SB35 Alabama 2024 Session

Updated Feb 23, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Rodger SmithermanSenator
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2024
Title: Public K-12 education, history instruction required to be fact-based and inclusive
Summary: SB35 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 a strengthened core curriculum.
What This Bill Does
It would require social studies and history instruction to be fact-based, historically accurate, and inclusive of minority contributions. It creates a detailed core curriculum for grades 9-12, including four years each of English, mathematics, science, and social studies, with emphasis on history and key documents such as the Constitution and other foundational materials. It also lets core credits count toward vocational programs, requires districts to offer vocational/technical paths, and makes American Sign Language count as a foreign language; there is a built-in possibility of a one-year delay for implementing any one course. Finally, it adds daily character education, begins a cursive handwriting requirement, and sets the effective date and graduation oversight by the State Board.

Who It Affects
Group 1: Alabama public school students (K-12) will experience a fact-based, historically inclusive social studies/history curriculum, plus broader core-course requirements and new language and literacy expectations as part of graduation readiness.
Group 2: Local boards of education and state education officials (State Board of Education and State Superintendent) must implement the new core curriculum, establish policies, approve course schedules, oversee vocational programs, certify cursive writing requirements, and ensure adherence to graduation standards and other program requirements.

Key Provisions
Social studies and history instruction must be fact-based, historically accurate, and inclusive of minority contributions.
Core curriculum for grades 9-12 includes four years each of English, mathematics, science, and social studies with emphasis on history, plus content on U.S. history, the Constitution, and other key historical documents.
Credit for required courses may be earned in conjunction with vocational/technical programs; local boards must offer vocational/technical education.
Elective courses (including foreign languages, fine arts, physical education, wellness, and vocational preparation) should be available; American Sign Language counts as a foreign language with phased implementation specifics.
Daily character education program of at least 10 minutes focusing on listed traits, including the Pledge of Allegiance.
Cursive handwriting instruction is required, with local boards certifying cursive-writing requirements annually.
State Board of Education will set graduation requirements and minimum course contents; teachers and teacher-preparation programs must ensure proper preparation to teach required courses; accommodations for special education students as per IEPs are preserved.
One-time delay of up to one year may be granted by the State Superintendent for implementing any one required course, for just cause after a hearing.
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