Amendment 1 In Alabama: What To Know Before March Vote

MONTGOMERY, AL — Among many of the items on the ballot in March in Alabama will be an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901 that would make significant changes to public education in the state, including changing how state education leaders are chosen.

Amendment 1, if approved, would rename the State Board of Education the “Alabama Commission on Elementary and Secondary Education.” Commission members would be appointed by the governor and approved by the senate, rather than elected by the public, and would change the title of the top public education official in the state — and provide that this official’s appointment be approved by the senate.

As well, Amendment 1 would require the Commission to adopt education standards in place of “common core.”

If a majority of voters approve Amendment 1, a separate bill passed by the Legislature, Act 2019-510, will become law. This separate bill does two things:

• It requires the governor to consult with members of the minority political party of the legislature when appointing members of the Alabama Commission on Elementary and Secondary Education.
• It requires the Secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education to report to the Legislature each year on state education policy objectives and methods to improve academic achievements.

Amendment 1 will appear on the ballot after election of statewide and local offices and will be the first constitutional amendment for voter consideration.