Education

passed · Alabama · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 353: Public K-12 education; Advanced Math Pathway created and provided for

HB 353 requires Alabama school districts to create an "Advanced Math Pathway" to prepare students for Algebra I in middle school and college-level math in high school. It automatically enrolls students who score proficient or higher on state math assessments (grades 5-11) but allows parents to opt their child in or out of the pathway. School districts must provide transparent information to families about math pathways, offer academic support for students in the pathway, and report annually to the legislature on enrollment, performance, and support usage. The bill directly affects students in grades 5-11, parents/guardians (through enrollment choices), and school districts (through implementation and reporting requirements).

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates Advanced Math Pathway for proficient students, requiring districts to provide academic support and transparency, enhancing STEM readiness and college preparation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education

Track

signed · Alabama · House Apr 13, 2026

HB 240: Tuskegee University, appropriation

HB 240 provides $16.3 million from Alabama's Education Trust Fund to Tuskegee University for the 2027 fiscal year to support its educational programs and operations. The bill requires Tuskegee to submit an operations plan and audited financial statements before funds are released, along with quarterly spending reports and a final year-end performance report. At least $2 million of the appropriation must be used for agricultural research and extension services. This funding supports Tuskegee University as a state-supported institution with a unique historical relationship to Alabama, distinct from public universities or private colleges.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $16.3M from state education fund to Tuskegee University for programs/research, directly funding public education as a core budget priority.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $16.3M from Education Trust Fund to Tuskegee University for educational programs/operations, mandating agricultural research funding and reporting requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Higher Education

signed · Alabama · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 211: Sick leave for education employees; direct donation of sick leave authorized, sick leave banks and catastrophic sick leave further provided for, State Board of Education required to adopt a policy, education authorities required to implement a policy, duties of sick leave bank committees revised

SB 211 expands sick leave options for public education employees in Alabama. It allows direct sick leave donations between employees at different schools or institutions (like K-12 districts and public colleges), removes limits on how much extended medical leave an employee can donate, and requires the State Board of Education to create a model policy for this. All public education authorities (including local school boards and colleges) must adopt this policy, including provisions for sick leave banks and direct donations. The bill affects teachers, support staff, and administrators working in Alabama’s public education system.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands sick leave benefits for education employees, supporting teacher welfare and retention through direct donation options and policy requirements.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands sick leave benefits for education employees, allowing donations and removing limits, thus strengthening worker benefits within employment standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Paid Leave

signed · Alabama · House Mar 26, 2026

HB 138: Retired state employees; certain supplemental work authorized

HB 138 allows retirees from Alabama's Employees' or Teachers' Retirement Systems to work full-time as school bus drivers without losing their pension benefits, provided they meet specific conditions. Retirees must earn below an annual income limit (adjusted yearly for inflation) and have drawn retirement benefits for 12 consecutive months (with an exception for those retiring before January 1, 2026). The bill also sets an expiration date of December 31, 2030, for this provision. It directly affects retired state employees seeking to return to full-time bus driving roles.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables retirees to work as school bus drivers, addressing transportation staffing needs critical for student access to K-12 schools.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Transportation

signed · Alabama · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 125: Alabama Commission on Higher Education, ReEngage Alabama Grant Program, minimum age of adult learner decreased, eligibility requirements revised.

HB 125 lowers the minimum age for Alabama's ReEngage Alabama Grant Program from 25 to 22 years old, expanding eligibility to younger adult learners. It also creates a new eligibility path for students who previously earned an associate degree, took a two-year break from college, and are now pursuing their first bachelor's degree without having received a grant before. The bill does not change the grant amounts ($3,000 per semester for universities, $1,500 for community colleges) or other core program rules. This directly affects Alabama residents aged 22-24 who are returning to college for their first bachelor's degree after an associate degree and a two-year gap. The bill is scheduled to take effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands higher education access by lowering minimum age for grants and creating new eligibility path for returning students, increasing financial support without reducing funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

passed · Alabama · House Mar 5, 2026

HB 183: Public K-12 schools; home school students authorized to attend career and technical education programs in certain circumstances

HB 183 allows homeschool students in Alabama to enroll in public school career and technical education (CTE) programs starting in the 2027-2028 school year, provided they pay the same course fees as public school students and enroll as non-enrolled participants. It requires public schools to consider homeschool students for CTE programs only after filling spots with current public school students if capacity is limited. Full-time, standalone CTE schools may choose not to accept homeschool students, but all other public schools must follow the rules. The State Board of Education and local school boards must create specific policies to implement these provisions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access for homeschool students by enabling enrollment in public CTE programs, increasing opportunity without restricting or defunding existing systems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education K-12 Education School Choice

Track

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