Education

Birmingham and UAB Partner to Offer Free Tuition to City Graduates

The University of Alabama at Birmingham will offer a full tuition scholarship to some graduates of Birmingham City Schools as part of a new partnership with the City of Birmingham.

Court Says Gardendale Must Pay Opponents’ Legal Fees in Failed School System Breakaway

The City of Gardendale will have to pay $850,000 to the lawyers of black students, according to a new court ruling.

Schools Cancel After-School Activities due to Expected Severe Weather

As severe weather moves toward Alabama, several school districts are closing early.

Birmingham School Superintendent Receives 3.55 out of 5 in Evaluation

Birmingham’s school superintendent has “met expectations and goals for improvement” according to an evaluation presented at Tuesday’s board meeting.

School Delays for Wednesday, Dec. 11

Some Alabama schools will delay school Wednesday because of wintery conditions.

Walter Gonsoulin Named New JefCoEd Superintendent, Its First African American Leader

Walter Gonsoulin, who has served as interim superintendent of the Jefferson County Schools since the departure past month of Craig Pouncey, now holds the position for good.

Report Ranks Alabama Worst in the U.S. for Higher Education Cuts

Alabama has cut per student funding at state colleges and universities more than any state in the U.S. According to a new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Alabama cut higher education funding by nearly 36% between 2008 and 2018.

Most Birmingham-Area Schools Improve From Last Year in Latest Report Card, But Work Still Needed

Two Birmingham-area school systems scored better than last year on the 2018-2019 annual Education Report Card issued by the Alabama State Department of Education.

Voter Guide: Birmingham Voters to Decide School Taxes, Three Council Seats Tuesday

Voters in Birmingham will head to the polls Tuesday to decide the fate of three property taxes for schools and three seats on the City Council.

Report: Students with Disabilities, Minorities Arrested at Higher Rates in School

A new report found students of color and children with disabilities are more likely than others to be arrested by school resource officers in connection with their conduct at school.

Woodfin Announces Plan for Free College Tuition to City Graduates

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin released details Wednesday of a plan to offer Birmingham City Schools graduates the chance to go to a public two or four-year school in Alabama tuition free. This follows a tweet Tuesday evening announcing the program.

Alabama Charter Schools Group Awarded $25 Million Federal Grant

The U.S. Department of Education announced a $25 million grant today to support charter schools in Alabama.

Birmingham School Officials Say Schools Can Work Around Woodfin’s Proposed Budget Cut

Birmingham school officials say it's unclear how they'll make up a proposed $2 million funding gap from the city, but it won't put a huge burden on the school system.

Avondale Elementary Climate Frustrates Parents and Teachers

Next month, many area students go back to school. But at Birmingham's Avondale Elementary School, several teachers and students won't be returning after what they say was a chaotic year.

The 15-Year Fight to Integrate Public Schools

The U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark 1954 ruling in the Brown v. Board of Education case struck down racial segregation in schools. It wasn’t until 1969 the court forced school integration in a case called Alexander v. Holmes. Birmingham-Southern College professor Will Hustwit wrote about the case in his new book.

Highlights From The Big Q: Youth and Race

In this episode of The Big Q, we discuss the intersection of youth and race. How do young people look at race? How do they handle differences? And how do educators handle acts of racism in the classroom?

University Of Alabama Returns $21.5 Million To Hugh Culverhouse

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with attorney Hugh Culverhouse, who pledged $26.5 million to the university. The $21.5 million he had given so far was returned and his name removed from the law school.

UA Returns $21.5 Million to Donor & Strips Name From Law School

The University of Alabama Board of Trustees voted Friday to return a multi-million dollar donation from Hugh Culverhouse Jr. and strip his name from the school of law.

UA to Consider Returning $21.5 Million in Dispute with Donor

Hugh Culverhouse, Jr., a major donor to the University of Alabama, has called for a boycott of the school in response to the state’s strict abortion ban. Now university officials say the system’s chancellor will recommend the board of trustees return Culverhouse’s gift and strip his name from the law school.

Proposed Charter School Plans to Serve LGBTQ Youth

Many students who identify as LGBTQ here in Alabama say they’ve been harassed or assaulted because of their sexuality. A new charter school proposed in Birmingham aims to make these young people feel safe in the classroom.

Momentum Shifts on Bill to Repeal Common Core

State Sen. Del Marsh wants to repeal the nationwide academic standards known as Common Core this legislative session. But the proposal seems to have lost some momentum.

Referendum on Renewing Property Tax for Birmingham Schools Possible, Up for Discussion Next Week

Next week, Birmingham’s election commission will meet to discuss a potential citywide vote to renew a soon-to-expire ad valorem tax that provides Birmingham City Schools with approximately $27 million in yearly revenue.

UAB Students Protest White Supremacy

Some students at the University of Alabama at Birmingham say the school isn’t doing enough to protect them from white extremists. They held a protest on campus earlier this week.

Percentage of College Freshmen Who Need Remedial Courses Drops

A smaller portion of new high school graduates is having to take remedial classes when they first go to college, according to a PARCA report on data from the Alabama Commission on Higher Education.

State Commission Approves Birmingham Charter School

The Alabama Public Charter School Commission approved plans for a new charter school in Birmingham. The development comes two months after Birmingham school officials rejected the i3 Academy application. Organizers of the charter school appealed to the state.

State Commission to Hear Birmingham Charter School Appeal

The Alabama Public Charter School Commission is scheduled to vote Monday on a proposed charter school in Woodlawn. The Birmingham school board recently rejected i3 Academy’s bid to open in the city, and organizers appealed to the state.

Hoover Residents Seek Ways to Combat Racism in Schools

A viral video of students using blatant hate speech still has some parents in Hoover outraged. Many former students say this isn’t the first incident of its kind. Now, school officials are looking for ways to combat racism within the school system.

Hoover Parents, School Leaders Speak Out on Diversity

Hoover parents had their say on discrimination in city schools Thursday night, and their words could help shape how school leaders in Hoover deal with race issues.

UPDATED 1:30 p.m. – Schools Dismiss Early Due to Severe Weather Threat

UPDATED 1:30 p.m.: A number school systems will dismiss early Thursday because of the threat of severe weather.

Hoover School Officials, Lawyers Seek Feedback on Discrimination for Ongoing Case

Tonight, Hoover school officials and lawyers representing black students in the system want to get community feedback on plans that would show various school policies and practices are not discriminatory. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at Trace Crossings Elementary.

Behind Teacher Shortage: Fewer New Educators Graduating From Alabama Schools

The number of new teachers coming out of education colleges and programs in Alabama fell by about 40 percent comparing 2010-2011 and 2015-2016, according to the latest available federal data. The decrease could be worse nearly three years later.