Tag: Education
3rd Graders at Risk of Being Held Back for Poor Reading Skills; Local Schools Where That’s More and Less Likely
More than one-fifth of Alabama’s third graders last spring failed to pass a standardized reading test.
In more than 50 schools across the state, 50% or more of the students ended third grade without necessary reading skills needed by that age, according to the test results released recently by the state.
Seven of those schools are in the Birmingham City School system. The Tarrant School System as a whole also fell below the halfway mark, and the Fairfield system barely topped 50%. Read more and find schools’ scores.
How One Birmingham Custodian Preps for the First Day of School
When the kids are away, the custodial and maintenance staff in schools work all summer long. One custodian told WBHM about what it takes to keep the kids happy and healthy as they trade sunshine for fluorescent lights. Read more.
Birmingham Awards Diplomas to Students Who Died Before Graduation
Not every student who starts school lives to graduate. It’s estimated nearly 2,000 children and teens die from gun violence every year in the United States. This week Birmingham City Schools awarded diplomas to the families of some of those lost students. Read more.
How Birmingham-Area High Schools Placed in the Best High School Rankings
Mountain Brook High School has been ranked the No. 1 high school in the Birmingham area as part of U.S. News and World Reports’ annual Best High Schools rankings. The school’s scores placed it in the 200th spot nationwide.
The top-ranked schools in the state was Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School in Montgomery, which also was ranked No. 17 in the nation. Read more.
Mississippi’s Plan to Stop Alabama From Stealing Its Teachers? Pay Them Thousands More
WBHM
As Mississippi lawmakers plot how to keep more teachers in the state, educators warn the state’s bill targeting critical race theory could drive them away. Read more.
Jewish Family Faces Death Threats After Complaining About Nazi Salute Performed in Class
A teacher at Mountain Brook High School allegedly led students in a salute that mimics how Nazis raised their arms in World War II.The one Jewish student in the class complained and his family says they’re now receiving death and arson threats. Read more.
Some Parents Express Frustration With Schools’ Responses to the Omicron Surge
WBHM
As students across Birmingham return to classrooms after the winter break, schools must contend with the COVID-19 omicron variant. With cases surging, some parents are frustrated with the response from school leaders. Read more.
Field Trips Look a Lot Different for Students This Year. But That’s Not Entirely Bad.
For Birmingham K-12 students, the McWane Science Center has been a key field trip destination where students climb on interactive exhibits, touch stingrays and learn about fossils. It’s a place students look forward to going to every year.
It’s especially exciting for 8-year-old Olivia Ragland and her friends.
“I mean this is my second field trip this year, and it’s already been fun,” she said. “So, I’m just happy.”
It is a complete 180 from last year, when Olivia said she felt sad that school was boring.
Many students in Birmingham spent the 2020-2021 school year online because of the pandemic. Many field trip destinations were closed as well. But with schools adapting to the pandemic, in-person field trips are back too. Read more.
How a Birmingham Shop Owner Brings Memories to Life Through Books
History and nostalgia dwell inside Reed Books, also known as The Museum of Fond Memories, in downtown Birmingham. There are floor-to-ceiling memorabilia with packed shelves of books, writings, boxes of photographs and records. There’s even an antique post office box filled with old letters.
Jim Reed opened this shop 41 years ago to become his own boss. But he chose to sell books because they are what he loved most growing up.
“I teach the love of books, the care of books and the importance of books as memory triggers,” he said. Read more.
State Still Reviewing $2B COVID Relief Funds for Schools
MONTGOMERY — The Alabama State Department of Education says it has approved about half of the applications from K-12 schools for their share of the $2 billion in American Rescue Plan Act funds. Read more.
