Alabama has 138 school districts, which support 1,637 schools. In the 2021-2022 school year, 717,988 students were enrolled in Alabama public schools. Approximately 55% of students in Alabama schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunches. While Alabama state policies do not explicitly include school climate measurement and improvement as part of accountability plans, other important elements of school climate are addressed in policy. These include comprehensive guidelines for bullying and violence prevention, school safety, and the adoption of a social-emotional learning curriculum.
Safety
There is currently no policy surrounding School Climate in Alabama. For more information on school climate please visit us at Services – National School Climate Center
Code of Ala. § 16-28B Jamari Terrell Williams Student Bullying Prevention Act.
This is a new act that became effective in 2018 and replaced the Anti-Harassment Policy. This new act expands on the current law to include student against student bullying, intimidation, violence, and threats of violence that occur off school property. In addition, the new act specifically includes cyberbullying, which may also occur off school property.
- Code of Ala. § 16-28B-3:
Provides definitions of bullying and cyberbullying. Also includes behaviors that constitute bullying.
- Code of Ala. § 16-28B-4:
Outlines prohibited behaviors or behaviors that shouldn’t be taking place in school.
- Code of Ala. § 16-28B-5:
The consequence of bullying is only mentioned once in the policy.
- Code of Ala. § 16-28B-6:
School’s responsibility when it comes to bullying and bullying behaviors.
https://www.stopbullying.gov/resources/laws/alabama
Who does this protect? Students, minorities
Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No
Code of Ala. § 16-1-44:
The responsibility of the local board or agent is to check on the conditions and operations of each school, and if needed, create a plan to prevent dangerous problems or circumstances from occurring.
Code of Ala. § 16-1-44.1:
“School resource officer” is a law enforcement officer employed by a law enforcement agency who is specifically selected and specially trained for the school setting. School resource officers are permitted to carry a deadly weapon.
Ala. Code § 13A-11-72:
Outlines who is forbidden from bringing or carrying a gun and people who are exempt from this.
https://c0arw235.caspio.com/dp/b7f93000c2d5ebbb8c0942df8403?st=Alabama
Who does this protect? Students, Staff
Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No
Teaching/Learning
Code of Alabama 16-39.3:
Each school board shall provide not less than 12 consecutive years of appropriate instruction and special services for exceptional children, beginning with those six years of age, by the provisions of this chapter. No matriculation or tuition fees or other fees or charges shall be required or asked of exceptional children or their parents or guardians.
http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/alison/CodeOfAlabama/1975/Coatoc.htm
State law requires districts to integrate social-emotional learning or character education into the school curriculum.
- Code of Ala. § 16-28B-6:
Develop and implement evidence practices to promote a school environment free of harassment, intimidation, violence, and threats of violence. Awareness of this should be incorporated into the school curriculum.
State law encourages districts to operate alternative school programs or to ensure access to educational services for expelled students in an alternative setting.
- Alabama Code 16-6B-1. Student achievement:
Schools should develop programs or make effort to track their student’s achievement and academic performance.
- Code of Ala. § 16-6B-3:
An improvement plan will be developed by consulting teachers, parents, and the local community if the school’s student achievement has not improved after two years.
- Code of Ala. § 41-15B-2.2.:
Twenty-two percent of the fund shall be allocated to the State Board of Education for one or more of the things outlined in the policy below, or one of the operations of alternative schools.
Who does this protect? Students, students with disabilities
Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes
Interpersonal Relationships
There is currently no policy surrounding respect and diversity in Alabama. For more information on school climate please visit us at Services – National School Climate Center
Institutional Environment
State law requires parents or family members involved in the development of student codes of conduct.
- Code of Alabama 16-1-24.1:
The school will provide parents or guardians, teachers, school personnel, and students with a code of student conduct at the beginning of each school year.
State law requires state agencies to develop models and guidance to promote parent and family engagement.
- Code of Alabama 41-15B-2.2:
States that twenty-two percent of the fund should be allocated to the State Board of Education for certain things outlined and one of them includes the promotion of parental participation in school activities.
State law requires districts to implement parent education or support programs to address family needs.
- Code of Alabama 16-28-2.2:
- Local boards of education, according to guidelines established by the State Board of Education, shall establish educational programs to inform parents of school children of their education-related responsibilities to their children.
- The State Board of Education and local boards of education shall develop strategies to ensure that parents of school children receive this information. These strategies may include provisions for weekend meetings, one-to-one conferences, telephone communications, and neighborhood meetings.
http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/alison/codeofalabama/1975/coatoc.htm
Who does this protect? Family, Student
Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes
State law encourages districts to implement building risk or hazard assessment protocols.
- Code of Alabama 16-1-44
Responsibility of the local board or agent to check on the conditions and operations of each school and if needed create a plan to prevent dangerous problems or circumstances from occurring.
State law authorizes the placement of local law enforcement or security personnel on school campuses through MOUs or partnership agreements.
- Code of Alabama 16-1-44.1
“School resource officer” is a law enforcement officer employed by a law enforcement agency who is specifically selected and specially trained for the school setting. School resource officers are permitted to carry a deadly weapon.
Who does this protect? Students, staff
Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No
Social Media
There is currently no policy surrounding leadership in Alabama. For more information on school climate please visit us at Services – National School Climate Center
There is currently no policy surrounding professional relationships in Alabama. For more information on school climate please visit us at Services – National School Climate Center