Schools
What parents, teachers and school choice groups think of Education Department cuts
Teacher unions and some parent groups condemned the cuts, while school choice advocates celebrated them.
U.S. Education Department switches to remote work amid talk of layoffs
The announcement further unsettled department employees who have spent the past several weeks anticipating sweeping staff cuts.
Linda McMahon has been confirmed as Trump’s secretary of education
The White House has been clear that it intends to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, and that it will be McMahon's job to oversee that effort.
Trump suspends the head of ‘The Nation’s Report Card’
Peggy Carr, a federal official who leads one of the country's most extensive student testing programs, known as The Nation's Report Card, was placed on administrative leave.
Republicans’ love/hate relationship with the Education Department
President Trump has made clear he wants to close the U.S. Department of Education, but Republicans seem torn on just how far to go.
A deep dive on U.S. reading and math scores, and what to do about them
New research drills down on poor student achievement, and notes some school districts that are beating the odds
Trump administration targets Education Department research arm in latest cuts
The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) is responsible for gathering data on a wide range of topics, including research-backed teaching practices and the state of U.S. student achievement.
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.
U.S. education policy is at a crossroads. This congressional hearing shows why
The House education committee is charged with forging consensus on the nation's education policy. But at a recent meeting, partisan differences were on full display.
Trump is weighing big cuts to the U.S. Education Department
While only Congress can shutter the department, the president is reportedly considering executive action to severely scale back its responsibilities and staffing.
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.
Texas could join Louisiana with a law to require the Ten Commandments in classrooms
Similar proposals are in multiple states after a court ruling in 2022, though opponents say the move would impose one religious view on people with different religious traditions
We asked experts to grade Biden’s job on education. They gave it a C average
We asked more than a dozen educators, researchers, advocates and experts how they would grade Biden's education legacy. He got two F's, no A's and lots of votes in the middle.
More than half a million students were out of school because of LA fires this week
School districts in and around Los Angeles shut down because of the fires. That includes LAUSD, the second largest school district in the country.
Special ed students benefit from being integrated at school. It doesn’t always happen
Research shows including students with and without disabilities in the same classroom can benefit everyone. Two students with Down syndrome show what can be gained when that happens.
Alabama lawmakers eye change to school funding formula
Lawmakers have no plans to increase taxes but are looking to revamp the formula that divvies out state funds.
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.
