Schools
Woodfin tells parents to get your children to school
Woodfin said ten weeks into the school year, well more than half of third graders are considered truants, which means they have seven or more unexcused absences.
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.
Teens say Birmingham’s gun violence takes a heavy toll
At least 11 students in Birmingham have died due to gun violence since the beginning of the year, and their peers say the ongoing issue causes their mental health to suffer.
How one Birmingham custodian preps for the first day of school
When the kids are away, the custodial and maintenance staff in schools work all summer long. One custodian told WBHM about what it takes to keep the kids happy and healthy as they trade sunshine for fluorescent lights.
Birmingham teachers stage sickout due to COVID frustrations
Some Birmingham City Schools employees staged a sickout this week to bring attention to their concerns with how COVID-19 is being dealt with in their schools.
5 Things To Know About Alabama’s Back-To-School COVID Toolkit
The state's updated guidance for back-to-school has several school districts in the region changing their COVID-19 protocols.
School Is Still In Session In This Louisiana Parish. How Is The ‘Balance Of Instruction’ Going?
Red River Parish Public Schools is the first district in Louisiana to throw out the traditional school calendar. The goal for school leaders is to provide more instruction and support throughout the year, but some parents say students are burnt out.
Alabama Schools Announce Closures Ahead Of Possible Severe Weather
Central Alabama is expected to see strong storms beginning Wednesday at 2 p.m. through Thursday at 4 a.m., according to new modeling by the National Weather Service in Birmingham
Derelict Banks High School Building Set To Be Demolished
The Birmingham City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve the one-year extension of a loan agreement with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management to tear down the building.
As More Students Return To School, Officials Brace For ‘Rolling Blackouts’
Following the release of a new dashboard, state education officials are optimistic about the number of coronavirus cases in Alabama schools. But challenges remain.
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.
Parenting Hotline Shows The Rising Stress Of Coronavirus At Home
Parenting is hard enough as it is, much less during the coronavirus crisis. A parental hotline offers help for those stressing out over their kids.
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.
Gov. Kay Ivey Declares State Of Emergency Due To Coronavirus
Alabama schools will close and a second coronavirus case is confirmed -- this one in Jefferson County.
The Big Q: Coronavirus In Alabama. What Do I Need To Know?
Experts answer your questions about coronavirus in Alabama.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
School Closures or Early Dismissals Due to Possible Severe Weather
A list of Alabama schools that have announced after-school closures or early dismissals because of possible severe weather Thursday, April 18.
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 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.
Third Rejected Birmingham Charter School Plans to Appeal
The Birmingham School Board informed the state today that it denied an application for a Woodlawn-area charter school and explained why it was rejected.
Alabama’s Teacher Shortages Reach ‘Crisis’ Level
Alabama’s teacher shortages are reaching crisis level, education leaders say.
