education

House passes broadband bill

The Alabama House of Representatives passed legislation last week to try to make broadband more available to Alabamians, particularly rural Alabamians who few high-speed internet options. House Bill 400 is sponsored by state Representative Randall Shedd, R-Cullman. Shedd said, “We have all seen the map with whole counties in red with declining populations. Young people … Continued

Brandon Moseley

May 6, 2019

Opinion

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

Larry Lee

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

Brandon Moseley

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

Brandon Moseley

May 1, 2019

Hindu leader applauds universities for embracing Yoga, urges end to ban in K-12 schools

The President of Universal Society of Hinduism, Rajen Zed commended the public universities of Alabama for offering various forms of yoga to their students. Zed urged introducing yoga in the K-12 public schools of the state. Zed called the presence of yoga in Alabama public universities “a step in the positive direction” and urged Alabama … Continued

Brandon Moseley

April 30, 2019

Opinion

As the lottery push moves forward, a suggestion for a better bill

Now, the teachers have caught on. On Wednesday, social media posts from a number of teachers groups around Alabama highlighted the fact that a lottery bill set for a vote on Thursday in the state Senate offered zero dollars for education. Those social media posts also included the phone numbers for lawmakers, and by late … Continued

Josh Moon

April 25, 2019

Senate committee approves bill requiring Pledge of Allegiance in public schools

The Senate Education Policy Committee voted Wednesday to give a favorable report to a bill requiring that public schools recite the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of each school day. The bill, HB339, would apply to all K-12 public schools in the state. House Bill 339 was sponsored by state Rep. Nathanial Ledbetter, R-Rainsville. … Continued

Brandon Moseley

April 25, 2019

House passes bill requiring that public schools recite the Pledge of Allegiance

The Alabama House of Representatives last week passed a bill that would require the Pledge of Allegiance be recited at all K-12 public schools in the state. House Bill 339 was sponsored by state Representative Nathanial Ledbetter, R-Rainsville. HB339 would require that all schools recite the pledge at the beginning of the school day. Most … Continued

Brandon Moseley

April 23, 2019

Opinion

Pistol, pistol, who has the pistol?

As a state, Alabama isn’t much of a problem solver. That’s why we rank near the bottom in practically every quality of life survey of the nation. It’s why we’re lousy at fixing education and prisons and mental health and child welfare. Somebody (usually the feds) has to tell us how to fix those problems. … Continued

Joey Kennedy

April 18, 2019

Opinion

Alabama lottery: What’s at stake

Over the past few weeks, I have written a number of stories and columns detailing the specifics of potential lottery bills and what their effect on this state and its tax revenues might be. I’m sorry. Not for writing those pieces, because they contained important and accurate information, but because I didn’t first adequately explain … Continued

Josh Moon

April 17, 2019