Author

Rachel Blackmon Bryars

News

Alabama Epstein? It happens here all the time

As the nation learns more about the salacious life and mysterious death of billionaire and serial sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein, it’s important to remember his crimes are far from uncommon. In fact, they happen all the time. Even in Alabama. It’s a problem that experts agree is growing, though exact numbers are difficult to quantify, … Continued

Rachel Blackmon Bryars

September 10, 2019

Opinion

‘School choice’ also means ‘tax choice’ in Alabama

It’s back-to-school season and for some parents, this is a happy time. But for those whose children are stuck in underperforming schools, or schools where they are bullied or are in danger, this is a heartbreaking time, especially if they cannot afford to move or go to private school. “There was fighting every day. People … Continued

Rachel Blackmon Bryars

August 21, 2019

Opinion

My unplanned pregnancy, and why Alabama should pass this pro-life bill

What keeps us from sharing our stories? The ones we should tell? When it comes to the story I shared Wednesday morning with the Alabama House Health Committee regarding what would be the nation’s strongest pro-life law, it’s been fear. Fear of being misunderstood. Fear of future assumptions based on past mistakes. Most of all, … Continued

Rachel Blackmon Bryars

April 18, 2019

Opinion

Four myths to dispel during Alabama School Choice Week

Gov. Kay Ivey recently proclaimed this “Alabama School Choice Week” and thousands of families will celebrate reforms created by the Alabama Accountability Act, including scholarships so low-income parents can transfer their children from under-performing schools. Critics of the program, however, will likely respond by repeating some of the many myths about the law. Here are … Continued

Rachel Blackmon Bryars

January 23, 2019

Opinion

School boards are choosing systems over students by calling for scholarship repeal

Boards representing three of the state’s largest public school systems – Mobile, Baldwin and Montgomery counties – recently passed resolutions calling for a repeal of Alabama’s landmark tax credit scholarships for low income families. They claim that the small yet popular program created in 2013 by the Alabama Accountability Act has “caused harm to the financial … Continued

Rachel Blackmon Bryars

December 10, 2018

Opinion

Alabama board of education member says school choice is trying to “destroy a whole race of people”

Alabama board of education member Ella Bell, D-Montgomery, spoke out during a work session Thursday claiming that Alabama’s landmark tax credit scholarship program for low income families was part of an effort to “destroy a whole race of people.” “They took money from the poorest counties in the state to send kids to private school,” Bell claimed, … Continued

Rachel Blackmon Bryars

November 13, 2018