SDE Update

Practice Winning Every Day

Dr. Eric Mackey Alabama State Superintendent of Education

It’s autumn in Alabama. As the leaves fall, school is back in session, and people are falling into their routines, there’s only one thing on the hearts and minds of Alabamians… that’s right – FOOTBALL!

Ok, ok – as educators there are more important concerns than football; however, football is a major part of the culture in this part of the world. And there’s a lot of symmetry between great football and great education. This year in particular, there is a specific goal for educators to aim for that requires the same kind of commitment to excellence that a championship team has.

Once again, we are preparing to participate in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), coming January through March 2024! The NAEP is a congressionally mandated, national assessment in 4th and 8th grade reading and math, given to a portion of students in every state in America for the purpose of measuring student achievement throughout the country.

Last year, Alabama made significant strides in 4th and 8th grade reading and math, going from 49th to 39th and 52nd to 40th in the nation respectively. Our goal is to continue to outpace most of the nation, just as Alabama did in 2022.

NAEP is different from other assessments because it is the only test administered in every state and provides educators and policymakers with a common measure of student achievement. This allows education leaders, elected officials, business representatives, and others the ability to make informed decisions concerning our strengths and areas in need of improvement in education.

Although individual students, schools, or even school districts are not graded – the state is. That’s why, although they may seem worlds apart, achieving high scores on the NAEP and winning a championship football game share some surprising similarities.

GOAL SETTING AND PREPARATION

In both education and sports, success begins with setting clear goals and meticulous preparation. Just as your favorite football team trains for a championship game, students must dedicate themselves to rigorous study of Alabama educational standards in order to perform well on the NAEP. Both require focused, longterm planning and effort.

TEAMWORK

Football is the ultimate team sport, where players must collaborate seamlessly to achieve victory. Similarly, in the realm of education, teachers and students alike benefit from teamwork. Study groups, collaborative projects, and effective teamwork contribute to success in both areas.

DISCIPLINE

Discipline is a cornerstone of success, whether on the football field or in the classroom. Football players train hard, while students must maintain disciplined study habits. Developing discipline is crucial for achieving excellence on both the gridiron and the grade sheet.

FOCUS ON IMPROVEMENT

During the last NAEP administration in 2022, the nation was struggling to recover from the COVID crisis and the impact it has on educational outcomes around the world. Although Alabama did manage to hold its own and not regress, as the rest of the national uniformly declined, we are optimistic about even greater results in 2024. Just as football teams aim for continuous improvement throughout the season, refining their strategies and skills, we must continually seek ways to enhance student knowledge and understanding with growth and progress as a shared objective.

CELEBRATING ACHIEVEMENTS

Just as winning a championship game is a cause for celebration, achieving high scores on the NAEP is an accomplishment worth acknowledging. Recognizing and celebrating success fosters motivation and a positive outlook. Consider this, during the last NAEP administration, Alabama improved in its national ranking in both 4th and 8th grade reading and math and maintained its standing in 8th grade math. No other state in America saw that happen. We should acknowledge and celebrate our teachers and students while not resting on our laurels for the coming year.

Although the NAEP and winning football game are vastly different (NAEP being way more important) they share essential qualities and lessons that contribute to personal growth and achievement. They both require a commitment to excellence, the willingness to learn, and the determination to overcome challenges. So, dust your cleats off, strap your helmet on, and let’s prepare to give NAEP our collective best efforts as we embark upon the challenge of representing for Alabama on the 2024 NAEP assessment!