Tuesday, the Alabama Department of Education released its annual list of failing schools. According to U.S. News and World Report, Alabama has the 47th ranked education system in the entire country. Only the states of South Carolina, Louisiana, and New Mexico do a poorer job of education their children than the state of Alabama.
The failing schools represent the 76 worst performing schools in the entire state. According to the State Department of Education these schools are the poorest performing six percent of schools in the state.
The worst performing schools are:
- Barbour County Schools system, Barbour County High School
- Bullock County Schools’ South Highlands Middle School and Bullock County High School
- Chambers County Schools’ John P Powell Middle School
- Choctaw County Schools’ Choctaw County High School
- Dallas County Schools’ Keith Middle-High School, Southside High School, and Tipton Durant Middle School
- Escambia County School’s Escambia County High School
- Greene County Schools’ Greene County High School and Robert Brown Middle School
- Hale County Schools’ Greensboro High School
- Jefferson County School’s Center Point High School
- Lee County Schools’ Loachapoka High School
- Lowndes County Schools’ Calhoun High School and Central High School
- Mobile County Schools: C Rain High School, Booker T Washington Middle School, Calloway Smith Middle School, Mobile County Training Middle School, Morningside Elementary School, Pillans Middle School, Chastang-Fournier Middle School, CF Vigor High School, and Lillie B Williamson High School
- Monroe County Schools’ Monroe County High School
- Montgomery County Schools: Bellingrath Middle School, Capitol Heights Middle School, Chisholm Elementary School, Davis Elementary School, Highland Gardens Elementary School, Jefferson Davis High School, Johnson Elementary School, Lanier Senior High School, Nixon Elementary School, and Southlawn Middle School
- Perry County Schools’ Francis Marion School and Robert C Hatch High School
- Sumter County Schools’ Kinterbish Junior High School, York West End Junior High School, and Sumter Central High School
- Wilcox County Schools’ Wilcox Central High School and the Camden School Of Arts & Technology
- Bessemer City Schools’ Bessemer City High School
- Birmingham City Schools: Bush Hills Academy, Charles A Brown Elementary School, George Washington Carver High School, Green Acres Middle School, Hayes K-8, Hudson K-Eight School, Huffman Middle School, Huffman High School-Magnet, Inglenook School, Jackson-Olin High School, Parker High School, WE Putnam Middle School-Magnet, Ossie Ware Mitchell Middle School, Robinson Elementary School, Smith Middle School, Arrington Middle School, Washington Elementary School, Jones Valley Middle School, Wenonah High School, and the Woodlawn High School-Magnet
- Dothan City Schools have the Honeysuckle Middle School
- Fairfield City Schools’ Fairfield High Preparatory School and Robinson Elementary School
- Huntsville City Schools’ Jemison High School, Lakewood Elementary School, and Ronald McNair 7-8
- Linden City Schools’ George P Austin Junior High School
- Midfield City Schools’ Midfield High School
- Selma City Schools’ Selma High School and R.B.Hudson Middle School
- Tarrant City Schools’ Tarrant High School
- Tuscaloosa City Schools’ Westlawn Middle School
Again these are the lowest performing 6 percent of public schools in the entire state of Alabama and they have formally been identified as such by the state of Alabama’s Department of Education.
If your child is zoned to one of these schools then under the Alabama Accountability Act of 2015 you have a right to ask for a transfer to another public school within the system. You also have the option of applying for a transfer to a school in another public school system if there is one that is willing to take your child or your child may be eligible for a scholarship to attend a private school. Hundreds of Alabama children have received scholarships out of their failing schools thanks to the Alabama Accountability Act. Taxpayers who want a portion of their state income taxes to go to a scholarship granting organization (SGO) need to opt in on their state income tax returns.
The Alabama Accountability Act was sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Del Marsh (R-Anniston). Marsh has been an outspoken proponent of expanding school choice in Alabama including charter schools.
This is school choice week in the state of Alabama.
Alabama Republican Party Chairman Terry Lathan said, “The Alabama Republican Party fully supports school choice. We believe that parents, not the government, know their children’s needs best and should have the opportunity to choose a quality education for their sons and daughters. Zip codes should not be part of an educational formula that defines where a student must attend school – unless the parent agrees.”
“Our children are tomorrow’s leaders,” Lathan added. “School choice empowers parents to make those decisions resulting in a stronger and more confident America. From charter schools, public, magnet, private or parochial schools to homeschooling- a parent should be first and foremost in the decision-making process of what is best for their child/children. While we celebrate National School Choice Week, we also honor our teachers and the incredible influence they have on our students and their futures. As a former public school teacher, the joy of watching a young person grow and learn is unforgettable.”
“As taxpayers, it is imperative that parents make the most important educational decisions for their precious ones- their children,” Lathan concluded.
