Annual Report 2001 - Alabama Department of Education

State Board of Education
The State Board of Education is made up of the Governor, who is the President of the Board, ex officio, the State
Superintendent of Education who serves as the Secretary to the Board, and eight elected board members who represent
the eight school districts of the state. In very general terms, the duties of the board include general supervision of public
schools in Alabama and the formulation of regulations for implementing education laws.
State Superintendent of Education
The State Superintendent of Education serves as the chief state school officer. The superintendent is appointed by the
state board of education and serves at the board's pleasure. The authority and duties of the superintendent are determined
by the state board of education according to regulations as the legislature prescribes. The superintendent oversees
the administration of the State Department of Education and the interpretation of intent of laws.
OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL
The Office of General Counsel (OGC) provides legal counsel to the State Board of Education, the State Superintendent
of Education, and the State Department of Education. The OGC reviews and provides suggestions on interpretations of
statutory and case precedent. In addition to legal compliance review, the OGC handles all litigation involving the department,
the State Board, and the State Superintendent. Teacher background check investigations and prosecution of certificate
revocations are handled by the assistant attorneys general in the office. Personnel investigations, Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission complaints, and Board of Adjustment claims also fall within the jurisdiction of
this office. The Administrative Code and its amendments are within the responsibilities of the OGC. Any legislation
which may affect education in Alabama is reviewed by the OGC as well as all financial transactions involving the
issuance of warrants by local boards of education are examined and approved by the OGC. The attorneys within the
office also advise the 128 school districts as needed when issues of potential statewide impact arise.
DIRECTOR – COMMUNICATIONS/LEARNING RESOURCES/LEGISLATIVE SERVICES
The mission of the Communications and Public Information Section is to increase awareness and understanding of the
State Board of Education’s high academic standards, goals and initiatives, and policies through a plan of aggressive communications.
The section produces a monthly newsletter for Alabama’s K-12 educators, handles news media relations,
coordinates various teacher and school recognition programs, and conducts public information efforts.
The Alabama Learning Resources Center (ALRC) provides technology support to the State Board of Education, the State
Department of Education (SDE), Local Education Agencies (LEAs), and the citizens of the State of Alabama. The
ALRC is responsible for setting up and taping all State Board of Education meetings, in addition to providing sound and
video services to the State Board, and SDE, as requested. The section also produces documentary and training videos,
duplicates videos for classroom use at no cost to the LEAs or citizens of Alabama, provides technical assistance to SDE
personnel in producing workshop materials, and maintains a collection of computer and audiovisual equipment projectors
for use by SDE staff. The ALRC is also available to assist LEAs in writing specifications for the purchase of technology
equipment and networking.
The Office of Legislative Services coordinates all legislative actions to effectively communicate the State Department of
Education’s position on all legislative issues to members of the legislative and executive branches of government, as well
as the general public so that information is provided to these groups in a timely manner. In addition, the Office of
Legislative Services is responsible for analyzing proposed legislation and existing laws to provide recommendations to
the State Superintendent on revisions to existing laws or to develop departmental positions on proposed legislation.
State Department of Education
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