Alabama Lawmakers Weigh Major Education Bills on Prayer, Grading, and Career Tech This Week

Last updated: March 5, 2026

Alabama parents, here’s what’s happening at the State Capitol that could affect your child’s education. With just 13 legislative days left in the session, lawmakers are moving forward with several education proposals that touch on school culture, accountability measures, and workforce preparation.

TL;DR

Alabama lawmakers have 13 legislative days remaining to advance several education bills affecting school culture, accountability, and workforce preparation.
School prayer and Ten Commandments display bills are scheduled for committee votes Wednesday, with funding penalties attached to the prayer measure.
School grading changes would add growth metrics for the lowest-performing 25% of students and allow threshold adjustments after three years.
Career tech legislation would create tax incentives for industry professionals to teach CTE courses and expand pathways for out-of-state teachers.
Governor has proposed a $10.5 billion Education Trust Fund budget while addressing a $380 million shortfall in the employee health insurance plan.

School Prayer and Pledge Proposals Advance

Two bills related to school prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance are scheduled for committee votes on Wednesday. House Bill 43, sponsored by Rep. Reed Ingram, R-Pike Road, would place a constitutional amendment on the November ballot requiring public schools to conduct the Pledge of Allegiance daily and requiring local school boards to vote on whether to adopt a policy allowing voluntary prayer and Bible reading.

While the Pledge is already required under state law, Ingram’s proposal would impose a financial penalty of up to 25% of a district’s state funding for noncompliance. Student-initiated voluntary prayer is already permitted in Alabama public schools under state law, provided it is not school-sponsored or led by employees.

Alabama lawmakers have 13 days left and several education bills moving - from school prayer to grading changes to career tech. Here's what parents need to know. Tweet Now Follow Learning Success

Ten Commandments Display Measure Also Moving

Also on Wednesday’s agenda is House Bill 216, sponsored by Rep. Mark Gidley, R-Hokes Bluff, which would require displays of the Ten Commandments in certain public school classrooms and common areas serving students in grades 5 through 12. The bill calls for the Commandments to be presented in a historical context and displayed in history classrooms and at least one additional common area serving those grades.

A Senate companion, Senate Bill 99, sponsored by Sen. Keith Kelley, R-Anniston, cleared a Senate committee last week and awaits consideration by the full Senate.

Author Quote "

Quote: I think putting God in their life is really helping them. Attribution: Rep. Reed Ingram, R-Pike Road, HB 43 sponsor

Not applicable - Article provides balanced coverage of legislative activity with quotes from both proponents and critics of the prayer bill.

School Grading Changes Under Debate

The House Education Policy committee will also consider House Bill 396, sponsored by Chair Terri Collins, R-Decatur, which would revise the formula used to assign annual letter grades to Alabama public schools. The bill would adjust the weight of existing measures and add a new metric focused on academic growth among the lowest-performing 25% of students.

During a public hearing last week, school superintendents and other education officials warned the changes could significantly affect schools’ annual ratings and argued lawmakers should not alter the grading system after schools have operated under the current framework for years.

Key Takeaways:

Prayer and Pledge Bills Moving: HB 43 and HB 511 would require daily Pledge and local school board votes on prayer policies, with 25% funding penalties for noncompliance.

Ten Commandments Display Proposed: HB 216 would require displays in history classrooms and common areas for grades 5-12, presented in historical context.

Grading Formula Changes: HB 396 would add growth metrics for lowest-performing students and allow threshold adjustments after three years.

Career Tech and Guard Scholarship Bills Advance

Two bills aimed at expanding Alabama’s career and technical education workforce are up for consideration in the House Ways and Means Education committee. House Bill 517, sponsored by Rep. James Lomax, R-Huntsville, would create the Talent Readiness and Industry Needs (TRAIN) Act, allowing employers to temporarily loan qualified industry professionals to teach CTE courses while offering up to $10 million annually in income tax credits to participating companies.

Lawmakers are also considering an expansion of the Alabama National Guard Educational Assistance Program through House Bill 233, sponsored by Rep. Ed Oliver, R-Dadeville, which would broaden the program to cover on-campus housing costs and certain workforce training programs for dependents of Guard members.

Author Quote "

Quote: When are we going to stop? This has nothing to do with improving the quality of education. It has nothing to do with raising science scores or reading scores. Attribution: Rep. Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, House Minority Leader

As these policy debates continue, what matters most is that Alabama families stay informed and engaged in their children’s educational journey. Whether these bills become law or not, every parent has the power to be their child’s most important advocate and teacher. The decisions made in these legislative halls affect classrooms, but parents make the difference in how their children respond to whatever environment they encounter.

If you want support navigating educational choices for your family, the Learning Success All Access Program offers a free trial that includes a personalized Action Plan – and you keep that plan even if you decide it’s not the right fit.