Author

Larry Lee

News

Should Citizens Be Seen and Not Heard?

Education Matters By Larry Lee Alabama is on a political slippery slope. Our descent is being aided by millions of dollars of campaign contributions controlled by a handful of political operatives who obviously believe many Alabama citizens should be only seen—not heard. This attitude is hardly new to this country, or even to Alabama. The … Continued

Larry Lee

August 26, 2014

Opinion

Who’s Buying Education in Alabama

Education Matters By Larry Lee When the curtain closes on this 2014 election cycle, the most significant thing we may learn is not who will occupy the governor’s office or control the legislature, but who is trying to control education. A hint– it ain’t the folks who send their children off on a big, yellow … Continued

Larry Lee

June 30, 2014

Opinion

On Election Night the People Were the Big Losers

Education Matters By Larry Lee Nothing in the history books will ever mark the coming and going of the night of June 28, 1994. But I will always remember it. Because it was the night I stood in a parking lot in Dothan and held my 72-year-old mother, as she sobbed, “It’s just not fair” … Continued

Larry Lee

June 9, 2014

Opinion

Politicians Squalled, Educators Cheered

Education Matters By Larry Lee Reaction to Montgomery County Circuit Judge Gene Reese’s ruling that the Alabama Accountability Act is unconstitutional was just as expected. Politicians squalled, educators cheered. Rep Chad Fincher of Mobile County, one of the sponsors of AAA, said the Reese ruling was a “political stunt” while Decatur school superintendent Ed Nichols … Continued

Larry Lee

June 2, 2014

Opinion

Not Teaching Here

Education Matters By Larry Lee Alabama has been sending its daughters to Judson College in the little Black Belt community of Marion for more than 170 years. The fifth oldest women’s college in the country, Judson has trained hundreds and hundreds of graduates to be teachers. And a chance encounter not long ago with one … Continued

Larry Lee

May 11, 2014

Opinion

Education Matters: A HIPPY BBQ

By Larry Lee South Alabama had cast winter’s drab coat aside and was welcoming Spring’s cascade of colors as I left Montgomery on a recent Saturday morning and headed down the interstate. Past Fort Deposit and Priester’s Pecans. Past Greenville and Bates House of Turkey. Past Georgiana where Tee Tot taught a young Hank Williams … Continued

Larry Lee

April 21, 2014

Opinion

What happened to transparency and open government?

Education Matters By Larry Lee It’s now been a year since the legislative leadership used sleight of hand and secrecy to pass the most far-reaching education policy act in years. Since this was called the Alabama Accountability Act, let’s take a moment to do some accountability by looking at real numbers, rather than listening to … Continued

Larry Lee

March 11, 2014

Opinion

In Beason’s Time Machine Set for 1999

Education Matters By Larry Lee In the 1985 movie classic, Back to the Future, Marty McFly was inadvertently sent back in time by Doc Brown’s time machine. It now appears that State Senator Scott Beason has his own time machine and is hoping to send Alabama public school students and teachers back to 1999. Beason … Continued

Larry Lee

February 24, 2014

Opinion

Education Matters: What Is All The “Common Core” Talk About?

Education Matters By Larry Lee Pardon me while I scratch my head, but I’m still confused as to what all the “common core” talk is about. And if the truth be known I suspect the vast majority of Alabamians don’t know common core from apple core. Still, this doesn’t stop the mention of it from … Continued

Larry Lee

January 28, 2014

Opinion

Christmas came down a dirt road in Clarke County

Education Matters By Larry Lee Don’t you believe them. Not for even one minute. You know, those folks on TV cable news sitting there in their makeup and slicked down hair telling us how terrible the world is. Those faceless voices on talk radio that rant and rave that no one in this country gives … Continued

Larry Lee

December 18, 2013