Office of Student Learning
Office of Student Learning Lead Contacts
Dr. Melissa Shields
Assistant State Superintendent
OSL Website and OSL Running Updates
Alabama Reading Initiative - Mrs. Bonnie Short
AMSTI - Mrs. Cathy Jones
Educational Technology - Mrs. Sue Ellen Gilliland
Instructional Services - Mr. Sean Stevens
Office of School Improvement - Dr. Joseph Garner
Professional Learning - Mrs. Telena Madison
Alabama Department of Education Updates
Updates from the following sections can be found at the C&I Meeting link.
Curriculum & Instruction Meeting-Spring 2025
Career & Technical Education (CTE)
Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI)
Office of Extended Learning (OXL)
Office of School Improvement (OSI)
All sessions require registration in PowerSchool Professional Learning unless otherwise stated.
By clicking on the blue hyper-link, you will be redirected to PowerSchool Professional Learning. If you have any issue registering, please reach out to UM- RIEC Director, Brooke Hughston.
Alabama Reading Initiative
(Face-to-Face) 7/8/2025 10:30-12 pm
📚Grammar Skills, Literacy Thrills: Embedding Grammar Strategies to Build Confident Readers
and Writers (Face-to-Face) 7/22/2025 8:30-10 am
📚Reading and Rereading: A Recipe for Building Fluency
(Face-to-Face) 7/22/2025 10:30-12 pm
(Face-to-Face) 7/24/2025 8-11 am
(Face-to-Face) 7/24/2025 12:30-2 pm
(Virtual) 7/30/2025 8:30am-3:30 pm
Beginning Sound Wall Training
Beginning Sound Wall Training
7/ 21/2025 8:00 am-3:00 pm
We see sound walls going up all over the world, and while that excites us here at Tools4Reading, we want to ensure you understand the process of setting these up. More importantly, we hope to equip you with the knowledge you need about phonology and orthography to implement sound walls in a way that aligns with the science of reading. Join us for a Beginning Sound Wall Training and leave ready to build a Sound Wall in your classroom.
Beginning Sound Wall Training
7/22/2025 8:00 am-3:00 pm
We see sound walls going up all over the world, and while that excites us here at Tools4Reading, we want to ensure you understand the process of setting these up. More importantly, we hope to equip you with the knowledge you need about phonology and orthography to implement sound walls in a way that aligns with the science of reading. Join us for a Beginning Sound Wall Training and leave ready to build a Sound Wall in your classroom
Regional Autism Network
UM-RIEC Examining the Use of Functional Behavior Assessments for All Students
7/22/2025 3:00 pm-4:30 pm
Recent information from the US Department of Education recommends the expansion of functional behavior assessment (FBA) methodology and theory to support all students. This session will explore the recommendations including the focus on positive behavioral interventions, evidence-based practices, and function of behavior to reduce the use of exclusionary discipline. Participants will explore the components of a FBA, how the FBA informs a behavior intervention plan (BIP), and how the results of a FBA can inform proactive instructional strategies. The information in this session will apply to all ages.
UM-RIEC Scoring GOALS with autistic children: Decision-making and successful implementation
7/24/2025 3:00 pm-4:30 pm
Workshop content emphasizes the development and implementation of speech, language and communication goal setting in educational and clinical contexts serving children on the autism spectrum. Effective goal setting decisions are based on (1) understanding speech, language and communication needs of autistic individuals, (2) evaluating academic and social contexts, and (3) applying the evidence base. Strategies and discussion on integrating neurodiversity-affirming constructs is included to promote goal relevance and functional outcomes. Although applicable for all ages, the spoken and written language skills of pre-school and school-age children on the autism spectrum are the primary focus.
Social Studies Course of Study 2025
Exploring the New Social Studies Course of Study (K-6)
6/11/2025 8:30 am-11:30 am
Dr. Blake Busbin
Discover the new social studies standards and vision for Kindergarten through Grade 6 as put forth in the 2024 Alabama Course of Study: Social Studies. Participants will explore key updates, pedagogical shifts, and interdisciplinary strategies that align with the revised standards. The course will highlight practical applications, including curriculum planning, assessment design, and resource utilization tailored to the new standards.
Exploring the New Social Studies Course of Study (7-12)
6/11/2025 12:30 pm-3:30 pm
Dr. Blake Busbin
Discover the new social studies standards and vision for Grade 7 through Grade 12 as put forth in the 2024 Alabama Course of Study: Social Studies. Participants will explore key updates, pedagogical shifts, and interdisciplinary strategies that align with the revised standards. The course will highlight practical applications, including curriculum planning, assessment design, and resource utilization tailored to the new standards.
PLUACLD1216- Seats paid for by UM-RIEC
Successful School Leadership:
Culture, Climate, & Effective Teams
Standard 3: Managerial and Operational Leadership
10-week course
June 6th-August 15th, 2025
Any organization, whether it’s a business, school, or government agency, needs leaders to help guide the way. Leaders provide direction and vision, motivate and inspire others, and help create an environment conducive to success by promoting communication and collaboration among team members. In short, leadership and strong management skills are essential for any organization that wants to achieve its objectives.
Successful School Leadership: Culture and Climate, and Inspiring Strong Teams focuses on topics such as culture, climate, and effective teams. Leaders are responsible for people and including the task of building effective teams. Also, a heavy emphasis will be placed on culture and climate, and why this is one of the leader's major responsibilities. The main focus will revolve around ways to build a desired culture and ways to turn around a toxic one.
2025 Belfer National Conference for Holocaust Education
Grade 9 teachers and educators interested in teaching the new Holocaust Studies elective are encouraged to learn more about the annual virtual Belfer Conference hosted by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM). This three-day online, free conference will be held June 23-25.
Session offerings range from focuses on content to pedagogy. Professional historians, USHMM staff, and classroom teachers lead engaging session.
Johnson Institute Scholars Conference 2025
Named after the much-admired Judge Frank Johnson, a federal judge famous for his role in the Civil Rights movement, the Johnson Institute is a Montgomery-based organization that strives to promote understanding of both the Constitution and the Judiciary system.
The Institute is housed in the namesake Frank M. Johnson, Jr. U.S. Courthouse Complex. Classes can request tours of both Judge Johnson’s courtroom as well as the exhibit highlighting his many contributions.
The Johnson Institute is offering a three-day summer conference for educators this year. This conference will examine how to use historical court cases to teach major Constitutional principles as well as key events of the Civil Rights Movement.
The conference is scheduled for Tuesday, June 24, through Thursday, June 26. Applications are currently open.
Multi-Tiered Systems of Support
Statewide Session: June 16, 2025
9:00 am-10:30 am
National Board Certification- UM Cohort 2025-2026 School Year
The University of Montevallo Regional NBCT Support Program is here to help support you in completing what we believe has the potential to be the most meaningful PD you've ever completed. But we also know the process can be stressful, so let us help. For years, we have worked with teachers from across the area to aid them in understanding the type of reflection and writing needed to make the most of the certification process.
Anthony Hamley will provide a session designed to introduce the process in detail and to begin to help you map out a plan of approach to become certified. We will also discuss specific logistical requirements from the National Board as well as the opportunity to join the University of Montevallo Regional NBCT Support Program and be assigned a Candidate Support Provider (CSP) to help guide you through the entire process from the beginning to end.
Paid Summer Learning for Alabama Educators
MODERN CLASSROOMS PROJECT’S PAID PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITY
Session Choices: May 19 - June 22; June 23 - July 27
Location: Virtual, asynchronous, self-paced training
Registration deadline: May 16th for May session; June 20th for June session
Tired of the “one-size-fits-all” approach to instruction? Looking to make teaching more sustainable? Join the Modern Classrooms Project’s Virtual Mentorship Program.
In this virtual, self-paced, twelve-week course, educators will work with a dedicated mentor to learn and create systems and structures to implement blended, self-paced, and mastery-based learning in their classrooms. Finish the program with classroom-ready materials and a clear plan to anchor class time around working with students one-on-one and in small groups.
Additional Details
Thanks to funding from the Daniel Foundation and BCBS of Alabama, this opportunity is FREE for all Alabama educators
Educators receive a $500 stipend and clock hours upon completion
REGISTER NOW: modernclassrooms.org/alabama
3rd Annual Deaf Ed and ASL Forum
We are so excited to offer the 3rd Annual Deaf Ed and ASL Forum sponsored by the University of Montevallo Department of Deaf Ed and Hard of Hearing AND the University of Montevallo Regional Inservice Center. Please click the link below to review all sessions offered. Registration is for one session at a time. Once the forum concludes, all Alabama educators will receive CEUs in PowerSchool Professional Learning in accordance with sessions attended.
Click HERE to view all sessions and registration information.
UM-RIEC extends gratitude to Dr. Frances Courson who worked tirelessly to bring this forum to all educators in Alabama who are interested.
Alabama Principal Leadership Development System
Alabama Achieves: A New Plan for a New Decade addresses five overarching Strategic Priorities, or areas in which the Alabama State Department of Education will work to support local schools and school systems in the new decade and beyond. Our Strategic Priorities are designed to be broad and encompassing which include:
Alabama Growth and Achievement
College, Career, and Workforce Ready
Safe and Supportive Learning Environments
Highly Effective Educators
Customer-Friendly Services
The Alabama Principal Leadership Development System (APLDS) is a comprehensive system of learning and support for school administrators’ leadership development while aligning with our state's strategic plan.
Alabama Math Science & Technology Initiative
Click here for AMSTI Math Training & Professional Development
Click here for AMSTI Science Training & Professional Development
Office of Mathematics Improvement
Fraction Action: From Screener to Strategy
6 hours each day=12 CUEs
Registration is for two days!!!
Course Description
Designed for 3rd-5th grade teachers and administrators, this two-day professional development course provides the conceptual understanding and practical skills needed to effectively administer and interpret the Forefront Fractional Reasoning Screener. Participants will deepen their knowledge of key fraction concepts assessed in the screener, including fraction equivalence, comparison, and operations. Additionally, they will learn research-based strategies for analyzing student responses and identifying common misconceptions. Through hands-on practice and analysis, participants will learn to administer the screener, interpret the results, and design targeted instruction based on student learning needs.
Alabama Learning Exchange
ALEX Virtual Summer Overview
Session Date Offerings: June 10, 2025 PSPL#528472 OR
July 22, 2025 PSPL#528473
Session Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (3 hours)
Facilitators: Hailey Ridgeway, ALEX Project Director
Hannah Bradley, ALEX Project Instructor
Session Title: Revolutionize Your Teaching with ALEX: Tools, Tips & Tricks for K-12 Educators!
Session Description: Tired of searching for quality lesson plans and engaging student activities? Wish you had a one-stop shop for standards-aligned resources? ALEX (Alabama Learning Exchange) has you covered!
In this interactive virtual session, we’ll dive into:
The Lesson Plan Component (LPC): A game-changer for designing effective, ready-to-use lessons.
Sparkl: A gamified learning system that helps students engage with and process material while giving teachers easy tools to create and share activities.
Time-Saving Strategies: How to find, customize, and implement ALEX resources seamlessly into your teaching.
Whether you're a veteran teacher or just starting out, this session will give you practical tools to enhance your instruction, save time, and keep students engaged. Don’t miss out—join us and spark new ideas for your classroom!
Alabama Technology in Motion
Join Angie Clark for a summer of learning.
Click here for all ATIM summer learning sessions.
Contact:aclark@atim.us
🖥️STEM PLG-Resources for STEM Learning
5/5/2025 8:30 am-3:00pm
ALSDE Birmingham
Description: STEM Professional Learning Group - an ongoing series of professional development and training open to teachers, LMS, STEM specialists, after school club sponsors, administrators, and others who want to incorporate or increase STEM offerings in their school/district. This first session will focus on shared STEM experiences, STEM career connections, and best resources for learning.
🖥️STEM PLG Robots and Coding
6/25/2025 8:30 am-11:30 am
SCISC Alabaster
Description: STEM Professional Learning - focus on robotics, coding, and lesson planning for the year.
🖥️STEM PLG AI and Showcasing STEM
8/1/2025 8:30 am-11:30 am
ALSDE Birmingham
Description: STEM Professional Learning - focus on AI, PBL, and lesson planning for the year.
🖥️Canva Workshop - Creativity and Innovation
6/4/2025 9:00 am-11:00 am
SCISC Alabaster
Description: Instructional and Graphic Design with Canva - a focus on creativity and innovation for student learning.
🖥️Google Certified Educator Level 1 Prep Course - Hybrid
6/5/2025 8:00 am-5:00 pm
Virtual
Description: Course will be asynchronously held via Google Classroom starting on June 5, 2025. Those registered will have access to the course content until July 10, 2025 providing 5 weeks to complete Google Activities using Classroom, Drive, Sheets, Calendar, Sites, and others to prepare ahead for the exam. Cost to take the exam is $10. Course will be asynchronously held via Google Classroom starting on June 5, 2025. Participants may come to an in-person crash course in July and/or the exam day on July 10.
🖥️Podcasting 101
6/9/2025 8:30 am-3:00 pm
SCISC Alabaster
Description: Discover the power of podcasting in the classroom to give your students voice, choice, and agency.
🖥️Google Certified Educator Level 2 Prep Course - Hybrid
6/12/2025 8:00 am-5:00 pm
Virtual
Description: Course will be asynchronously held via Google Classroom starting on June 12, 2025. Those registered will have access to the course content until July 31, 2025 providing 5 weeks to complete Google Activities using Classroom, Drive, Sheets, Calendar, Sites, and others to prepare ahead for the exam. Cost to take the exam is $25. Participants may come to an in-person crash course in July and/or the exam day on July 31 in Hoover/ALSDE Building.
🖥️Google Level 1 Bootcamp DAY ONE - 2 days Face to Face
7/8/2025 8:00 am-3:00 pm
ALSDE Birmingham
Description: F2F Google Level 1 Learning will include Docs, Slides, Forms, Sites and more; 6 hrs of PD credit.
🖥️Google Level 1 Bootcamp - 2 days Face to Face
7/10/2025 8:00 am-3:00 pm
ALSDE Birmingham
Description: F2F Google Level 1 Learning in the morning will include Docs, Slides, Search, Gmail, Keep, and more; Google trainers will lead the morning session and provide 'coaching support' in the afternoon for those taking the Level 1 exam; 4 hrs PD credit are available on this PD Day.
🖥️3D Printing Workshop - Printers, Slicing, Software
7/11/2025 9:00 am-12:00 pm
SCISC Alabaster
Description:3D Printing and Design with a focus on printer options, design software, and the slicing process.
🖥️Google Level 2 Bootcamp DAY ONE - 2 days Face to Face
7/29/2025 8:00 am-3:00 pm
ALSDE Birmingham
Description: F2F Google Level 2 Learning will include Docs, Slides, Earth, Forms, Extensions, and more; 6 hrs of PD credit.
🖥️AI for Secondary Teachers PD
7/30/2025 1:00 pm-3:00 pm
ALSDE Birmingham
Description: Let's explore generative AI tools that teachers can leverage for instruction, productivity, and differentiation.
🖥️Google Level 2 Bootcamp DAY TWO - 2 days Face to Face
7/31/2025 8:00 am-3:00 pm
ALSDE Birmingham
Description:F2F Google Level 2 Learning in the morning will include Docs, Slides, Earth, Forms, Extensions, and more; Google trainers will lead the morning session and provide 'coaching support' in the afternoon for those taking the Level 2 exam which costs $25; 4 hrs PD credit are available on this PD Day.
PowerSchool Statewide Sessions
Title: PowerSchool Special Programs for Novice Coordinators
Date: July 8, 2025
Time: 9:00 am-11:00 am
Description: This session is designed for novice coordinators looking to build a solid foundation in PowerSchool Special Programs. Learn best practices for managing student profiles, handling documents, generating reports, and security settings. An ALSDE PowerSchool Special Programs Coach will guide you through essential features, providing practical tips to streamline your workflow and enhance your program management. Gain confidence in navigating PowerSchool Special Programs and improve your ability to support student success and compliance within your school or district.
Title: PSSP 101: Navigating the Basics with Confidence
Date: July 8, 2025
Time: 12:30 pm-2:30 pm
Description: This comprehensive training session is designed to introduce new teachers to the features and functionalities of PowerSchool Special Programs. Participants will gain valuable knowledge on navigating the platform and creating documents such as IEPs, the Notice and Eligibility Decision Regarding Special Education Services and the Student Transfer Review, and others.
By the end of the session, new teachers will feel confident in using PowerSchool to support their students' unique needs, streamline documentation, and manage compliance. Whether participants are new to PowerSchool or just looking to deepen their understanding of its special education features, this training will provide the tools needed for success.
U.S. Space and Rocket Center
This professional development program uses the format of astronaut training to convey new ways of teaching science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) concepts to the world’s future workforce. The hands-on learning activities are designed to be easily replicated in the classroom and aim to excite students about STEM education. Activities will be geared to span grade levels 4 -9.
15th Annual South Alabama Conference on Teaching and Learning
This year’s theme, Preparing for a Hybrid Future, invites participants to explore ways and take intentional steps towards the future of student engagement and success in higher education. We envision the word Hybrid to represent both learning experiences which meld online and in person activities, and the impact on many tasks where human intelligence could be augmented by use of machine intelligence.
AL Conference on Grading and Assessment for Learning
The seventh annual Alabama Conference on Grading and Assessment for Learning will be held in Guntersville, Alabama on July 5th and 6th, 2025
Registration is NOW OPEN
2025 AHSAA Summer Conference: Volleyball Coaches
The Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) Summer Conference is July 21-25, 2025. The conference will feature a volleyball coaches sessions, rules meeting, AHSVCA Hall of Fame Class of 2025 Induction Ceremony and All-Star Match on July 24. Don’t miss this opportunity to LEARN, GROW AND CONNECT with Alabama high school volleyball coaches and the Alabama High School Volleyball Coaches Association (AHSVCA)!!
More information: https://www.ahsaa.com/
Join us at the Battle House Renaissance
July 16, 2025 10:15 am-11:15 am
Be sure to drop by the Alabama Regional Inservice Centers table and join us for our combined ARIC session "Networking with your Alabama Regional Inservice Center Directors: Utilize your ARIC to help you fulfill your strategic plan". See you at MEGA!
Legislation Matters
The Alabama Legislature matters in the world of education. It is imperative to stay informed of the legislation that drives education in our state. Below are quick links to the Alabama Legislature website and methods of staying informed.
✅ How to Find Education Bills in the Alabama Legislature:
- Visit the official site: https://www.legislature.state.al.us/
- Click “Legislation” in the top navigation.
- Use the “Bill Search” tool:
- Under Subjects, select Education.
- You can also filter by chamber (House/Senate), status (e.g., introduced, passed), and session year.
Alternatively, for a quick snapshot, Ballotpedia or LegiScan are good for tracking bills by topic and state.
Alabama Legislature 2024–2025 Session: Education Bill Tracking Sheet
Source: Alabama Legislative Information System Online (ALISON) – www.legislature.state.al.us
🗂 Additional Resources
