1. 1. Rationale. This document brings attention to those elements that are distinctive to the elementary education program. These elements represent the essential elementary curriculum, instructional knowledge and abilities, and professionalism for the preparation of teacher candidates for Grades K-6. These standards build upon the InTASC Model Core Teaching Standards, ISTE Standards, and Alabama Specific Standards, Praxis Elementary Education Assessment, and the current Alabama Course of Study for Science, Mathematics, Social Studies, English Language Arts, K-12 Arts Education, Health Education, and Physical Education. Implementation of the standards will be in the Alabama Continuous Improvement guidance.

2. 2. Program Curriculum. In addition to meeting Rules 290-3-3-.03, 290-3-3-.04, 290-3-3-.05, 290-3-3-.06, and 290-3-3-.07, the elementary education curriculum shall require a teaching field of at least 30 semester hours with at least 18 semester hours of upper-division credit. Each program shall contain no less than 9 credit hours in the Science of Reading (SoR) and 12 hours in mathematics content and pedagogy. The curriculum shall require coursework, key assessments, and field experiences in the following areas:

   1. a. Prior to program completion, candidates will have time to develop understanding of a child’s development and learning needs.
   2. b. Prior to program completion, candidates will have time to develop content and curricular knowledge in reading, writing, and oral language. See Rule 290-3-3-.06 (Literacy Coursework: Science of Reading (SoR)).
   3. c. Prior to program completion, candidates will have time to develop content and curricular knowledge in mathematics concepts. See Rule 290-3-3-.07 (Numeracy Coursework: Standards).
   4. d. Prior to program completion, candidates will have time to develop content and curricular knowledge in science concepts. Programs will ensure that candidates demonstrate understanding of Earth science, life science, physical science, and Engineering Design.
   5. e. Prior to program completion, candidates will have time to develop content and curricular knowledge in social studies concepts. Programs will ensure that candidates demonstrate understanding of United States history, government, and citizenship; geography, anthropology, and sociology; world history, and economics.
   6. f. Prior to program completion, candidates will have time to develop content and curriculum knowledge in the arts. Candidates have a thorough knowledge of the current Alabama Course of Study: Arts Education, including the four artistic processes – creating, responding, connecting, and either performing (dance, music, theatre) or producing (media arts) or presenting (visual arts) -- and the eleven anchor standards shared across the arts.
   7. g. Prior to program completion, candidates will have time to develop content and curriculum knowledge in Health Education. Based on the current Alabama Course of Study: Health Education, candidates know, understand, and use the major concepts in the subject matter of health education to create opportunities for student development and practice of skills that contribute to good health.
   8. h. Prior to program completion, candidates will have time to develop content and curriculum knowledge in Physical Education. Based on the current Alabama Course of Study: Physical Education, candidates know, understand, and use human movement and physical activity as central elements to foster active, healthy lifestyles and enhanced quality of life for elementary students.
   9. i. Prior to program completion, candidates will have time to develop content and curriculum knowledge in Special Education. Prior to program completion, candidates shall demonstrate the ability to use knowledge acquired and abilities demonstrated in the Survey of Special Education course and discipline-specific methods courses to effectively collaborate with special education teachers to adapt curriculum and activities to accommodate the unique needs of special education students, including gifted students, in regular class environments and to help plan support activities to be provided by special education teachers.
   10. j. Prior to program completion, candidates will have time to develop skills in assessing, planning, and designing learning.
   11. k. Prior to program completion, candidates will have time to develop effective instructional strategies and pedagogy.
   12. l. Prior to program completion, candidates will have time to develop content and curriculum knowledge in Professionalism as an Elementary Educator.
   13. m. Unique Field Experiences, Practica, and Internship Placement Requirements. The internship shall include lower elementary (grades K-3) and upper elementary (grades 4-6) placements unless a practicum or three field experiences were completed at the other level. See Rule 290-3-3-.03 (College and University Requirements).

3. 3. Faculty.

   1. a. The faculty must include at least two full-time persons who meet faculty qualifications in Rule 290-3-3-.03 (College and University Requirements). Faculty members shall have a major specialization in elementary education and reading. Additionally, the faculty should include an individual with at least a master’s degree and three full years of professional educational work experience teaching mathematics in grade levels K-5.
   2. b. The faculty who teaches professional education courses or supervise field experiences, practica, or internships in the teaching field shall have recent experiences in the subject matter and at the grade level of the certification.

Author: Dr. Eric G. Mackey

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§16-3-16 and 16-23-14.

Editor’s Note: Previous Rule .07 was renumbered .09 per certification published August 31, 2021; effective October 15, 2021.

History: New Rule: December 19, 1978. Repealed and Replaced: Filed January 9, 1997; effective February 13, 1997; operative July 1, 1997. Amended: Filed June 14, 1999; effective July 19, 1999. Amended: Filed December 9, 1999; effective January 13, 2000. Repealed and New Rule: Filed September 11, 2003; effective October 16, 2003. Repealed and New Rule: Filed July 13, 2004; effective August 17, 2004. Repealed and New Rule: April 14, 2005; effective May 19, 2005. Repealed and New Rule: Filed August 6, 2007; effective September 10, 2007. Repealed and New Rule: Filed August 3, 2009; effective September 7, 2009; operative October 1, 2009. Repealed and New Rule: Filed August 13, 2015; effective September 17, 2015. Amended: Filed September 13, 2018; effective October 28, 2018; operative June 1, 2019. Repealed and New: Filed April 11, 2019; effective May 26, 2019. Repealed and New Rule: Published August 31, 2021; effective October 15, 2021. Repealed and New Rule: Published March 31, 2025; effective May 15, 2025.