Education Archives

It is always important for high school students to start thinking about transitioning to the next step after graduation. For those who want to continue their education, dual enrollment with the Alabama Community College System (ACCS) can give students a competitive advantage over their peers.

How it works

By utilizing the dual enrollment program, you can start smart at your local community college. High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors can earn college credit while still attending high school.

Dual enrollment is the shortest path to begin training for the workforce or for a four-year degree. Some students even graduate with their associate degree from an Alabama community college before graduating high school!

A head start to a successful career

Andalusia High School Zade Newton was able to use the program as a shortcut to a $70k career right out of high school.

“Going into my 10th grade year, my dad told me that I was going to start dual enrollment that summer no matter what,” said Newton.

Enrolling in the dual enrollment program at Lurleen B. Wallace Community College (LBW) was meant to give Newton a backup plan. “I started liking it, and I fell in love with it,” Newton stated.

Newton was hired for an entry-level position with Reliance Test and Technology because of his strong technical skills gained at LBW, and for having the credentials to prove it. He earned both his associate degree in industrial electronics and EPA Section 608 Technician Certification.

Over the past decade, Alabama’s community and technical colleges have served as the launching pad for countless transfer students. Braxton Clines is among the 14% of ACCS students who transferred to a four-year institution and entered a health care program.

Before even receiving his high school diploma in 2023, Clines had already crossed the stage at Northeast Alabama Community College (NACC).

“I really enjoyed the way that I could adapt my schedule around my classes because most were available online,” said Clines.

By securing a head start, he not only saved time and money but also swiftly earned his white coat at Auburn University’s Harrison College of Pharmacy. It typically takes up to seven years of schooling, but he found a way to reduce it by three years when starting at an Alabama community college.

“I am extremely grateful,” said Clines. “Dual enrollment has shaped the way that I’ve learned material and has been a necessary part of my training for pharmacy school.”

More reasons to consider the dual advantage

Dual enrollment graduates are more likely to transition with more benefits and certainty than classmates who don’t enroll.

The top reasons students consider dual enrollment at a community college are:

Cost Savings: Pay less than half the cost—or little to nothing—for many dual enrollment courses offered at your local community college.
Simultaneous Credit: Coursework counts for high school and college, at the same time!
Experience: Start college early. Ease the transition when graduating high school.
Achievement: Dual enrollment students are more likely to enroll in college right out of high school, earning a higher GPA in their first year of college!

Get connected

Scholarships for dual enrollment classes are available. Eligible students must be in 10th, 11th, or 12th grades, have a 2.5 GPA and obtain written approval from a principal or superintendent.

The path to success frequently starts within one’s own community. Students, regardless of their future goals, can lay a strong foundation for their journey at any Alabama community college. This solid groundwork supports them no matter where their academic and professional pursuits may lead.

Alabama head coach Nate Oats was right when he said the NCAA’s eligibility system is broken. And the Charles Bediako situation is the latest example of how college basketball has become trapped in a rulebook full of contradictions, gray areas, and selective outrage.

I’m an old school guy, and I don’t love the idea of former professionals playing college basketball. But the truth is that programs are left operating within the existing system, not the one critics wish we still had. If former professional players are eligible, Charles Bediako is eligible.

Bediako is within his five-year window. He’s 23 years old. He’s enrolled in school and working toward finishing his degree. A high school athlete didn’t lose a scholarship or an opportunity because of him. This is a player returning to campus to do exactly what college athletics claims to value: education and development.

The loudest criticism surrounding Bediako usually comes down to one thing: he signed a G League deal. And that’s where the NCAA’s hypocrisy becomes impossible to ignore.

College basketball is filled with players who have played professionally. Not semi-pro. Not “kind of pro.” Real professionals. These are high-level players from overseas leagues often considered more competitive than the G League. Many college programs have benefited from these players, and the NCAA has allowed it. Just this year, the NCAA granted eligibility to a player who had spent the past five years playing professional basketball in Europe and had been drafted by the NBA.

The money overseas is no joke either. In China’s CBA, players can earn $1 million to $3 million per year. In the EuroLeague, salaries commonly range from $500,000 to $800,000 per year. In Spain, Turkey, Russia, Italy, Israel, and Germany, pro salaries routinely reach into the hundreds of thousands. That’s real income. That’s real professional experience.

So, what is the difference between a player who has played overseas for years and a player who has played in the G League? Is there even a difference?

That question is at the heart of the Bediako debate, and it’s the question the NCAA can’t answer with any consistency. For too long, the NCAA has refused to enforce its own rules, but now it is selectively targeting one player in a way that is neither fair nor legal.

Charles Bediako should not be punished for choosing to pursue an education after high school rather than playing professional basketball overseas. He made a decision, pursued his career, and now he’s back in school. He is no different than countless other college players.

For the most part, coaches around the country have been silent about this and are waiting to hear the outcome of the Bediako hearing. If it’s ruled in his favor, look for schools to do the same thing Alabama did, not because they want to push the boundaries, but because the NCAA has failed to draw clear ones.

This is why the NCAA needs to fix its system now. We need eligibility rules that are transparent and ensure all student-athletes are treated fairly. Until that happens, targeting a single player operating within the law is wrong.

The outrage shouldn’t be with Charles Bediako. The outrage should be with the NCAA.

John Longshore, a Montgomery resident, serves as a sports analyst for both the Longshore & McKnight Show and WAKA Action 8 News.

The Athens State University Board of Trustees has approved naming the Alabama Center for the Arts’ Performing Arts building the Arthur Orr Performing Arts Center, following approval by the Alabama Community College System.

State Sen. Arthur Orr, (R-Decatur), has played a role in the development and expansion of the Alabama Center for the Arts, including efforts to secure state funding for projects associated with the campus.

“Naming the Alabama Center for the Arts after Senator Arthur Orr is a fitting tribute to a leader whose continuous support for the arts, education, the Alabama Center for the Arts, and Athens State University has helped shape a vibrant future for creative expression in our state,” Athens State University President Catherine Wehlburg said.

“Senator Orr understands the vital role the arts play in education, workforce development, and community engagement, and we are proud to honor his legacy of support.”

The Arthur Orr Performing Arts Center serves as both an educational facility and a public performance venue on the Alabama Center for the Arts campus in downtown Decatur. The building includes a recording technology computer lab, recital hall, studio theatre, piano lab, and a scene shop for set construction.

Athens State University, founded in 1822, offers more than 50 undergraduate degree programs and graduate programs and focuses on transfer and returning students completing degrees.

Cullman County high school students participated in a voter registration tour this month led by State Rep. Cindy Myrex (R-Cullman) and political commentator Brilyn Hollyhand to encourage eligible seniors to register to vote.

Hollyhand visited seven high schools across the county during the first week of the tour, speaking with students and providing information on how to register. Schools on the tour included Good Hope, West Point, Cold Springs, Hanceville, Holly Pond, Fairview and Vinemont high schools.

Myrex said Cullman County schools were “honored to have him” and welcomed the opportunity to host the tour, highlighting the importance of civic participation among young voters.

Myrex highlighted the tour by resharing Hollyhand’s post on her campaign social media accounts.

Hollyhand said the idea for the initiative came from his own experience helping classmates register to vote while he was still in high school.

“I just graduated from high school a few months ago, and remember helping a lot of my friends register to vote in the lunchroom and wondering why there wasn’t a strong push for high school seniors to register like there was for college students,” Hollyhand said.

He said Myrex invited him to begin the tour in her legislative district after he shared the concept with her.

The tour included presentations to students and a QR code system that allowed eligible students to access voter registration resources.

Hollyhand is a 19-year-old Auburn University political science student and the author of “One Generation Away: Why Now is the Time to Restore American Freedom.”

Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at sherri@yellowhammernews.com.

The Alabama House passed HB152 on Thursday, repealing the 1965 legislative mandate requiring the University of Alabama to maintain a standalone School of Social Work.

The bill, sponsored by State Rep. Danny Garrett (R-Trussville), passed 76-14 and now heads to the Senate.

Under current law, UA is the only institution in Alabama required by statute to maintain a separately structured school of social work. The bill removes that mandate, allowing the university to restructure the program as it sees fit.

Garrett said UA supports the change as part of its response to outcome-based funding models. The School of Social Work currently has 647 total students — 329 undergraduates and 318 graduate students — among the lowest enrollment of any school at UA.

“All this bill does is repeal the mandate,” Garrett said, affirming the legislation would not dismantle the program, but rather, give UA flexibility to improve it. “I’ve gotten no indication that they want to diminish the program.”

Democrats raised concerns during extended floor debate, questioning why the Legislature originally created the mandate, and whether removing it could weaken the program.

However, Garrett made it clear that the current structure simply creates bureaucratic challenges and that removing the mandate “helps them meet the job demands of the state.”

The school was established in 1965 by an act of the Alabama Legislature to address the state’s critical shortage of professionally trained social workers. Prior to 1965, fewer than 100 trained social workers served the entire state, and 48 of Alabama’s 67 counties had none.

Because the school was created by legislative mandate, UA cannot restructure or reorganize the program without legislative action to remove that requirement.

Thursday was day eight of the 2026 legislative session.

Sawyer Knowles is a capitol reporter for Yellowhammer News. You may contact him at sawyer@yellowhammernews.com.

Alabama education officials have suspended the Bessemer City Schools Board of Education from regular meetings, a rare move that underscores the state’s expanded authority over local school systems and the ongoing intervention in the district.

The Alabama State Department of Education has suspended the elected Bessemer City Schools Board of Education from regular meetings indefinitely, citing the district’s ongoing state intervention and statutory authority granted under Alabama law.

Bessemer City Schools have been under state intervention since fall 2024, when the Alabama Board of Education assumed oversight of the district under the Educational Accountability and Intervention Act. As part of that intervention, the state appointed a Chief Administrative Officer with authority to act on behalf of the local board and superintendent in all matters.

Under state law, local board members serve in an advisory capacity during an intervention and may meet only when approved by the state superintendent or Chief Administrative Officer. State officials determined that the advisory meetings were not providing meaningful input and suspended participation in regular meetings until further notice.

State Superintendent Eric Mackey confirmed the board remains in office but no longer holds regular meetings, telling WBRC, “Meetings are suspended until further notice. They are still technically office holders subject to the law.”

Mackey has previously expressed concerns about governance in the district during the intervention. Speaking to reporters after an Alabama Board of Education meeting, he said there was still limited confidence in the local board’s leadership, adding, “We still don’t have a lot of confidence in the local board.”

Bessemer City Schools serves over 3000 students across its schools.

State officials have not indicated when, or if, the local board will regain authority to conduct regular meetings. The intervention remains in place as the state continues oversight of the district.

How it works

By utilizing the dual enrollment program, you can start smart at your local community college. High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors can earn college credit while still attending high school.

A head start to a successful career

Andalusia High School Zade Newton was able to use the program as a shortcut to a $70k career right out of high school.

“Going into my 10th grade year, my dad told me that I was going to start dual enrollment that summer no matter what,” said Newton.

Enrolling in the dual enrollment program at Lurleen B. Wallace Community College (LBW) was meant to give Newton a backup plan. “I started liking it, and I fell in love with it,” Newton stated.

Before even receiving his high school diploma in 2023, Clines had already crossed the stage at Northeast Alabama Community College (NACC).

“I really enjoyed the way that I could adapt my schedule around my classes because most were available online,” said Clines.

“I am extremely grateful,” said Clines. “Dual enrollment has shaped the way that I’ve learned material and has been a necessary part of my training for pharmacy school.”

More reasons to consider the dual advantage

Dual enrollment graduates are more likely to transition with more benefits and certainty than classmates who don’t enroll.

The top reasons students consider dual enrollment at a community college are:

Cost Savings: Pay less than half the cost—or little to nothing—for many dual enrollment courses offered at your local community college.
Simultaneous Credit: Coursework counts for high school and college, at the same time!
Experience: Start college early. Ease the transition when graduating high school.
Achievement: Dual enrollment students are more likely to enroll in college right out of high school, earning a higher GPA in their first year of college!

Get connected

Scholarships for dual enrollment classes are available. Eligible students must be in 10th, 11th, or 12th grades, have a 2.5 GPA and obtain written approval from a principal or superintendent.

In recognition of National School Choice Week, U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon said she believes that Alabama has set the standard when it comes to educational freedom for students and families.

Alabama’s latest landmark school choice initiative, the CHOOSE Act, was signed into law in 2024.

The program created state-funded education savings accounts that eligible families can use for qualified education expenses, including private school tuition and other services.

Governor Kay Ivey touted those efforts in her State of the State address earlier this month, pointing to the scoreboard of policies her administration is implementing in support of Alabama families.

“We are supporting Alabama families: From our record 6,000 plus foster care adoptions…to our CHOOSE Act education savings accounts…to paid parental leave for teachers,” Ivey said in her address.

“Our education savings account program, the CHOOSE Act, is already supporting more than 23,000 students. That number will only grow as more folks learn about the program, as student athletes feel more confident in the rules and when it becomes fully universal in year three,” she added. “For the 27-28 Academic Year, I am proposing we increase funding for the CHOOSE Act to $250 million dollars. This will help even more families receive the education that best suits their child.”

On Tuesday, Secretary McMahon said Alabama has the right idea.

“In her State of the State Address, [Governor Kay Ivey] called for more funding for the CHOOSE Act, Alabama’s education savings account program,” McMahon posted.

“Alabama is answering the Trump Admin’s call to expand school choice and empower families to choose education that best fits their needs.”

https://x.com/edsecmcmahon/status/2016254433898664090?s=42

Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on X @Yaffee

Governor Kay Ivey highlighted an Alabama family this week using the state’s CHOOSE Act education savings account program, introducing 4th grader Charlie Perkins and his grandmother and guardian, Susan Stacy, as an example of how the initiative is expanding educational opportunities across the state.

“The CHOOSE Act is for all kinds of Alabama families,” Ivey said. “Susan and Charlie are exactly what this program is about – putting faith, family and a child’s future first. Every parent or guardian should have the opportunity to choose the education that best supports their child’s God-given potential.”

Perkins attends St. Dominic Catholic School in Mobile, where his grandmother said a structured, faith-based learning environment has been a priority for his education.

To other parents and guardians considering the program, Stacy encouraged them not to be discouraged by the application process. “At first mention, I can see where the application process might seem overwhelming, I know I did, but don’t let that stop you! I was blown away – it is readily available and easy to access, and it opened the door to choose the education that best fit Charlie and what he wanted,” she said.

Perkins, described as thoughtful and creative, enjoys science and spends his free time making comic books. Stacy said the CHOOSE Act made it possible to place him in a school that matched his interests and learning style.

“When Charlie mentioned that he wanted to go to a new school, I did not know how I was going to do it. With assistance from the CHOOSE Act, I was able to further invest in his education and give him that new environment that he desired,” Stacy said.

The governor’s office said Perkins and Stacy are among tens of thousands of Alabama families benefiting from the CHOOSE Act. Ivey has previously highlighted families across the state, including the McDades and the Walkers in Montgomery, the Siemenses in Dothan, the Carbonells in Birmingham and the Moseleys in Camden.

The CHOOSE Act provides refundable tax credits through education savings accounts to help eligible K-12 students pay for tuition, fees and other qualified education expenses. Applications for the 2026-27 school year are open through March 31, 2026, with award notifications scheduled for April 15 and funding beginning July 1.

Since applications opened in January 2025, 36,873 students statewide have applied. Eligible students may receive $7,000 per year for participating schools or $2,000 for home education programs, subject to program limits and income eligibility requirements.

Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at sherri@yellowhammernews.com.

Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville announced his nomination of 47 Alabama students to attend one of the four U.S. service academies as part of the class of 2030: the United States Air Force Academy, Military Academy, Merchant Marine Academy, and Naval Academy.

“I’m proud to nominate a strong group of young, patriotic Alabamians to represent our state in the class of 2030,” said Senator Tuberville (R-Auburn).

“Their desire to serve in our nation’s military is admirable and gives me great hope for the future of our country. I look forward to following their continued accomplishments.”

A complete list of the nominees can be found below.

United States Air Force Academy

James Michael Alford: Helena, AL; Helena High School; son of John and Elizabeth Alford
Stella Marie Gallaspy: Theodore, AL; St Paul’s Episcopal School; daughter of Glenn and Jennifer Gallaspy
Campbell Christian Hooks: Auburn, AL; Auburn High School; daughter of Stephen and Michelle Hooks
Antonio Damar Little: Madison, AL; James Clemens High School; son of Antonio Little and Terri Warner
James Davis Mazzei: Hoover, AL; University of Florida; Alabama Connections Academy; son of Matthew and Lacey Mazzei
Brody Alexander McConnell: Madison, AL; Bob Jones High School; son of Joseph and Robin McConnell
Richard Joe Raleigh: Huntsville, AL; Huntsville High School; son of Richard and Shannon Raleigh
Mark William Sergey: Prattville, AL; Prattville High School; son of Mark and Patricia Sergey
Zoey Alexis Smith: Daphne, AL; Daphne High School; daughter of Charles and Josie Smith
Jimmie Ray Sosa: Clanton, AL; Isabella High School; son of Jason and Amanda Sosa
Ryan Christopher Spann: Helena, AL; Helena High School; son of Chris and Cindi Spann
Zackery Scott Thurber: Marion, AL; Marion Military Institute; Breakthrough Charter School; son of Paul and Heather Thurber
Bella Frances Tumminello: Mobile, AL; Baker High School; daughter of Marc and Tracy Tumminello
John Cason Williams: Chelsea, AL; Alabama School of Cyber Technology & Engineering; son of Cole and Monica Williams
George Henry Youngblood: Decatur, AL; Decatur High School; son of John and Megan Youngblood

United States Military Academy

Taylor George Aboud: Mobile, AL; Kwajalein High School; son of Kristian and Mary Aboud
Olivia Rose Carroll: Vestavia, AL; Vestavia Hills High School; daughter of Hunter and Monica Carroll
Thompson Brooks Coker: Fairhope, AL; Bayside Academy College Prep School; son of Henry and Anne Coker
Brody McQuate Davis: Enterprise, AL; New Brockton High School; son of Robert and Amanda Davis
Ryanne Elise Ezekiel: Birmingham, AL; Homewood High School; daughter of Klae and Sheila Ezekiel
Joshua Oladele Hahn: Vestavia, AL; Vestavia Hills High School; son of Alan and Bashirat Hahn
Sequoah Eugene Hicks Jr: Birmingham, AL; Marion Military Institute; John Carroll Catholic High School; son of Karlos Dansby and Tara Crawford
Cayden Walker Hofbauer: Mountain Brook, AL; Mountain Brook High School; son of Lutz and Gina Hofbauer
Stanley Hawkins McConnell: Mobile, AL; UMS-Wright Preparatory School; son of Stan and Anna McConnell
Jason Parker Love: Chelsea, AL; Briarwood Christian School; son of Michael and Pam Love
Joseph Wallace Porter: Birmingham, AL; The Altamont School; son of James and Kristin Porter
Kai Moseley Price: Orange Beach, AL; Orange Beach Middle/High School; daughter of Cameron and Cam Price
Kate Madison Seidel: Vinemont, AL; Indian Springs School; daughter of Steven Seidel
Molly Shilo Seidman: Auburn, AL; Auburn High School; daughter of Bruce and Mindy Seidman
Cammi Emma Tillery: Enterprise, AL; U S Military Academy Prep School; Enterprise High School; daughter of Robert and Heidi Tillery

United States Naval Academy

Simone Margaret Bermudez: Birmingham, AL; Indian Springs School; daughter of Michael and Shaheen Bermudez
Rayner Michael Brom: Mountain Brook, AL; Mountain Brook High School; son of Steven and Candace Brom
Dominick Diesel Clausen: Piedmont, AL; Piedmont High School; son of Jesse and Gigi Clausen
Christopher Boyd Cooper: Birmingham, AL; Mountain Brook High School; son of Christopher and Mandi Cooper
David Ronald Guthrie Jr: Satsuma, AL; Satsuma High School; son of David and Alyssa Guthrie
Maggie Christine Mae Ingram: McCalla, AL; Marion Military Institute; Heritage Christian Academy; daughter of Jason and Cheryl Ingram
Truman Benson Lee: Mountain Brook, AL; Mountain Brook High School; son of Tommy and Nidia Lee
Braden Newton Little: Mountain Brook, AL; Mountain Brook High School; son of Philip and Leigh Little
Jay William Merchant: Vestavia, AL; Vestavia Hills High School; son of William and Joanna Merchant
Isaac Aiden Meyers: Newton, AL; Houston Academy; son of Jonathan and Julie Meyers
Jonathan Avery Meyers: Newton, AL; Houston Academy; son of Jonathan and Julie Meyers
Lane Michael Mitchell: Alabaster, AL; Thompson High School; son of Mason and Hailey Dye
Layton Matthew Towery: Auburn, AL; Auburn High School; son of Pamela Gaylor
Savannah Grace Trejo: Auburn, AL; Naval Academy Prep School; Auburn High School; daughter of Charles and Jazzmin Hussey
John Franklin Wilhite: Auburn, AL; Alabama School of Math and Science; son of Ray and Angela Wilhite

United States Merchant Marine Academy

Lillian Yasmin Moreno: Daphne, AL; Fairhope High School; daughter of Antionette Moreno
Caleb Scott Shultz: Huntsville, AL; Huntsville High School; son of Mary Scott Hunter and the late Jonathan Shultz

This morning, Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) Board Chairman John Wahl issued a formal letter to the Fairhope Public Library Board outlining the APLS Board’s determination that the library remains ineligible for state funding due to continued noncompliance with Alabama Administrative Code requirements.

The letter was sent at the request of the Fairhope Public Library’s director following last Thursday’s APLS Board meeting.

“The purpose of this letter is to clearly and transparently explain the APLS Board’s decision and outline the path forward,” Wahl said.

“Relocating sexually explicit materials to appropriate adult sections is a reasonable step that respects the rights of all families without denying access to those who seek it.”

The APLS Board determined last week that the Fairhope Public Library remains out of compliance with Chapter 520-2-2 of the Alabama Administrative Code because sexually explicit materials continue to be placed in the library’s youth sections.

“The sexual content in these books is shockingly explicit and vulgar,” Wahl said.

“For as long as societies have existed, they have recognized the importance of protecting children from potentially harmful material. We place age restrictions on movies, music, and video games. We restrict minors from purchasing alcohol, tobacco, and firearms. Safeguarding children is a fundamental responsibility, and families in Alabama deserve to know that public libraries respect them and are committed to being safe, welcoming places for people of all ages.”

Wahl said the APLS Board remains firmly committed to putting Alabama families first.

“The APLS Board is unapologetic about our commitment to protect children across our state,” Wahl said.

“No parent should have to worry about their child stumbling upon explicit material in a section intended for minors. This issue is about parental rights, age appropriateness, and ensuring that decisions impacting children are guided by common sense—not by unelected bureaucrats.”

The majority of those on the Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) Board believe that the Fairhope Public Library still hasn’t done enough to protect minors from sexually explicit materials in their facility.

APLS voted to continue withholding state funding from the Fairhope Public Library by a 3-2 vote Thursday, citing the library’s continued refusal to remove sexually explicit materials from children’s sections, despite repeated warnings and opportunities to correct the issue.

“This decision was unavoidable,” said APLS Board Chairman John Wahl. “Taxpayer dollars should never be used to expose children to graphic sexual content. When a public library knowingly keeps explicit material in sections intended for minors, it violates the trust of parents and the responsibility entrusted to it by the people of Alabama.”

The vote came after representatives from the Fairhope Public Library formally requested that state funding be reinstated. During the meeting, excerpts from several of the books in question were presented to the Board.

One of the books that came up is “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” by Stephen Chbosky, which was still placed in the teen section of the library.

Wahl read an excerpt from the book and was asked to issue a trigger warning before reading the more explicit parts of the book.

Wahl admitted he didn’t want to read it, but said it was important to show how the library still wasn’t in compliance with the rules.

“Please. Dave. No,” Wahl read. “But the boy just talked soft to her about how good she looked and things like that, and she grabbed his penis with her hands and started moving it … After a few minutes, the boy pushed the girl’s head down, and she started to kiss his penis.”

This was one of several books that were seen as an issue. Parents who reviewed the books raised serious concerns that the material was not merely suggestive or educational in nature, but clearly intended for mature audiences, yet remained accessible to children browsing youth and children’s areas.

“This is not about banning books or suppressing ideas,” Wahl argued. “Adults are free to read what they choose. The issue is age-appropriateness. Children’s sections exist for a reason. Placing explicit sexual material—combined with pervasive profanity—in those spaces is indefensible.”

He also noted that the Fairhope Public Library was given ample opportunity to resolve the matter by simply relocating the materials to appropriate adult sections, a standard practice followed by libraries across the state. He believes the library’s refusal to do so left the Board with no alternative.

“The Alabama Public Library Service Board has a duty to ensure state funding is used responsibly,” Wahl said. “Continuing to fund a library that refuses to protect children from explicit content would amount to state endorsement of that behavior. Today’s action sends a clear message: safeguarding children is not optional, and this Board will stand up for Alabama families.”

Wahl reaffirmed his support for libraries that respect parents, follow common-sense standards, and uphold their responsibility to minors.

“This situation can be corrected immediately,” he said. “Move adult material out of children’s sections, restore appropriate safeguards, and funding can be restored. The goal here is accountability, protection of children, and restoring public confidence—not punishment.”

Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on X @Yaffee

On Friday, Governor Kay Ivey signed an executive order opting the state into participation with the Federal Education Freedom Tax Credit, a newly created program included in President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill.

Ivey’s order comes just days after she used her State of the State address to reiterate her goal of making Alabama “the most school choice friendly state in the nation.”

It also lands just ahead of National School Choice Week, which begins January 25 nationwide.

“For over a decade, Alabama has been a trailblazer in offering parents and students options to access and afford the best quality education, and soon our families will have even more resources,” said Governor Ivey.

“Beginning with the Alabama Accountability Act passed in 2013, many qualifying students have benefitted from scholarships allowing them to move to a better performing school. Two years ago, I championed and signed Alabama’s universal school choice law, the CHOOSE Act, which provides families with refundable income tax credits for qualifying educational expenses, including tuition, textbooks and after-school programs. And, today, I proudly signed an executive order to further expand Alabama school choice funding options by allowing qualified Alabama families to participate in the Federal Education Freedom Tax Credit program.”

According to the governor’s office, the federal scholarship program is similar to the Alabama Accountability Act and offers federal tax credits for contributions to approved scholarship granting organizations. Those contributions will then be used to provide scholarships to eligible elementary and secondary education students.

Scholarship funds can be used for tuition, books, fees, supplies, tutoring and special needs at both public, private, and religious schools. CHOOSE Act participants and Alabama Accountability Act recipients may be eligible to participate in the federal scholarship program.

Ivey’s order confirms Alabama’s participation in the Federal Education Tax Credit program and authorizes the Alabama Department of Revenue to administer the program, including certification of eligible participating scholarship programs within the state.

The program will take effect in January 2027.

Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.

Alabama State Superintendent of Education Eric Mackey joined members of the Alabama State Board of Education on Friday for a tour of Baldwin Preparatory Academy, a cutting-edge campus designed to blend traditional academics with full-time career and technical training.

The visit offered state education leaders a firsthand look at how Baldwin County is rethinking high school instruction to better align with workforce and economic development needs across Alabama.

According to reporting by Alabama Daily News, Baldwin Prep, the approximately $100 million facility, opened in 2024 as a standalone high school serving students from across Baldwin County, replacing two aging career technical centers and consolidating programs into a single, purpose-built facility.

During the tour, board members engaged with students and instructors across multiple career pathways. Culinary students prepared breakfast for visitors, while automotive students demonstrated hands-on work in the school’s service bays.

Education officials also discussed how the model allows students to explore potential career fields earlier, helping them make more informed decisions about post-graduation plans.

Unlike traditional career tech models that require students to travel between campuses, Baldwin Prep delivers core academic subjects — including English, math, science, and social studies — on the same campus where students receive technical instruction.

School leaders say that integrated approach keeps students focused on learning while strengthening the connection between classroom concepts and real-world applications.

The campus itself reflects that philosophy. Many academic classes are taught in flexible, open learning spaces designed to encourage collaboration, while technical programs operate in lab environments built to mirror professional settings.

Industry partners were involved in shaping both the facility and program offerings to ensure students graduate with skills aligned to current workforce demands.

Baldwin Preparatory Academy currently offers a dozen career pathways, including health sciences, welding, construction, HVAC, aviation, mechatronics, cybersecurity, culinary arts, automotive technology, graphic design, cosmetology and a teacher cadet program. School administrators say those offerings will continue to evolve as industry needs change.

Interest in the school has remained strong, with applications exceeding available seats. Just under 500 ninth graders applied to attend the academy for the 2026-2027 school year, but only 250 seats are available.

Admission is determined by lottery, and students must meet academic, attendance and discipline requirements. While Baldwin Prep does not have athletic teams, students may continue participating in sports at their zoned high schools.

State leaders have increasingly pointed to career and technical education as a cornerstone of Alabama’s long-term workforce strategy, and the Baldwin Prep campus provided board members a working example of how that approach can be implemented at the high school level.

Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at sherri@yellowhammernews.com.

State Rep. Jeana Ross (R-Guntersville) prefiled HB78 for the 2026 legislative session, which begins today in Montgomery, calling for a comprehensive, statewide framework governing screen use for children from birth through kindergarten in licensed childcare and public education settings.

Ross knows what she’s talking about. She spent 18 years working in Alabama’s public school system before being appointed in 2012 by Governor Kay Ivey as Secretary of the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education.

In that role, Ross oversaw the expansion of Alabama’s nationally recognized, voluntary First Class Pre-K program. In 2017, she was also appointed to serve as a Commissioner for the Education Commission of the States.

Yellowhammer News spoke with Ross about the purpose of the bill and why it is important for Alabama’s children.

Drawing on her background in early childhood education, Ross says HB78 is built on scientific research examining how screen use affects early brain development.

“Well, it’s important because we know now we have the science that informs us about the impact of excessive screen use for children,” Ross said.

Ross emphasized that the earliest years of life represent the most critical period of development.

“Those earliest years of life from birth to age five are the most important period of brain development that a child will ever experience,” Ross said. “Actually, 90% of the brain is developed by age five.”

HB78 directs state agencies to develop age-specific, science-based guidelines for screen use in early childhood settings. The bill would apply to licensed daycare facilities, Alabama First Class Pre-K programs, and kindergarten classrooms. Rather than banning screens outright, the legislation focuses on defining appropriate use, duration, and content quality.

Under the framework outlined in the bill, children from birth to age two would not be exposed to screens in educational settings, with limited exceptions for interactive video communication such as FaceTime with parents or grandparents.

“That brain is making those neurological connections, like a million connections, like a second,” Ross said. She added that constant background screen noise can limit other learning opportunities young children need during early development.

Ross also pointed to research linking excessive screen exposure before age two to language delays.

“We know for sure that a child that has had excessive screen use before age two … gives them language delays,” Ross said, explaining that early language development directly affects literacy and reading later in life.

For children ages three and four, the bill would allow only minimal screen use and only when it is high quality and paired with adult involvement.

“Children learn by being in their environment, touching and tasting and smelling … using all their senses, and you do not get that from a screen,” Ross said.

As children reach kindergarten, the guidelines would allow for slightly expanded screen use, while still emphasizing quality standards and adult engagement.

HB78 also includes a training component. The Department of Early Childhood Education would develop annual training for childcare providers, teachers, and staff who work with young children.

“We’ve just got the best early childhood department in the country,” Ross said, noting the department’s national recognition and existing training programs.

Oversight and implementation would be handled through existing systems. The Department of Human Resources, the Department of Early Childhood Education, and the Alabama Department of Education would collaborate on compliance through licensing processes and the Quality Stars rating system.

Ross said the bill is also intended to help parents better understand how screen exposure affects children at different developmental stages.

“I’ve never met a parent that didn’t want what was best for their child,” Ross said. “If they knew … sometimes they just don’t know.”

Ross said HB78 already has 17 co-sponsors and expressed confidence in the bill’s prospects as the 2026 legislative session begins tomorrow in Montgomery.

Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at sherri@yellowhammernews.com.

A group of middle school students from the Alabama School of Fine Arts (ASFA) is receiving national recognition for work rarely associated with students their age: using artificial intelligence to study the effectiveness of cancer treatments.

The ASFA students have been awarded a $1,000 Promising STEM Innovation Award in the 2025–2026 Samsung Solve for Tomorrow national competition for a cancer research project developed in collaboration with Birmingham-based biotech company CerFlux.

Selected from thousands of student submissions nationwide, the ASFA middle school team was recognized for a project that applies AI and advanced imaging tools to better understand how tumor structure influences whether cancer treatments succeed or fail.

While cancer research is typically the domain of universities and professional laboratories, these students are working with real-world scientific methods—analyzing data, interpreting digital pathology images and using artificial intelligence to examine the tumor microenvironment.

Their project, titled “Human-Relevant Method to Match Cancer Treatments to Tumors,” blends biochemistry, computational analysis and AI to explore how treatments could be better matched to individual patients.

Rather than focusing on abstract concepts, the students are tackling a concrete medical problem: why certain cancer therapies work for some patients but not for others.

By studying tumor structure and treatment response through AI-supported analysis, the students’ work mirrors techniques increasingly used in modern biomedical research.

ASFA Math Science Instructor Dr. Walter Uhoya, who mentors the team, said the recognition highlights what young students can accomplish when exposed early to complex scientific challenges.

“This recognition shows what’s possible when students are introduced to complex scientific problems early and are trusted to solve them with their natural curiosity and out-of-the-box thinking,” Uhoya said.

Beyond the classroom, the project connects STEM education to broader real-world impacts. Cancer treatment failure contributes significantly to global healthcare costs and lost productivity, and research aimed at improving treatment matching could help reduce those burdens.

While the students’ work is exploratory, it introduces them to how AI and data-driven tools are reshaping medicine.

CerFlux CEO and research advisor Dr. Karim I. Budhwani emphasized the importance of engaging students in meaningful scientific work at an early age.

“This project demonstrates the power of early exposure to meaningful, real-world STEM experiences,” Budhwani said. “That science and new knowledge is about making a difference in the lives of real people.”

ASFA, a state-funded public school serving grades 7–12, is known for blending rigorous academics with creative disciplines. Its math and science program places students in advanced, research-oriented environments that encourage hands-on problem-solving — an approach exemplified by this project.

For the middle school students involved, the award represents more than prize money. It marks an early step into fields where artificial intelligence, medicine and innovation increasingly intersect — and shows that impactful research can begin well before college.

Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at sherri@yellowhammernews.com.

Two of the most recognizable test structures on NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center campus are coming down next weekend in a highly choreographed, safety-driven demolition that agency leaders say is the opening move in a much larger modernization push now backed by guaranteed federal dollars in President Donald Trump’s sweeping One Big Beautiful Bill.

NASA will conduct the planned, controlled demolition of the Dynamic Test Stand and the Propulsion and Structural Test Facility — better known to the Rocket City as the “T-Tower” — on Saturday, January 10, according to information shared with Yellowhammer News.

The buildings have reached the end of their safe operational life and have been targeted for removal as part of a long-planned effort to modernize Marshall’s footprint and reduce the growing cost, and risk, of maintaining aging infrastructure.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said in a statement to Yellowhammer News the exercise is both a safety necessity and a strategic prerequisite to fully capitalize on the law’s infrastructure guarantees.

“This work reflects smart stewardship of taxpayer resources. Clearing outdated infrastructure allows NASA to safely modernize, streamline operations, and fully leverage the infrastructure investments signed into law by President Trump to keep Marshall positioned at the forefront of aerospace innovation,” Isaacman said.

The removal of the two aging facilities is the phase of a broader “cleanup and modernization” initiative that will ultimately retire 25 outdated structures on Marshall’s main campus footprint.

According to NASA, that will serve to reduce long-term maintenance burdens, eliminate safety liabilities, and free up space for a new generation of facilities as NASA shifts toward what its leadership calls a “future of exploration.”

Though a necessary hurdle, it’s still historic for the agency and the federal government as a whole.

What makes the moment historic is what’s driving the timing: A new federal funding structure that effectively forces NASA to modernize on a deadline.

In Washington, ‘infrastructure’ funding typically means big plans with slow appropriations.

But the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed last July, is different in a way that does matter big for Huntsville.

Inside the law is a $1 billion “manned spaceflight centers” infrastructure appropriation — money intended specifically for capital improvements at the NASA centers that build, test, launch, and operate America’s human spaceflight programs.

Crucially for Alabama, the law sets minimum allocations and hard obligation deadlines that effectively create a “use it on schedule” mandate.

For Marshall Space Flight Center, the statute directs NASA to obligate “not less than $100,000,000” by fiscal year 2026 for infrastructure improvements at the Huntsville center — a floor written into federal law, not a hopeful line item in an annual request.

It also imposes a ramp of deadlines: At least 50% of the Marshall infrastructure funding must be obligated by September 30, 2028 – 100% must be obligated by September 30, 2029.

That’s where demolition comes in.

Clearing obsolete facilities is one of the fastest ways a federal campus can move from planning to action.

Before NASA can pour new concrete, reroute utilities, or build the next generation of engineering and fabrication spaces, it has to remove the buildings that are no longer mission-useful, no longer cost-effective to maintain, or no longer safe to operate – and convert that footprint into buildable, modernized space.

While Marshall’s broader 25-structure cleanup is expected to unfold in phases, the Dynamic Test Stand and T-Tower will mean ‘go’ for the Rocket City’s literal transition from the Apollo-era skyline to the next era’s campus footprint.

Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.

As is my custom for the past 21 years, my year end column illuminates Alabama political luminaries that passed away last year. We lost some good ones.

Former State Senator and Lt. Governor George McMillan passed away in Birmingham at 81. George was a vivacious, delightful gentleman, who never met a stranger. I never knew anyone who ever met George that did not like him.

He began his meteoric political career at an early age. He was elected to the State Senate from Jefferson County in 1974 and was elected Lt. Governor in 1978.

He lost a razor-thin election to George Wallace for Governor in 1982. Many predicted he would win that race and, if elected, would have given Alabama a “New South” Governor.

Former State Representative and ABC Administrator Mac Gipson passed away in July at 89. Mac represented Autauga and Elmore Counties for 16 years in the House of Representatives.

He was appointed head of the Alabama Beverage Control Board by Governor Robert Bentley. He remained head of the ABC until his retirement at the end of 2022, having served under Governors Bentley and Kay Ivey.

Gipson was the successful owner and founder of Gipson’s Tire stores in Prattville and Millbrook. Mac was a good man and a good legislative friend.

Another legislative friend, Ralph Burke, passed away in July. Ralph represented DeKalb County in the Alabama House of Representatives from 1983 to 1998. He was an educator by profession. Ralph was a graduate of Jacksonville State and was a lifetime advocate for his alma mater. He was only 65.

Another of my favorite legislative colleagues, William “Bill” Drinkard, passed away in July at 79 at his home in Springville. He served in both the House and Senate from Etowah and St. Clair Counties from 1978 to 1990. He had a diversified business career as a store owner, hospital administrator, and a real estate developer. Bill was a diligent and good legislator.

Julian McPhillips was a renowned lawyer, and loyal Democratic Party leader in Alabama for over four decades. He passed away in Montgomery in April at age 78. His family had a deep heritage in Alabama. His father was a legendary Episcopal priest. He was born in Birmingham in 1946, but raised in Cullman.

He graduated from Princeton cum laude and was an all-Ivy League wrestler. He then graduated from Columbia Law School. Julian worked as a Wall Street lawyer from 1971 to 1975. He moved back to Alabama in 1975 and began working as Assistant to Attorney General Bill Baxley. He ran for Attorney General of Alabama in 1978, and ran second in a nine man field. He spent the rest of his life as a progressive lawyer and civic and civil rights leader in Montgomery.

Tom Walker was the Founder and President Emeritus of the American Village in Montevallo. Tom conceived the idea of the American Village in the 1980’s. His vision accomplished the establishment of one of Alabama’s treasures. American Village teaches American history and civics. He built an amazing 188-acre campus in Montevallo. The campus has served over three-quarters of a million students and draws thousands of public visitors each year. Tom was a good man. His quiet and humble demeanor will be missed. The American Village was his life and legacy. He passed away in September.

Former Jefferson County State Senator Bill Cabaniss passed away early in the year at 86 in Birmingham. He was a Republican before it was cool. He was born and raised in Mountain Brook and lived there all his life. He was a lifetime Republican and was considered one of the pioneers of the modern Republican Party in Alabama. After his tenure in the Alabama legislature, President George H.W. Bush, who was Cabaniss’ lifetime friend, made him ambassador to the Czech Republic.

Dr. Annette Shelby passed away in July in Tuscaloosa at the age of 86. Dr. Shelby was the wife of our iconic, retired U.S. Senator Richard Shelby. She was very accomplished in her own right. She was a renowned educator. She was a distinguished, tenured Professor of Business at Georgetown University, as well as the University of Alabama. She was an integral part of Senator Shelby’s career, and a good many of the magnificent buildings on most of Alabama’s university campuses bear both Richard and Annette Shelby’s names.

An Alabama political legend, Ann Bedsole, passed on December 1, at age 95 in Mobile. Bedsole was the first Republican female elected to the Alabama House of Representatives and later the first female elected to the Alabama State Senate. She was a fine lady and an outstanding legislator. Her word was as good as gold.

We lost some good ones in 2025.

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 steve@steveflowers.us.

In the SEC, it just means more. However, that phrase has clearly begun to make its way north of the Mason-Dixon line, as students from the Northeast continue to flock to the South in record numbers.

According to The Sunday Times, as relayed by Fox News, SEC colleges and universities saw a 91 percent increase in undergraduate students from the Northeast between 2014 and 2023, with South Carolina alone seeing an increase of over 90 percent.

“All my friends are from [New] Jersey, [Philadelphia], New York, Maryland,” Sean Carroll, a 21-year-old South Carolina senior from New York, told The Sunday Times. “People always ask me, ‘was it a culture shock?’ but there’s so many people from the north that you don’t even realize you’re in South Carolina. It’s just so trendy.”

It’s not just South Carolina, either. Applications to Southern schools have increased by more than 50 percent since 2019, while their Northern counterparts have seen increases of only 30 percent.

If this trend continues, the article suggests Southern schools may have to drastically reduce acceptance rates to simply keep pace.

Whether it’s the football, the weather, the hospitality or likely some sort of combination of the three, there’s no question anymore: people want to live and go to school in this part of the country.

Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP and hear him every weekday morning from 6 to 9 a.m. on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5, available free online.

Alabama’s commitment to career and technical education earned national recognition this month as the Alabama Association for Career and Technical Education (Alabama ACTE) received top honors from the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) for exceptional membership growth during fiscal year 2025.

ACTE recognized Alabama ACTE for welcoming the largest number of new national members in the country and achieving the highest percentage growth in new national membership. Over the past year, Alabama ACTE added 723 new national members, increasing total national membership to 1,029 and marking a 349% increase in new members.

The achievement was recognized during the State Association Leadership Breakfast held in conjunction with ACTE’s CareerTech VISION 2025 conference in December, where state associations were honored for growth and service to career and technical education professionals nationwide.

The national Membership Awards highlight state associations that demonstrate strong engagement, growth and support for educators and professionals working in career and technical education. Each year, ACTE evaluates state affiliates based on new member growth, percentage increases and retention across the fiscal year.

Alabama ACTE’s performance reflects the growing emphasis placed on workforce development and skills-based education across the state, where career tech programs are viewed as a key pipeline for preparing students for high-demand careers and post-secondary success. The organization’s mission centers on strengthening career and technical education while improving access and quality for students statewide.

ACTE is the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing career and technical education, representing educators, administrators, counselors and researchers while providing advocacy, professional development and leadership opportunities at the national level.

Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at sherri@yellowhammernews.com.

At the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering (ASCTE), the future isn’t something to fear. It’s something to shape.

As the nation’s only high school fully dedicated to integrating cyber technology and engineering into every academic discipline, ASCTE is leading the way in preparing students for a rapidly evolving world, including the new era of artificial intelligence.

Through hands-on learning, mandatory internships, and instruction from certified teachers and industry experts, ASCTE students don’t just learn about technology; they learn how to think critically, solve problems, and navigate real-world challenges.

Now, that expertise is reaching the rest of the state: the first AI curriculum from the Alabama State Department of Education will be implemented statewide in public high schools, offering a model for how students can work alongside AI instead of being replaced by it.

A curriculum built for a moving target

Developed in collaboration with the Alabama State Department of Education, the school’s AI curriculum introduces students to AI concepts, data science, historical context, current applications, and the ethics surrounding these topics.

It aligns with Alabama’s Digital Literacy and Computer Science standards and incorporates leadership, workplace readiness, and digital literacy through Career and Technical Education (CTE) standards.

“We’re taking the approach that AI is here, and we’ve got to get students ready for it,” said Mary Clair Wright, cybersecurity instructor and instructional design expert at ASCTE.

The curriculum is designed to evolve alongside the technology. “We’re building a curriculum for teachers who have to train on the fly,” Wright explained. “It has to be a living document because this technology is changing every day.”

To support educators, the course includes “node checks,” which are structured points to assess understanding and adjust instruction in real-time. “We tried to anticipate the questions teachers and students would struggle with, because we struggled with them too,” Wright said.

Teaching students to think critically

ASCTE emphasizes critical thinking and ethical decision-making alongside technical skills.

“We get into the ethical considerations,” Wright said. “We need everyone thinking critically about what AI can do, what it shouldn’t do, and where to use it responsibly.”

Students experience AI firsthand while learning to question it. One of the earliest assignments asks students to research an AI pioneer using AI itself, discovering that the technology can produce inaccurate or incomplete information.

“One of the first assignments is researching an AI pioneer using AI, but also learning that it will hallucinate,” Wright said. “I want students asking: Why is this person important? Why isn’t this other person included? That’s the critical thinking piece.”

“If we can teach students the concerns and limitations of AI, maybe they won’t turn to it for everything,” she added.

Preparing students and teachers for the unknown

ASCTE recognizes that both students and teachers are navigating uncharted territory in the era of AI. Professional development is a cornerstone of the curriculum’s statewide rollout, and Wright begins each session with candid conversations about fears and challenges.

“We start with honesty. In my professional development sessions I ask: tell me what you hate about AI and what you’re afraid of,” she said. “Teachers deserve space to express their concerns. This is a big change, and we need to navigate it together.”

For students, the focus is on preparing for careers that may not yet exist, equipping them with the skills and mindset to adapt as the workforce evolves.

“I can’t predict what students’ jobs will look like in five years,” Wright said. “What I can do is teach them about the technology that will shape those jobs so they’re ready for the change. AI is here to stay. Some of the changes will be positive, some won’t, but our responsibility is to prepare students for all of it.”

Preparing Alabama students for the AI era

The creation of Alabama’s first AI curriculum for public high schools is the result of a close partnership between ASCTE and the Alabama State Department of Education. Mary Clair Wright has served as the architect of the curriculum, translating state standards into actionable learning experiences that prepare students for real-world challenges.

“We sat down with the state standards and turned them into essential learning targets,” Wright explained. “We asked ourselves: If I was going to teach this, how would I teach it? The result is a 155-day course designed to be flexible, accessible on a Chromebook, and adaptable to the rapidly evolving AI landscape.”

The curriculum emphasizes problem-solving, critical thinking, and ethical judgment, while connecting students to projects tied to Alabama’s needs and opportunities. Lessons like the AI Pioneers project teach students to use AI as a research tool while verifying information and considering its broader implications.

“This is a real concern,” Wright noted. “Graduating students are struggling to find jobs, and AI is as big a disruptor as the assembly line or the internet. It’s going to change both white-collar and blue-collar jobs, and it will affect the Alabama economy. If our job is to prepare Alabama students to be good citizens, gainfully employed, and adaptable, here we are at the apex of it.”

Teacher support remains central to the initiative. Wright and her team identified potential stumbling blocks for educators and students, built in checkpoints to gauge comprehension, and created resources to enable teachers to implement the curriculum confidently, even as AI continues to evolve.

“Our goal was to do as much of the heavy lifting and research for teachers as we could,” Wright said. “This technology is here to stay. Some changes will be positive, some won’t—but if we can prepare students to think critically, communicate effectively, and problem-solve, they can succeed anywhere.”

With ASCTE leading the way and partnering with the state, Alabama’s AI curriculum is more than an educational program—it’s a blueprint for economic adaptability, ethical engagement with technology, and proactive education that could inspire schools across the nation.

ASCTE is unleashing potential, expanding horizons, and building futures–and with Alabama’s new AI curriculum, that mission is reaching every corner of the state.

Learn more about ASCTE and explore opportunities for students, educators, and partners at www.ascte.org.

A quiet promise made within a family has grown into something much bigger for children across Sumter County.

What began as an extension of an effort to support students facing food insecurity has now delivered a different kind of comfort: a safe, stable place to sleep.

The Sumter County bed program has exceeded its original fundraising and service goals, providing beds and weighted blankets to children who previously did not have one of their own.

The initiative builds on the success of Fighting Hunger, Feeding Hope, a program launched in 2021 to discreetly provide weekend meals to Sumter County students facing food insecurity.

The meal program began by serving 24 students in three Sumter County middle schools and has since grown to support dozens of children each year through partnerships with local schools and community organizations.

The effort was launched by Dr. Brandon Renfroe, a Geraldine High School science teacher and adjunct professor at the University of West Alabama, who created Fighting Hunger, Feeding Hope to address food insecurity among local students.

What began as a small effort has since grown into a broader network of support for children and families across the county. The bed project added another layer of care.

One of the guiding inspirations for the effort came from Renfroe’s mother-in-law, Myra Smith, a longtime elementary school teacher who spent 35 years quietly helping children in need.

Before her passing, she left behind a simple reminder: not to forget the little ones.

Organizers initially set a goal of raising $25,000 to provide 75 beds for students in need. Instead, the effort raised more than $35,000, allowing the program to deliver 120 beds along with weighted blankets, with plans to continue expanding.

“We are thrilled to see Myra’s dream become reality. Two things were paramount to her: her family, and the welfare of all her students, past and present.”

The need in Sumter County remains significant, with nearly 30 percent of residents living below the poverty line. Once students in need are identified through the school system, beds are ordered and shipped directly to families, ensuring the process remains discreet and respectful.

“We set out with an initial goal of raising $25,000 and providing 75 new beds. We have actually raised over $35,000. Through the generosity of additional donors, we have provided 120 beds and weighted blankets, and plan to do more still. Eventually, we would like to provide every needing child in Alabama with a bed they can call their own. It’s a big dream, yes, but a worthwhile one.”

Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at sherri@yellowhammernews.com.

A major philanthropic gift is helping drive momentum behind Tuscaloosa Academy’s Building Excellence Capital Campaign, courtesy of Chloé and Ric Mayers.

Tuscaloosa Academy’s Building Excellence campaign aims to address longstanding facility limitations by constructing a modern athletic center that can better support the school’s growing academic and athletic programs.

Ric Mayers, a real estate developer and oilman originally from Vernon, told Yellowhammer News the story of how his family’s donation came to be.

Ric and his wife toured different schools in town to decide where to send their son. While touring Tuscaloosa Academy — and after being incredibly impressed with the school’s academics — he happened to ask about the athletic infrastructure.

School officials say the current single gym, limited locker space and undersized field house no longer meet the needs of a rapidly expanding student body.

The academy shared their vision for their athletic department and it was then that Ric and his family decided to make the commitment, both for their son’s future and for the future of the school.

The plan for the new facility is designed to include a regulation-size gym, improved locker rooms, a full football field house, a weight room for all teams and a dedicated space for coaches and staff.

The project is intended to create a space that strengthens student experiences, supports long-term program growth and brings the school community together for years to come.

School officials say the Mayers’ contribution is one of the largest single gifts in the academy’s history and reflects a growing wave of community investment in the academy.

The couple was inspired by Tuscaloosa Academy’s long-term vision, but were also inspired by Coach Nick Saban.

“I heard [Saban] say once in an interview, if you’re blessed, it’s your obligation to be a blessing to others,” Ric Mayers said. “Seeing how coach Saban has given back, and how his entire focal point, and his mission while he’s been in Tuscaloosa, is giving back to kids, helping kids. That truly has been a big inspiration for mimicking what he’s done.”

With the Mayers’ donation, Tuscaloosa Academy has now raised more than $5 million from 170 individual contributions.

The school also noted full employee participation, with employees collectively contributing $73,510 to the campaign.

Funds will support the construction of a new 23,000-square-foot athletic center designed by Ward Scott Morris. The project is part of the academy’s broader effort to expand student opportunities and enhance campus facilities.

“Chloé and Ric’s generosity is a powerful reminder that our story extends beyond our campus,” Head of School Beckie Share said.

“Their belief in investing in kids has elevated our campaign in a truly remarkable way. Their gift reflects the broader community’s confidence in the value of independent education in Tuscaloosa.”

The donation marks another milestone in Tuscaloosa Academy’s campaign to strengthen educational and community resources — an initiative that continues to gain support from families across the region.

Evy Gallagher is the assistant editor of Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at evy@yellowhammernews.com.

Alabama families can now begin applying for education funding through the state’s CHOOSE Act, with application portals opening in phases for the upcoming 2026-2027 academic year.

The CHOOSE Act, passed by the Alabama Legislature in 2024, created Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) that allow eligible families to receive refundable income tax credits to help cover a range of education-related expenses.

The program is designed to give families greater flexibility in choosing educational options that best meet their children’s needs.

According to program guidelines, ESAs may be used for qualified expenses such as private school tuition, tutoring, educational therapies and other approved educational services.

The application process will take place online through the state’s official CHOOSE Act website, with the following key dates announced for the 2026–2027 school year:

The application portal for renewing families opens December 15, 2025.
The application portal for new families opens January 2, 2026.
All applications must be submitted by March 31, 2026.
Award notifications will be sent April 15, 2026.

Families can review eligibility requirements, prepare required documentation and apply at chooseact.alabama.gov, where FAQs and guidance materials are also available.

Under the program, funding levels vary depending on a student’s educational setting.

Eligible students enrolled in a participating school may receive up to $7,000 per student.

Students participating in a home education program may receive $2,000 per student, with a maximum of $4,000 per family.

For the 2026-2027 school year, new applicants must have an adjusted gross income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level. Beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, the program is expected to expand eligibility to all families, regardless of income.

Priority consideration is given to certain student groups, including students with special needs, current program participants and their siblings, children of active-duty military members, and students enrolled in or assigned to designated priority schools.

Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at sherri@yellowhammernews.com.