State Rep. Terri Collins (R-Decatur) is praising the hard work of students and teachers for the improvement in reading scores among Alabama students.

“I think it’s a massive improvement in reading over the last five years,” Collins said Monday on WVNN. “I think we’ve seen gains since 2019 that we’ve never seen before. And I’m very proud of those gains. Our teachers, our literacy specialists, our regional specialists have really worked hard. I’ve seen them and there’s no one more excited about it than they are.”

The Alabama State Department of Education released the results of the 2023-2024 Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program, indicating that 91% of third-graders are reading at or above grade level across the state. That’s in increase of 8% compared to last year’s results.

Collins, Chair of the Alabama House Education Policy committee, believes the test scores reflect the success of the Alabama Literacy Act, which she sponsored and was passed in 2019.

“I think our students are waiting better. I truly do,” she argued. “I see evidence of that. And the evidence we’re going to see is down the road. Are they really doing better on other subjects? Because once they’re promoted from the third grade, they now know how to read, and I believe that’s what we’re gonna see. That’s what I hoped for in 2019. And I believe that’s what we’re seeing even now.”

The bill provided funding for teaching training and reading coaches to ensure students master reading. It also put forward a policy where students that are not reading at grade level by the end of third grade could be held back a year.

“I’ve always said if you promote a child to the third grade that you know cannot read, that’s when you’re failing them,” she said, “because you expect something about them that they’re never going to be able to do.”

Collins emphasized that she thinks the test scores will continue to improve across the Yellowhammer State because of the enforcement of the law.

“I think that we’ve provided professional development to teach the science of reading all across this state now for six years,” she explained. “And it’s made a difference. And so I do think how they’re teaching is making a difference. I do think that deadline really helped.”

Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on X @Yaffee

Combined with WOW!’s $1.02 million contribution, a total of $3.41 million will be invested to grow WOW!’s network in Houston and Henry Counties in southeastern Alabama, targeting underserved areas

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., May 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — WOW! Internet, TV & Phone (NYSE: WOW), a leading broadband services provider, today announced the company has accepted a $2.39M grant through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) program. These funds represent an addition to WOW!’s contribution of $1.02 million, for a total investment of $3.41 million. WOW! will use the funds to extend its fiber network to serve nearly a thousand homes in Houston and Henry Counties in southeastern Alabama.

The ADECA program works to positively impact Alabama communities through partnerships, grant programs, and services to spur community and economic development and enhance quality of life. This grant will allow WOW! to primarily target underserved areas that can benefit from additional broadband options. In southeastern Alabama, WOW! currently serves the communities of Headland in Henry County and Dothan in Houston County.

“We thank ADECA for this generous grant to complement WOW!’s investment in the area as we look to offer more Alabama residents and businesses dependable options to meet their array of broadband needs, particularly in areas that currently have a lack of reliable and high-speed options,” said Teresa Elder, CEO of WOW!. “As we continue to focus on innovating for our customers, this additional expansion in southeastern Alabama, alongside our wider market expansion efforts, highlights our continued progress and commitment to bringing more communities our state-of-the-art broadband services.”

Once services are launched, even more residents in Houston and Henry Counties will experience WOW!’s reliable, high-speed network. Subscribers can sign up for WOW!’s all-fiber network and Internet plans with all-inclusive pricing, no annual contracts and no data caps, along with the necessary WiFi equipment to get started. WOW!’s broad suite of offerings also includes WOW! mobile powered by Reach, comprehensive business solutions, and bundling options with YouTube TV, one of the most popular and robust live TV video services.

To learn more about WOW!, please visit www.wowway.com.

About WOW! Internet, TV & Phone 

WOW! is one of the nation’s leading broadband providers, with an efficient and high-performing network that passes nearly 2 million residential, business and wholesale consumers. WOW! provides services in 16 markets, primarily in the Midwest and Southeast, including Michigan, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, including the new all-fiber networks in Central Florida and Greenville County, South Carolina. With an expansive portfolio of advanced services, including high-speed Internet services, cable TV, home phone, mobile phone, business data, voice, and cloud services, the company is dedicated to providing outstanding service at affordable prices. WOW! also serves as a leader in exceptional human resources practices, having been recognized 10 times by the National Association for Business Resources as a Best & Brightest Company to Work For in the Nation, winning the award for the last six consecutive years and making the 2022 Top 101 National Winners list. Visit wowway.com for more information.

SOURCE WideOpenWest, Inc.

The excitement around Alabama basketball is arguably at an all-time high as the Crimson Tide is coming off its first Final Four appearance in program history this past season. The anticipation is building for the upcoming season as head coach Nate Oats and his staff signed the No. 2 recruiting class for the upcoming year.

The highest ranked member of the upcoming class, McDonald’s All-American Derrion Reid, was named to the 2024 USA Basketball Men’s U18 National Team on Tuesday. Reid was one of 12 players selected for the team after four days of training camp in Colorado Springs. He will represent the United States in the 2024 FIBA U18 Men’s AmeriCup from June 3-9 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The 6-foot-8 forward is considered the No. 16 overall player in the Class of 2024 by 247Sports and is the fourth-highest recruit in program history behind Collin Sexton, Brandon Miller and JD Davison. His selection to the the U.S. U18 National Team makes him the second Alabama player in history to make the team following JaMychal Green who was chosen for the 2008 team.

The United States was drawn into Group B with Argentina, Belize and Brazil with the matchup against Argentina kicking off their competition on June 3.

Today’s Crimson Tide Schedule:

Crimson Tide Results:

Did You Notice?

Countdown to Crimson Tide’s 2024 Football Season Opener:

On This Day in Crimson Tide History:

May 29, 1966: Former Alabama quarterback Pat Trammell, who spurned offers to play professional football, officially fulfilled his professional dream of becoming a doctor.

May 29, 1984: Tim Castille was born in Birmingham, Ala.

Crimson Tide Quote of the Day:

“Well, they’re not blocking anyone, so I’d thought I’d see if they could play defense.” — Quarterback Pat Trammell, explaining to Paul W. “Bear” Bryant why he had quick-kicked on third down (during the “one-platoon system”)

Check us out on: