School choice in Alabama is still a hot topic
Updated: 18:51 CST January 30, 2023
PLAY. WHILE STATE LEGISLATIONS PREPARE FOR THE MONTGOMERY RESIDENCE TO WORK, AN ISSUE THAT COULD ALTER THE STATE’S EDUCATION SYSTEM. SCHOOL CHOICE GOVERNOR KAY IVEY FEEL IT’S TIME PARENTS CAN HELP RATE WHAT SCHOOL THEIR CHILDREN ATTEND. WVTM JARVIS ROBERTSON IS LIVE IN BIRMINGHAM TONIGHT WITH MORE ABOUT HOW THIS COULD AFFECT BIRMINGHAM CITY SCHOOLS. Hey JARVIS. YES THAT’S RIGHT. HAPPY GOD. NOW THERE ARE MANY QUESTIONS ABOUT SCHOOL CHOICES. Those I’ve spoken to say they just want to make sure every student is represented in that decision. NOW I BELIEVE THAT CHOOSING A SCHOOL IS A VERY PERSONAL DECISION FOR FAMILIES. SONIA SMITH SEITS ON THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE AT BIRMINGHAM CITY SCHOOL. I ASK IF SHE THINK THAT WHEN SCHOOL CHOICE BECOMES STATE LAW, THE DISTRICT WOULD REFUSE THE ENROLLMENT OF STUDENTS IN THE DISTRICT. SHE SAYS THERE ARE SEVERAL FACTORS THAT COULD CAUSE THIS. YOU KNOW, MANY RURAL AND URBAN AREAS IN THE STATE HAVE TO DEAL WITH POVERTY. SO THIS IS A PREVIOUS PROBLEM FOR US. ALTHOUGH SCHOOL ELECTION IS A HOT TOPIC AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL, IT’S STILL UNCLEAR WHAT ALABAMA LOOKS LIKE. BUT WE REALLY DON’T KNOW HOW THIS WILL TURN OUT AND WHAT IT WILL LOOK LIKE. SO I THINK HAVING A BETTER SENSE OF HOW IT WILL ACTUALLY BE STRUCTURED AND LOOKING AT ALABAMA WILL MAKE THIS DISCUSSION EASIER FOR US. A FALL IN ENROLLMENT COULD ALSO RESULT IN A REDUCTION IN THE DISTRICT’S FUNDS. IF THAT STUDENT IS NOT IN OUR DISTRICT, WE WILL NOT RECEIVE THESE FUNDS, WHICH THEN ONLY REDUCES THE OFFERS AND OPPORTUNITIES WE HAVE. SMITH WOULD NOT SAY WHETHER SHE WAS FOR OR AGAINST THE SCHOOL ELECTION. SHE EMPHASIZES THAT EVERY CHILD IN THE STATE MUST BE ACTUALLY REPRESENTED IN THE DECISION ABOUT THE SCHOOL CHOICE BEFORE THAT BECOMES LAW. I think every time you have this type of system there will be ones that get left out. NOW IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT THE ENROLLMENT OF STUDENTS WILL NOT BE. I HAVE BEEN HEARD FROM THE SCHOOLS IN BIRMINGHAM CITY THAT THEY HAVE SOME OFFERS THAT MAKE THEM A BIT MORE COMPETITIVE AS THEY ARE MAGNET SCHOOLS. THE EARLY COLLEGE ALSO CAREERS AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM WILL COVER LIVE IN BIRMINGHAM TONIGHT. I AM SERVICE ROBERTSON WVTM 13. THE
School choice in Alabama is still a hot topic
Updated: 18:51 CST January 30, 2023
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey began her second term with an emphasis on education. She has been very vocal about the need for school choice lately. While it’s still a hot topic, the truth is, there’s no definition of how it’s going to work in Alabama. There is support and resistance around the issue. There are many questions but few answers. We spoke to a representative from the Birmingham City Schools Board of Education about her thoughts on school choices. She would not express her personal opinion. However, she encourages families to make the best choices for their children. Watch the video to hear more from Sonja Smith.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey began her second term with an emphasis on education. She has been very vocal about the need for school choice lately.
While it’s still a hot topic, the truth is, there’s no definition of how it’s going to work in Alabama. There is support and resistance around the issue. There are many questions but few answers.
We spoke to a representative from the Birmingham City Schools Board of Education about her thoughts on school choices. She would not express her personal opinion. However, she encourages families to make the best choices for their children.
Watch the video to hear more from Sonja Smith.