SB404 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Scott Beason

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Shadrack McGillRusty Glover

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Common Core Standards, State Board of Education prohibited from adopting or implementing

Summary

The bill would block adoption of Common Core standards, strengthen student data privacy, and require public input before statewide standards are set in Alabama.

What This Bill Does

Repeals and prohibits the adoption or implementation of the Common Core State Standards by the State Board of Education or the Department of Education. Strengthens student data privacy by safeguarding personally identifiable information, limiting the expansion of any statewide data system, and restricting data sharing with outside entities; sharing with the U.S. Department of Education is allowed only under strict, written conditions (including consent and data destruction after evaluation). Requires notice and public hearings before any statewide standards are adopted or implemented, and calls for input from educators, parents, and the community. Prohibits state boards and agencies from joining agreements or consortia that transfer control of standards or data to out-of-state entities, preserving Alabama’s sole control over standards development.

Who It Affects

• Students and their parents/guardians, who gain stronger protections for student data, rights to access and correct records, and limits on questionnaires about personal habits without parental permission.
• The State Board of Education, Department of Education, and local schools/educators, who must keep control of standards in-state, follow stricter data-sharing rules, and conduct public hearings and solicit community input before standards are set.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits the adoption or implementation of the Common Core State Standards; actions to adopt or implement are void ab initio.
• Requires safeguarding of personally identifiable student data and restricts the expansion of data systems; limits data sharing outside Alabama to specific, tightly controlled circumstances (e.g., federal grants with written assurances and parental consent, with data destroyed after evaluation).
• Prohibits entering into agreements or joining consortia that transfer control of standards or data to out-of-state entities; Alabama retains sole state control over standards development and revision.
• Mandates public notice and a hearing before adopting or implementing statewide standards and requires an open comment period with input from educators, parents, and the community.
• Gives parents the right to access and correct their child’s education data and prohibits certain personal habit questionnaires without parental permission.
• Establishes that the act takes effect immediately after passage and governor approval, with severability preserved in case parts are invalid.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education