House Bill 495 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jamie KielRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

School report card, academic achievement of students transferring from a failing school not considered for first three years following transfer.

Summary

HB495 changes how Alabama school grades are calculated by temporarily excluding certain transferring students’ academic performance from report-card grades for a defined period.

What This Bill Does

It amends the school grading system (A-F) to exclude the academic achievement of certain students from grade calculations for up to three years after they transfer. The carve-outs apply to English language learners (not proficient) for up to five years, transfer students from nonpublic schools for the first three years (starting 2024-2025), and transfer students from failing public schools for the first three years (starting 2026-2027); progress continues to be tracked using growth and other indicators. After the exemption period, the students’ achievement is counted toward the school’s grade, and the grades remain publicly posted and shared with parents/guardians. The act takes effect June 1, 2026, and the grading system emphasizes multiple indicators beyond raw test scores.

Who It Affects

• Public K-12 schools and school districts: will receive A-F grades that do not count certain transferring students’ academic achievement for the specified initial years.
• English language learners (ELs): their academic achievement may be excluded for up to five years after enrollment, with progress still measured by growth and English proficiency progress.
• Students transferring from nonpublic schools: their academic achievement may not be counted for the first three years of enrollment (starting in 2024-2025).
• Students transferring from failing public schools: their academic achievement may not be counted for the first three years of enrollment (starting in 2026-2027).
• Parents/guardians and the general public: will still receive and be able to view the school grades and related information.
• The Alabama Department of Education and State Superintendent: must implement and publish the updated grading system and ensure consistent application.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 16-6C-2 to establish or modify the state’s A-F school grading system using multiple indicators (achievement, gaps, college/career readiness, learning gains, growth, etc.).
• EL provision: starting with the 2021-2022 school year, the academic achievement of each identified English language learner not proficient on ACCESS may not be counted in a school’s or district’s grade for up to five years; progress remains tracked through growth and English proficiency.
• Nonpublic transfer provision: starting with the 2024-2025 school year, the academic achievement of students transferring from a nonpublic school may not be counted for the first three years of enrollment.
• Failing-school transfer provision: starting with the 2026-2027 school year, the academic achievement of students transferring from a failing school may not be counted for the first three years of enrollment.
• Progress measures continue to be used during exclusion periods, and after the exclusion periods, students’ academic achievement is included in the school grade.
• Grades must be publicly posted and also delivered to parents/guardians annually, with consistent application so grades can be compared across schools.
• The State Superintendent may not amend the ESSA option for including test scores of English language learners; the bill details phased treatment of EL testing within accountability reporting.
• Effective date: June 1, 2026.

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