Walt Maddox announces universal first-class pre-k proposal
Last month, Tuscaloosa Mayor and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Walt Maddox unveiled a plan for a statewide education lottery — dubbed the Alabama Education Lottery (AEL) — to help create a 21st Century educational system to help prepare Alabama’s children for competition in the technological age. On Tuesday, Maddox revealed the second component in his lottery plan: a universal first pre-k class. “Pre-K is proven to significantly improve school performance throughout a child’s entire academic career, including lowering grade repetition, higher scores on achievement and comprehension tests, less likely to be placed in special education, more likely to graduate high school, and more likely to go to college,” said Maddox. “And, research shows that for every dollar spent on quality Pre-K, the state saves $2.00 to $4.00 in educational costs later on.” Alabama has been nationally recognized for its First-Class Pre-K Program, but only 30 percent of Alabama’s four-year-olds have access. “As governor, I will propose that $90 million of the Alabama Education Lottery proceeds fund the remaining 70 percent of the costs to fully fund The First-Class Pre-K. The first round of investments will expand to academically at-risk four-year-olds with the goal of universal pre-k by 2024.” If elected Governor, Maddox would propose the AEL to the state Legislature. If passed, there would then be a constitutional amendment to be voted on in November 2020 by the people of Alabama.
Walt Maddox announces scholarships, workforce development proposal
Last week, Tuscaloosa Mayor and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Walt Maddox on Monday unveiled a plan for a statewide education lottery — dubbed the Alabama Education Lottery (AEL) — to help create a 21st Century educational system to help prepare Alabama’s children for competition in the technological age. On Tuesday, Maddox revealed the first component in his lottery plan: college scholarships and workforce readiness. “The cost of higher education continues to rise, which is creating massive student loan debt, and making college virtually unaffordable for hard working Alabamians,” said Maddox. “Making matters worse, Alabama’s greatest economic challenge is developing a knowledge based and technologically-skilled workforce that can compete both nationally and internationally. Understanding this, I will be recommending $125 million be allocated annually for scholarships and workforce readiness.” Under Maddox’s scholarship plan, Alabamians who are pursuing workforce development training, associate degree or a bachelor’s degree, will now have “an affordable pathway to compete for the jobs of tomorrow.” Annually, scholarship recipients will be required to complete 24 hours of community service in the Yellowhammer State. As part of the AEL’s goal of workforce readiness, $5 million annually, in scholarships and grants will be awarded to The Academy of Craft Training (Academy) and to registered apprenticeship programs that that meet national standards for registration with the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL). The Academy is a public/private partnership between the commercial construction industry and the State of Alabama Career and Technical K-12 Department. Currently, only 250 students in Alabama are being served. Through AEL, Maddox intends to work with industry to expand the Academy across the workforce regions to help expand the opportunities for high school juniors and seniors to receive workforce development training from industry professionals. If elected Governor, Maddox would propose the AEL to the state Legislature. If passed, there would then be a constitutional amendment to be voted on in November 2020 by the people of Alabama.
Walt Maddox unveils education lottery plan
Tuscaloosa Mayor and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Walt Maddox on Monday unveiled a plan for a statewide education lottery to help create a 21st Century educational system to help prepare Alabama’s children for competition in the technological age before us. “There is no investment of public funds that provides greater return than an investment in education. We can transform Alabama’s education system without raising taxes one penny. It’s time the people vote and we implement the Alabama Education Lottery,” Maddox said of his plan. According to Maddox, the creation of the education lottery will provide $300 million. Named the Alabama Education Lottery, this funding will allow: Scholarships for thousands of Alabama students for higher education and workforce development programs. Expansion of the state’s nationally award-winning Pre-K program to all Alabama students. Creation of the Promise Program that helps relieve funding inequities between Alabama’s richest and poorest schools. Creation of Community Innovation Grants to assist schools and regions in utilizing existing medical, mental health, social assistance, and psychological support programs to solve problems that clearly affect the quality of education. In a statement, Maddox said, “As Governor, I will push for legislation to allow the people to vote on the establishment of the Alabama Education Lottery. I believe the people want a better future for our children and for our state. It is time for the politicians to get out of the way and let the people vote,” he said. Maddox’s Democratic challenger, former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb, has also announced a lottery plan recently. Evangelist and Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Dawson says Maddox’s and Cobb’s lottery proposals keep Alabama in the past, preying on those who can least afford it, and bank the future of our kids on a game of chance. “Democrats want to bank the future of our kids on a game of chance and that is not something that I’m willing to risk,” Dawson said in a statement. “A lottery keeps Alabama in the past and preys on those who can least afford it with math that fails to add up and leaves states like Illinois unable to pay their winners. With responsible budgeting, rewards for hard work, and common-sense initiatives in our classrooms, we will launch Alabama into future where everyone can win.” Maddox will face Cobb, along with Christopher Countryman, James Fields, Doug Smith and Anthony White in the June 5 Democratic primary. The winner will go on to face the Republican nominee in the general election, to be selected among: Dawson, Gov. Kay Ivey, Tommy Battle, Bill Hightower or Michael McAllister.
