A bill making its way through the Alabama Legislature requires that third graders read proficiently by the end of third grade or else be held back. The state consistently ranks near the bottom on national achievement tests in reading.
A federal appeals court says Gardendale can't separate from the Jefferson County School System, but that may not be the final word. Gardendale officials say they will appeal a Tuesday ruling by the 11th Circuit Court that overturned a district court’s approval of its separation from the Jefferson County School System.
The Alabama Department of Education on Thursday will release school system report cards, issuing letter grades assessing school performance, including test results, graduation rates and attendance.