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Alabama state school board wants early review of social studies standards

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Alabama state school board wants early review of social studies standards


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The Alabama Board of Training advised State Superintendent Eric Mackey Thursday to place the overview of social research requirements again on the calendar sooner reasonably than later.

The social research requirements are simply too previous, board members mentioned, and so they need state officers to revisit sooner than deliberate. Textbooks have been final accredited in 2011, and lecturers want new supplies, they mentioned.

Social research requirements are at present resulting from be reviewed in 2026, with native colleges implementing a brand new course of research with new textbooks within the 2028-29 college 12 months.

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Learn extra: Alabama delays social research requirements updates amid requests to deal with ‘unbalanced’ subjects, CRT

“I guarantee you in our society quite a bit has modified,” board member Wayne Reynolds mentioned through the work session in Montgomery. “The Gulf Struggle is new, the entire surroundings of the world we stay in that our college students ought to perceive is dramatically completely different.”

Board member Tonya Chestnut mentioned, “We have to actually have a way of urgency and put social research sooner than what now we have. Can you concentrate on what has occurred since 2010? Our children deserve higher. So we have to make the changes.”

Board member Cynthia McCarty, an economics professor at Jacksonville State College, mentioned she’s involved that the economics portion of the requirements are outdated.

“Financial coverage has modified. The instruments that our central financial institution is ready to use have modified.”

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In consequence, McCarty mentioned, “We’re educating them some issues which are not finished with financial coverage, after which not together with some issues which are finished.”

The board batted round prospects for which course of research–science is subsequent in line—could possibly be swapped out with social research.

Board member Tracie West mentioned lecturers can pull in supplemental supplies which are updated even when textbooks are outdated.

“It’s not like we’re simply leaving them on the market with out choices to have the ability to pull in new supplies in geography, financial coverage.”

Pulling supplemental supplies isn’t an choice for all colleges, board vice chairman Yvette Richardson mentioned.

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“If you discuss districts that may get supplemental up to date supplies, that’s good for many who have the cash to do this,” she mentioned.

One other challenge, Richardson added, is that if lecturers are chargeable for discovering up to date supplies, it results in a scarcity of continuity throughout colleges and districts.

Mackey cautioned board members that it’s not a easy job to maneuver the sequence of topic critiques round. Loads of analysis is completed within the 12 months previous to a committee contemplating a brand new course of research. And the division at present doesn’t have a social research specialist for a committee to work with, he mentioned, after the sudden retirement of the longtime specialist final 12 months.

Board member Stephanie Bell, in pushing for an earlier overview of social research requirements, mentioned she’s heard whispers of plans by lawmakers who might take the reins on the overview if the board doesn’t.

She cited lawmakers’ passage of the Literacy Act and the Numeracy Act as examples of lawmakers dictating what will get taught.

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“We must be those truly doing it,” Bell mentioned, “and making these choices and never ready for them to inform us when and the way.”

A overview of social research requirements was underway final 12 months, however Mackey dismissed the committee in September, reasoning {that a} current overview of Alabama’s social research requirements discovered them to be one of many strongest requirements within the nation and adjustments might wait.

No choices have been made on the work session, however Mackey mentioned they are going to revisit the subject in Might.

In an interview with AL.com Friday, Reynolds was assured social research can be moved up.

“We don’t settle for the present plan,” he mentioned. “The board will set the schedule. And it’ll not be delayed so long as it was.”

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Alabama teacher worker’s compensation bill moves forward

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Alabama teacher worker’s compensation bill moves forward


BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – Alabama teachers are one step closer to having worker’s compensation.

Senate Bill One passed the Finance and Taxation Education Committee Wednesday. It’s now heading to the full Senate for consideration.

While the worker’s comp benefit has been in the conversation for years now, the 2024 bill didn’t make it past the legislative finish line last year.

AEA’s Government Relations Manager says she hopes this is the year teachers can get the injury protection.

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If a K-12 educator gets hurt on the job right now, they must file the injury with their school within 24 hours and oftentimes use sick leave and PTO. They then have to cover the expenses and bills on their own and seek reimbursement later, which sometimes isn’t even approved.

Dr. Allison King says this new benefit could help with recruitment and retention in the education sector, but more importantly, it fills a need.

“Some people don’t think of, always of, education as an industry where people get hurt a lot, but truthfully, they do,” said Dr. King. “Our folks are on the frontlines everyday. Sometimes it’s teachers dealing with student assault or breaking up fights, anything like that that they’re dealing with. Our administrators deal with those same things. Even our custodians or CMP employees deal with injuries. They have more labor intensive roles in the schools that can create injuries from time to time.”

The bill is sponsored by Senator Sam Givhan. If enacted, it would allow injured educators to continue receiving their salary for up to 90 days and it would help cover medical expenses.

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Alabama faces severe weather risk today, Saturday: Here’s the statewide forecast

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Alabama faces severe weather risk today, Saturday: Here’s the statewide forecast


Strong to severe storms will be possible across Alabama today and tonight, according to the National Weather Service.

NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center has increased the risk for part of south and central Alabama. Forecasters added a Level 3 out of 5 — or enhanced — risk for those areas in the latest forecast update.

The strongest storms could have damaging wind gusts capable of taking down trees and power lines, heavy rain, and a tornado or two.

And that’s not the only severe weather threat this week. Forecasters are also monitoring for another, possibly more substantial severe weather threat on Saturday as a strong cold front moves through.

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The National Weather Service said more heavy rain will also be possible, with an additional 2 to 3 inches possible in areas of the state over the next few days. Flood watches have been issued for parts of north and central Alabama.

Here’s the rainfall forecast through Saturday morning:

An additional 2 to 3 inches of rain could fall on parts of Alabama from now until Saturday morning.NWS

TODAY

Strong to severe storms will be most likely this afternoon through tonight in north and central Alabama, according to the weather service.

South Alabama could have an additional round of storms this morning from about 10 a.m. through 4 p.m., according to the weather service in Mobile.

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Today’s storms could have wind gusts as high as 60 mph and heavy rain. A tornado or two will also be possible.

The Storm Prediction Center is forecasting a Level 3 out of 5 risk for severe weather for parts of south and south-central Alabama, including Montgomery, Troy and Greenville.

Much of south and central Alabama today has a Level 3 risk today and parts of north Alabama and southeast Alabama will have a Level 1 risk. (See the severe weather forecast for today at the top of this post.)

A Level 3 (or enhanced) risk means that scattered to numerous severe storms will be possible. A Level 2 (or slight risk) means that scattered severe storms will be possible. A Level 1 (marginal) risk means isolated severe storms will be possible.

More rain is also expected statewide today, and it could cause river flooding and localized flash flooding.

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Flood watches have been issued for parts of central and north Alabama and will last until 4 a.m. Thursday.

The north Alabama counties under a flood watch are Cullman, Marshall, Jackson and DeKalb.

The central Alabama counties under a flood watch are Bibb, Blount, Calhoun, Chambers, Cherokee, Chilton, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Etowah, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Jefferson, Lamar, Perry, Pickens, Randolph, Shelby, St. Clair, Sumter, Talladega, Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa and Walker.

SATURDAY

Saturday severe weather outlook

All of Alabama could have to deal with more severe storms on Saturday. And areas in west Alabama could have an enhanced risk.SPC

The weather service said another threat for severe weather will be possible on Saturday as a cold front moves through the state.

The Storm Prediction Center as added an enhanced risk for severe weather for part of west Alabama for Saturday in its latest forecast update. The rest of the state has a Level 2 risk.

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The weather service said tornadoes, damaging winds and heavy rain will again be possible. The additional rain could also increase concerns about flooding.

The timing for Saturday’s storms looks to be from the afternoon through the overnight hours, according to forecasters.

Here’s more on today’s weather concerns from the weather service offices throughout the state:

NORTH ALABAMA

CENTRAL ALABAMA

Central Alabama forecast update

Here’s a look at timing for stronger storms today.NWS

SOUTH ALABAMA

South Alabama outlook

Here’s what forecasters are expecting for south Alabama today.NWS



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Mexican cartels are smuggling Alabama red snapper – Tuberville, Britt fight back with new law – Yellowhammer News

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Mexican cartels are smuggling Alabama red snapper – Tuberville, Britt fight back with new law – Yellowhammer News


With over 12,000 employees and an annual statewide impact of $1.1 billion, Alabama’s fishing industry is vital to the state’s economic standing.

However, those achievements are under threat from outside sources that could severely damage one of Alabama’s key industries.

According to U.S. Senators Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt, cartels in Mexico have been funding and backing fishermen who are catching American red snapper, smuggling the fish back into Mexico, and then reselling it to American consumers for often a cheaper price than fish caught by American anglers.

To halt the encroachment on the fishing industry, both lawmakers have helped to reintroduce the Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act to ensure that only American caught fish are available for consumers.

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The legislation would allow a field test kit to be used to accurately ascertain whether fish were caught in U.S. or foreign waters, giving federal and state law enforcement officers the ability to identify the origin of the fish and confiscate illegally caught red snapper and tuna before it is imported back into the U.S.

On Monday, the bill advanced out of the Senate Commerce Committee.

“Senate Republicans are committed to putting America first, which requires legislation that protects hardworking Americans, including our tremendous Gulf of America red snapper fishermen and food producers in Alabama,” said Britt. “These Alabamians deserve fairness when fishing and selling their products in the market.”

Sens. Tuberville, Britt advance law to combat illegal red snapper trade in support of Alabama industry

“Advancing the Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act is a first step to protecting Alabama’s fishermen and putting cartel-backed poachers on notice for their illicit activities in the Gulf. This legislation will help ensure a level playing field for our fishermen and send a strong message to Mexico that illegal actions will no longer be tolerated.”

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Tuberville echoed Britt’s sentiments on the importance of protecting Alabama’s fishing industry.

“Alabama lands 34 percent of all recreationally caught Red Snapper in the Gulf,” Tuberville (R-Auburn) said.

“Unfortunately, our domestic Red Snapper industry is being undermined by Mexican fishermen who are illegally catching American snapper in the Gulf, smuggling them into Mexico, and then reselling the same fish back to American consumers. In addition to taking business away from Alabama’s fishermen, many of the profits from these illegal fishing operations are funding the cartels. I’m proud to join Senator Cruz in introducing the Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act to stop illegal Red Snapper from flooding our markets and bankrupting our great fishermen.”

Each year, about 100,000 red snapper are harvested off of Alabama’s coast, accounting for almost a third of the total recreational harvest in the Gulf of America.

Austen Shipley is the News Director for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten

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