Kay Ivey on Education

Alabama is the most school choice friendly state

Clearly, taxpaying Alabama families want school choice!

There is a place for the Ten Commandments in our classrooms

Become the most school-choice friendly state in the nation

Allow more charter schools, create more parental choice

I am proposing we establish the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences to address the growing healthcare worker shortage. This new healthcare high school will offer an innovative curriculum for 9th through 12th graders, exposing them to a diversity of STEM and healthcare opportunities, as well as hands-on clinical training experiences. Y'all, when these students receive their diplomas, they will be ready to fill a broad spectrum of healthcare jobs or pursue a higher education.

Emphasize fundamentals of education: reading and math

Won't accept the existence of a failing elementary school

We should pledge, together, that we will no longer accept the existence of a failing elementary school in our state. Early learning is the bedrock of a quality education. How can we expect to have successful middle and high schools if we have failing elementary schools? To that end, I am proposing resources to support grants for failing elementary schools that are not one-size-fits all, but rather, are customized to the particular needs of each of those struggling schools.

$1.25 billion bond for K-12 public schools, state colleges

This $1.25 billion investment sent money to every K-12 school system, and to all of our two- and four-year colleges. The proceeds of this bond will be transformational for years to come.

$25 million for Pre-K; $1B for public schools & colleges

Just think... 95% of a child's brain develops from birth to age 5. My education budget that I am proposing will provide an additional $25 million dollars to expand our nationally-recognized First Class Pre-K program. This significant increase will expand the program by another 193 classrooms.

I am proposing a $1 billion-dollar public school and college authority for K-12 education, as well as for our two- and four-year colleges and universities. This money will be distributed on a formula basis to allow for much-needed capital improvements across the state. Equally important, this bond will not include any legislative earmarks for pet projects. It has been almost 14 years since Alabama made an investment of this size by providing direct help to our schools.

Invest in Pre-K: now more than 1000 classes

Alabama's teachers are vital to our students and they deserve to be the highest paid public employees in our state. That is why, I am proposing a four percent raise for all teachers: pre-k through community college! Without our teachers, our students cannot achieve success! The foundation for a strong future for all Alabamians begins in the classroom.

Strong Start, Strong Finish: from pre-K to workforce

I instituted Strong Start, Strong Finish, because we must prepare our people for the jobs of today and for the jobs of tomorrow. By 2020, 62% of all jobs available in Alabama will require some form of postsecondary education. However, today, only 37% of our workforce has achieved such an education. We must ensure that our students graduate high school and then earn a postsecondary certificate or degree.

I'm proud to have quickly become known as a governor focused on education. Over the past nine months, I have devoted a great deal of my time to my role as president of the State Board of Education.

Remove bad teachers; let students leave failing schools

Alabama Accountability Act- Is a historic school choice plan that invests in students by giving families with students in a failing school the opportunity to receive an income tax credit to offset the cost of transferring a student to a non-failing public or private school. The Act also empowers local control by allowing schools and school districts to enter into flexibility contracts with the State Board of Education.

Charter Schools "plan of action" for statewide reform

• First, after you elect me as Governor, I'll create a Charter Schools "plan of action." It'll focus on accountability and insist that students learn at high standards.
• Next, I'm going to utilize the "bully pulpit" of the office to hold town hall meetings to organize and rally support from the people who want real reform.
• After the plan of action is fully developed, I'll work with others to have the results crafted into a legislative bill. The bill could be similar to that of Georgia's, which allowed local parents, teachers and administrators to transform their school districts into districts comprised entirely of charter schools.
• We could start out by experimenting with a small number of targeted districts in different areas around the state, rather than instituting a "blanket plan" statewide.

Charter Schools offer quality alternative to private schools

The Benefits To You:
• Charter Schools allow parents a greater voice and more control over their children's education.
• Charter Schools can offer a quality alternative to homeschooling and expensive private schools.
• Charter Schools establish innovative ways to educate our students and increase our graduation rates. A more informed and educated individual produces greater success and prosperity for all.