education

Educators Mixed on Governor’s Push For In-Person Learning

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said the longer schools are disrupted, the more likely kids will suffer academically.

Budget Blows To Birmingham Schools and Transit Cushioned, Other Groups Not As Lucky

The Birmingham Public Library is among several organizations slated to take a significant financial hit next fiscal year under Mayor Randall Woodfin's proposed budget.

Health Care Disparities: Being The Target Of Racism Can Make You Physically Sick, Research Shows

The American Academy of Pediatrics has found that racial discrimination against Black children and youth can affect their health.

Birmingham Schools Discuss Plans To Reopen Aug. 24

The Birmingham Board of Education is considering four possibilities to begin the academic school year: remote learning, a hybrid model, traditional school and a virtual school option for the first nine weeks. A final decision will be made July 31.

‘Black At Samford’ Pushes For Changes In The University’s Culture, Treatment Of Black Students

Samford University is predominantly white. Now Black students are pushing for changes to procedures and culture to treat them more fairly and make the campus more multicultural.

Alabama Schools To Open In August, But Parents Have Home Education Option

Alabama public schools will reopen in August despite the COVID-19 pandemic, but parents will be given the option of continuing distance learning.

Birmingham Superintendent Lisa Herring Stepping Down To Lead Atlanta Public Schools

Birmingham school Superintendent Lisa Herring is leaving to become superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools.

Schools Faced Social Distancing Hurdles In Meal Prep And Distribution

Since schools have been out statewide, some districts have struggled to continue to provide meals. After a bumpy start, Birmingham and Jefferson County schools have opted to outsource their meal programs.

Distance Learning Begins Monday. What’s The Plan?

Closed through the end of the academic year, Alabama K-12 schools will being distance learning Monday. Jefferson County Schools released information Friday about their plan.

Alabama K-12 Students Will Finish School Year From Home

Amid growing concerns about the spread of COVID-19, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey says K-12 students will not return to classrooms to finish out the 2019-2020 school year.

Fearing Coronavirus Spread, Many Area Schools Close Immediately

As concerns about the spread of coronavirus grow, more schools opt to close immediately.

Universities Prepare For COVID-19 Ahead Of Spring Break

Samford and UAB are taking precautions in the event coronavirus spreads. There are currently no confirmed cases of the disease in Alabama.

Alabama Live Election Results

Follow for live election coverage of the Alabama primary elections.

Construction, Welding, GED: The Impact Of Prison Education

Across Alabama, state inmates are getting GED certificates, learning to fix cars, and even how to code. As Alabama faces mounting pressure to reform its prison system, many state leaders want to increase funding for these educational programs.

Delayed School Start Times Tuesday Feb. 11, 2020

A number of area schools are delaying start times due to heavy rain and a flash flood watch early Tuesday morning.

‘Star-Spangled Banner’, Car-Smoking Bills Pass Committee in First Week of Legislative Session

Here's a wrap-up of the first week of the 2020 legislative session with Alabama Public Television's Don Dailey.

Ivey Proposes Education Investments, Cautious on Lottery in State of the State Address

Pay raises, new prisons, and a shift from and elected state school board to an appointed one were among the highlights of Gov. Kay Ivey's State of the State address.

Gov. Ivey to Touch on the Census, Prisons and Education in State of the State Address

Ivey offered the preview during a speech Friday at the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama’s annual meeting in Birmingham. She says this year’s federal census is “make or break” for Alabama, in part because the state is at risk of losing a congressional seat.

Small Fraction of Students Qualify for Birmingham Promise Scholarship

When it was announced recently that the Birmingham Promise would offer a full tuition scholarship to the University of Alabama at Birmingham, many praised the partnership as a way to give eligible Birmingham graduates a much-needed financial boost. But as it stands, most students wouldn't make the cut.

Education Town Hall Set for Jan. 15

A town hall meeting on the status of education in Birmingham has been set for Jan. 15, 6-8 p.m.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Reading Proficiency, Equal Pay Among Bills Passed in Alabama Legislature

Lawmakers approved a slew of bills this week, which is expected to be the last one of the 2019 session. Measures on equal pay and holding back third-graders who don't read proficiently were among those passed in the push toward the session's end.

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.

Bill Would Hold Back Third Graders Who Don’t Read Proficiently

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.

Legislative Wrap-Up: Lawmakers Advance Abortion Ban, Education Budget

House members passed one of the strictest abortion bans in the nation this week. And the Alabama Senate passed a hefty education spending plan.