Dr. Joe Morton
State Superintendent of Education

 

Dr. Joseph B. “Joe” Morton serves as superintendent of education for the state of Alabama. He is an ex officio member of the University of Montevallo Board of Trustees.

He was selected by the Alabama State Board of Education to be the state superintendent of education on July 13, 2004. Prior to the appointment as state superintendent of education, Dr. Morton served for eight years as deputy state superintendent of education.

Morton was previously superintendent of education of Sylacauga City Schools and of Sumter County Schools. Dr. Morton has a bachelor of science degree from Auburn University and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Alabama.

As deputy and state superintendent of Education Morton has guided the creation and implementation of the Alabama Reading Initiative; the Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative; and the Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators, and Students Statewide (Distance Education) Initiative.

During Morton’s tenure as state superintendent of education, Alabama has shown significant academic gains in reading and math assessment scores and has been judged a national leader in training future teachers and principals. Additionally, Alabama is considered a national leader in student nutrition and student exercise initiatives.