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The plan to kill public education in Alabama is succeeding

Put the flashlights away, Jason Taylor has been located. Maybe. The Alabama State Department of Education’s $700,000 accountant is still working for the state, just not doing much — or anything, depending on who you ask — for the Montgomery Public Schools. Instead, according to ALSDE spokesman Dr. Michael Sibley, Taylor is spending the majority … Continued
September 21, 2018

Transgender former student sues Huntsville City Schools

A former student who is transgender sued Huntsville City Schools last week. The lawsuit filed in federal court by Zelda Menefee alleges the school district failed to act when she was harassed, physically assaulted and bullied because she was transgender, and that administrators ignored the actions. Menefee, 19, said the bullying was so bad — … Continued
September 19, 2018

A thank you note to Alabama’s teachers


My oldest daughter just turned sixteen. She’s driving, and as a dad, it’s a thrilling, but scary moment in life — this week, she started the tenth grade, and the reality is that during the school year, she spends nearly as much time at school as she does around her mom and me. For young … Continued
August 13, 2018

Back to school priorities

Over the next few weeks, students across Southwest Alabama will head back to school. The start of a new school year always comes with special emotions for students, parents, and teachers. In Washington, I am the only Member of Congress from Alabama who serves on the House Education and the Workforce Committee, which has jurisdiction … Continued
August 6, 2018

Putting Alabama families first

When you run for public office, you think of family first – your spouse, your children, and your parents. Both of my parents were teachers. I grew up in a modest home where education was important, and where I was rooted in the kind of traditional family values which everyone can appreciate. The lessons I … Continued
June 28, 2018

The true story of the Montgomery school mess, Part I

In 2012, while working for the local newspaper, I broke the story of massive grade changing taking place within the Montgomery County school system. At the direction of school administrators, who were themselves receiving direction from the central office, students who were failing courses were being shuffled through “credit recovery” courses, where they earned better … Continued
June 1, 2018

A standing ovation for teachers

Teachers hardly get the credit they deserve for the challenging jobs they do every day. Not only do they educate our children, but teachers also provide guidance, support, and serve as positive role models for the next generation. Their efforts and sacrifices should not go unnoticed. I have dedicated a good part of my life … Continued
May 14, 2018

Alabama’s pre-k program continues to lead the nation, but thousands of kids still don’t have access

When I was growing up, kids didn’t start learning the alphabet until they began kindergarten. Today, kids are expected to be able to write their names and read at least some words before they even begin kindergarten. The expectations are higher, and starting off behind everyone else in their class can leave a kid feeling … Continued
May 4, 2018

A message from Kay Ivey: Pander, pander, pander

A few minutes before 8 on Wednesday evening, an urgent press release from Gov. Kay Ivey hit my email inbox. Subject line: “Governor Kay Ivey responds to Mobile teacher being prevented from wearing ‘Just Pray’ shirt.” Before blacking out from the unstoppable stupidity of such an email, a realization hit me. It’s pander season. It’s … Continued
May 3, 2018