Alabama

College and Career Ready Definitions

“Being college and career ready means that a high school graduate has the English and mathematics knowledge and skills necessary to either (1) qualify for and succeed in entry-level, credit-bearing college courses without the need for remedial coursework, or (2) qualify for and succeed in the postsecondary job training and/or education necessary for their chosen career (i.e. technical/vocational program, community college, apprenticeship or significant on-the-job training).”

Source:

Alabama Department of Education. (2012). College and Career Readiness Strategic Plan Retrieved from https://docs.alsde.edu/documents/908/Attachment%2012%20College%20and%20Career%20Ready%20Delivery%20Plan.pdf

Accountability Metrics
  • Student achievement status on state tests
  • Student growth on state tests
  • Attendance rate
  • Four-year graduation rate
  • Additional graduation rates (five or more years
  • Participation in advanced course work, including AP or IB classes or dual enrollment
  • Performance in advanced course work, including AP or IB exams and dual enrollment course grades
  • Performance on college entry exams such as SAT, ACT, ACCUPLACER, or COMPASS
  • Career preparedness performance, including earning credentials or certificates, performance on WorkKeys, and grades in career and technical education courses

Source: Center for American Progress. (2016). Explore the Data for ‘Making the Grade’. Retrieved from https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/education/news/2016/05/19/137455...

College and Career Ready Reporting Metrics
State School Report Card1
Alabama Education Report Card2
Early Warning Systems4
 
ACT Plan scores1,2
National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)2
Course performance3
Career and technical education (CTE) participation2
CTE concentrators2
o Students reaching targeted level of skill attainment
o Students completing 
o Students of students graduating
o Students employed in related field 
Attendance2, 3
Suspensions2
Expulsions2
Alternative school2
Assault2
Bomb threats2
Drug related2
Weapon related2
Out-of-class suspensions3
 
Source:
1. Alabama State Department of Education. (2015). Assessment Reporting System. Retrieved from http://www03.alsde.edu/Accountability/Accountability.asp
2. Alabama State Department of Education. (2015). Alabama education report card. Retrieved from http://www.alsde.edu/sec/comm/Pages/educationreportcard-all.aspx
3. Alabama State Department of Education. (2014). Graduation and tracking system handbook. Retrieved from  https://www.alsde.edu/sec/pss/Pages/graduationtracking-all.aspx
 

 

Dual Enrollment and Early College High School

Dual Enrollment and Articulation

Alabama state policy allows students to earn dual credit for academic and/or CTE courses taken at their high school, postsecondary institution, or online. Public postsecondary institutions, however, are not required to accept these credits (Education Commission of the States, 2015).

Early College High School

Alabama is not participating in the Early College High School Initiative (ECHSI). More information about schools participating in ECHSI is available at the ECHSI website (Jobs for the Future, n.d.).

Citations:

Jobs for the Future. (n.d.). Schools. Retrieved from http://www.jff.org/initiatives/early-college-designs/schools

Education Commission of the States. (2015). Dual enrollment – all state profiles. Retrieved from http://ecs.force.com/mbdata/mbprofallRT?Rep=DE14A

Career Pathways

Alabama organizes its CTE programs using the Career Clusters framework. Alabama also implements programs of study across all 16 Career Clusters.

Citation:

National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education Consortium. (n.d.). Alabama [Interactive map of state CTE profiles]. Retrieved from http://www.careertech.org/Alabama

Career Exploration and Career Plans
Alabama does not have a statewide system for career exploration or career plans at the K–12 level.
Alignment Between High School Graduation and State College Admission Requirements

High School and College Alignment

Subject

High School Graduation Requirements

College Admission Requirements

English Credits:

4.0

4.0

Mathematics Credits:

4.0 (including Algebra I and geometry)

3.0 (Algebra I; Algebra II; and geometry, trigonometry, or calculus)

Social Studies Credits:

4.0

4.0 (including world history or a comparable course)

Science Credits:

4.0 (including biology and physical science)

3.0 (including two courses with laboratory experience)

Foreign Language Credits:

None specified

1.0 (see Additional Credits)

Arts Credits:

0.5

N/S

Additional Credits:

7.5 (physical education [1.0], health [0.5], computer applications [0.5], and electives [5.5])

(recommended to be in fine arts or computer literacy, and/or additional courses in mathematics, natural sciences, and foreign language)

Total Credits:

24.0

16.0

Tests:

Alabama High School Graduation Examination

Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) or ACT®

Source:

Alabama Department of Education

The University of Alabama

Notes:

 

 

 

Early Warning Systems

Alabama’s state-specific Early Warning System is called the Graduation Tracking System (GTS). The level at which Early Warning System data are reported is not publicly available. District administrators are allowed to access Early Warning System data; however, it is unclear if others can access the data. 

Citation:

Alabama State Department of Education. (2014). Introduction/implementation process for the K-12 Graduation Tracking System. Retrieved from  https://www.alsde.edu/sec/pss/Pages/graduationtracking-all.aspx