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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

Legislature to address education reform this week

For decades, Alabama state government has largely deferred decision making on educational matters to the elected state school board. The governor and legislature prepared budgets and the state school board and their appointed superintendent largely did things their way without a lot of interference. This week the legislature is considering a broad spectrum of bills … Continued
May 27, 2019

Legislature sends Pledge of Allegiance bill to the governor

The Alabama House of Representatives voted Wednesday to concur with changes made by the Senate to a bill that would require the Pledge of Allegiance be recited at all K-12 public schools in the state each day before classes begin. House Bill 339 was sponsored by State Rep. Nathanial Ledbetter, R-Rainsville. HB339 would require that … Continued
May 21, 2019

Ivey praises Senate for passing bill to replace the elected school board with appointed board

Thursday, the Alabama State Senate on Thursday passed a bill that would replace the state ’s State Board of Education and replace it with a new appointed board. Senate Bill 397 is sponsored by Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston. SB397 would change Alabama’s current elected State Board of Education to a Commission appointed … Continued
May 17, 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
April 30, 2019

Common Core is a failed, Obama-era relic that must come to a quick and immediate end

Alabama took a strong step toward independence in its public schools this week when the State Senate approved legislation to repeal the Obama-era curriculum mandates known by most as Common Core. Everyone agrees that Alabama needs strict academic standards that our children must meet. It is vital to economic development, it is vital to our … Continued
March 22, 2019

Alabama hasn’t taught black history well. It’s hurt us all.

Majority-white public schools received about $23 billion more in funding than majority-nonwhite schools in 2016, according to a report from the nonprofit group EdBuild. That seemed to surprise a lot of people when the study’s findings were reported in the Washington Post last week. I’m not sure why. The majority of school funding models are … Continued
February 27, 2019

Remembering Feb. 28, 2013, and the politics of contempt

Feb. 28, 2013 was just another late winter’s day in Montgomery.  The temperature was in the 50’s, the Legislature was in session and the State Board of Education was having a work session. State Superintendent Tommy Bice was at the work session with no clue that Hell was about to break loose two blocks away … Continued
February 11, 2019

State releases failing schools list

Tuesday, the Alabama Department of Education released its annual list of failing schools. According to U.S. News and World Report, Alabama has the 47th ranked education system in the entire country. Only the states of South Carolina, Louisiana, and New Mexico do a poorer job of education their children than the state of Alabama. The … Continued
January 23, 2019