education
State Dept. staffers get mixed messages on how to serve international students
A State Department program meant to convince international students to pursue higher education in the United States can't seem to get answers on whether they're allowed to talk about increasing diversity in U.S. classrooms.
From deportations to health care, state lawmakers are key for much of Trump’s domestic agenda
Federal power only goes so far. State governors and legislatures have wide authority over local law enforcement, schools, health and how cities and counties handle immigration.
A 10-year-old’s story of family immigration that spans three continents
A California fourth-grader's interview with her grandfather, who was forced out of Uganda before moving to the U.S., is one of our outstanding podcasts.
How many fourth-graders does it take to make a podcast? Here’s what we learned
Students in an elementary school broadcasting club in California are among the youngest winners of NPR's Student Podcast Challenge.
Linda McMahon led WWE and the SBA. The U.S. Education Dept. may be next
McMahon has a limited background in education, and a long career as a business executive. She'd be stepping into an agency the president hopes to dissolve.
The prospect of immigration agents entering schools is sending shockwaves among communities
President Trump got rid of a decades-old policy that prevented agents from arresting migrants without legal status in sensitive places, such as schools. Most districts are drawing a line in the sand.
Crime and education on the agenda for the 2025 legislative session
The 2025 legislative session in Alabama kicks off Tuesday, Feb. 4 with plenty on the agenda. Education, public safety, and of course the budgets are expected to come up. We get a preview of what's ahead with Todd Stacy, host of Capital Journal on Alabama Public Television.
After fires, LA students yearn to get back to school, and a normal life
The historic fires in Los Angeles meant many students lost homes, schools, or both. Now, as some schools reopen, families are trying to find routine.
Trump orders Education, Labor and other departments to enhance school choice
The president directed several departments to submit plans for using federal funds to expand school choice.
National Science Foundation freezes grant review in response to Trump executive orders
The National Science Foundation has canceled all grant review panels this week. It's unclear how long the pause could last.
How districts are responding after Trump cleared the way for immigration arrests at schools
President Trump put an end to a policy that restricted federal agents from making immigration arrests at certain locations, including schools. It's already affecting school staff, kids and parents.
More teens say they’re using ChatGPT for schoolwork, a new study finds
According to the survey, 26% of students ages 13-17 are using the artificial intelligence bot to help them with their assignments.
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.
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.
