As she enters the final year of her term as Alabama’s governor, Governor Kay Ivey reflected on the state’s education progress and outlined policy priorities during remarks at a statewide policy forum in Birmingham.
Speaking at the annual forum hosted by the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama (PARCA), Ivey discussed improvements in Alabama’s education system, efforts to reduce student absenteeism and new laws aimed at limiting classroom distractions.
The PARCA forum regularly brings together policymakers, business leaders and education officials to discuss key issues shaping Alabama’s future.
“My goal and all that we do is to make Alabama the best state in which to live, work, and raise a family,” Ivey said. “If we’re successful in that mission, we must ensure that every child in Alabama is afforded a quality education.”
The governor noted the challenges Alabama faced when she first took office in 2017.
“In fourth grade math, then, we ranked dead last,” Ivey said. “In fourth grade reading, we ranked fifth in the nation. We were 49th.”
She pointed to reforms such as the state’s literacy and numeracy initiatives, which were designed to refocus schools on foundational academic skills.
According to Ivey, national assessments now show the state making progress.
“Today, thanks to these students and teachers, Alabama is 32nd in math. And 34th in reading and climbing,” she said.
Ivey also highlighted improvements in student attendance.
“We have dramatically reduced truancy, and today Alabama leads the country,” she said.
She also discussed recent legislation aimed at reducing classroom distractions and limiting screen exposure for younger children.
“Last year we passed the FOCUS Act to remove the distraction of cell phones during instructional time,” Ivey said. “And just this week I signed into law the Healthy Early Development and Screen Time Act.”
The law limits screen time for young children in certain early childhood education settings and licensed child care facilities.
At the start of her remarks, Ivey also acknowledged earlier presentations at the forum addressing the opioid crisis and noted progress in reducing overdose deaths in Alabama.
“The fight is far from over, but we are making progress in Alabama,” she said. “From 24 to 25, Alabama saw a 30% decline in overdose death rates.”
She said the progress reflects coordinated efforts through the state’s Opioid Overdose and Addiction Council as well as investments using both general fund dollars and opioid settlement funds.
“We are saving lives,” Ivey said.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
