During his tenure, high school graduation and college and career readiness rates have increased with Alabama’s high school seniors of 2020 graduating at 90.6%. More than 87% of Alabama high schools students are currently enrolled in at least one career technical education class and Alabama has been ranked first in the South Central Region for workforce development in 2022.
During his tenure, and through the implementation of these initiatives, Alabama has made significant changes resulting in improvements in student outcomes. In 2022, Alabama was the only state that showed improvement in both reading and math, rising 12 spots, on The Nation’s Report Card – NAEP. Alabama high school graduation and college and career readiness rates have increased with Alabama’s high school seniors graduating at 91% and ranking first in the nation for 2020. Alabama leads the nation in COVID recovery and continues to rise in national rankings including being recognized as one of the top six states in the nation for Computer Science and fifth in the nation for Financial Literacy. Alabama has also been named first in the South-Central Region for workforce development.
Professional development opportunities for educators have expanded with Alabama being ranked top five in the nation for the number of new National Board Certified Teachers – and more than18,000 early childhood education teachers being trained on the science of reading and 97 teachers becoming Certified Academic Language Therapists (CALTs).
Prior to being named State Superintendent, he served as Executive Director of the School Superintendents of Alabama, the professional association for local school system executives, for eight years. He began his career as a high school science teacher and then taught middle school science, where he discovered a passion for middle school education that continues to inform and influence his perspectives to this day. He went on to serve as principal of Kitty Stone Elementary School and then Superintendent of Jacksonville City School System.
Mackey strives to bridge the gap between education and other stakeholders. As such, he currently serves on more than 30 boards including the Southern Regional Education Board, Alabama Public School and College Authority, Retirement Systems of Alabama, Interstate Military Children’s Compact Commission, and Alabama Germany Partnership. He also serves in leadership positions on several boards including the Board of Directors for the Council of Chief State School Officers, Board of Directors for Jobs for America’s Graduates, Board Chair of the Alabama-International Education and Economic Partnership, and Commissioner for the Education Commission of the States. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Jacksonville State University as well as, a Master’s, Education Specialist and Doctoral degrees from The University of Alabama. Dr. Mackey is past president of the Montgomery Rotary Club, volunteers with Meals on Wheels, Boy Scouts, and is active in his local church.