Education

in committee · Alabama · House Jan 29, 2026

HJR 47: Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); supporting the creation of a bicameral HBCU Legislative Caucus

HJR 47 is a resolution supporting the creation of a bicameral Alabama legislative caucus focused on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). It does not fund or change existing laws but establishes a formal forum where Alabama legislators (Senate and House members) can collaborate on HBCU-related issues. The resolution outlines four guiding principles for the caucus: advocating for fair funding, partnering to create opportunities, informing lawmakers about HBCU challenges, and promoting HBCUs' economic value. This caucus would be open to any interested state legislators and would meet to advance HBCU interests, though it has no authority to enact legislation.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill advocates for fair HBCU funding and creates a caucus to address educational access, aligning with support indicators for higher education policy.85% confidence

Track

signed · Alabama · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 238: Appropriations from Education Trust Fund for the support, maintenance, and development of public education for fiscal year ending September 30, 2027

HB 238 appropriates funds from Alabama's Education Trust Fund for public education support, maintenance, and development during fiscal year 2027 (ending September 30, 2027). It allocates specific amounts for programs like charter school startup grants ($31.5 million), arts education ($9.6 million), and school infrastructure debt service, with funding sources specified as Education Trust Fund contributions and other federal/local funds. The bill directs these funds to state education programs under existing budget laws, requiring accountability for efficient fund use. It does not create new programs but authorizes spending for current educational operations and capital projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $31.5M for charter schools and $9.6M for arts education from Education Trust Fund, directly funding public education programs per bill's specific appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $31.5M for charter startups, $9.6M for arts education, and infrastructure funding from Education Trust Fund to support public education programs per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Debt & Bonds State Budget School Choice School Funding

passed · Alabama · House Feb 24, 2026

HB 306: Teacher certification; Military Veteran Temporary Teaching Certificate established

HB 306 would create a temporary teaching certificate for military veterans seeking to teach in Alabama K-12 schools. It would allow veterans with 48 months of honorable military service to qualify for a temporary license if they have 60 college credits (2.5 GPA), pass a state teaching exam, and meet other requirements. The certificate would be valid for five years (non-renewable) and require mentorship for two years, but time teaching under it wouldn’t count toward regular certification. If passed, this bill would directly affect veterans transitioning to teaching careers in fields typically requiring a bachelor’s degree.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates pathway for military veterans to teach in K-12 schools, expanding educator workforce access without restricting requirements or funding.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates temporary teaching certificate for veterans, facilitating employment transition into education sector - a direct employment support measure for veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Teachers Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Employment

Track

signed · Alabama · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 98: College tuition; establishing a scholarship program for the dependents of law enforcement officers.

HB 98 establishes the Alabama Law Enforcement Officers' Family Scholarship Program, providing tuition and required educational expenses for dependents (children under 27 or spouses) of qualifying law enforcement officers who served full-time for at least seven years in Alabama. The scholarship covers up to $3,000 per academic period (semester/quarter) for undergraduate programs at participating Alabama public or private colleges, technical schools, or universities, after other financial aid is applied. Funding comes from an annual state appropriation (capped at $10 million) and proceeds from a special "blackout" license plate program. The Alabama Commission on Higher Education administers the program, requiring applicants to submit documentation proving eligibility and maintaining academic progress. The bill is pending committee review in the Alabama House of Representatives.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationHB 98 establishes a scholarship program providing tuition funding for higher education dependents, directly expanding educational access and increasing financial support for students at participating institutions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

signed · Alabama · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 329: Education; public K-12 schools, completion of approved computer science course required

HB 329 requires all Alabama public K-12 students to complete an approved computer science course to graduate, starting with the 2032 graduating class. The bill expands the definition of computer science to include AI and algorithmic processes, and establishes standards for approved courses that must focus on creating technology, not just using it. Approved computer science credits can count toward math, science, or career education graduation requirements without increasing the total credit count. School districts must implement phased course offerings: high schools by 2020-2021, middle schools by 2021-2022, and elementary schools by 2022-2023. The State Department of Education will develop course standards and maintain an approved course list.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates computer science curriculum expansion including AI, requiring creation-focused courses to meet graduation requirements, strengthening educational standards and access.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates computer science education including AI/algorithmic processes, focusing on creating technology to build digital skills, advancing tech literacy in K-12 education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Artificial Intelligence

in committee · Alabama · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 216: Ten Commandments; required to be displayed in certain public schools, subject to the availability of donations

HB 216 would require Alabama public schools to display the Ten Commandments alongside a context statement in history classrooms (grades 5-12) and common areas of schools serving grades 5 and above, but only if donated displays or funds are available. The bill mandates the State Department of Education to identify free resources to help schools comply with this requirement. It does not create a state-funded mandate and is currently pending committee review in the Alabama House of Representatives as of January 2026. The legislation cites historical references to religious elements in founding documents as justification, but the policy focuses solely on display requirements subject to donations.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationMandates display of religious content in history classrooms, restricting secular curriculum freedom and imposing religious doctrine in public schools.95% confidence

Track

signed · Alabama · Senate Apr 17, 2026

SB 209: Public K-12 schools; sex education (sex ed) curriculum further provided for, sexual risk avoidance established as sex ed curriculum, policies of local boards of education related to sex ed further provided for, parent or guardian notice of sex ed curriculum required, Attorney General authorized to enforce

SB 209 requires all public K-12 schools in Alabama to teach only "sexual risk avoidance" curriculum, emphasizing abstinence as the sole effective method to prevent pregnancy and STIs. It prohibits any instruction about contraception, abortion referrals, or sexually explicit materials, and bans sex education for students in kindergarten through fourth grade. The bill mandates that parents receive notice before such curriculum is taught and can opt their child out. It also requires schools to provide specific information about pregnancy costs, Alabama's abortion laws, adoption, and healthy relationship practices. The Attorney General is authorized to enforce these requirements.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts sex ed curriculum to abstinence-only, banning contraception education and K-4 sex ed, limiting educational content per bill's prohibitions.95% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBans contraception education, restricting access to preventive healthcare information for students, directly limiting health services related to sexual health.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Women's Health

signed · Alabama · Senate Mar 5, 2026

SB 168: Public K-12 education; to prohibit the three-cueing system of reading instruction

SB 168 prohibits Alabama public K-12 schools from using the "three-cueing system" (which teaches reading through meaning, sentence structure, and visual cues) for foundational reading skills like decoding and word recognition. Instead, it requires all reading materials and teacher training to use evidence-based "structured literacy" methods focused on phonics, phonemic awareness, and systematic instruction. The law applies to textbooks, instructional materials, and educator preparation programs, banning visual memory strategies for word recognition while allowing context and vocabulary support for comprehension. It takes effect for the 2026-2027 school year, with violations requiring public notification by the State Board of Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates evidence-based structured literacy methods for K-12 reading instruction, aiming to improve foundational literacy outcomes per educational research.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Libraries

signed · Alabama · House Mar 26, 2026

HB 122: Teacher Excellence and Accountability for Mathematics and Science (TEAMS) Salary Schedule Program; participating teacher with over 20 years of advanced contract criteria service may be offered contract for up to five years instead of required offer of five years

HB 122 amends Alabama's TEAMS program to allow school districts to offer mathematics and science teachers with over 20 years of service (who meet advanced contract criteria) a contract for "up to five years" instead of requiring a mandatory five-year contract. This change, effective October 1, 2026, modifies Section 16-13-334(e) of the Alabama Code. The bill directly affects experienced math and science teachers participating in the TEAMS program who hold the required specialized certifications. It does not alter certification requirements or professional development rules but adjusts contract term flexibility for eligible veteran teachers.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill reduces mandatory five-year contracts for teachers, weakening job security benefits under TEAMS program90% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

passed · Alabama · Senate Mar 11, 2026

SB 201: K-12 education, schools with Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) required to offer to home schooled and private school students who are dependents of active duty military parents performing certain covered military service

SB 201 requires Alabama public schools with JROTC programs to make those programs available to homeschool and private school students who live in the school's neighborhood district and are dependents of active-duty military parents performing specific types of military service. This includes service members on federal or state orders requiring a permanent or temporary relocation (like deployments or base changes). The bill applies to students meeting standard JROTC eligibility requirements, ensuring military-connected students have access to these programs regardless of their school type. The law takes effect on October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands educational access by requiring JROTC programs to be available to military-dependent homeschool and private school students in public school districts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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