education
Calling all students! NPR’s Student Podcast Challenge returns for 2025
For it's seventh year, our national podcasting competition will invite students from around the country, in grades four through 12, to bring us their best audio stories.
Girls Rock Birmingham gives future artists the spotlight
Picture a rock band and chances are it’s a bunch of men. But Girls Rock Birmingham, a local youth organization, is fixing that spotlight on girls by giving them the chance to take the stage to rock out.
Cancer interrupted their school lives, but also set them on a mission
Pediatric cancer survival rates are a crowning medical achievement. But the impact of missing school is a less-discussed side effect children then face.
Teens can’t get off their phones. Here’s what some schools are doing about it
Teens spend much of their days on their phones — many of them during school. Here's how schools and teachers are trying to fix that.
2 Dartmouth fraternity members and a sorority have been charged in death of a student
The Alpha Phi sorority and two members of Beta Alpha Omega have been charged after a student was found dead in a river after attending an off-campus party where alcohol was allegedly served to minors.
Alabama committee advances ban on LGBTQ+ pride flags in classrooms
The Senate Education Policy Committee voted 5-2 for the House-passed bill, putting the proposal in line for a possible final passage in the last four days of the legislative session.
What to expect in this year’s legislative session
Alabama lawmakers will be back in Montgomery Tuesday to kick off the 2024 legislative session. State leaders are already talking about an array of issues from education to the economy.
Alabama governor defends dismissal of education leader
Gov. Kay Ivey replaced a Cabinet member who oversaw the state's award-winning prekindergarten program because of a teacher training book with language about inclusion and combatting structural racism, she said Thursday.
Alabama education director ousted over book’s stance on race
Barbara Cooper was forced out as as head of the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education after Ivey expressed concern over the distribution of the book to state-run pre-kindergartens.
Birmingham-Southern College to stay open — for now
The decision follows a few tense months after years of financial stress came to a head in December. The private college is asking for $37 million in public money. It hasn’t received that money, but the future's looking brighter for students.
An inside look at an AP African American Studies class
As Southern political leaders continue to take aim at critical race theory in education, students at Baton Rouge Magnet High call the AP pilot class empowering.
Special session underway on spending federal pandemic funds
On Thursday, an Alabama House committee passed a plan to spend about $1 billion from the American Rescue Plan Act on mostly health care reimbursements, water and sewer infrastructure and broadband expansion.
Some kids in Birmingham dodge trains and cars walking to school. More buses could help
Alabama only has to provide bus access for families that live within two miles of their school, which leaves some families having to walk in dangerous conditions. Birmingham City Schools is trying to add new routes to address these concerns.
Hoover City Schools canceled Derrick Barnes’ visit. He says it’s political
Hoover school officials say they canceled the Black children's book author's visit due to a controversial social media post. Officials never saw the post after an anonymous parent reported it.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey sworn in for her 2nd full term
In a wide-ranging speech, the Republican governor thanked supporters, promised a focus on education, broadband expansion and regulation cuts for businesses but also nodded to GOP hot-button issues.
Birmingham City Council approves violence-reduction effort for city high schools
The program involves community mentors, called “coaches,” meeting with groups of at-risk students twice a week.
Transgender issues dominate end of the legislative session. Second special session to come
Alabama now has its own version of a Florida law derided by opponents as the "Don't Say Gay" bill.
‘Divisive concepts’ and school ‘bathroom bill’ advance to the Alabama Senate
An Alabama Senate committee gave two bills affecting schools the go-ahead Tuesday as lawmakers aim to end the legislative session this week. One requires students to use the bathroom that matches their biological sex. The other bans teaching students “divisive concepts.”
What is korfball? A look into the World Games sport and Birmingham
In about 100 days, Birmingham will host the World Games. It’s an international competition for non-Olympic sports. Some are more well-known and others you’ve probably never heard of. One of those more obscure sports is korfball. It was created in the Netherlands, but WBHM found the sport has some interesting ties to Birmingham.
Educators, psychologists say attending school at home hampers students’ development
Roughly 70% of students at Birmingham City Schools ranked below their grade level in math, and 40% of students ranked below their grade level in reading.
Alabama’s ‘ultimate school choice’ bill gets complicated when considering race and poverty
Parents could get about $5,600 per kid in state money to use for other schooling options. The proposal is currently in a legislative study committee. But experts told WBHM school choice brings up concerns around equity.
Mississippi’s plan to stop Alabama from stealing its teachers? Pay them thousands more
As Mississippi lawmakers plot how to keep more teachers in the state, educators warn the state’s bill targeting critical race theory could drive them away.
Some parents express frustration with schools’ responses to the omicron surge
As students across Birmingham return to classrooms after the winter break, schools must contend with the COVID-19 omicron variant. With cases surging, WBHM heard from some parents who are frustrated with the response from school leaders.
Turmoil hits antipoverty group as report questions contracts
The executive director of Jefferson County's Committee for Economic Opportunity was fired after allegations of financial inconsistencies.
How a Birmingham shop owner brings memories to life through books
Jim Reed has collected books and writings for more than 40 years and believes books keep memories alive.
Alabama is last in math. Politicians look for ways to close gap
Fifth graders could be required to pass a new math test to advance to the sixth grade. One lawmaker is proposing legislation for the 2022 Alabama Session.
From Optimistic To Anxious: How College Students In The Gulf South Feel About Returning To Campus
College students from Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi share their thoughts as a new school year in the pandemic begins.
Parents Urge Vestavia Hills School District To Require Masks
The Vestavia Hills school board's decision to not require masks goes against guidance from public health agencies, including state health officials.
Birmingham Teachers Welcome Students Back To School Amid COVID Surge
School starts Monday in the Birmingham City Schools. Classes are in person but with COVID protocols in place.
A Year Like No Other: COVID-19 In The Gulf States
In a special broadcast one year after the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic, reporters from public radio stations in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana reflect on the toll it’s taken on the region.
Gambling Proposals Must Pass The ‘Smell Test’ Before Going To Voters, Ivey Tells Lawmakers
The governor recapped the challenges of 2020, particularly on schools and the economy.
Fultondale High School Too Badly Damaged By Tornado To Use Again
Fultondale High School is permanently closed because of damage from last week's tornado.
