Gov. Kay Ivey signed four education orders on Wednesday; here's what they do

Gov. Kay Ivey signed four executive orders on education on Wednesday, according to a news release.

“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 said in a statement. “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.”

The news release stated that Ivey wants Alabama ranked in the top 30 states of numeracy and literacy by the end of her term.

1. Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

Ivey authorized $4.1 million dollars to establish a statewide Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Network to promote early literacy. Under this program, Alabamians birth to 5 years old will receive an age-appropriate book every month until their fifth birthday.

Parents have the right to opt out at any time.

2. Governor’s Commission on Teaching and Learning

Ivey signed an executive order establishing the Governor’s Commission on Teaching and Learning, which will look into improving elementary and secondary education in the state.

A report will be generated by Dec. 1, 2023.

Members of the commission include:

• Business Education Alliance President and former State Superintendent of Education Dr. Joe Morton

• State Superintendent of Education Dr. Eric Mackey

• State Sen. Donnie Chesteen, R-Geneva

• State Rep. Alan Baker, R-Brewton

• State Rep. Barbara Drummond, D-Mobile

• Montgomery Public Schools Superintendent Melvin Brown

• Holtville High School Principal Kyle Futral

• Mountain Brook Schools Superintendent 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

Morton will serve as the chair.

3. Ensuring progress

Alabama has launched several education initiatives during Ivey's tenure, including the Numeracy Act, Literacy Act and Computer Science for Alabama Act. Schools now also have a civics test requirement and require graduates to achieve a college and career readiness indicator.

This executive order requires the state superintendent to submit a report outlining progress on those items, as well as outline future plans. This report is due by June 30, 2023.

4. Teacher Apprenticeship Pilot

This executive order launches a pilot program which will allow for qualifying paraprofessionals and teachers' aides to receive a teaching certificate through showing competency in a classroom. This additional pathway will be initially offered in areas with documented teaching shortages, and the pilot will be run through the Alabama Office of Apprenticeship within the Department of Commerce.

Memo

In addition to the four executive orders, Ivey sent a memo to Secretary of Early Childhood Education Dr. Barbara Cooper. She instructed the Department of Early Childhood Education to prioritize new First-Class Pre-Kindergarten programs in counties where over 20% of the population falls below federal poverty guidelines.

Jemma Stephenson is the children and education reporter for the Montgomery Advertiser. She can be reached at jstephenson@gannett.com or 334-261-1569.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Ivey signs education orders aimed at improving state's ranking