Report recommends changes to Alabama’s education system
Recommendations have been made to improve education at the student and educator levels in Alabama by the Governor’s Commission on Teaching and Learning. The state should promote quality teaching and learning, offer more support for both impoverished and low-performing schools, bolster data collection and accountability, and improve the retention and development of educators, the report says. “These recommendations won’t just serve as mere guidelines; they are a blueprint – a roadmap to our goal of positioning Alabama among the top 30 states on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, or NAEP, which is known as the nation’s report card,” Gov. Kay Ivey said in a release. “They are vital guidelines as we navigate toward a brighter future for our children – one where opportunities flourish and aspirations are nurtured.” The commission recommended full implementation of the Alabama Literacy Act passed in 2019, which requires third graders to read on grade level before being advanced to fourth grade. It also recommended that kindergarten be mandatory, an expansion of the number of assistant principals at schools, and more computer science programs. The commission said in the report that the state’s prekindergarten program should be expanded to help poorer school districts. It also recommended creating a financial incentive program for struggling school districts to reduce chronic absenteeism. Another key item from the commission was the expansion of the state’s Turnaround Schools program, which pours personnel and money into struggling school districts to help them improve scores. The commission said the state Board of Education should change the state’s report card for districts and individual schools to expand transparency and ensure that every graduating high school student is considered college and career ready measured by an examination. The commission consisted of: • Business Education Alliance President and former State Superintendent of Education Joe Morton. • State Superintendent Eric Mackey. • State Sen. Donnie Chesteen, R-Geneva. • State Rep. Alan Baker, R-Brewton. • State Rep. Barbara Drummond, D-Mobile • Montgomery City Schools Superintendent Melvin Brown. • Wetumpka High School Principal Kyle Futral. • Mountain Brook Schools Superintendent Dicky Barlow. • Booker T. Washington teacher Reggie White. • Alabama Parent Teacher Association President Donna McCurry. • Alabaster City Schools School board member Derek Henderson. • Retired Mississippi State Superintendent Carey Wright. • Whiteboard Advisors CEO, and co-founder, Ben Wallerstein. Republished with the permission of The Center Square.
Gov. Kay Ivey signs school choice bills into law
When the State Legislature left town for the year on Tuesday, they left a lot of bills on the desk for Governor Kay Ivey to consider. Ivey signed into law a handful of bills on Thursday that she says deliver on her promises and will benefit Alabamians now and in the future. During the governor’s inaugural and state of the state addresses, Ivey promised that more parents in Alabama emphasized the importance of improving school choice in Alabama. Ivey said that those efforts must begin with improving the school choices that Alabama already has: Public charter schools and the Alabama Accountability Act scholarship program. The Legislature responded by passing both House Bill 363 and Senate Bill 263. Upon signing those bills in her office earlier today, the governor then issued the following comment: “While some parents in other states are finding themselves being forced aside, here in Alabama, we believe strongly that a parent should be able to decide what is best for their own child’s education. To help support high-quality education and create more choices for parents, I have prioritized improving school choice. Both HB363 and SB263 will certainly help us make progress, and the bill sponsors, Representative Terri Collins and Senators Donnie Chesteen and Will Barfoot did yeomen’s work in getting this needed legislation across the finish line. I am proud to put my signature on these two bills so that more students have an opportunity for a strong educational experience.” SB263 is an expansion of the landmark 2013 Alabama Accountability Act, which created a mechanism for scholarship granting organizations to award scholarships for students in Alabama’s most dreadful public schools. Chesteen said that in the old bill, students from just 79 failing schools can apply for scholarships to leave their failing schools. This will open it up to students from a school with a D or an F on its report card – 212 schools. SB263 would open up to 25% of the scholarships for students who live outside of those targeted D and F-scoring schools if they meet the poverty thresholds. It also raises the poverty thresholds for children to be eligible for the scholarships and changes the name the state uses for its most dreadfully performing schools from failing schools to priority schools. Collins explained that HB363, the Alabama School Choice and Student Opportunity Act, changes the appointment process for the Alabama Public Charter School Commission; authorizes the Commission to hire staff; requires commissioners to receive annual training; provides additional guidelines for the authorizing and application review process; provides further for the operational and categorical funding of public charter schools in their first year of operation; and clarifies the per pupil federal, state, and local funding of conversion public charter schools during their first year of operation. “All charter schools are public schools,” explained Rep. Collins. “We have three conversion schools in Montgomery, Mobile, West Alabama, Birmingham has a few, Fairfield, and there are a couple more in Montgomery.” The current law allows a public school system to convert an existing public school into a charter school. It also allows nonprofit groups that recognize a need to take their own funds to build and operate a charter school and apply for permission from the local school authorities to open a charter school. If that application is denied, that organization may submit its request to the Alabama Public Charter School Commission for review. Governor Ivey also successfully championed funding charter schools in addition to this needed legislation. A much more vigorous expansion of school choice – the PRICE Act – was never considered on the floor of either House. SB202/HB295 was carried by Sen. Larry Stutts (R-Sheffield) and Rep. Ernie Yarborough (R-Hartselle). It would have allowed education dollars to follow the child and was not limited to just poor children or children zoned to the worst schools in the state. It was not regulated by a state commission as to whether an alternative was needed or not. Every child in the state would have been given $6,900 in an education savings account that could have followed the child to another public school, a private school, a church school, or even to cover the expenses of home school. That legislation was strongly opposed by the Alabama Education Association (AEA) and the Alabama School Superintendents. Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) told reporters moments after the regular session ended on Tuesday that more school choice bills will likely be passed in future legislative sessions. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Lawmakers approve expansion of private school scholarship program
Alabama lawmakers approved on Wednesday an expansion of a scholarship program aimed at helping low- and moderate-income students attend private schools. The House of Representatives voted 75-22 for the bill that would expand income eligibility and make other changes to increase the number of students participating in the program. The measure now goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. The bill advanced as Republicans across the country have championed various forms of so-called “school choice” legislation, ranging from vouchers to scholarship programs, to provide public support for private school or other alternative school options. “More children will have access to it,” Republican Rep. Terri Collins, of Decatur, said of the legislation during debate. Republican Sen. Donnie Chesteen, the bill’s sponsor, estimated last week that the number of students participating in the program could increase from about 3,000 to 4,400 with the changes. The existing program, known as the Alabama Accountability Act, gives tax credits for donations to organizations that provide the scholarships. Scholarship priority is given to students zoned to attend schools labeled as “failing” because they are in the lowest 6% of test scores. It also gives tax credits to help families transfer out of schools that have been designated as “failing.” The approved legislation raises the income cap for new scholarships from $55,500 for a family of four to $75,000. It expands eligibility to also include students with Individualized Education Programs because of a diagnosed learning disability or other condition. The bill raises the maximum scholarship to $10,000 per student. It would also provide more money for the program by gradually raising the annual cap on the tax credits from $30 million to $40 million and eventually up to $60 million. It would also do away with the label of “failing” school and replace it with “priority” schools. Schools would be given that label based on receiving a D or F on state report cards instead of just test scores. Republicans created the Alabama Accountability Act in 2013, pushing through the bill via conference committee during a chaotic legislative night. “I always have a bad taste in my mouth about this bill,” Democratic Rep. Laura Hall, of Huntsville said. Republished with the permission of The Associated Press.
Alabama House to consider ambitious special-order calendar on Wednesday
The Alabama House of Representatives will meet on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. to consider a very ambitious proposed special-order calendar. Senate Bill 206 (SB206) is sponsored by State Senator Clyde Chambliss (R-Prattville). It is being carried on the floor by State Representative Allen Treadaway (R-Morris). SB206 creates the crime of organized retail theft and turns what used to be misdemeanor shoplifting into a felony. Senate Bill 261 (SB261) is sponsored by Sen. Dan Roberts (R-Mountain Brook). It is carried in the House by Rep. Chip Brown (R-Hollinger’s Island). The anti-ESG legislation would prohibit state and local governments from entering into certain contracts that boycott businesses in certain sectors or based on certain environmental or corporate governance criteria. Senate Bill 279 (SB279) is sponsored by Sen. Randy Price (R-Opelika) and carried in the House by Rep. Matt Woods (R-Jasper). SB279 deals with elected county superintendents of education. Under existing law, the salary for an elected county superintendent of education is required to be set by the county board of education before the beginning of the term of office. This bill would remove that requirement retroactive to July 1, 2021. Senate Bill 94 (SB94) is sponsored by Sen. April Weaver (R-Briarfield) and is carried in the House by Rep. Corley Ellis (R-Columbiana). SB94 would move the Shelby County juvenile probation services and probation officers into the state court system. Senate Bill 99 (SB99) is sponsored by Sen. Sam Givhan (R-Huntsville) and carried in the House by Rep. Prince Chestnut (D-Selma). SB99 would increase the mileage reimbursement rate received by jurors Senate Bill 56 (SB56) is sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) and carried in the House by Rep. Allen Baker (R-Brewton). SB56 would require the use of video cameras in certain special education classrooms. Allen is bringing a substitute version of the bill. Senate Bill 292 (SB292) is sponsored by Sen. Roberts and carried by Rep. Joe Lovvorn (R-Auburn). SB292 would provide for the Department of Revenue to grant certificates of exemption from sales and use taxes to contractors and subcontractors licensed by the State Licensing Board for General Contractors for the purchase of building materials and construction materials to be used in the construction of a project for an entity that is exempt by law from paying sales and use taxes. Senate Bill 223 (SB223) is sponsored by Sen. Vivian Figures (D-Mobile) and carried in the House by Rep. Matt Simpson (R-Daphne) would include a child witness in the definition of “a physical offense, sexual offense, or violent offense” for the purpose of the Child Physical and Sexual Abuse Victim Protection Act. Senate Bill 309 (SB309) is sponsored by Sen. Chambliss and carried by Rep. Wood in the House. SB309 is related to contracts for professional services to provide for the procurement of certain professional service contracts based on competitive, qualification-based policies and procedures, as well as to provide for the advertisement of such contracts; and to subject such contracts to a fee schedule established by the Division of Construction Management of the Department of Finance. Senate Bill 198 (SB198) is sponsored by Sen. Orr and carried in the House by Rep. Cynthia Almond (R-Tuscaloosa). It would add additional offenses that would be subject to the presumptive sentencing guidelines; to modify the criminal penalties for criminal solicitation, attempt, and criminal conspiracy; to give a judge discretion when sentencing a person convicted of a Class C or Class D felony offense. Senate Bill 184 (SB184) is sponsored by Sen. Greg Albritton (R-Atmore) and carried in the House by Rep. Kyle South (R-Fayette). SB184 would authorize the Department of Corrections to expend funds for the recruitment and training of law enforcement officers and to further the mission of the department. South will introduce a substitute version of the bill. Senate Bill 224 (SB224) is sponsored by Sen. Figures and carried in the House by Rep. Simpson. It provides for the age of a child for the crime of transmitting obscene material to a child by computer, to establish jurisdiction for a violation of distributing a private image, and further provides for the crime of incest. Senate Bill 281 (SB281) is sponsored by Sen. Albritton and carried by Rep. Margie Wilcox (R-Mobile). SB281 creates a new distinctive license plate to benefit the USS Alabama Battleship Commission. Senate Bill 285 (SB285) is sponsored by Sen. Jones and carried in the House by Rep. Terri Collins (R-Decatur).SB285 will allow nonprofit organizations to host wine festivals. Senate Bill 176 (SB176) is sponsored by Sen Orr and carried by Rep. Collins. SB176 is the Student Right to Know Act of 2023. It requires the Alabama Commission on Higher Education to collect and make available online data for students to plan for their educational and professional futures; and for the Workforce Division of the Department of Commerce to share data and information with ACHE. Senate Bill 192 (SB192) is sponsored by Sen. Albritton and is carried in the House by Rep. Donna Givens (R-Loxley). SB192 would allow private corporations to limit access to industrial facilities and that industrial access roads to continue to be maintained as a public corporation. Senate Bill 263 (SB263) is sponsored by Sen. Donnie Chesteen (R-Dothan) and carried in the House by Rep. Terri Collins (R-Decatur). SB263 makes changes to the Alabama Accountability Act of 2013. It revises the law to change the term failing school to priority school and nonfailing to qualifying school to make other changes. Senate Bill 258 (SB258) is sponsored by Sen. Andrew Jones (R-Centre). It deals with nonprofit corporations that provide water services to the public authorizing a one-time audit by the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts. There is a substitute version of this bill. Senate Bill 103 (SB103) is sponsored by Sen. Orr: and carried by Rep. Almond. It would require the Alabama Ethics Commission to provide exonerating evidence to persons accused of ethics wrongdoing. Almond will introduce a substitute. Senate Bill 76 (SB76) is sponsored by Sen. Will Barfoot (R-Pike Road). It is carried in the House by Rep. Lovvorn. SB76 establishes the Rural Logging Support Act, funding supporting rural economic Development. Wednesday will be Day 28 of the 2023 Alabama Regular Legislative Session. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Alabama Senate Committee advances mandatory kindergarten bill
On Wednesday, the Alabama Senate Education Policy Committee advanced legislation requiring every Alabama six-year-old to either have completed kindergarten or pass a competency test to enter first grade. Children who fail the test will be forced to attend kindergarten rather than first grade with their peers. House Bill 43 (HB43) is sponsored by State Representative Pebblin Warren (D-Tuskegee), who has carried this legislation for the last few years. “This issue has become a really important issue in the State of Alabama,” Warren said. “It is a tragedy that we would let a child reach third grade without being able to read competently.” This is the fourth year that Warren carried similar legislation. It has not passed the Senate in the past. Governor Kay Ivey endorsed the bill in her State of the State speech. “A child can attend kindergarten or maybe in homeschooling, private schooling, or religious schooling,” Warren explained. “As long as they demonstrate competence, they can enter into first grade.” Sen. Rodger Smitherman (D-Birmingham) asked how much this would cost in the fiscal note. “$8.4 million,” Warren answered. “We are just preparing them to fail,” Smitherman said. “Requiring those little children to pass this without doing any of that is setting up these kids to fail. We know that the resources are not there .” Sen. Jay Hovey (R-Auburn) said, “I would prefer this as an opportunity to identify needs and opportunities to avoid problems later on. I would rather catch it now in kindergarten and first grade than third and fourth grade. Hovey said, “It is easier and less disruptive to fail them then than it would be in third, fourth, or fifth grade.” Smitherman said, “We haven’t provided nothing for them. You think it is alright to flunk them if they are six years old?” “I hope there is a way we can facilitate that tutoring,” Hovey said. “I hope that we can find a way to raise them up.” “How are they going to get where you want them to get without giving them any money or structure?” Smitherman said. “I am hurt that we are even considering this.” Warren said, “This is already being enacted by the state school board.” Sen. Donnie Chesteen (R-Dothan) said, “We have some questions that need to be answered. Rep. Warren.” Chesteen is the Chairman of the Senate Education Policy Committee. Sen. Kirk Hatcher (D-Montgomery) said, “My professional worth is as an educator. I am the Director of Montgomery Head Start. I would almost rather disagree with God than disagree with my mentor Senator Smitherman.” Hatcher said that if a child is six years old and doesn’t know their numbers, colors, or ABCs and can’t write their name, “they are woefully behind.” Hatcher said that if a child cannot read by the third grade, “They drop off rapidly. The numbers are startling.” “Money needs to be put in the kindergarten program,” Hatcher said, “We have got to do something.” Hatcher said that he favored funding an “at-risk program.” “I am on the side of mandating kindergarten,” Hatcher said. The Committee then entertained a motion to give HB43 a favorable report. Smitherman said, “No, with every fiber of our being.” The motion carried, and the Committee voted to advance the legislation to the full Senate. Warren said, “Thank you, and on behalf of the children of Alabama, I say thank you.” Chesteen said, “Rep. Warren, get with Sen. Smitherman before it gets to the floor (of the Senate).” The full Senate could consider HB43 as soon as Thursday. The House previously voted to pass HB43 in a vote of 87 to 12. Thursday will be day 26 of the 2023 Alabama Regular Legislative Session. The Alabama Constitution of 1901 limits the legislature to no more than 30 legislative days in the regular session. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Alabama Senate passes bill to raise cap on the Alabama Accountability Act
On Tuesday, the Alabama Senate voted to raise the cap on the money that can go to the Alabama Accountability Act (AAA). The Alabama Accountability Act was passed in 2013 to allow parents whose children are zoned to Alabama’s worst-performing schools to choose to apply for a scholarship to go to another public school or a private school. That act is currently capped at $30 million. This legislation would raise it to $40 million next year, and if specific targets are reached in coming years, that could increase to $50 million. Potentially the cap could increase to $60 million over six years. Senate Bill 263 (SB263) is sponsored by State Senator Donnie Chesteen (R-Dothan). SB263 also raises the number of Alabama students who qualify for scholarships to 250 percent of the poverty line. That would be slightly higher than the median income in Alabama. Under the existing rules, only students zoned to the worst six percent of schools can qualify for scholarships to go to a private school or another public school. The legislation would also rename those failing schools as priority schools. Chesteen said that in the old bill, students from just 79 failing schools can apply for the scholarships. This would open it up to students from a school with a D or an F on its report card – 212 schools. SB263 would open up to 25% of the scholarships for students who live outside of those targeted D and F scoring schools if they meet the poverty thresholds. Sen. Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro) said, “I think this bill takes care of the middle up. It does not help those in the bottom.” “It is not easy to satisfy all the components of all the people involved, and it is not easy to get through the process to get here today; nevertheless, I do not support this bill,” Singleton said. Singleton said that expansion of the AAA would only hurt public schools. “I think this is going to hurt public education,” Singleton said. “I am here to protect those to whom I see that unintended consequences are happening. “Our charter schools, they can take a limited number of students, our private schools, they can take a limited number of students,” Singleton said. “If students leave school B for school A, what they are going to do is leave school B with nobody. If that was a bad school, you just left it worse.” The SGOs have had difficulty over the past year in raising the $30 million to utilize the cap. “If we have not met the cap, why are we bumping it up?” Singleton said. “25% can go anywhere.” “If they meet the threshold,” Chesteen said. “That bothers me,” Singleton said. “They may not qualify at one level, but can roam around the system if they are in poverty.” Sen. Larry Stutts (R-Sheffield) argued against the bill because he felt it did not go far enough. “We have been in last place too long,” Stutts said. “It is important that we make a statement that education is important. It is important for the workforce. It is important to parents.” Stutts is the sponsor of the PRICE Act, which would be a far larger, more expansive school choice bill. “Your bill (the AAA) has only helped 3,200 students in ten years. My bill would help 7,900 students the first year,” Stutts argued. The money for the Accountability Act comes from Alabama taxpayers voluntarily electing to take tax credits so that their income tax dollars go to scholarship granting organizations (SGOs) instead of the Alabama education trust fund. The PRICE Act, on the other hand, would transfer $6,900 per student from the education trust fund to an education savings account that would follow the child to the school of the parent’s choice. “We need universal school choice,” Stutts said. “We need choice throughout the state. The parents know the needs of the children. No one understands the individual needs of the child better than the parents.” Stutts also objected to the fact that the students can get a scholarship up to $10,000 under this bill, while the amount the student would receive under the PRICE Act – would be just $6,900 – the amount of state support that Alabama public schools students receive from the education trust fund on a per capita basis. “Are you willing to say that we carry over your bill tonight and commit to me that we will tie these two bills together and pass these two bills out of the Senate together?” Stutts asked. Chesteen answered, “My plan is to move this bill tonight. I am going to continue to work this bill. If you will continue to work your bill, I will commit to you that I will work with you to get your bill passed tomorrow.” Stutts said, “I appreciate your bill, but I appreciate my bill more.” Singleton warned that expanding school choice could lead to a mass exodus of students from public schools. “You might think that not everybody is going to get up and run, but it might happen,” Singleton said. “It doesn’t say that the child has to fail, just that the school has to fail. They can recruit this star athlete who has a 3.9 to go over here because the school is failing. Usually, when one child leaves, it is the whole family that leaves.” Sen. Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman) said there are no failing schools in his district, so no one in his district qualifies for the scholarships. “They told me back in my district that they are not opposed to school choice, but since no one from the district gets the money, and it takes $30 million out of the education trust fund to oppose this,” Gudger said. “It is hard for me to go back to rural Alabama when the money goes to people in other parts of the state.” Sen. Rodger Smitherman (D-Birmingham) said that more money is going for school choice than raising up the state’s failing schools. “I am up here
Donnie Chesteen uses stalling tactics to effectively kill education choice bill
On Wednesday, the Alabama Senate Education Policy Committee failed to vote on a school choice bill that was debated before the Committee. Instead, the bill has been referred to another committee for their consideration. Senate Bill 202 (SB202) is sponsored by Sen. Larry Stutts. Over 200 people crowded into an overflowing public hearing in the Alabama Senate Education Policy Committee. Opponents and proponents of school choice both presented their arguments for and against in a time restricted format. Based on the applause and cheers it appeared that proponents far outnumbered the people there in opposition to the bill. Following the debate, the Republican Chairman of the Committee, Donnie Chesteen, said that his committee would not vote today on the bill. “We will not take a vote today,” Chesteen said. “My recommendation is that we refer this to the education budget committee.” “We are talking about hundreds of millions of dollars out of the education budget,” Chesteen said. “We need to know what we are cutting.” “I asked that it be referred to the budget committee when I introduced it,” Stutts said. “I understand the stalling tactics that are playing out,” Stutts said. Thursday will be the 15th legislative day. The Alabama Constitution limits the regular session to a maximum of thirty legislative days. Under the rules of the Alabama legislature, it takes a minimum of five legislative days for a bill to pass. If the bill bounces from committee to committee for the next three or four weeks, there won’t be time for the bill to get to the floor of the second house for an up or down vote before the session ends. “I have never seen that,” Sen. Stutts told Alabama Today referring to the Chairman re-referring the bill to a second committee and expecting it to come back to the first committee for consideration. The House of Representatives has passed rules abolishing the practice of re-referring a bill from one committee to another before it can be considered by the full body. The Senate has not adopted that rule. “I am going to have a talk with the Chairman,” Stutts told Alabama Today. Dr. Arthur Watts is the Finance Director of the Montgomery City School System. “This bill could cost $600 million,” Watts told the Committee. The typical teacher costs about $70,000. That includes $10,000 in benefits. Just one fourth of that, $150 million divided by $70,000 would be a loss of over 2080 teachers. Half that would be $300 million. That would be a loss of 4160 teachers. If it cost all of that, $600 million, that would be a loss of 8320 teachers. Eagle Forum Director Becky Gerritson said, “Education dollars should go to educate the children.” “We already do this in higher education,” Gerritson said. “We take money in the form of Pell Grants and allow them to use the money the way they want. They can go to state schools, private schools, or technical schools. We do this all the time with higher ed.” Gerritson said there would not be a mass exodus from public to private schools if SB202 passed. “They will still get 98% of the students, but that little bit of competition makes the difference,” Gerritson said. “When private schools fail they close, when public schools fail we give them more money.” Gerritson explained that the bill sets up an educational savings account for every child that elects to opt out of the existing public school system. “The money goes directly from the account to a vender,” Gerritson said. “We can track every dollar.” Gerritson said that Eagle Forum backs this approach to school choice rather than existing programs like the Accountability Act and charter schools, because, “This one provides the biggest impact and the fastest.” Allison King with the Alabama Education Association (AEA) spoke against the bill. “Before I came to work for AEA, I worked ten years as a classroom teacher and an administrator,” King said. “We do currently have school choice in our state, and it is not being fully utilized.” King said that this bill has a “lack of accountability and oversight.” King said that the bill creates the opportunity for fraud by both the parents and the education vender the parents select. “The fraud would have to be substantial for it be actionable,” King said. King said that the legislation would allow parents to use the money on purchasing an ipad, sending their kid to Space Camp, or to play travel ball. “All of these things are allowable,” King said. “They can even get accountability act funding and still receive funding through the PRICE Act” The program would be phased in over three years with kindergartern through third grade in phase one. Proponents estimate that most of the children who would get the education savings accounts are already in private schools and of the 80,000 Alabama children who go to private school now about 75% would opt in to the program. “The saddest thing I have had to deal with as a realtor is families having to move because they are chasing schools,” said Sen. Shay Shelnutt. “Thank you Dr. Stutts for bringing this bill forward and I full support this bill.” “I appreciate all that accountability bills we have passed, but by all those measures we are still in last place or very near last place in education,” Stutts said. “That hurts our state on a whole lot of levels and not just on the real estate movement.” Stutts listed the Literacy Act, the Numeracy Act, the Accountability Act, and other efforts by legislators to improve education in the state. “This has the opportunity to change education faster than all of those other things combined,” Stutts said. “Where we rank in education is important.” Stutts explained that the money left over in the education savings account is available for the students. “You are able to use that money until you are 21,” Stutts said. The money left over from K-12 in a child’s account could be used for college or
Kay Ivey signs four executive orders to address education crisis
On Wednesday, Governor Kay Ivey released four new executive orders related to public education. The executive orders are intended to achieve Gov. Ivey’s inauguration day vow to get Alabama’s public school performance among the top 30 in the country. “I am proud to sign these executive orders into effect and believe they will lay an essential foundation for ensuring every Alabama student receives a high-quality education,” said Governor Ivey. “This is the first of many steps I plan to take in this new term to increase Alabama’s national ranking in our student’s reading and math performance. Our children are our future, and by investing in their education, we are investing in a better Alabama.” Alabama has poor-performing public schools. Far too many of Alabama’s public school students can’t do grade-level math, and far too many of Alabama’s children don’t read at grade level. The state has shown some recent improvement in state rankings, but this largely had more to do with other states’ performance dropping – due to extended COVID-19 school closures; than it has with more Alabama children mastering their studies. Executive Order 729 is intended to promote early literacy by establishing a statewide network with books from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Ivey has authorized $4.1 million for the roll-out of the program. As promised in her inauguration speech, every Alabama child will begin receiving age-appropriate books by mail each month from birth until the age of five. Parents may opt their child out at any time. Executive Order No. 730 establishes the Governor’s Commission on Teaching and Learning. The commission will examine ways to enhance the quality of elementary and secondary education in Alabama and will produce a report of recommendations by December 1, 2023. The Members of the commission include: · Business Education Alliance President and former State Superintendent of Education Dr. Joe Morton (Chair) · State Superintendent of Education Dr. Eric Mackey · State Sen. Donnie Chesteen (R-Dothan) · Rep. Alan Baker (R-HD66) · Rep. Barbara Drummond (D-Mobile) · Montgomery City Schools Superintendent Dr. Melvin Brown · Holtville High School Principal Kyle Futral · Mountain Brook Schools Superintendent Dr. Dicky Barlow · Booker T. Washington K-8 Teacher Reggie White · Alabama Parent Teacher Association President Donna McCurry · Alabaster City Schools Schoolboard Member Derek Henderson · Retired Mississippi State Superintendent Dr. Carey Wright · Co-founder and CEO of Whiteboard Advisors Ben Wallerstein Executive Order No. 731 directs the State Superintendent of Education to submit a report outlining past progress made to date as well as future action items to expeditiously ensure the implementation of the Literacy Act (2019), the Numeracy Act (2022), the Computer Science for Alabama Act (2019), a civics-test requirement (2017), and a requirement of the State Board of Education that every high school graduate obtain a college and career readiness indicator (2022). The reports are due June 30, 2023. Executive Order No. 732 established a K-12 teacher registered apprenticeship pilot program to increase pathways to the teaching profession. This pilot program will provide an additional pathway—initially, in areas with documented teacher shortages—for qualifying paraprofessionals and teacher’s aides to obtain a Class A or Class B teaching certificate by demonstrating competency in the classroom. The pilot program will be administered by the Alabama Office of Apprenticeship within the Department of Commerce. Gov. Ivey also sent a memo to Secretary of Early Childhood Education Dr. Barbara Cooper that directs the department to prioritize creating new First-Class Pre-K classrooms in counties where more than 20% of the population falls below federal poverty guidelines. Ivey hopes that increased access to Alabama’s nation-leading program will assist the state in reaching its education-based goals. Ivey signed three executive orders on Tuesday intended to improve government transparency and accountability. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Seven State Senate seat races to watch
All 35 State Senate seats are up for grabs in the November 8 general election. Republicans hold a 27 to 8 margin over Democrats in the current makeup of the Alabama Senate. The Alabama Republican Party is running candidates in 29 seats. The GOP is defending all of the 27 seats they currently hold and are running candidates in two districts currently held by Democrats. Alabama Democrats are defending the eight seats they currently hold and are challenging the GOP in six districts currently held by Republicans. Libertarians currently hold no seats in the Alabama Senate but are running twelve candidates in State Senate races. There are a number of contested State Senate races on the November ballot. These are the seven races with the most chance of becoming interesting. Democrat Lisa Ward is challenging Republican incumbent State Sen. Gerald Allen in Senate District 21. Both of these candidates are well known in the Tuscaloosa area. Allen has represented the district for three terms and served in the Alabama House of Representatives before that. Ward is a former city councilwoman who is very active in the community. According to filings with the Alabama Secretary of State’s office, Allen has a $204,872.68 campaign account balance entering September, which includes August contributions of $8,250. Ward, the challenger, meanwhile raised $23,149.76 in August and has a cash balance of $31,968.94 entering September. Neither faced a primary opponent. Democrat Kim Lewis versus Republican incumbent State Sen. Tom Butler in Senate District 2. Butler has represented Madison County in the legislature for parts of five decades, but this is one of the fastest growing areas in the state, and there are thousands of new people that bring different politics with them to the area. Lewis is hoping that an increasingly purple Madison County will result in a win. Butler was pushed hard in the Republican primary by former State Sen. Bill Holtzclaw. Butler raised $44,500 in the month of August and enters September with $38,166.63. Lewis raised $7,830 in August and comes into September with $27,859.70. In Senate District 33, incumbent Democratic Sen. Vivian Figures faces Republican challenger Pete Riehm. This has been a very safe Democratic district consisting of the poorest parts of Mobile as well as Mobile County suburbs like Prichard, but redistricting meant that the new district now goes deep into Baldwin County and picked up the very prosperous and heavily Republican community of Spanish Fort. This district went from very blue to purple thanks to the legislature’s redistricting and efforts to “unpack” Black voters from majority-minority districts. Is it purple enough for a Republican to take it away from the Democrats? That is for the voters to decide on November 8. Sen. Figures raised $31,500 in the month of August to enter September with $110,497.02. Riehm had contributions of $19,577.54 in August and enters September with $60,911.31. Democrat Sherri Lewis versus Republican Jay Hovey in Senate District 27. Hovey, an Auburn City Councilman, just narrowly defeated incumbent Tom Whatley (R-Auburn) in a heavily contested GOP primary. Hovey, who has the challenge of unifying Republicans, raised $85,500 in contributions in August to enter September with a cash balance of $70,074.17. Reese meanwhile raised $1,806.20 in August to bring a total of $2,703.33 into the month of September. Senate District 23 – here, there are three candidates vying for the open seat formerly held by State Sen. Malika Sanders-Fortier, who vacated the seat in an unsuccessful bid for governor. Democrat Robert Lee Stewart narrowly defeated former State Sen. Hank Sanders in a hard-fought Democratic primary runoff in June. Stewart faces both a Republican in Michael Nimmer and a Libertarian in Portia Stephens. Stewart raised $16,987 in August to bring $17,872.84 into September. The Libertarian, Stephens, reported raising $2,060 in August to finish the month with $6,285 in cash on hand. The Republican, Nimmer, has not filed a campaign finance report. Alabama does not have general election runoffs, so when there are multiple candidates, the candidate with the most votes wins even if they got less than half of the votes. There is another three-way contest in Senate District 29. There, incumbent Republican Sen. Donnie Chesteen (R-Dothan) faces both Democrat Nathan “Nate” Mathis and Libertarian Floyd “Pete” McBroom. Matthis reported raising no money in August, but he has $5,719.36 in cash on hand. McBroom has not filed a campaign finance report with the Secretary of State’s office yet. The incumbent, Chesteen, raised $25,500 in August to enter September with $327,660.86. In Senate District 12, Republican Keith Kelley is battling Democrat David McCullars for the open seat currently held by Sen. Del Marsh. Kelley raised $29,658.24 in August and has $65,102.13 in cash on hand. McCullars only raised $265 in the month of August and entered the month of September with $4,377.15 in cash on hand. Kelley had a hard-fought Republican primary. This is a district that has given Marsh a close call in the 2014 general election. In other contested Alabama Senate races · SD3 incumbent Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) faces Libertarian Rick Chandler · SD4 incumbent Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman) faces Libertarian Jacob Marlow · SD6 incumbent Larry Stutts (R-Sheffield) faces Libertarian Kyle Richard-Garrison · SD7 incumbent Sam Givhan (R-Huntsville) faces Democrat Korey Wilson · SD15 incumbent Dan Roberts (R-Mountain Brook) faces Libertarian Michael Crump · SD17 incumbent Shay Shelnutt (R-Trussville) faces Libertarian John Fortenberry · SD24 incumbent Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro) faces Libertarian Richard Benderson · SD25 incumbent Will Barfoot (R-Montgomery) versus Libertarian Louie Woolbright · SD28 incumbent Billy Beasley (D-Clayton) faces Libertarian David Boatwright · SD35 incumbent David Sessions (R-Grand Bay) faces Libertarian Clifton Hudson Republican incumbents Tim Melson, Greg Reed, Steve Livingston, Clay Scofield, Andrew Jones, Randy Price, April Weaver, Jabo Waggoner, Greg Albritton, Clyde Chambliss, Chris Elliott, and Jack Williams are all running unopposed. Republican newcomers Lance Bell in SD11 and Josh Carnley in SD31 are also unopposed in the general election. Democratic incumbents Rodger Smitherman, Linda Coleman-Madison, and Kirk Hatcher are all also unopposed in the general election. State Rep. Merika Coleman is unopposed in SD19, which is being vacated by the retirement of Priscilla Dunn (D-Bessemer). In 2022 Republican candidates in Alabama have received $44,321,108.97 in contributions. Political Action Committees have received $17,846,761.05. Democratic candidates have received $6,629,199.43, and all other candidates have received just $111,950.87. The general
Steve Flowers: Incumbency reigns supreme in State Senate
Being an incumbent state senator in Alabama is like owning that seat. The level of re-electability odds is probably better than that of an incumbent congressman, which is about the same as being elected to a seat in the Russian Communist Politburo. Being a freshman state senator in Alabama is a more powerful position than being a freshman U.S. congressman, especially if you want to affect public policy. Many times, a 50-year old, successful person who is interested in seeking a representative role will approach me and seek my advice about running for either a state senate seat or an open congressional seat. I will quickly advise them that as a state senator, you are one of 35, and you immediately have an impact on your first year as a state senator. However, if you win a congressional seat, you are one of 435. Because of the seniority system, it will be 15 years before they know your name in Washington and 25 years before you are chairman of a committee, and then it is time to retire. In the 35-member Alabama Senate, there are 27 Republicans and 8 Democrats – a pretty supermajority for the GOP. Twenty-four of the twenty-seven senate Republicans are running for reelection. Republicans Jimmy Holley, Del Marsh, and Jim McClendon are retiring. These seats will be filled by another Republican. Therefore, when the Senate organizes next January, the 27 to 8 supermajority will remain the same. The lines are drawn to protect incumbents on both sides of the aisle. The Constitution provides the power of the pencil for legislators to draw their own legislative districts. Seventeen of the 24 Republican incumbents have no opposition in the Republican Primary. Of the seven Republican senators who drew a Republican opponent, they only got an opponent the last day of qualifying, and their opposition is token at best. All 24 Republican incumbents will be reelected. If my prognostication is correct, that is a 100% re-electability rate. There are only two GOP incumbents that were first thought to have viable opponents. Tom Whatley, at first blush, was rumored to have a race. However, polling and fundraising reveal he will win easily. The only interesting race may be in the Huntsville area, where incumbent Tom Butler is being challenged by Bill Holtzclaw, who previously served in that senate seat. The rule of incumbency also prevails on the Democratic side of the aisle. There is only one Democratic seat open. Priscilla Dunn holds the post in name only. She has never attended a senate day in Montgomery for this entire quadrennium. The Senate has, in essence, been operating with 34 senators. In actuality, the Democrats have only seven senate seats. There are 150,000 residents of Jefferson County who have had no voice or vote in the Alabama Senate for four years. There are two Democratic House members vying to fill this seat, Merrika Coleman and Louise Alexander. Ms. Coleman is favored to win this open Senate seat. The cadre of leadership on the Democratic side will return, including powers Bobby Singleton, Rodger Smitherman, and Vivian Figures. Hank Sanders will return to represent Selma and the Black Belt after a four-year sabbatical. His daughter was in the seat this last quadrennium. The entire leadership of the Republican-led Senate will return unopposed, including Greg Reed, Jabo Waggoner, Clay Scofield, Arthur Orr, Greg Albritton, Steve Livingston, Gerald Allen, and especially Clyde Chambliss. They will be joined by a superstar freshman class, who will become even more powerful. This class of leaders includes Will Barfoot, Garlan Gudger, April Weaver, Sam Givhan, Donnie Chesteen, and a trio contingency of Baldwin/Mobile senators Chris Elliott, Jack Williams, and David Sessions. Another member of this sterling class, Dan Roberts of Jefferson, has an opponent but will be reelected. The three open Republican seats and one Democratic open seat will give us some interesting senate races to follow. One of, if not the most important ingredients which creates the power of incumbency is the almighty campaign dollar. Money is the mother’s milk of politics. Most of this campaign money comes from Special Interest Political Action Committees. Ninety percent of those special interest dollars go to incumbents. Thus, over 90% of Alabama state senators are reelected. See you next week. Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at: www.steveflowers.us.
Kay Ivey hosts a ceremonial bill signing for 2021 legislative session
On Thursday, Governor Kay Ivey hosted a ceremonial bill signing for legislation passed during the 2021 Regular Session. The following bills will be ceremonially signed by the governor: House Bill 322 – This bill, sponsored by Rep. Danny Crawford, Sen. Clyde Chambliss, and Sen. Tom Whatley, gives the responsibility of nominating members of the State Board of Registration for Foresters to the Alabama Division of the Society of American Foresters and any active state forestry organization that meets the criteria established by the Board. (Act 2021-433) House Bill 227 – Sponsored by Rep. Joe Lovvorn, Sen. Dan Roberts, and Sen. Tom Whatley, provides an income tax credit for the acquisition, construction, or installation of a qualified storm shelter. (Act 2021-540) House Bill 2 – Sponsored by Rep. Mike Holmes and Sen. Dan Roberts, HB 2 adds Tianeptine to the list of Class II controlled substances. (Act 2021-325) Senate Bill 261 – This bill, sponsored by Sen. Clyde Chambliss and Rep. Chip Brown, prohibits indemnification provisions for liability of a third party in contracts for design professionals. (Act 2021-318) House Bill 130 – Sponsored by Rep. Chip Brown and Sen. David Sessions, House Bill 130 is named after Aniah Blanchard and provides additional offenses that would allow a judge to deny bail to a defendant. (Act 2021-267) House Bill 136 – This legislation, sponsored by Rep. Chip Brown and Sen. David Sessions, designates the Dauphin Island Sea Lab’s Alabama Aquarium as the official aquarium of Alabama. (Act 2021-411) House Bill 137 – Sponsored by Rep. Chip Brown and Sen. David Sessions, provides certain rights to victims of sexual assault and creates the Sexual Assault Task Force. (Act 2021-481) House Bill 166 – Sponsored by Rep. Matt Simpson and Sen. David Sessions, creates a mental health diversionary program and funds a mental health court in Baldwin County. (Act 2021-154) Senate Bill 39 – SB 39, sponsored by Sen. Randy Price and Rep. Matt Simpson, establishes the Alabama State of Emergency Consumer Protection Act and creates the crime of aggravated home repair fraud. (Act 2021-272) Senate Bill 308 – This bill, sponsored by Sen. Randy Price and Rep. Proncey Robertson, establishes the Alabama Uniform Concealed Carry Permit Act and authorizes lifetime concealed carry permits. (Act 2021-246) Senate Bill 43 – This legislation, sponsored by Sen. Randy Price and Rep. Joe Lovvorn, requires EMA to adopt guidelines for identifying and designating safe place shelters throughout the state. (Act 2021-165) House Bill 172 – Sponsored by Rep. Barbara Drummond and Sen. Bobby Singleton, requires the Chief Procurement Officer and the Secretary of State’s office to collect data on minority and women-owned businesses in the state and the participation of those businesses in the state procurement process. (Act 2021-223) House Bill 274 – Sponsored by Rep. Barbara Drummond, this bill provides for the licensure and regulation by the Board of Cosmetology and Barbering of mobile hair salons. (Act 2021-406) House Bill 175 – HB 175, sponsored by Rep. Joe Lovvorn, adds computer science teachers serving in underserved areas of the state to the current AMSTEP loan repayment program for public high school math and science teachers. (Act 2021-389) House Bill 153 – This legislation, sponsored by Rep. Joe Lovvorn, expands eligibility of children allowed to receive tuition assistance from the Police Officer’s and Firefighter’s Survivors Educational Assistance Program. (Act 2021-425) Senate Bill 61 – SB 61, sponsored by Sen. Donnie Chesteen and Rep. Joe Lovvorn, establishes the Education Retirees Trust Fund in the State Treasury to fund periodic bonuses for education retirees. (Act 2021-464)
Casino, lottery debate expected this week in Alabama Senate
Alabama state senators are expected to debate lottery and casino legislation next week amid a push to get the issue of gambling before voters for the first time since 1999. Republican Sen. Del Marsh said he expects to get a Senate vote on his bill next week. The proposal would authorize a lottery and allow eight, or possibly more, casinos in the state. The Senate debate, which could come as soon as Tuesday, will be the first major test of support for the plan. “I do believe we will have a bill that will get out of the Senate this week. Then we’ll just work it in the House,” Marsh said. The Anniston Republican has circulated a new draft of the bill but said he has not decided on the number of casino sites after other areas made a push to be included. Marsh said he is getting polling on that issue. The bill proposes establishing a state lottery and five casinos offering table games, slot machines and betting on sports games. The casinos would be located at four existing dog tracks plus a fifth site in north Alabama that would be run by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, Alabama’s only federally recognized Native American tribe. The proposal also would encourage the governor to negotiate with the Poarch Band for a compact involving their three other sites that currently have electronic bingo machines. Some lawmakers said they are concerned their districts were not included in five casino locations spelled out in the bill. Marsh said the latest draft still has five locations, but it might change. Marsh’s bill would shut down electronic bingo sites, although card and paper games could continue. Democratic Sen. Malika Fortier sent a letter to the Senate Tourism Committee saying an electronic bingo casino in impoverished Lowndes County would be shut down under the current proposal. Fortier, who disclosed this week that she is seeking treatment for cervical cancer, sent a letter since she could not attend the public hearing. “How can we forcibly close the doors of a business that has existed for 20 years (in one form or another) in a small rural impoverished community like Lowndes County where jobs are few and the people have passed a Constitutional amendment to locate it there, but then gladly allow it in other areas where they aren’t hurting for jobs like Lowndes County,” Fortier wrote in the letter read at the meeting. Republican Sen. Donnie Chesteen of Geneva earlier expressed concern that a Dothan-area facility was also left out. Marsh’s proposal would have to be approved by a three-fifths majority of each chamber of the Alabama Legislature and then a majority of voters in a statewide vote. Alabama is one of just five states without a state lottery. Alabamians last voted on gambling in 1999 when they defeated a lottery proposed by then-Gov. Don Siegelman. Gambling bills introduced since then have fallen short under a mix of conservative opposition to gambling as a revenue source and a turf war over which entities could offer casino games or electronic bingo machines. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
