Senate Education Policy Committee
Updates to teacher prep bill passes Alabama Senate committee
A bill to loosen alternative teacher certification has made it past the Senate Education Policy committee. HB342, sponsored by Rep. Susan DuBose, R-Hoover, would require that a teacher preparation program have successful operation in at least five states, without being on probation (this does not apply to traditional two or four-year institutions with state-approved programs); […]
First Grade Readiness bill passes Senate Committee
The Alabama Senate Education Policy committee Wednesday approved a bill that would mandate first-grade readiness. The bill, HB 43, sponsored by Rep. Pebblin Warren, D-Tuskegee, would require students to show “first-grade readiness” through completion of kindergarten or an assessment. They can also enroll if they transfer from first grade in another state. “I really started […]
Charter school, voucher bills debut in Alabama legislative committees
A long-awaited charter school bill appeared in an Alabama House committee Wednesday as two other bills on Alabama school attendance made their debuts. But only one moved out of committee. SB 202, sponsored by Sen. Larry Stutts, R-Tuscumbia, would give families in public schools $6,900 a year to spend at a different school. “I think […]
Bill would give retired law enforcement working school security more pay
The chair of the Senate Finance and Taxation Education committee has filed a bill that would allow retired law enforcement officers working school security more pay and opportunities. Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, said SB 174 would allow those school resource officers to work at extracurricular events and sporting events without going over the $30,000 pay […]
Alabama legislative committees approve two separate history instruction bills
A House and a Senate committee Wednesday separately approved two bills that take sharply divergent approaches to teaching history, particularly on racial issues. The Senate bill, SB 180, sponsored by Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, requires that history in Alabama be fact-based and inclusive and was approved by the Senate Education Policy Committee. “You go walk […]
Bill requiring college or career readiness passes Senate committee
A bill that would require college or career readiness to graduate an Alabama high school passed a second committee on Wednesday. The Senate Education Policy committee approved HB 109 Wednesday morning after amending the bill to push implementation back a year. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, would make a college and career […]