Students First Act Hearing Officer Resources
Information about the Alabama State Bar’s role in the hearing officer selection process, along with governing law, guidance and forms for appeals under the Students First Act.
About the Students First Act
The Students First Act of 2011 (SFA), Act 2011-270, codified at Ala. Code § 16-24C-1 et seq., took effect on July 1, 2011, and generally governs employment decisions involving tenured teachers and nonprobationary classified employees.
The Act applies to city and county boards of education; educational and correctional institutions under the control of the Alabama Department of Youth Services; the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind; and two-year colleges operated under the authority and control of the Board of Trustees of the Alabama Community College System.
The SFA replaced the former system, under which an independent hearing officer conducted a new, or de novo, review after the employer held only a limited evidentiary proceeding. Under the SFA, the employer conducts the personnel hearing and develops the evidentiary record. If the employee appeals an adverse decision, a hearing officer reviews that record and gives deference to the employer’s decision.
The Alabama State Bar’s Role
The Alabama State Bar assists with the hearing officer selection process for appeals under the Students First Act. The Bar maintains a roster of eligible retired Alabama judges and, when a hearing officer must be selected, provides a randomly selected five-member panel.
The parties may agree on a hearing officer from the panel. If they do not agree, the hearing officer is selected through an alternating-strike process.
Governing Law
- Current Students First Act Statutes
Review the current provisions of Ala. Code § 16-24C-1 et seq.
Resources for Hearing Officers
- Information and FAQs for Hearing Officers
Information about selection, assignments, timelines, hearings, decisions, compensation and billing.
Download here
Resources for Employers and Education Agencies
- Administrative Guidelines for Education Employers
Procedures for reporting contested personnel actions, appeals, case resolutions and reimbursable hearing expenses.
Download here - Hearing Costs Reimbursement Claim Form
Form and supporting-document requirements for requesting reimbursement of eligible hearing costs.
Download here