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Ivey supports Marsh’s school reform ending state’s elected state school board

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey delivered a letter to the State Board of Education Thursday announcing her support for a sweeping education reform proposal being filed by Senate President Pro Tempore Del Marsh, R-Anniston. The bill would change the state’s current elected State Board of Education to a commission appointed by the governor and confirmed by … Continued
May 10, 2019

PACT board of directors approves 7 percent raise for tuition and fees

Alabama State Treasurer and PACT Board Chairman John McMillan announced that directors of the Alabama PACT Program approved a 7 percent increase to the current rate paid by the PACT Program for tuition and fees. This increase is effective fall semester 2019. “We are able to protect and enhance account holder’s investments thanks to the … Continued
May 9, 2019

House passes bill authorizing 2-year emergency teaching certificates

Tuesday, the Alabama House of Representative passed legislation that would allow the state school superintendent at the request of a local superintendent to issue a two-year emergency alternative teaching certificate. House Bill 502 is sponsored by state Rep. Tracy Estes, R-Winfield. Estes said that the emergency certificate could be renewed for a total of four … Continued
May 8, 2019

Washington Post digs into Washington County charter fiasco

When a newspaper with the national impact of The Washington Post covers a story out of tiny Washington County, AL, you immediately know there is something serious afoot.  In this case, it is the Washington County charter fiasco that got the attention of veteran education reporter Valerie Strauss, who has worked for this newspaper for nearly 30 years. Because … Continued
May 6, 2019

Senate passes largest education budget in state history

Thursday, May 2 the Alabama Senate passed the education trust fund (ETF) budget, Senate Bill 199 on a 28 to 2 vote. SB199 was sponsored by Senator Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, who chairs the Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee. Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston, released a statement regarding Senate passage of the Education … Continued
May 3, 2019

Ivey announces funding for 41 new Pre-K through 3rd Grade Integrated Approach to Early Learning

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey and the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education announced on Tuesday that 41 new classrooms will be funded through the Pre-K through 3rd Grade Integrated Approach to Early Learning. “Alabama children have reaped the benefits of our nationally recognized First Class Pre-K program, and our P-3 program works to build upon … Continued
May 1, 2019

Committee considers bill requiring local school funding follow children to public charter schools

The Alabama Senate Education Policy Committee held a public hearing Wednesday on a bill that would require that more local public school funding follow children whose parents choose instead to enroll them in public charter schools instead of the local public school where the state has assigned them. Senate Bill 311 is sponsored by Senate … Continued
April 25, 2019

Senate passes bill to allow retired law enforcement officers to work as school security

The Alabama Senate approved a bill Thursday by Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence, that would allow local school boards of education to hire retired law enforcement officers to serve as armed school security staff, provided they possess 25 years of experience. The officers must complete active shooter prevention training approved by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency … Continued
April 19, 2019

Ivey: First Class Pre-K highest quality program in nation for 13th years straight

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced  Wednesday that the National Institute for Early Education Research has ranked Alabama First Class Pre-K as the nation’s highest quality state pre-kindergarten program for the 13th consecutive year. “For a child to reach their fullest potential later in life, they must first build a strong foundation. I’m proud that Alabama … Continued
April 18, 2019

Senate Bill 222 takes away voters right to elect school superintendents

Tuesday, the Alabama Legislative Watchdogs and the Shelby County Republican Women issued a statement urging members to contact their state representatives to oppose Senate Bill 222, which takes away voters rights to elect their own school superintendents. Elected county school superintendents would be replaced by appointed superintendents answerable only to the politicians on the local … Continued
April 18, 2019