Originally established through No Child Left Behind, Adequate Yearly Progress, or AYP, was originally created to hold school systems and schools to certain accountability.

However, Alabama State Superintendent of Education Tommy Bice is proposing the state put a freeze on AYP and adopt a program called Plan 2020.

The Plan would be focused on working from the state level and moving away from the federal government controlling the state’s school systems.

“Dr. Bice has talked about writing our own accountability,” said Tera Simmons, curriculum director for Butler County Schools.

“Although it was publicized, it’s basically not emphasized as much as it was. The state department is still developing different components.”

The new program will enable a style of teaching that will prepare students to succeed in college or a career rather than focusing on pass or fail system of each school, according to Butler County Superintendent Darren Douthitt.

Some of the proposed changes include only juniors and seniors taking the graduation exam with freshmen and sophomores taking a core class assessment at the end of the year.

“I would think that way things have been moving with the state school system, I wouldn’t be surprised if this wasn’t (implemented) the following school year,” Simmons said.