HB331 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Matt WoodsSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

Public K-12 schools; nonpublic school transfer students excluded from certain assessments determining school or school district grade.

Summary

HB331 changes how Alabama public school grades are calculated by excluding the academic achievement of students who transfer from nonpublic schools for the first three years of enrollment.

What This Bill Does

It amends the state’s school grading rules to exclude the academic achievement of students who transfer from nonpublic to public schools from being counted in the school's annual grade for the first three years; after those three years, the transferring student’s achievement is included in the grade calculation. It also updates English learner data handling so that EL students not proficient may not have their academic achievement counted for up to five years, with progress still tracked through growth and language proficiency. Additionally, the bill sets requirements for how English learner test scores are treated under federal accountability, specifying reporting and counting steps for the first three years and a four‑year period for formerly-EL students, and it states the State Superintendent cannot amend that ESSA option.

Who It Affects

• Public K-12 schools and school districts: their annual A-F grades would not count the academic achievement of transfer-in students from nonpublic schools during the first three years of the transfer.
• Students transferring from nonpublic schools to public schools: their first three years in a public school would not be counted toward the school's grade, with their achievement included starting in the fourth year.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 16-6C-2 to implement the school grading system with A-F grades reflecting school and district performance.
• Excludes the academic achievement of students who transfer from nonpublic schools to public schools from being counted in the school's or district's annual grade for the first three years of enrollment; after three years, the student's achievement is included in the grade.
• For English learners not proficient, starting in 2021-2022, their academic achievement may not be counted for the first five years of enrollment; their progress is measured by growth and English proficiency, and proficiency is considered after the five-year period.
• Preserves a specific ESSA-related approach to English learner test data: the State Superintendent cannot amend the ESSA option; outlines first-year reporting (excluded), second-year growth, third-year proficiency, and a four-year window for accountability for formerly-EL students.
• Effective date: October 1, 2024.

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

Subjects

Education