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Gov. Ivey announces 164 new First Class Pre-K classrooms

Gov. Kay Ivey and the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education announced that the Alabama First Class Pre-K program will add 164 new classrooms to 38 counties this fall. This is the first round of new classroom grants that will be released by the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education. Additional grants will be awarded … Continued
June 7, 2019

Finally, state superintendent reverses course, weighs in on Washington County charter debacle

For months, state superintendent Eric Mackey has said he has no jurisdiction over the state charter school commission. However, as we have pointed out numerous times, the charter law of 2015 clearly says, “The department shall oversee the performance and effectiveness of all authorizers established under this act.” Furthermore, the guidelines written to govern the charter … Continued
June 6, 2019

Several Alabama schools significantly improve ACT scores

The Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama published ACT results for Alabama’s graduating high school class of 2018, showing large improvement from several schools. Pike County School System, Montevallo High School, Opp High School and Homewood High School and System showed some of the largest improvement in average ACT scores among Alabama schools between 2015 … Continued
June 4, 2019

Ivey, Marsh praise Legislature for passing bill to end elected state school board

Friday, the Alabama House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 397, which replaces the elected state school board with an appointed commission. The Senate had already passed the bill. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R) praised the Legislature’s decision. “Today, because of strong, bipartisan efforts, the future for Alabama’s education system is extremely promising,” Ivey said. “Every … Continued
June 3, 2019

Legislature passes constitutional amendment to abolish elected school board

The Alabama Legislature passed a state constitutional amendment Friday that would replace Alabama’s State Board of Education with an appointed commission on education and change the education standards for the state. Senate Bill 397 was sponsored by Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston. The bill was carried in the House by State Rep. Bill … Continued
June 3, 2019

Bill updating sex education curriculum fails on the last day of session

The Alabama House of Representatives ended the 2019 Legislative Session Friday without addressing legislation to remove language from the Alabama public schools sex education curriculum that the LGBTQ+ community finds objectionable. Sponsors said the bill would have also made the curriculum more scientifically and medically accurate. Senate Bill 140 was sponsored by State Sen. Tom … Continued
June 3, 2019

Bill to abolish elected county superintendents stalled in Alabama House

The Alabama House of Representatives rejected a proposal Friday to force all Alabama counties to adopt a system where the county board of education hires a school superintendent. In many Alabama counties, the county school superintendent is an elected official over the schools analogous to the Sheriff with law enforcement. City systems already have appointed … Continued
June 3, 2019

House Democrats discuss new education budget, successes, shortcomings

On Wednesday, State Reps. Pebblin Warren, D-Birmingham, and Kirk Hatcher, D-Montgomery, led a discussion about the Education Trust Fund budget that was passed on Tuesday. “Our future is only as strong as our education system is today,” Warren said at the Democrats’ weekly press conference. The education budget, Senate Bill 199, is marked at $7.1 … Continued
May 30, 2019

ACLU stands against bill allowing Bible studies courses in public schools

The American Civil Liberties Union of Alabama Executive Director Randall Marshall commented against SB14, a bill that would allow public schools to teach Bible studies as an elective course, calling it a waste of money and potentially unconstitutional. “While Alabama’s schools continue to struggle, we have to wonder why legislators are spending valuable time in … Continued
May 30, 2019