Alabama Accountability Act

Terri Collins, wearing on orange scarf and green suit, sitting at a desk in the Alabama House of Representatives.

Alabama House passes expansion of the Accountability Act

BY: - June 1, 2023

The Alabama House Wednesday passed a bill that could significantly expand the Alabama Accountability Act. SB 263, sponsored by Sen. Donnie Chesteen, R-Geneva, passed the House on a 75-22 vote. The bill goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. Chesteen’s legislation would make significant changes to the 2013 law, including expanding the number of schools falling under […]

Alabama Senate approves changes to Accountability Act

BY: - May 24, 2023

The Alabama Senate Tuesday approved a bill that could significantly expand the reach of the Alabama Accountability Act. SB 263, sponsored by Sen. Donnie Chesteen, R-Geneva, passed the Senate on a 26-7 vote amid concerns from Democrats that the bill would hurt public schools and some criticism from Republicans that it did not go far […]

Senate changes to Accountability Act could more than double designated schools

BY: - May 12, 2023

The chair of the Senate Education Policy committee has filed a bill that would expand the number of households that could claim scholarships under the Alabama Accountability Act and more than double the schools that could fall under it. SB 263, sponsored by Sen. Donnie Chesteen, R-Geneva, would change the “failing school” label in the […]

Blue school hallway lockers and checkered tile in high school students in the background

Alabama House passes bill abolishing ‘failing school’ classification

BY: - April 18, 2023

The Alabama House of Representatives Tuesday approved a bill that would drop an educational term that has drawn fire from educators, including State Schools Superintendent Eric Mackey. HB30, sponsored by Rep. A.J. McCampbell, D-Linden, would change the designation of a “failing school” to “lowest sixth percent school.” The legislation would also change the designation of […]

Alabama State Schools Superintendent Eric Mackey speaks with a board member during the board's regular meeting.

Alabama state superintendent: Failing label meant to ‘humiliate’ schools

BY: - April 14, 2023

The Alabama state superintendent said Thursday afternoon that state laws that label a set number of schools as “failing” were meant to humiliate struggling communities and push scholarships to private schools.  In remarks at an Alabama State Board of Education work session that followed comments from two Senate leaders, State Schools Superintendent Eric Mackey said […]