Senate Bill 335 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gerald H. AllenSenator

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Teacher certification; American History and Civics Excellence Initiative, created within the Department of Education; online course of study and endorsement for high school teachers, provided for; one-time stipend, provided for; State Board of Education, required to adopt rules

Summary

Creates the American History and Civics Excellence Initiative to certify high school teachers with a new endorsement and a possible one-time $3,000 stipend.

What This Bill Does

Establishes the initiative within the Alabama Department of Education, including an online course of at least 50 hours on American history and civics. Teachers who complete the course and receive the endorsement can add the American History and Civics Seal of Excellence to their Alabama Teacher Certification, and may receive a $3,000 one-time stipend if funds are appropriated. The State Superintendent appoints a program director (with Senate confirmation); the State Board of Education oversees the initiative, adopts rules, and creates application forms for the endorsement and the stipend.

Who It Affects

• High school teachers who hold a valid Alabama Teacher Certificate and may enroll in the online course to earn the endorsement and potentially receive the stipend.
• The Alabama Department of Education, which oversees and administers the initiative.
• The State Board of Education, which oversees the initiative and adopts rules.
• The program director, a new role within the department, responsible for managing the initiative.

Key Provisions

• Creation of the American History and Civics Excellence Initiative within the Department of Education with an online course of at least 50 educational hours.
• Course covers topics including philosophical foundations of the American Republic, comparisons with other governance philosophies, civic participation, and citizens' rights and responsibilities.
• A teacher who completes the course is eligible for the American History and Civics Seal of Excellence Endorsement on their Alabama Teaching Certificate.
• The State Superintendent appoints, subject to Senate confirmation, a program director to manage the initiative.
• The State Board of Education develops and approves the endorsement and stipend program and adopts related rules; separate application forms are created for endorsement and stipend.
• A one-time stipend of $3,000 may be awarded to eligible teachers, subject to appropriations by the Legislature.
• Funding and stipends are governed by the Budget Management Act and provided only in the amounts appropriated by the Legislature.
• The initiative takes effect on October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano-2025-08-07 on Mar 3, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education