Larry Lee

News

Where are Bob’s Children? Education Matters

Education Matters By Larry Lee You have to tip your hat to Bob Riley’s Alabama Opportunity Scholarship Fund and the great job they do with public relations. Hardly a day goes by without someone trying to convince us the best way to help kids in struggling schools is to take resources from them and give … Continued

Larry Lee

November 21, 2014

Opinion

Remembering Paul Hubbert – Education Matters

Educaction Matters By Larry Lee You can learn a lot by watching the rear end of a mule for hours on end. You learn the value of hard work. Really dirty, hot tiring work. You learn to be ever alert, praying that the plow you are manhandling will not find a hidden stump or rock, … Continued

Larry Lee

October 16, 2014

Opinion

Hodge Says , “School kids the rope in a political tug of war”

Education Matters By Larry Lee Kelli Hodge was speechless. She could not believe what she was hearing. And in her job as Dr. Kelli Hodge, superintendent of the Chambers County school system, she hears a great deal from employees, parents, elected officials, the public, etc. But this was different. She was at her regular Thursday … Continued

Larry Lee

October 7, 2014

Opinion

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