Alabama Leaders Delivering Good Results for Public Education Students

For decades, Southern states have chronically ranked at the bottom of the Nation when it comes to academic achievement.

State leaders across the South have made education their top priority yet test scores remained abysmal and students have suffered because of the education they were receiving.

But now three states, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana are doing what some thought was impossible, making gains that are now leading the country in scholastic success that is the envy of other states.

The three states have made gains in reading and math scores pushing their improvement as a model for schools and one that policy makers are paying attention to around the country.

In Alabama, focus on literacy, improving curriculum standards and discipline in the classroom has paid off. The state is number one in the Nation in returning to better math scores post-pandemic and has the lowest rate of chronic absenteeism.

It has not hurt that Alabama has had record education budgets to fund the reforms.

So hopefully Alabama can continue its progress to ensure Alabama students are given the best opportunity to succeed in the future.

Paul DeMarco is a former member of the Alabama House of Representatives and can be found on X at @Paul_DeMarco

Opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Alabama Gazette staff or publishers