education

Students Receive Zika Virus Coloring Books in Alabama

According to the Centers for Disease Control, there are currently 544 cases of Zika in the continental United States. The growing threat has health experts in Alabama turning to an unconventional method to get the public aware, one that’s full of color. The Alabama Department of Public Health is distributing coloring books to educate children throughout the state about the…

Voters Head Back to the Polls for Runoff Elections

Voters in several counties will head back to the polls Tuesday for runoff elections. Alabamians will decide primary election contests in which no candidate received more than half the vote. One race many people will be watching is the seat on the Montgomery County School Board. The candidates vying for the seat in the democratic primary runoff for District 7…

Common Core Repeal Bill Change Approved; Vote Postponed

A state Senate committee has made a key change to the Common Core repeal bill that would ultimately leave it up to individual school systems whether to adopt the education standards or not. Multiple media outlets report that the Senate Education Policy Committee didn’t vote on the bill Wednesday, however. Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh offered the amendment. The…

UConn Setting up Living-Learning Community for Black Men

STORRS, Conn. (AP) – The University of Connecticut is creating a living and learning community for black men in response to low graduation and retention rates among the school’s male African-American students. The ScHOLAR2RS (Scholars) House will be located at a new dormitory set to open in the fall. Dorm residents will receive academic, career-development and social support. The voluntary…

State Graduation Rate Nearing Long-Term Goal

The state’s graduation rates are on the uptick. In a news conference Thursday, Governor Robert Bentley and state education leaders announced the 2014-2015 graduation rate is at 89%. Increasing the high school graduation rate in Alabama is a primary objective of PLAN 2020, Alabama’s template for education reform. The state board of education set a goal of reaching a 90%…