Latest News | Black Alabamians for Education

Parent Advocacy 101: How to Champion Better Policies for Black Students in Alabama

admin2025-03-15T23:31:27-05:00

Advocating for your child’s education is one of the most powerful actions you can take as a parent. In Alabama, Black students often face systemic barriers that can impact their academic success. From inequitable school funding to curriculum disparities and disciplinary policies, parents must be informed and empowered to demand change at school board meetings, legislative sessions, and community forums. This guide will walk you through step-by-step advocacy strategies to ensure your voice is heard and that Black students receive the quality education they deserve. Step 1: Get Educated on Key Issues To be an effective advocate, you must understand the [...]

Parent Advocacy 101: How to Champion Better Policies for Black Students in Alabamaadmin2025-03-15T23:31:27-05:00

College Readiness for Black Students: Preparing for Success Beyond High School

admin2025-03-15T23:19:25-05:00

For Black students in Alabama, the path to college and career success requires early planning, strong support systems, and access to key resources. Parents play a crucial role in guiding their children through this journey. Whether your child dreams of attending a historically Black college and university (HBCU), a top-tier institution, or pursuing a trade or entrepreneurial path, preparing for success starts now. 1. Start Early with Goal Setting Help your child explore their interests and set academic and career goals as early as middle school. Encourage self-discovery through extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and leadership roles to build a strong resume. [...]

College Readiness for Black Students: Preparing for Success Beyond High Schooladmin2025-03-15T23:19:25-05:00

The Role of Community Organizations in Supporting Black Families and Students

admin2025-04-16T14:46:41-05:00

In Alabama, community organizations play a vital role in empowering Black families and students by providing mentorship, tutoring, and essential resources to bridge educational gaps. These organizations serve as advocates, support networks, and champions for educational equity, ensuring Black students have access to the tools they need to succeed. Why Community Organizations Matter For many Black families, systemic challenges such as underfunded schools, limited access to technology, and disparities in academic resources create barriers to success. Community-driven programs step in to fill these gaps by offering personalized support, educational guidance, and advocacy. Key Programs Making an Impact 🔹 Black Alabamians for [...]

The Role of Community Organizations in Supporting Black Families and Studentsadmin2025-04-16T14:46:41-05:00

The Digital Divide: Ensuring Technology Access for Black Students in Alabama

admin2025-02-23T23:10:52-06:00

The Digital Divide: Ensuring Technology Access for Black Students in Alabama Explore how lack of access to technology affects Black families and share initiatives working to close the gap. In today’s digital world, technology is a vital part of education. From completing homework assignments to accessing online resources, students need reliable internet and devices to succeed. Yet, for many Black families in Alabama, a lack of access to technology—often referred to as the digital divide—creates barriers to academic success. Understanding the Digital Divide The digital divide refers to the gap between those who have access to modern technology and those who [...]

The Digital Divide: Ensuring Technology Access for Black Students in Alabamaadmin2025-02-23T23:10:52-06:00

Alabama Makes Notable Early Grade Gains on Nation’s Report Card

admin2025-02-05T10:39:32-06:00

By Thomas Spencer on February 3rd, 2025 in : in Education & Workforce Development, Public Education, Uncategorized Alabama public school fourth graders are scoring higher in both reading and math than they did prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. Alabama and Louisiana are the only two states where that is true, according to an analysis of the results of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Printable PDF available here. In fact, in both reading and math, Alabama fourth graders scored close to the national average in 2024. That’s a remarkable turnaround from 2019, when Alabama 4th graders ranked at or near [...]

Alabama Makes Notable Early Grade Gains on Nation’s Report Cardadmin2025-02-05T10:39:32-06:00

Understanding School Choice in Alabama: What Black Families Need to Know”

admin2025-01-26T11:50:13-06:00

Education is not one-size-fits-all, and school choice provides families with the flexibility to find the best fit for their child’s unique needs. In Alabama, parents can explore several options: 1. Public Schools Public schools are tuition-free and funded by local, state, and federal government resources. These schools are assigned based on residential zoning but may also include specialized programs like magnet schools or career academies to cater to different interests and learning styles. Key Benefits: No tuition costs Access to extracurricular activities Specialized programs in select schools Considerations: Limited options outside of zoned districts Quality may vary by location 2. Charter [...]

Understanding School Choice in Alabama: What Black Families Need to Know”admin2025-01-26T11:50:13-06:00

The Impact of Mental Health on Education in Alabama’s Black Community

admin2024-07-23T12:13:15-05:00

Mental health is a critical component of overall well-being, and its impact on education is profound, especially within the Black community in Alabama. Historical and systemic challenges have contributed to mental health disparities, affecting academic performance and educational outcomes. Mental Health Challenges in the Black Community Historical Trauma and Systemic Inequities: Historical trauma and ongoing systemic inequities have had lasting effects on the mental health of the Black community. Issues such as discrimination, economic disparities, and limited access to mental health care exacerbate stress and anxiety levels. Stigma Around Mental Health: There is a significant stigma surrounding mental health issues within [...]

The Impact of Mental Health on Education in Alabama’s Black Communityadmin2024-07-23T12:13:15-05:00

Alabama Reading Scores: An Overview of Recent Trends and Initiatives

admin2024-06-20T13:46:21-05:00

Alabama has been focusing on improving reading proficiency among its students, particularly in the early grades. Recent data from the Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP) reveals that 24% of Alabama’s third graders were reading below grade level in 2023, an increase from 22% in 2022. This rise in below-grade-level readers highlights ongoing challenges, despite the state’s efforts to boost literacy rates. The Literacy Act and Its Impact The Alabama Literacy Act, passed in 2019, aims to ensure that all students are reading at grade level by the end of third grade. The act has led to significant investments in reading instruction [...]

Alabama Reading Scores: An Overview of Recent Trends and Initiativesadmin2024-06-20T13:46:21-05:00

Creating Hope and Opportunity for Our Students’ Education Act of 2024 The CHOOSE Act

admin2024-05-21T14:27:12-05:00

Creating Hope and Opportunity for Our Students’ Education Act of 2024 The CHOOSE Act The CHOOSE Act, signed into law by Gov. Kay Ivey on March 7, 2024, makes refundable income tax credits called education savings accounts (ESAs), available to support the success of every K-12 student in Alabama. The law requires the Alabama Department of Revenue to establish a framework and funding for ESAs, which may be used by eligible families to cover tuition, fees, and other qualified education expenses at approved education service providers (ESPs) in Alabama. ESAs in the amounts below will be available beginning with the 2025-2026 [...]

Creating Hope and Opportunity for Our Students’ Education Act of 2024 The CHOOSE Actadmin2024-05-21T14:27:12-05:00

Mental Health and Education: Supporting Black Students in Alabama

admin2024-04-22T16:39:41-05:00

Mental health plays a critical role in a student's ability to learn, grow, and succeed academically. In Alabama, Black students face unique challenges that can impact their mental well-being, including systemic inequities and disparities in access to mental health resources. As advocates for education, it's crucial that we address these challenges and support Black students in achieving their full potential. The Impact of Mental Health on Education: Research has shown that mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, and trauma, can significantly impact a student's ability to learn and thrive in school. These issues can lead to academic difficulties, behavioral problems, [...]

Mental Health and Education: Supporting Black Students in Alabamaadmin2024-04-22T16:39:41-05:00