SB180 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rodger SmithermanSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to public K-12 education; to amend Section 16-6B-2, Code of Alabama 1975; to provide for the teaching of history in a fact-based and inclusive manner.

Summary

SB180 would require social studies and history in Alabama public schools to be taught in a fact-based, historically accurate, and inclusive way as part of the core curriculum.

What This Bill Does

It amends the public K-12 education law to require social studies and history instruction to be fact-based, historically accurate, and inclusive, including minority history. It establishes a four-year social studies curriculum for grades 9-12 with emphasis on history and content about the United States and its Constitution, plus important historical documents. It allows foreign language credit (including American Sign Language) and requires a range of electives and vocational options; it outlines implementation timelines and retention of graduation requirements. It also addresses teacher preparation, special education accommodations, and policy development by the State Board of Education and local districts.

Who It Affects

• Public school students in Alabama (grades K-12) who will receive history and social studies instruction that is fact-based, historically accurate, and inclusive.
• Local boards of education, school districts, and teachers who must implement the core curriculum changes, offer electives and vocational options, and align instruction with the new standards.

Key Provisions

• Requirement that social studies and history instruction be fact-based, historically accurate, and inclusive of minority history and contributions.
• Four-year social studies curriculum for grades 9-12 with emphasis on history; includes material on United States history and the Constitution; teaching of important historical documents such as the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Emancipation Proclamation, and Federalist Papers.
• American Sign Language counts as a foreign language; local boards must offer electives including foreign languages, fine arts, physical education, wellness, and vocational/technical programs; credit toward foreign language requirements may be earned.
• Phased-in implementation beginning with ninth graders in 1996-97; possible one-time one-year delay for just cause; graduation requirements maintained without reducing core subjects; teacher preparation and program review required; special education accommodations via IEPs.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Public K-12 education, history instruction required to be fact-based and inclusive