention Services.
In summary, Title 290 of the Alabama Administrative Code forms the comprehensive regulatory framework that governs the entire public education system in Alabama, from the qualifications of educators and the curriculum taught to the financial administration of schools and the provision of specialized student services.
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