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.

    As Deputy and State Superintendent of Education Dr. Morton has guided the creation and implementation of the Alabama Reading Initiative; the Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative; the Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators, and Students Statewide (Distance Education) Initiative; and FIRST CHOICE (a new graduation plan for Alabama’s students). While serving 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. Alabama is considered a national leader in student nutrition and student exercise initiatives. In 2008 Dr. Morton was given the “State Policymaker Award” by the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA).