>> DON: AND WELCOME TO "SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION."

I'M DON DAILEY.

WE HAVE A PACKED SHOW TONIGHT, FULL OF INFORMATION THAT WE HOPE WILL BE USEFUL FOR YOU.

COMING UP, WE WILL HAVE STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION, DR. ERIK MACKEY ON THE PROGRAM, WHO WILL TALK WITH US ABOUT, AMONG OTHER THINGS, MORE SCHOOL SYSTEMS MOVING AWAY FROM PLASTIC MANDATES.

WE SPEAK WITH REPRESENTATIVE BILL POOL OF TUSCALOOSA WHO CHAIRS THE HOUSE EDUCATION BUDGET COMMITTEE ABOUT THIS YEAR'S RECORD $7.6 BILLION SCHOOL SPENDING PLAN.

AND DR. VICKIE KARL WITS WHO IS PRESIDENT OF WALLACE STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN HANSVILLE WILL JOIN TO US TALK ABOUT A NEW VIRTUAL PROGRAM TO HELP TRAIN DIESEL TECHNICIANS IN THIS STATE, WHICH ARE VERY MUCH IN DEMAND RIGHT NOW.

BUT WE BEGIN TONIGHT'S "SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION" WITH THE CHANCELLOR OF THE ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM, JIMMY BAKER IS IN THE STUDIO WITH US.

WELCOME BACK TO SPOTLIGHT.

>> THANK YOU, DONE.

I ALWAYS ENJOY BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

NICE TO HAVE YOU.

>> I WANT TO BEGIN WITH THE ANNOUNCEMENT REPEATEDLY THAT THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM WOULD BE FREEZING TUITION THIS FALL AND WOULD ALSO BE RESUMING FULL CAMPUS OPERATIONS.

WE'RE SLOWLY BUT SURELY MAKING PROGRESS EVERY DAY WHERE THE BICYCLE IS CONCERNED.

SO IN ANNOUNCING THAT YOU WOULD RESUME FULL CAMPUS OPERATIONS THIS FALL, YOU FEEL CONFIDENT THAT WE'RE THERE OR ALMOST TO THAT POINT?

>> I THINK WE'RE ALMOST THERE.

WE'RE VERY CLOSE TO THAT.

WE FEEL COMFORTABLE THAT WE CAN DEAL WITH THE SYSTEMS AND WITH THE PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE INTERNAL IN OUR SCHOOLS THAT WE CAN PROTECT WITH SOME SAFE DISTANCING AND THOSE KINDS OF THINGS BUT I THINK WE'RE READY TO HAVE STUDENTS BACK AND FACE-TO-FACE INSTRUCTION.

>> HOW DID YOU FARE DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC?

I ASSUME THERE WAS A DEGREE OF VIRTUAL LEARNING THAT WENT ON?

>> THERE WAS AN AWFUL LOT OF VIRTUAL LEARNING AND I THINK THAT WE LEARNED A LOT.

THERE WAS A LOT THAT HAVE THAT WE HAD HOPED WE WOULD BE AHEAD OF THE CURVE ON AND WE WERE ON SOME OF IT.

BUT WE'VE HAD -- IT'S BEEN A LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR OUR CLASSROOM INSTRUCTORS, FOR OUR STUDENTS, AND I THINK WE'RE MUCH BETTER TODAY, AT A MUCH EARLIER THAN WE ANTICIPATED BEING BETTER AT IT BECAUSE OF THE EXPERIENCE WE HAVE HAD.

BUT I THINK THE BOTTOM LINE IS, WE OPERATED SCHOOLS, MAYBE THE ONES THAT WE HAD THE MOST DIFFICULTY WITH WAS THE CLINICAL KINDS OF PROGRAMS WHERE SPACING WAS IMPORTANT AND WE ENDED UP HAVING TO SPLIT CLASSES AND HAVE TWO CLASSES INSTEAD OF ONE.

BUT WE DID THOSE -- WE MADE THOSE ACCOMMODATIONS AND I THINK IT'S ENDED UP BEING A REASONABLY GOOD YEAR.

NOT OUR BEST YEAR BUT A REASONABLY GOOD YEAR.

>> WELL, THE PANDEMIC DID A LOT OF THINGS INTENTIONALLY AND NON-INTENTIONALLY.

ONE OF THE THINGS IT DID WAS IT TAUGHT US WHAT IS POSSIBLE WHEN WE HAVE TO MAKE A SPUR OF THE MOMENT DECISIONS.

WE HOPE WE DON'T HAVE TO GO BACK TO SOMETHING LIKE THIS FOR THE NEXT HUNDRED YEARS OR SO, BUT IT TAUGHT US WHAT IS POSSIBLE; RIGHT?

>> IT DID.

OF COURSE THE THINGS THAT WE ALWAYS NEED TO REMEMBER, EDUCATION IS A SOCIAL EXPERIENCE.

STUDENTS ARE BETTER WHEN THEY'RE IN COMPETITION WITH OTHER STUDENTS.

AND IF EVERYTHING IS DISTANT THAN IT'S NOT ALWAYS THE SAME.

AND WE HAVE STRUGGLED TRYING TO KEEP THAT COMPETITIVENESS AMONG THE STUDENTS.

THAT ENERGY THAT YOU SOMETIMES MISS IF YOU'RE JUST ON THE TUBE.

AND WE'VE MADE STRIDES, AND I WOULD THINK WE WOULD BE MUCH BETTER PREPARED FOR THE FUTURE IF WE HAD A SIMILAR KIND OF OCCURRENCE WHICH I HOPE WE NEVER HAVE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AT LEAST NOT FOR ANOTHER HUNDRED YEARS OR SO.

NOT IN OUR LIFETIME.

>> MR. CHANCELLOR, WHERE THE TUITION FREEZE IS CONCERNED, TELL US ABOUT THE PHILOSOPHY THERE.

>> WELL, IT'S BEEN A YEAR OF TURMOIL I GUESS WHAT I WOULD SAY AND IT'S BEEN A LOT OF HOMES THAT HAVE BEEN -- HAVE GONE THROUGH UPHEAVAL, A LOT OF JOBS HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED.

WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT WORKING.

FORTUNATELY IN MANY CASES THEY'RE DRAWING UNEMPLOYMENT.

THAT'S BEEN ENHANCED SOME BUT STILL MANY OF THE HOUSEHOLDS THAT WE SERVE ARE NOT AS STABLE AS THEY WERE 18 MONTHS AGO.

IT WAS OUR FEELING THAT WE WANTED TO DO EVERYTHING THAT WE COULD TO PROVIDE A WAY FOR PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND WHERE THEY'RE HEADED, UNDERSTAND WHAT EXPENSES MAY BE SO WE FROZE OUR TUITION.

STILL OUR TUITION IS SUCH THAT A STUDENT COULD COMPLETE TWO YEARS IN OUR COLLEGES AND STILL BE ABOUT 50 PERCENT OF THE COST OF GOING TO A FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE.

IT'S NOT CRITICAL.

BUT WE HAVE A CLIENTELE THAT WE NEED ACCOMMODATE THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES THEY HAVE.

>> WELL, IT'S AN INTERESTING POINT TO MAKE IN THE MIDST OF OUR PANDEMIC CONVERSATION BECAUSE ONE OF THE LONG LASTING EFFECTS LONG AFTER MUCH OF THE REST OF OUR LIVES RESUMES SOME SENSE OF NORMALCY, THE ECONOMIC IMPACT WILL BE FELT FOR SOME TIME.

AND UNFORTUNATELY, PEOPLE LOST JOBS OR HAD TO CHANGE JOBS AND HAD TO ADJUST LIFESTYLES ACCORDINGLY.

SO IT'S -- IT'S GOOD THAT THE SYSTEM IS RECOGNIZING THAT AND ACCOMMODATING FOLKS, AT LEAST IN THE SHORT-TERM.

>> YOU KNOW, DON, I THINK THERE'S SOMETHING A LOT OF FOLKS DON'T REALIZE.

THIS PAST YEAR, WE TOUCHED OVER 150 STUDENTS, 150,000 STUDENTS.

WE WORK IN A LOT OF WAYS.

A LOT OF OUR STUDENTS ARE COMING TO US, PLANNING TO GO ON TO A FOUR-YEAR DEGREE.

THAT'S GREAT.

WE DO THE ACADEMIC PREPARATION.

A LOT OF OUR STUDENTS NEVER PLANNED TO DO THAT.

WE HAVE HAD ADDED A LOT OF SHORT COURSES, SIX, SEVEN, 12 WEEKS SO YOU CAN RECEIVE A CERTIFICATION IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.

BUT WE HAVE DONE THAT IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY IS CRYING FOR EMPLOYEES.

AND WE WOULD HAVE WORKED WITH THEM SO WE CAN SHORTEN THE TRAINING PROGRAM.

BUT WE HAVE ALSO MADE AN ACCOMMODATION SO THAT IN THE FUTURE, IF SOMEONE WHO TOOK ONE OF THOSE COURSES, WAS ABLE TO GO TO WORK, DECIDED TO COME BACK AND PURSUE A DEGREE OF SOME SORT, THEN WE COULD GIVE THEM CREDIT FOR THE PREVIOUS EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING, AS LONG AS WE HAVE PREPARED FOR THAT IN THE PROCESS.

>> HOW VITAL IS THAT IN THE LONG-TERM?

I DON'T THINK WE CAN UNDERESTIMATE THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT KIND OF CREDIT.

>> I THINK IT'S HUGE.

I THINK IT'S HUGE.

AND I THINK SOMETIMES WE HAVE IGNORED THAT PART OF IT.

IT'S BEEN EASIER TO JUST DO THE ACADEMIC PREPARATION PROGRAMS OR THE LONG-TERM TRAINING PROGRAMS.

OUR GOAL HAS BEEN TO HAVE A KID FOR TWO YEARS, OR A STUDENT, FOR TWO YEARS.

TODAY WE'RE TRYING TO FIND EXACTLY WHAT DOES THE BUSINESS INDUSTRY NEED, WHAT ARE THE JOBS NEEDED AND HOW CAN WE STRAIN JOBS THAT ARE NEEDED SO THEY WOULD BE AVAILABLE ON AN IMMEDIATE BASIS BUT IF THEY CHOOSE TO MOVE FORWARD IN THE FUTURE WE CAN ACCOMMODATE THAT AS WELL.

I THINK IT'S HUGE AT THIS ENVIRONMENT THAT WE'RE IN.

TOURISM, RESTAURANTS, MOTEL, HOTELS, EVERYBODY IS STRUGGLING TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO EMPLOY ENOUGH PEOPLE TO PERFORM THEIR RESPONSIBLE DUTIES.

>> IT'S AN INTERESTING OUTGROWTH OF THE PANDEMIC NOW THAT THINGS ARE STARTING TO WAYNE, THANK GOODNESS, AS SOME OF THESE VERY INDUSTRIES THAT YOU SAW MENTIONED RIGHT NOW ARE HAVING A HARD TIME FINDING EMPLOYEES TO COME BACK TO WORK.

>> FIST.

IN FACT I HAVE A MEETING WITH SOMEONE REPRESENTING THE TOURISM OPERATIONS.

AND ALSO IN THE RESTAURANTS.

SO THAT THEY'RE WANTING TO US SET UP TRAINING PROGRAMS.

OUR PROBLEM IS WE'RE HAPPY TO DO THAT.

WE WILL DO THAT.

IT'S CONVINCING PEOPLE TO COME TO THOSE PROGRAMS.

AND WE HAVE BECOME A RECRUITING AGENCY ALMOST IN MANY INSTANCES AND WE CAN DO THAT, AND THAT'S PART OF OUR JOB.

BUT IT'S BRINGING ABOUT A LOT OF CHANGE, EVEN INTERNALLY WITHIN OUR ORGANIZATION TO ACCOMMODATE THE COMMUNITIES THAT WE SERVE.

>> WELL, YOU ALLUDED TO THIS ALREADY BUT I WANTED TO DELVE INTO THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEMS NEW INTEGRAL ROLE IN BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY RECRUITMENT AND OUR ECONOMIC HEALTH IN THE STATE.

OVER THE LAST DECADE, THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM HAS BECOME SUCH A VITAL PART OF THAT IN HELPING TO MEET THE NEED FOR SKILLED WORKERS IN OUR STATE, AND WE'RE JUST MAKING TREMENDOUS STRIDES, SO KUDOS TO YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES.

>> WELL, I ASKED ALL OF MY PRESIDENTS TO SPEND SOME SERIOUS TIME OVER THE LAST YEAR, TO THINK ABOUT WHAT THEY NEED -- WHAT DO THEY LOOK LIKE IN 2030 FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS, HOW DO WE BRING ABOUT THE CHANGE IN OUR PROGRAM SO THAT WE ACCOMMODATE THE NEED IN THE ECONOMY?

AND IT'S BEEN KIND OF A LITTLE DIFFERENT TWIST FOR SOME OF OUR PEOPLE.

A LOVE OF OUR PEOPLE HAVE JUMPED RIGHT IN AND MOVED FORWARD.

WE HAVE INVOLVED THE COMMUNITY IN THAT PLANNING PROCESS, BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY, AND IT'S BEEN -- I THINK A FRUITFUL ACTIVITY ON THEIR PART TO BRING THE COMMUNITY IN, ASK THEM WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP, AND LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT IT LOOK LIKE 10 YEARS FROM NOW.

AND I HOPE WE'RE READY TO DO THAT.

>> I MENTIONED AT THE OUTSET OF THE SHOW, DR. VICKIE KARL WITS FROM WALLACE STATE AND COMING UP AND SHE WILL TALK ABOUT A PROGRAM THAT HAS BEEN GETTING A LOT OF BUZZ, THE NEW VIRTUAL PROGRAM TO TRAIN DIESEL TECHNICIANS AND THAT'S JUST THE TIP OF ICEBERG FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGES ARE CONCERNED.

>> IT ABSOLUTELY IS.

FACT, WE'RE DEVELOPING AN INNOVATION CENTER BASED ACTUALLY IN THE CITY OF DECATUR BECAUSE WE HAVE OTHER ACTIVITIES THERE AND OUR STRONG SCHOOL IS THERE.

BUT WE HAVE TO BECOME AWARE OF WHAT IS OUT THERE IN THE WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY.

AND WITH THE VIRTUAL REALITY AUGMENTED REALITY, WE ASK DO A LOT OF TRAINING THROUGH TECHNOLOGY SO THAT EVERYBODY DOESN'T HAVE TO BE SITTING IN A LAB SOMEWHERE.

AND IT CAN BE REAL ON HANDS TRAINING ALMOST.

SO I THINK THE WORLD IS -- A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITY IS OUT THERE.

WE JUST HAVE TO CAPTURE IT AND WE HAVE TO THEN PUT IT INTO OUR SCHOOLS AND INTO OUR SYSTEMS.

>> I MENTIONED THAT REPRESENT BILL POOLE IS ALSO COMING UP LATER IN THE PROGRAM TO TALK ABOUT THE NEW EDUCATION BUDGET.

I BELIEVE, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, THERE'S $10 MILLION IN THE BUDGET FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEMS FOR -- TO ADDRESS THE NEED FOR WHAT IS CALLED NONCREDIT SHORT-TERM CREDENTIALS.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE HAD FUNDS FOR THAT.

BUT THAT COMES BACK TO SOMETHING I MENTIONED EARLIER, LIKE TOURISM.

MANY OF THE EMPLOYEES THAT ARE NEEDED TODAY, IT DOESN'T TAKE SIX MONTHS TO TRAIN.

FOR WHAT THEY WANT AND WE SIT DOWN WITH THE EMPLOYER, IT'S A SPECIFICALLY -- WE SAY SPECIFICALLY WHAT DO YOU WANT THE PERSON TO BE ABLE TO DO, AND WE CAN PUT TOGETHER A TRAINING PROGRAM, WE CAN DEVELOP A CURRICULUM FOR THAT.

AND WE CAN TURN THOSE PEOPLE OUT IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.

AND I SPECIFIED IN MY REQUEST OF THE BILL, WHO DOES A GREAT JOB ON THE EDUCATION BUDGET, THAT WE'RE NOT LOOKING AT BEFORE THIS ACCIDENT AND MORTAR.

WE WILL FIND A RAY CANT SPOT SOMEWHERE.

IT COULD BE WEEKENDS OR EVENINGS OR WHATEVER BUT WE WANT THAT MONEY TO BE USED TO TRAIN THOSE PEOPLE SO THEY CAN GET INTO THE WORKFORCE ON AN IMMEDIATE BASIS.

>> BEFORE WE CLOSE, CHANCELLOR, YOU MENTIONED AT THE OUTSET, 150,000 STUDENTS OR SO RIGHT NOW.

THAT SAYS TO ME THAT OUR COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM IS REALLY THRIVING.

>> WELL, WE FEEL LIKE WE ARE.

WE STILL ARE -- I SAY STRUGGLING.

WE STILL THINK THERE ARE WORLDS OF PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO WE ARE NOT REACHING AND WE ARE PUTTING IN TECHNOLOGY AND PROVING OUR WAY TO TRACE AND FIND PEOPLE.

BUT MANY OF OUR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE NOT SHOWING UP IN A LOT OF OUR ADVANCED TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR OUR TWO-OR FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE.

SO WE WANT TO FIND A WAY TO GET MORE AND MORE OF THOSE STUDENTS INVOLVED IN SOME KIND OF IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM SO THEY CAN BE UP SKILLED.

AND FILLED NEED WE HAVE IN THIS STATE.

>> IF SOME OF THEM ARE WATCHING RIGHT NOW, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO THEM?

>> COME AS QUICK AS YOU CAN AND WE WILL FIND A WAY TO MAKE EVERYTHING WORK FOR YOU SO YOU CAN BE UP SKILLED AND YOU CAN BE COMPETITIVE IN A LABOR MARKET AND MAKE A GOOD LIVING.

>> INDEED.

JIMMY BAKER IS CHANCELLOR OF THE ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM.

THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE GREAT WORK THAT YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES DO AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ALWAYS ENJOY IT.

>> "SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> MOST CHILDREN IN ALABAMA DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO FORMAL PRE-K PROGRAMS TO HELP THEM PREPARE FOR SCHOOL.

BUT ALL DIMINISH ALABAMA HAVE ACCESS TO THE CHIRPS PROGRAMMING ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

AND THESE PROGRAMS ARE PROVE TO HELP CHILDREN START PREPARED BETTER TO SUCCEED.

WATCHING "SESAME STREET" AND CURE GEORGE CAN HELP HAVEN A IMPACT FROM KINDERGARTEN TO HIGH SCHOOL.

APT PROVIDES TRAINING AND RESOURCES TO PARENTS AND CHILDCARE PROVIDERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE TO HELP THEM MAKE THE MOST OF THESE GREAT PROGRAMS.

IT'S ON AIR PRE-K EVERY DAY ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION, AND APT ENCOURAGES PARENTS TO WATCH THESE VALUABLE PROGRAMS WITH THEIR CHILDREN.

>> NEXT UP, DR. VICKIE KARL WITS IS PRESIDENT OF WALLACE STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN HANSVILLE, ALABAMA AND JOINS US IN THE STUDIO.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR, DON, FOR HAVING ME TODAY.

>> WALLACE STATE RECENTLY ANNOUNCED SOME EXCITING NEWS.

YOU'RE ENTERING INTO VIRTUAL TECHNOLOGY TO HELP FOLKS IN THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY.

TELL US WHAT HAPPENED.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE HAVE HAD A PRESENCE IN THE VIRTUAL REALITY WORLD FOR ABOUT 10 YEARS NOW.

BUT A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ALABAMA TRUCKING ASSOCIATION, JUST ALLOWED US AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO MORE THAN WE HAD BEEN DOING.

SO WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT PARTNERSHIP WITH ALABAMA TRUCKING ASSOCIATION, OTHER EMPLOYERS IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA, AND TRANSFER VR.

>> YES.

DIESEL TECH JOBS.

THIS WILL HELP ENHANCE THOSE THROUGH ONLINE VIRTUAL TRAINING; RIGHT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT'S ANOTHER TOOL IN OUR TOOLBOX TO TRAIN A DIESEL TECHNICIAN'S FROM ALL AROUND THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND ACROSS THE NATION ACTUALLY.

>> WHEN WE SAY DIESEL TECHNICIANS I'M ASSUMING WE'RE TALK ABOUT THOSE WHO WORK ON DIESEL TRUCKS; RIGHT?

>> YES.

EVERY TRUCK THAT IS ON THE ROAD HAS TO MEET CERTAIN COMPLIANCE STANDARDS FOR THE FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ACT, THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND ALSO HAVE TO BE MAINTAINED.

THEY'RE HIGH MILEAGE TRUCKS AND HAVE TO BE KEPT IN GOOD WORKING ORDER AND DIESEL TECHNICIANS DO THAT WORK.

>> AND THERE ARE A LOT OF DIESEL TECHNICIAN JOBS, ARE THERE NOT?

>> YES, THERE ARE.

DON, IN THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR THERE WERE 500 INDIVIDUAL OPENINGS FOR DIESEL TECHNICIANS IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, THERE ARE A PROJECTED 3,000 NEW DIESEL TECHNICIANS THAT WILL BE NEEDED IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

AND THIS PARTNERSHIP WILL ALLOW US TO HELP FILL THOSE POSITIONS.

>> IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE WE'RE SLOWLY BUT SURELY RECOVERING FROM THE EFFECTS OF THE PANDEMIC, AND IT'S HEARTENING TO HEAR THAT JOBS ARE AVAILABLE AND WAITING FOR THOSE WITH THE PROPER TRAINING AND THAT'S WHERE THIS PROGRAM COMES IN, THE PROPER TRAINING.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I LOOK AT IT AS PART OF GOVERNOR IVEY'S SUCCESS PLUS PLAN.

SHE RELEASED THAT PLAN MORE THAN A YEAR AGO, AND IT IS GOVERNOR IVEY'S GOAL TO ADD ANOTHER 500 THOUSAND CREDENTIALS WORKERS TO THE WORKFORCE BY THE YEAR 2025.

HER GOAL IN DOING THAT IS TO MOVE ALABAMA'S LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION RATE FROM ITS CURRENT LEVEL OF 58 PERCENT TO THE NATIONAL AVERAGE OF 63 PERCENT.

THAT IS A HEAVY LIFT.

BUT WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE STATISTICS IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA, THAT 28 PERCENT OF THE JOBS IN ALABAMA ARE HIGH SKILLED, 17 PERCENT ARE LOW SKILLED, THE OTHER 55 PERCENT ARE MIDDLE SCHOOL JOBS, 59 PERCENT OF ALABAMA'S WORKFORCE WILL REQUIRE MIDDLE SCHOOL JOBS IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS BUT ONLY 47 PERCENT OF OUR POPULATION IS TRAINED AT THAT LEVEL.

THAT'S THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE SPACE.

AND SO THAT IS WHAT WE'RE DOING IN TRYING TO BE INNOVATIVE AND REACHING OUT ALL ACROSS ALABAMA TO REACH THOSE POPULATIONS WHO MIGHT NOT CURRENTLY BE IN THE WORKFORCE OR WHO MIGHT BE HOLDING DOWN UNSKILLED OR SEMI SKILLED JOBS.

>> WELL, IT CERTAINLY SEEMS THAT THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE COMMUNITY, IF YOU WILL, HAS REALLY STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE ON THIS ISSUE AND BEEN A VALUABLE PARTNER WITH GOVERNOR IVEY AND HER ENDEAVORS.

WHEN SHE FIRST ANNOUNCED THIS INITIATIVE A LOT OF PEOPLE THOUGHT IT WAS OVERLY BOLD.

DO YOU THINK WE CAN GET THERE OR CLOSE TO GET THERE?

>> IT'S BOLD.

THAT'S FOR SURE.

BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT CHANCELLOR BAKER AND ALL OF THE PRESIDENTS OF THE BAPTIST COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEMS 24 COLLEGES ARE WORKING DILIGENTLY TO IDENTIFY THOSE SPECIAL POPULATIONS AND TO DEVELOP NEW AND INNOVATIVE MECHANISMS FOR -- TO REACHING POPULATIONS THAT WE DON'T CURRENTLY REACH OR THAT WE MIGHT CONSIDER UNREACHABLE, THOSE THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO ON BOARD, INTO NEW POSITIONS.

WE HAVE A VERY RURAL STATE.

AND POVERTY, TRANSPORTATION, THOSE KINDS OF ISSUES ARE VERY REAL BARRIERS.

SO IF WE CAN REDUCE THEIR TIME ON CAMPUS BUT ASSURE THAT WE HAVE THE TOOLS THAT MAKE THE QUALITY OF LEARNING THE SAME, THEN WE WILL DO MUCH TO OVERCOME THOSE BARRIERS.

>> WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY, I DON'T THINK WE UNDER STATE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY.

AND OUR OVERALL ECONOMY.

BECAUSE TRUCKING KEEPS BUSINESS MOVING NOT ONLY IN ALABAMA BUT ACROSS THIS COUNTRY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

JUST IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA THERE ARE MORE THAN 60,000 TRUCK DRIVING JOBS.

WHEN I SAY THERE WERE 500 DIESEL TECHNICIAN OPENINGS THERE WERE ABOUT 4,000 IN TRUCK DRIVING JOBS, IF YOU THINK ABOUT ALABAMA'S ECONOMY, WHILE WE'RE HEARING THAT THERE'S SO MUCH UNEMPLOYMENT ACROSS THE NATION, YOU KNOW, 4 PERCENT UNEMPLOYMENT IN ALABAMA IS REALLY GOOD.

AND IN COLVIN COUNTY WHERE WE'RE LOCATED IT'S 2.2 PERCENT UNEMPLOYMENT.

SO THAT'S A VERY GOOD FIGURE FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

AND WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE AUTOMOTIVE CORRIDORS, SOUTHERN AUTOMOTIVE CORRIDOR, NISSAN, MAZDA IN HUNTSVILLE, ALL OF THE GROWTH HAPPENING IN HUNTSVILLE AND ACROSS THE STATE AND THE EXPANSION OF THE PORT IN SOUTH ALABAMA, THERE ARE PRODUCTS THAT ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO EXPAND, THAT WOULD BE MOVING IN OUR STATE.

SO IT'S ESSENTIAL THAT WE ADDRESS THE ROOT SOURCE OF MOVING THOSE PRODUCTS, AND THAT IS IN THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY.

>> THIS VIRTUAL REALITY INITIATIVE THAT YEAR'S DOING FOR THE DIESEL TECH JOBS, THAT'S JUST ANOTHER FEATHER IN YOUR CAP SO TO SPEAK, WHERE THESE TYPE OF INDUSTRY JOBS ARE CONCERNED WHILE A STATE HAS BEEN ON BOARD FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS IN JOB TRAINING IN THIS ARENA AND NOW WE'RE TAKING IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL OR EXPANDING THAT LEVEL.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WALLACE STATE IS A NATIONAL LEADER AND I'M VERY PROUD OF THAT.

BUT VIRTUAL REALITY IS JUST ANOTHER TOOL IN OUR TOOLBOX.

WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT ACCELERATING STUDENTS TO COMPLETION.

WE HAVE ONE OF THE HIGHEST COMPLETION RATES IN THE NATION.

AND OUR JOB IT SHOW OUR STUDENTS GET JOBS.

THEY'RE IN HIGH DEMAND.

BUT THAT TOOL IN THE TOOLBOX THAT WE REALLY PULLED OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS PANDEMIC HAS DEMONSTRATED THAT WE ARE ABLE TO USE SIMULATION TO REDUCE THE TIME IN LAB, TO REDUCE THE TIME IN CLINICALS, AND REALLY MOVE STUDENTS INTO THE WORKFORCE MORE QUICKLY.

IT'S ANOTHER WAY TO DEVELOP STUDENT COMPETENCIES.

WE ARE DEVELOPING A TOTAL OF 225 SIMULATIONS IN THE DIESEL TECHNICIAN PROGRAM, AND THAT'S A LARGE NUMBER OF SIMULATIONS IN A PROGRAM, THAT'S FOUR SEMESTERS IN LENGTH.

>> FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW AND MAYBE WE HAVE PERKED SOME EARS DURING OUR CONVERSATION, SOMEBODY IS THINKING I MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN PURSUING THIS PROGRAM, WHAT KIND OF TIME INVESTMENT ARE THEY LOOKING AT IN STUDYING THIS AND GETTING CERTIFIED?

>> WELL, WE'RE ON A SEMESTER SYSTEM.

THERE ARE THREE SEMESTERS IN AN ACADEMIC YEAR.

THIS PROGRAM CAN BE COMPLETED IN FOUR SEMESTERS.

THE BEAUTY OF THE PROGRAM, AND THE WAY THAT WE'RE ABLE TO DELIVER IT AT A DISTANCE IS THE COLLABORATION WITH EMPLOYERS.

OUR VERY FIRST STUDENT IN THE PROGRAM IS FROM STATE OF ALABAMA.

AND IT'S A FEMALE.

AND SHE IS ON BOARDING INTO A NONTRADITIONAL OCCUPATION.

AND HER PARTNERSHIP EMPLOYER IS ALABAMA POWER, AND HER TUITION IS BEING FUNDED BY THE WOMEN'S FUND IN BIRMINGHAM.

SO THAT'S A BEAUTIFUL WAY TO INVEST IN THE WORKFORCE OF OUR FUTURE AND TO INVEST IN PEOPLE WHO WANT TO BE IN HIGH DEMAND, HIGH-WAGE CAREERS BUT DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITIES AT THEIR DISPOSAL TO DO SO.

>> WELL, THAT'S INTERESTING.

LET'S EXPAND ON THAT A MINUTE.

WOMEN HAVE OBVIOUSLY MADE THEIR WAY INTO THE TRUCK DRIVING INDUSTRY A WHILE BACK, BUT I GUESS SOME MIGHT ASSUME THAT PRESENCE IS NOT AS KNOWN IN THE DIESEL TECH TYPE OF JOBS BUT WE'RE GETTING THERE, RIGHT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WOMEN ARE AVAILED OF SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES THAT WEREN'T PREVIOUSLY AVAILABLE TO THEM.

WOMEN ARE LESS GEOGRAPHICALLY MOBILE.

THEY'RE OFTENTIMES THE CARETAKER FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

THEY'RE OFTENTIMES LOCATED IN THEIR COMMUNITIES MAY NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO LEAVE THEIR HOMES OR COMMUNITIES TO MOVE -- THIS IS A WAY TO BRIDGE THAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM.

>> YOU KNOW THE BEAUTY OF PROGRAMS LIKE THESE, DOCTOR, IS THAT YOU'RE GETTING A LOT OF NONTRADITIONAL STUDENTS NOW, ADULTS WHO MAY HAVE RAISED THEIR FAMILIES AND ARE THINKING ABOUT WHAT IS THE NEXT CHAPTER IN MY LIFE FOR ME, OR WHAT IS THE NEXT CAREER OPPORTUNITY FOR ME, AND I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE BEAUTIES OF THESE TYPES OF PROGRAMS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THAT'S OUR GOAL.

AND THAT WILL HOPEFULLY INCREASE THE LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION RATE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

OFTENTIMES WE FIND POTENTIAL STUDENTS WHO ARE IN JOBS THAT THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO LEAVE.

THEY MIGHT BE IN A TEN-DOLLAR AN HOUR OR $12 AN HOUR JOB BUT THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO LEAVE THAT JOB FOR TRAINING IN AN AREA THAT IS DISTANT FROM THEM TO TRAIN FOR A JOB THAT MIGHT BRING THEM $30 AN HOUR WITHIN TWO YEARS.

THOSE ARE THE KINDS OF OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE ARE MAKING IT OUR BUSINESS TO PROVIDE FOR BUSINESSES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ALABAMA EMPLOYERS.

>> IT'S BECOMING THE NEW NORM, IS IT NOT?

>> IT IS.

I THINK GOVERNOR IDENTIFY AND THE WORKFORCE COUNSEL AND THE ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM HAVE DONE A TREMENDOUS JOB IN INCREASING THE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE TO POTENTIAL STUDENTS BY ESTABLISHING THE ALABAMA OFFICE OF APPRENTICESHIP.

BECAUSE I HAVE ALWAYS SAID, IN YEARS RECENTLY I HAVE SAID APPRENTICESHIPS ARE THE TIP OF THE SPEAR.

AND THESE PARTNERSHIPS WHERE STUDENTS CAN EARN AND LEARN SIMULTANEOUSLY ARE GOING TO MAKE THE DIFFERENCE IN THE QUALITY OF STUDENTS WHO ARE ENTERING THE WORKFORCE BUT ALSO THE AVAILABILITY OF THEM.

>> I DON'T THINK WE CAN UNDERESTIMATE THE IMPORTANCE OF PROGRAMS LIKE THIS IN NORMAL SOMETIMES.

BUT RIGHT NOW AS WE'RE COMING OFF THE PANDEMIC AND WE'RE RECOVERING ECONOMICALLY IN ALABAMA, WE FAIRED BETTER THAN SOME AREAS OF THE COUNTRY HAVE BUT STILL WE STRUGGLED AND JOBS ARE HARD TO COME BY AND NOT SO HARD TO COME BY ANYMORE BECAUSE WE'RE BOUNCING BACK BUT FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR THE NEXT BEST OPPORTUNITY, THESE ARE HIGH-PAYING JOBS, ARE THEY NOT?

>> THEY ARE.

AT ENTRY, A NEW DIESEL TECHNICIAN CAN COMMAND A SALARY OF $20 OR MORE AT ENTRY.

IN TWO YEARS, $30.

A FEW YEARS BEYOND THAT SOME OF THEM ARE MAKING SIX FIGURES.

IF THEY GO INTO BUSINESS FOR THEMSELVES THERE'S NO CEILING ON WHAT THEY CAN DO.

SO THESE ARE LUCRATIVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM.

AND I SAY TO OUR EMPLOYERS THAT THEY HAVE TO PART OF SOLUTION IN SOLVING THE WORKFORCE CRISES THAT HE HAVE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA BECAUSE WITH REMOTE WORKING THEIR COMPETITION IS NOT IN THEIR LEGION ANY LONGER.

IT'S ALL OVER THE NATION.

>> DOCTOR, IS THIS PROGRAM FOR THE BEGINNER AS WELL'S THOSE WHO MIGHT HAVE AN AFFINITY FOR DIESEL TECH TYPE JOBS.

>> IT IS.

WE ARE DEVELOPING IN SUCH A WAY THAT WE CAN INCREASE THE AVAILABILITY OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEARNING TO DUAL ENROLLMENT STUDENTS, BEGINNING IN AS EARLY AS THE 10TH GRADE.

IT'S FOR STUDENT WHOSE ARE JUST GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL AND WANT TO ENTER THE WORKFORCE.

IT'S FOR THOSE WHO MIGHT BE IN A JOB THAT THEY WANT TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

IT MIGHT BE FOR SOMEONE WHO IS RETIRING AND THEY WANT TO OPEN THEIR OWN BUSINESS AND NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A DIESEL TECHNICIAN.

THERE'S NO LIMIT ON THE KINDS OF OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE AVAILABLE AND THE WAYS IN WHICH YOU MAKE THIS KIND OF EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY WORK FOR YOU.

>> AS WE GET READY TO CLOSE, I SUPPOSE PARTNERING WITH THE ALABAMA TRUCKING ASSOCIATION WAS AN INVALUABLE PARTNERSHIP IN GETTING THIS OFF THE GROUND?

>> YES.

IT WAS ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO.

TIM FRAZIER, MARK COLE SON WITH ALABAMA TRUCKING ASSOCIATION INVITED MY TEAM.

THEY HAD BEEN INVESTING IN OUR STUDENTS FOR QUITE SOME TIME WITH SCHOLARSHIPS FOR A DIESEL TECHNICIANS SO THEY INVITED MY TEAM TO NETWORK WITH THEM AT THE FOUNDATION MEETING AND SO I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO NETWORK WITH THEIR MEMBERSHIP BUT ALSO TO SPEAK TO THE GROUP.

AND I COMMITTED TO THEM THAT EVENING THAT I HEARD THEIR NEED.

AND WE WOULD DO SOMETHING TO ADDRESS THAT WORKFORCE SHORTAGE.

AND I SAID I WILL DEVELOP THE DIESEL BY DISTANCE PROGRAM FOR YOU TO TRY TO MEET YOUR NEEDS.

AT THAT TIME, TRANSFER VR WAS NOT ON THE SCENE.

BUT OUR PROGRAM DIRECTOR, JEREMY SPEAK -- >> WHAT IS TRANSFER VR.

>> TRANSFER VR IS OUR VIRTUAL REALITY PARTNERSHIP.

BERANI MARAJAMCUR DEVELOPED THOSE.

AND JEREMY SMITH HAD SEEN THEM AT CONFERENCE AND HE SAID, DR. K, I THINK THEY WOULD BE A GREAT PARTNER FOR US.

I SAID BRING THEM HERE AND TALK TO THEM AND SEE WHAT THEY HAVE TO OFFER.

WE WERE SO EXCITED AND THEY HAVE BEEN TREMENDOUS PARTNERS WITH US.

>> AND HERE WE ARE?

WE ARE.

EXITING THINGS.

>> DR.

VICTIM WE KARL WITS IS PRESIDENT OF WALLACE STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN HANSVILLE.

IT WAS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW TODAY.

>> MY PLEASURE FOR BEING HE EVER.

THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME.

>> YOU BET.

"SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

YEAR ♪ ♪ >> ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION'S READY TO LEARN SERVICE IS ON THE ROAD EVERY WEEK PROVIDING ON-SITE WORKSHOPS, RESOURCES AND BOOKS FOR CHILDCARE PROFESSIONALS, TEACHERS AND PARENTS ACROSS THE STATE.

ON THE GO, HELPING CHILDREN GROW.

ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

>> NEXT UP, ON "SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION", ALABAMA'S SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION, DR. ERIK MACKEY IS BACK IN THE STUDIO.

DR. MACKEY WELCOME BACK TO SPOTLIGHT.

>> GLAD TO BE BACK.

>> I WANT TO BEGIN WITH MASKS.

WE HEARD THIS WEEK THAT MORE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AROUND THE STATE WERE DROPPING THEIR MASK MANDATE I IT'S A GROWING LIST IS IT NOT.

>> IT IS GROWING AND SEEMS TO BE GROWING EVERY DAY.

WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS AS MORE AND MORE STUDENTS ARE ABLE TO GET OUTSIDE, WE SEE OUR NUMBERS CONTINUING TO DROP, AND SO MORE SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE JUST SAYING WE'RE GOING TO DROP THE MASK.

REALLY KIND OF PREEMPTIVELY AS THEY GO INTO SUMMER AND THEN NEXT FALL.

THERE ARE STILL SOME OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES.

MANY OUTDOOR GRADUATIONS THIS YEAR AND THOSE KINDS OF NOT THAT I CAN THINK AND I THINK THEY WANTED TO GO AHEAD AND SAY, LOOK, WE'RE NOT GOING TO REQUIRE OF THE MASKS AT THESE EVENTS.

>> I ASSUME IN DOING SO, IT'S KIND OF LIKE WITH THE STATEWIDE MASK MANDATE, THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO WEAR THEM WILL OBVIOUSLY CONTINUE TO DO SO, IT'S JUST NOT REQUIRED.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE CERTAINLY DON'T WANT TO DISCOURAGE ANYBODY WHO MIGHT HAVE A SPECIFIC HEALTH CONDITION OR JUST A CONCERN ABOUT A HEALTH CONDITION AND HE WANT TO CONTINUE TO WEAR A MASK.

WE HAVE NOT HEARD OF ANY ISSUES OUT THERE.

CERTAINLY IF THERE ARE SOME, WE DEAL WITH THOSE AS ONE-ON-ONE BUT WE DON'T WANT NOT GOING TO KNOW FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE BEING AT SCHOOL.

AND THEN MANY SCHOOLS THAT ARE CONTINUING TO KEEP THAT THROUGH THE END OF MAY BUT AS YOU SAID, MORE AND MORE OF THEM ARE BEGINNING TO DROP IT NOW.

>> ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS NOW ARE NOW OFFERING IN PERSON LEARNING THOUGH; RIGHT?

>> EVERY SCHOOL IN THE STATE IS OFFERING SOME SORT OF IN PERSON LEARNING WITH A FEW EXCEPTIONS OUT THERE.

SO NOTED SELMA HIGH SCHOOL CAME BACK TO IN PERSON LEARNING, AFTER DISCUSSION WITH THEIR BOARD AND FACULTY AND STAFF THEY FELT IT WOULD BE WERE THE TO GO BACK TO VIRTUAL AND THEY'RE BACK AT VIRTUAL NOW FLEW THE END OF THIS YEAR AND THERE ARE A COUPLE OF CASES OUT THERE LIKE THAT BUT FOR THE MOST PART, THE VAST MAJORITY OF OUR SCHOOLS ARE BACK AND THE VAST MAJORITY OF STUDENT ARE BACK COMING TO THE CLASSROOM IN PERSON.

>> I THINK IT BARES NOTING YEAR THAT THERE ARE VIRTUAL OPTIONS STILL FOR THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ABSOLUTE.

SO JUST THIS WEEK EARLIER I WAS IN SCHOOL AND THEY HAD, I THINK, 400 STUDENTS AND ABOUT 30 WERE STILL VIRTUAL, SO THE VAST MAJORITY ARE COMING TO CLASS BUT THOSE STUDENTS THAT STAY AT HOME BECAUSE THERE'S A SPECIAL CONDITION OR SPECIAL CONCERN ARE STILL ABLE TO DO THAT.

NOW, THAT MAY NOT CONTINUE INTO NEXT FALL BECAUSE INTO NEXT FALL, MOST OF OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE TALKING ABOUT DROPPING THAT VIRTUAL OPTION AS A WIDE OPEN OPTION.

THERE MAY STILL BE SOME PARTICULAR SITUATIONS WHERE STUDENTS ARE HAVING TO LEARN FROM HOME, BUT WE HAVE ALWAYS DEALT WITH THAT, OUR STUDENTS HAD SEVERE MEDICAL NEEDS FOR SOMETHING THEY MAY HAVE TO DO AT HOME LEARNING BUT IT WILL BE MUCH MORE RARE AND FEW AND IN BETWEEN.

>> WHERE IN PERSON LEARNING IS CONCERNED IS IT GOING WELL, ALL THINGS CONSIDERED?

>> IN PERSON LEARNING IS GOING WELL, IN TALKING WITH TEACHERS.

THEY'RE GLAD TO GET STUDENTS BACK INTO THE CLASSROOM.

IT HAS BEEN A REAL DRAIN ON TEACHERS, I THINK, PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY THIS YEAR TO HAVE STUDENTS VIRTUAL AND STUDENTS IN PERSON, ESPECIALLY THOSE VIRTUAL STUDENTS THAT THEY DIDN'T FEEL LIKE THEY COULD HAVE THEIR HANDS REALLY ON THAT LEARNING, PUTTING THEIR EYES ON THAT STUDENT EACH AND EVERY DAY, SO I THINK AS MORE STUDENTS COME BACK TO THE CLASSROOM, IT'S REALLY A RELIEVE TO OUR TEACHERS.

>> WHERE VACCINATIONS ARE CONCERNED, DR. MACKEY, I KNOW YOU TRACK THIS GENERAL VACCINATION RATES AMONG EDUCATION STAFF AROUND THE STATE.

IT'S A SELF REPORTING TYPE OF INCIDENT THOUGH ISN'T IT?

>> IT IS.

AND WE'RE STILL SEEING IN SOME PLACES VERY LOW NUMBERS.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE HAD AS LOW AS 25 PERCENT UPTAKE.

I THINK THAT'S A LITTLE HIGHER NOW, JUST THIS WEEK, I WAS WITH PA SUPERINTENDENT, AND THEY ONLY HAVE ABOUT 36 PERCENT OF THEIR FACULTY AND STAFF THAT HAVE TAKEN THE VACCINE.

OTHER SCHOOLS IT'S ABOVE 90 MEASURE.

AND I CONTINUE TO STAY ON THAT SOAPBOX.

I BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF VAX SCENES BECAUSE WE HAVE SEE WHAT VAX SCENES HAVE DONE FOR DISEASES LIKE MEASLES AND POLIO AND THEY'VE ALMOST BEEN IRRADICATED.

IN THE CASE OF SMALLPOX HAVE BEEN I RAD INDICATED FROM HUMAN CIVILIZATION.

SO COVID-19 IS ANOTHER DISEASE THAT CAN BE SERIOUS, EVEN THOUGH IT'S NOT LIKE A SMALLPOX, IT CAN BE A SERIOUS SITUATION.

OF COURSE WE HAVE LOST A LOT OF OUR FACULTY AND STAFF THIS YEAR TO COVID.

SO IF PEOPLE CAN TAKE THE VACCINE, I'M STILL ENCOURAGING PEOPLE, PLEASE TAKE THE VACCINE AND HELP OUR SCHOOLS GET COMPLETELY BACK TO NORMAL.

>> HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS 16 AND OLDER ARE NOT ELIGIBLE BUT THE DEPARTMENT OF ED DOESN'T TRACK THOSE OBVIOUSLY.

>> WE DON'T TRACK ANY OF THOSE AT ALL BUT WE ARE TALKING WITH SCHOOL DISTRICTS ABOUT THAT.

WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT IN-SCHOOL CLINICS FOR VOLUNTARY VACCINATION.

BUT THIS CLOSE TO THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR MOST DISTRICTS HAVE HAD A HARD TIME TRYING TO SET THAT UP AND FIND A TIME TO DO IT AND THE REPORT THAT I'M GETTING IS THAT STUDENTS ARE NOT HAVING A HARD TIME FINDING THE VACCINE.

NOW, THEY MAY HAVE A HARD TIME FINDING TIME IN THEIR SCHEDULE TO GET IT, BUT NOT A HARD TIME FINDING VACCINE.

>> YOU REFERRED TO EARLIER DR. MACKEY THIS FALL.

IS THERE THE WIDESPREAD EXPECTATION THAT THIS FALL WILL LOOK FAIRLY NORMAL IN STATE SCHOOLS.

>> YEAH, I THINK THIS FALL WILL LOOK -- LET ME PUT A NUMBER ON IT, ABOVE 90 PERCENT NORMAL.

WE THINK THAT WE WILL GO BACK TO REGULAR ATTENDANCE AT FOOTBALL AND VOLLEYBALL GAMES.

WE WILL HAVE FIELD TRIPS AGAIN AND THINGS THAT WE HAVE NOT DONE WILL RESUME.

THERE WILL STILL BE SOME INTERRUPTIONS.

SO FOR INSTANCE, AS THERE ARE POSITIVE CASES, WE EXPECT THAT THERE WILL STILL BE WARN TEENS.

THAT'S NOT A DECISION THAT WE MAKE.

THAT COMES FROM PUBLIC HEALTH AND CDC BUT IN MY DISCUSSIONS WITH DR. HARRIS AND MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, THEY FEEL LIKE WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE QUARANTINE ISSUES.

SO WE WILL HAVE TO WORK THROUGH THAT.

BUT I THINK THAT, FOR THE MOST PART, SCHOOL WILL LOOK PRETTY NORMAL NEXT FALL.

>> AN ONGOING ISSUE THAT YOU WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH FOR SOME TIME, WHEN WE GET PAST THE PANDEMIC IS THE LEARNING LOSS THAT WE EXPERIENCED DURING THE PANDEMIC, AND THAT WILL BE NO SMALL CHORE WILL IT NOT.

>> IT WILL BE NO SMALL CHORE INDEED.

WE ARE OF COURSE WORKING RIGHT IN OUR WITH A RECORD AMOUNT OF FEDERAL MONEY THAT IS COMING INTO THE STATE OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS, TO DEAL SPECIFICALLY WITH LEARNING LOSS, AND LEARNING ACCELERATION.

SO WE ARE WANTING TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION, TOO, ABOUT HOW DO WE MAKE KEY INVESTMENTS WITH THIS MONEY NOW THAT WILL BE GOOD FOR OUR STUDENTS NEXT YEAR AND THE YEAR AFTER, BUT ALSO 10 YEARS FROM NOW, SO THERE ARE KEY INVESTMENTS THAT WE CAN MAKE THAT WILL HAVE LONG-TERM IMPACT.

BUT WE DO HAVE TO GO BACK AND ASSESS WHERE CHILDREN ARE, HELP THEM CATCH UP AND GET BACK TO WHERE THEY NEED TO BE AND GETTING A ACCELERATED.

SOME OF THAT IS GOING TO BE NEXT SUMMER.

BUT THIS COULD BE A STRUGGLING SUMMER FOR MANY PEOPLE.

TEACHERS ARE TIRED, FAMILIES ARE TIRED.

SO WE KNOW THAT IT'S ALSO GOING TO BE SUMMER OF 22, 23, AND '24 AND IT'S GOING TO BE AFTER SCHOOL AND WEEKENDS.

THERE'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE A LOT GOING ON IN FAMILIES AND IN SCHOOLS FOR THE NEXT TWO OR THREE YEARS TO GET US BACK ON TRACK.

BUT I FEEL REALLY GOOD ABOUT THAT.

THE RESOURCES ARE THERE.

OUR FOLKS ARE THINKING DEEPLY ABOUT HOW IS THE BEST WAY TO SPEND THIS MONEY, AND I THINK WE WILL SEE SOME UNPRECEDENTED GROWTH.

>> THERE'S ALWAYS SUMMER SCHOOL, BUT I IMAGINE THIS SUMMER AND THE NEXT FEW SUMMERS MIGHT BE PARTICULARLY BUSY?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND SO GETTING TEACHERS TO COME AND DO THOSE JOBS IS GOING TO BE KEY, BECAUSE WE NEED HIGH QUALITY TEACHERS.

WE ALSO HAVE TO GIVE THEM TIME TO REST.

BUT SUMMER OF '21, '22, '23 AND '24 -- SO THERE ARE FOUR SUMMERS IN THERE THAT QUALIFY FOR FEDERAL AID TO HELP PAY FOR TEACHER SALARIES, PAPER FOR THE SCHOOLS TO BE OPEN, AND WE DON'T WANT TO THINK ABOUT SUMMER SCHOOL SO MUCH BECAUSE SO MANY PEOPLE THINK OF SUMMER SCHOOL AS KIND OF PUNITIVE, BUT SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES.

AND WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THINGS LIKE -- LITERALLY LIKE CAMPS, STEM CAMP AND READING CAMPS.

WE WANT STUDENTS TO BE ENTHUSED ABOUT HAVING SOMEWHERE TO GO IN SUMMER AND LEARNING WHILE THEY'RE THERE.

>> DR. MACKEY AS THE CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR STARTS WINDING DOWN I THINK IT MIGHT BEHOOVE US TO THANK EDUCATION EMPLOYEES FOR WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN THROUGH AND WHAT THEY HAVE ENDURED OVER THE PAST YEAR.

>> I ABSOLUTELY BELIEVE THAT.

MY HEART GOES OUT TO TEACHERS.

AND AGAIN, THE LAST -- INTERESTINGLY, I HAVE BEEN IN SCHOOLS, I GUESS, THREE DAYS IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS, AND IN MORE THAN ONE CASE, TEACHERS HAVE JUST NEARLY COME TO TEARS TO TALK ABOUT HOW MUCH OF A CHALLENGE THIS YEAR IS, BUT AGAIN HOW ENCOURAGED THEY ARE THAT STUDENTS ARE FOR THE MOST PART BACK IN THE CLASSROOM.

THEY LIKE TOUCHING THOSE STUDENTS.

AND HELPING THOSE STUDENTS GROW AND GAIN KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM.

SO OUR TEACHERS IN MANY WAYS HAVE BROUGHT US THROUGH THIS.

I WOULD HAVE TO SAY OUR TEACHERS AND NURSES AND SUPPORT PEOPLE, THE CAFETERIA LADIES AND MEN WHO HAVE DONE AN AMAZING JOB MAKING SURE WE CONTINUE TO KEEP OUR STUDENTS FED, THE BUS DRIVERS, MANY OF WHOM WERE SCARED LAST YEAR BECAUSE THEY ITEM NUMBER KNOW WHAT WAS OUT THERE BUT THEY KEPT RUNNING THE ROUTES AND PICKING STUDENTS UP, THE COACHES THAT CONTINUED TO COACH, SO MY HEART GOES OUT, AND MY DEEP THANKS GOES OUT TO ALL OF OUR PARENTS.

THERE WAS SOME GOOD NEWS FOR A COUPLE OF ALABAMA SCHOOLS, THE "U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORT" CAME OUT WITH ITS RANKINGS OF THE NATION'S TOP HIGH SCHOOLS.

IN THE LAST YEAR, SOME FAMILIAR NAMES WERE AT THE TOP OF THE ALABAMA LIST AGAIN: LOVELACE ACADEMIC MAGNET SCHOOL IN MONTGOMERY, AND NEW CENTURY TECH IN HUNTSVILLE AND MOUNTAIN BROOK HIGH SCHOOL.

WE SALUTE ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS OBVIOUSLY IN THIS PANDEMIC YEAR, AND THE HERCULEAN EFFORTS THEY HAVE TAKEN TO KEEP KIDS EDUCATED.

BUT FOR BEING RANKED AT THE TOP NATIONALLY WE TIP OUR HAT EVEN FURTHER AND ABSOLUTELY.

SO THOSE WILL -- THOSE THREE EXCELLENT HIGH SCHOOLS THAT ARE IN THREE OF OUR MAJOR METROPOLITAN AREAS, AND THEY -- THOSE RANKINGS, THEY'RE GOOD RANKINGS AND I WILL SAY THOSE ARE MOSTLY RANKINGS ABOUT HOW STUDENTS DO ON THE PLACEMENT TESTS AND COLLEGE PREPARATORY COURSES AND THOSE ARE ALL REALLY COLLEGE PREP SCHOOLS AND DO A GREAT JOB, SEND STUDENTS OFF TO COLLEGES NEAR ALABAMA AND THE STUDENTS OFF TO IVEY LEAGUE COLLEGES.

AND THEY'RE ALL WELL PREPARED.

SO I WOULD SAY CERTAINLY CONGRATULATIONS TO THOSE THREE.

THEY ARE REPRESENTATIVE OF MANY, MANY FINE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS ACROSS THE STATE WHO ARE DOING A BANG-UP JOB GETTING KIDS READY FOR COLLEGE.

I DO HAVE TO PIVOT AND SAY, WE HAVE A SCHOOLS THAT ARE DOING A GREAT JOB ALSO GETTING STUDENTS READY FOR CAREER.

WE HAVE STUDENTS THAT ARE GOING TO GO TO A TWO YEAR COLLEGE AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAM AND THEY'RE ALSO GOING TO BE VERY SUCCESSFUL IN LIFE.

SO WHILE WE SALUTE ALL OF OUR STUDENTS HEADED OFF TO COLLEGE, WE ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN LIFE.

>> WE'RE OUT OF TIME, DR. MACKEY.

BEFORE WE CLOSE, WHILE WE'RE SALUTING FOLKS, THOSE TEACHERS YOU SAID ARE TIRED AND NEED TO REST, DO THEY CERTAINLY DESERVE IT BUT I GUESS THERE'S ALSO A RECOGNITION THAT WE HAVE TO KEEP RUNNING WITH THIS BALL IF WE'RE GOING TO MAKE UP THE LEARNING LOSS THAT WE DISCUSSED.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SO WE HAVE TO JUMP IN FOR THIS SUMMER FOR THOSE UPCOMING SUMMERS.

BUT WE CERTAINLY NEED OUR TEACHERS TO TAKE SOME TIME.

WE HAVE CREATIVE THINGS GOING ON OUT THERE, EVEN TO JUST GIVE PEOPLE A BREAK -- A WEEK'S BREAK BETWEEN SUMMER PROGRAMS AND JUST TAKE SOME TIME TO TAKE A BREATHER, TO JUMP BACK INTO NATURAL SEE NEXT FALL.

ANY TEACHERS OUT THERE LISTENING AND THINKING ABOUT RETIRING, MY PLEA IS DON'T YET.

GIVE US A LITTLE TIME AND LET'S COME BACK NEXT YEAR AND MAKE IT A GREAT YEAR.

>> BECAUSE WE HAVE A LITTLE FURTHER TO GO BEFORE WE DIG OUT OF THIS PANDEMIC HOLE IF YOU WILL ENTIRELY; RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

ABSOLUTELY.

BUT WE WILL GET THERE.

>> GOV.

IVEY HAS OFTEN SAID THERE'S NO SUBSTITUTE FOR IN-PERSON LEARNING, AND I THINK WE RECOGNIZE THAT MORE AND MORE AS THE PANDEMIC HITS THE DOWNHILL SLIDE.

>> THERE'S NO QUESTION THAT TEACHERS ARE IN MANY WAYS MORE RESPECTED NOW THAN AT ANY TIME IN MY LIFE.

I THINK PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT TEACHERS AND ALL OF THOSE OTHER PEOPLE AGAIN, THE SUPPORT FOLKS AND OFFICE PEOPLE, AND CAFETERIA WORKERS WHO KEEP SCHOOLS RUNNING.

BUT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND IN A NEW WAY HOW IMPORTANT A SCHOOL IS TO A COMMUNITY.

AND I THINK THAT'S MY KEY TAKE AWAY.

I HAVE ALWAYS SAID THAT THE SCHOOL OUGHT TO BE THE CENTER OF A COMMUNITY.

IT'S THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL.

AND I THINK IF THERE WERE PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO DOUBTED THAT, THEY HAVE A NEW APPRECIATION FOR IT.

>> SUPERINTENDENT OF EXCHANGE DR. ERIK MACKEY.

ALWAYS A PLEASURE ZERO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD TO BE HERE.

>> AND "SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> FINALLY ON THE BROADCAST TONIGHT, OUR RECORD $7.6 BILLION STATE EDUCATION BUDGET.

REPRESENTATIVE BILL POOLE OF TUSCALOOSA IS THE HOUSE CHAIR.

WELCOME TO "SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION".

>> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF GOOD THINGS IN THIS BUDGET.

WE WILL GET TO THE PARTICULARS BUT BEFORE WE DO, THE PACKET THAT WE HAVE SUFFICIENT A STRONG HEALTHY BUDGET IS A TESTAMENT TO A LOT OF HARD WORK AND SMART BUDGETING PRINCIPLES THAT HAVE SUSTAINED US THROUGH A DIFFICULT PANDEMIC.

>> WELL, IT HAS.

REALLY A LOT OF CREDIT AND A LOT OF THAT HARD WORK WITH THE CITIZENS OF ALABAMA, THE BUSINESSES IN ALABAMA, AND THE RESILIENCE OF OUR ECONOMY, TO BE ABLE TO COME THROUGH THE PANDEMIC, AND WE'RE NOT EMERGED ALL THE WAY YET.

BUT BEING ABLE TO STABILIZE OUR ECONOMY, SUPPORT OUR STATE'S FISCAL POSITION HAS BEEN CRITICAL SO REALLY ENORMOUS CREDIT TO THE ECONOMY OF ALABAMA THAT HATS BEEN RESILIENT IN THE ECONOMY, BUT, YES, WE HAVE ENACTED A NUMBER OF CONSERVATIVE BUDGETS IN RECENT YEARS.

WE VERY CREATED SOME CONTROL MECHANISMS TO MAKER WE'RE FOR THE GETTING OUT OVER OUR SKIS, THAT WE'RE APPROPRIATING WITHIN OUR MEANS THAT HAS SERVED US WELL IN THE LEAD UP TO THE PANDEMIC.

IT HAS SERVED US WELL DURING THE PANDEMIC WHEN SEE A LOT OF STATES THAT ARE HAVING FISCAL PROBLEMS, THEY'RE COATING THEIR BUDGETS AND SLASHING EDUCATION AND LETTING TEACHERS GO, THEY'RE CUTTING THEIR HIGHER ED BUDGETS.

WE'RE NOT IN THAT POSITION IN ALABAMA.

VERY FORTUNATELY.

SO WE'RE IN A POSITIVE POSITION.

WE'RE ABLE TO MAKE TARGETED INVESTMENTS TO ADDRESS NEEDS IN THE STATE.

TO INSPECT OUR COMPETITIVE POSITION IN TERMS OF OUR PEER STATES AND SO I THINK IT'S A POSITIVE BUDGET FOR ALABAMA, A GREAT CREDIT TO A LOT OF PEOPLE, THE CITIZENS OF ALABAMA TO BE IN THE POSITION THAT WE'RE IN RIGHT NOW.

>> IN SAYING THANK YOU TO THE CONSUMERS OUT THERE I'LL REMIND OUR AUDIENCE A LOT OF THE EDUCATION BUDGET'S MONEY COMES FROM SALES TAX AND IN SUPPORTING THE ECONOMY, EVEN DURING THE DIFFICULT OF TIMES, THEY BY PROXY SUPPORTED OUR SCHOOLS.

>> THEY DID.

IT'S BEEN A DIFFICULT PERIOD.

THAT'S CERTAINLY MOTT NO MIME EYES THE DIFFICULTIES THAT THE PANDEMIC HAS BROUGHT TO OUR ECONOMY.

IT'S BEEN VERY DIFFICULT FOR A LOT OF BUSINESSES AND A LOT OF PEOPLE.

BUT WE'VE STEWARDED THROUGH THAT FAIRLY WELL, BETTER THAN EXPECTED AS WE WERE HERE A YEAR AGO, NOT KNOWING WHAT TO EXPECT QUITE FRANKLY.

SO WE'RE FORTUNE.

THE STATE HAS DONE WELL.

YOU CAN SEE A LOT OF STUDIES AND RANKINGS THAT -- AS WE'RE COMING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC, ALABAMA IS FAIRING VERY WELL ON THOSE IN TERMS OF OUR ECONOMIC POSITION, OUR ECONOMIC MOMENTUM, OUR PUN EMPLOYMENT LEVELS, YOU KNOW, WE CLEARLY ARE FEELING GOOD ABOUT THE ECONOMY.

WE WANT THAT ECONOMY TO RAMP UP AND WE WANT OUR CITIZENS TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

>> OKAY.

LET'S TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE COMPONENTS.

I GUESS MOST PEOPLE START WITH THE PAY RAISE, AND THAT'S A GREAT THING.

WE'RE ALWAYS GLAD WHEN WE CAN GIVE OUR EDUCATION EMPLOYEES A PAY RAISE.

>> WE ARE.

THIS WILL BE HAD A 2 PERCENT PAY RAISE FOR THE NEXT ACADEMIC YEAR, WHICH ROUGHLY ALIGNS WITH THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

BUT IF YOU THINK ABOUT THAT NEXT ACADEMIC YEAR, STARTING IN THE FALL, WE'RE GOING TO BE BACK IN SCHOOL, EVERYBODY, I WOULD CERTAINLY ANTICIPATE.

AND WE'RE GOING TO EXPECT A LOT OF OUR EDUCATORS.

AND IT'S GOING TO BE A TOUGH ENVIRONMENT.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE EXPERIENCED A LOT OF LEARNING LOSS.

I THINK IT'S SILLY FOR ANYBODY TO THINK THAT IS NOT GOING TO BE THE CASE.

WE'RE GOING TO ASK YOU A LOT AND WE'RE GOING TO DEPEND ON OUR TEACHERS TO HELP US WORK THROUGH THAT.

AND THOSE LEARNING LOSSES ARE NOT GOING TO BE RECOVERED IN ONE YEAR OR ONE SUMMER OR THROUGH SOME ACADEMIC AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE TIME.

SO OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM STILL FACES A LOT OF CHALLENGES.

WE NEED TO EMERGE FROM THIS AND WORK HARD AND BE STRATEGIC, MAKE THE MOST OF OUR RESOURCES, HELP OUR CHILDREN, AND SO IT'S GOOD TO BE ABLE TO GIVE OUR EDUCATORS THAT SALARY BOOST AS WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH A DIFFICULT TIME AND HAVE A LOT OF CHALLENGES AHEAD IN EDUCATION.

>> 2 PERCENT PAY RAISE FOR ALL EDUCATION EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING TEACHERS.

THERE'S ALSO A PROVISION IN THE BUDGET I WANTED TO SPEAK WITH YOU ABOUT, REPRESENTATIVE.

THERE'S MONEY TO RESTRUCTURE THE STEP RAISES FOR TEACHERS; RIGHT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

SO AS WE GIVE STEP PAY INCREASES FOR EDUCATORS WE HAVE SOME SOFT SPOTS KIND OF IN WHAT WE CALL THE MIDDLE MATRIX, THE MIDDLE CAREER YEARS SO WE TRIED TO SHORE UP SOME OF THOSE MIDDLE CAREER STEP RAISES TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT LOSING TEACHERS, THAT WE HAVE APPROPRIATE CAREER TRAJECTORIES.

WE HAVE A TEACHER SHORTAGE IN BIRMINGHAM AND WE CAN'T AFFORD TO LOSE THEM TO OTHER STATES OR TO OTHER PROFESSIONS WHERE WE HAVE GOOD TEACHERS.

SO WE'RE MAKING SURE OUR SALARY MATRIX STAYS COMPETITIVE OVER THE COURSE OF A TEACHER'S CAREER.

>> WHERE TEACHERS ARE CONCERNED, THERE'S ALSO MORE MONEY IN THE EDUCATION BUDGET TO HELP US HIRE MORE CREDENTIALED MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHERS BECAUSE WE HAVE A PARTICULAR NEED IN THAT AREA.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

I THINK THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST CRITICAL ISSUES IN ALABAMA.

THE ECONOMY IN ALABAMA, WE HAVE A VERY ACUTE SHORTAGE OF CERTIFIED MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHERS ACROSS THE STATE.

THOSE SHORTAGES ARE CONCENTRATED IN RURAL OR OTHERWISE HARD-TO-STAFF AREAS SO YOU HAVE NOT MANY BUT, FOR EXAMPLE, A COUPLE OF SYSTEMS, AN ENTIRE SCHOOL SYSTEM IN THIS STATE THAT DOESN'T HAVE A SINGLE CERTIFIED MATH OR SCIENCE TEACHERS.

NOW WE HAVE FOLKS DOING THE BEST THEY CAN THAT MAY HAVE SOME TRAINING TO TEACH MATH AND SCIENCE SO CERTAINLY WE WANT TO SUPPORT ALL OF OUR TEACHERS AND THAT'S NOT GOING CRITICAL OF ANYBODY, BUT IN THIS DAY OF TECHNOLOGY, WITH THE WORLD CHANGING, WITH THE ECONOMY CHANGES, WITH STEM JOBS, THAT'S THE FUTURE.

AND WE CAN'T BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE STATE AND IMPROVE OUR MATH AND SCIENCE SCORES IF WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHERS IN THE CLASSROOM.

SO THIS IS A FIRST SHOT AT DIFFERENTIATING MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHER PAY.

SO WE'RE HOPING TO ATTRACT MORE TEACHERS INTO THE PROFESSION.

THAT'S WHAT THIS IS REALLY ABOUT.

BUT WE ALSO WANT TO CREATE A TRACK FOR OUR CURRENT MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHERS RECEIVE ADDITIONAL CREDENTIALS AND OPT IN VOLUNTARILY INTO THE ENHANCED PAY SCALE SO WE CAN KEEP MORE OF OUR TALENTED FOLKS.

WE CAN RECRUIT TEACHERS.

WE CAN RECRUIT FROM OUTSIDE OF THE TEACHING PROFESSION INTO THE TEACHING PROFESSION.

SO WE'RE HOPING TO INCREASE AND GROW THE POOL OF CERTIFIED, HIGH-QUALITY MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHERS, NOT JUST IN POCKETS OF ALABAMA BUT EVERYWHERE IN ALABAMA.

THIS IS AN AGGRESSIVE PROPOSAL.

WE'RE DRAWING A LINE IN THE SAND IN MY OPINION, AND DECLARING THAT WE KNOW WE MUST DO BETTER IN THIS AREA FOR EDUCATION, BUT FOR OUR ECONOMY AND FOR THE ABILITY OF OUR STUDENTS TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE FUTURE ECONOMY AS THEY MOVE INTO THEIR CAREERS AND WE WANT THEM TO BE ABLE TO BE HERE IN ALABAMA IN THOSE CAREERS NOT TO HAVE TO LEAVE ALABAMA FOR THOSE CAREERS.

SO I THINK THIS IS AS CRITICAL AS ANYTHING IN THIS BUDGET PACKAGE AND FOR THAT MATTER POTENTIALLY IN ANY BUDGET IN RECENT YEARS.

>> AND IF WE GET THERE, AMONG OTHER WAYS BY MAKING PAY MORE COMPETITIVE?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

IT'S AN ISSUE.

WHEN YOU HAVE A STUDENT THAT GOES TO COLLEGE THINKING THEY MAY OR MAY NOT WANT TO BE AN EDUCATOR, BUT THEY GO TAKE THE MATH CLASSES AND THE ENGINEERING SCHOOL AND REALIZE THEY CAN MAKE MORE MONEY IN THAT CAREER TRACK.

WELL, WE LOSE POTENTIAL TEACHERS.

WE ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE, AS FOLKS GO INTO EDUCATION THAT THEY HAVE AN INCENTIVE ALSO TO GO INTO THE HARDER-TO-STAFF ACUTE SHORTAGE AREAS OF MATH AND SCIENCE IN THE UPPER GRADES SO WE NEED TO GET MORE TEACHERS IN THE PIPELINE, THIS IS TARGETED DIRECTLY TO DO THAT, AND IT IS CRITICAL THAT WE'RE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS REGARD.

OUR MATH AND SCIENCE SCORES ARE RANKED DEAD LAST IN THE COUNTRY, SO THERE'S NO ARGUMENT THAT WE NEED TO DO BETTER.

THERE'S NO ARGUMENT THAT WE MUST DO BETTER.

THIS IS ONE WAY, NOT THE ONLY WAY BUT ONE WAY THANKS WE CAN MOVE THE NEEDLE.

>> ALSO IN THE EDUCATION BUDGET, REPRESENTATIVE, THERE'S AGAIN AN INCREASE FOR OUR PRE-K PROGRAM WHICH JUST RECENTLY GOT RECOGNIZED AGAIN AS BEST IN THE NATION AND KUDOS TO TOMORROW.

WE CONTINUE OUR EFFORTS TO EXPAND PRE-K CLASSROOMS ACROSS THE STATE, AND THERE'S A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY IN THE BUDGET AGAIN THIS YEAR TO CONTINUE DOING THAT.

>> THERE IS.

WE CONTINUE TO METHODICALLY EXPAND PRE-K ACCESS AROUND THE STATE AND WE LEVEL FUNDED PRE-K DURING THIS FISCAL YEAR IN LIGHT OF ALL THE COVID ISSUES AND KNOWING THAT REALLY PRE-K PROBABLY WEREN'T GOING TO BE OPERATING IN THEIR FULL CAPACITY SO THIS PUTS US BACK ON A TRAJECTORY OF FUNDING INCREASED EXPANSION AND AVAILABILITY OF PRE-K. WE HAVE THE MOST HIGHLY ACCLAIMED PRE-K PROGRAM IN THE COUNTRY FROM A QUALITY STANDPOINT.

SO IT'S IMPERATIVE THAT, A, WE EXPAND AND THAT WE MAINTAIN QUALITY.

BUT IT'S ALSO IMPERATIVE WE KNOW WE HAVE TO IMPROVE FOURTH GRADE MATH AND SCIENCE AND READING SCORES AND SO IF WE CAN START EARLIER WITH A HIGH-QUALITY PRE-K SUSTAINED THAT K THROUGH THREE AND FOUR, IMPROVE THAT INSTRUCTIONAL AND EDUCATION FOUNDATION OF LITERACY AND MATH IN THE EARLY GREATS, THEN WE HAVE A FOUNDATION THAT WE CAN BUILD ON UPON TO HELP STUDENTS BE SUCCESSFUL.

THAT'S THE EFFORT AND IT'S A POSITIVE INVESTMENT.

>> IS THERE A POINT OF CRITICAL MASS OR DO HE JUST CONTINUE TO EXPAND PRE-K TO EVERYONE THAT NEEDS IT AND OR WANTS IT?

>> WELL, THERE IS A POINT OF CRITICAL MASS.

WE'RE NOT THERE YET.

AND I THINK WE'RE SEARCHING AND DON'T KNOW WHERE EXACTLY THAT IS YET.

BUT WE'RE BEGINNING TO TRY TO ASSESS THAT.

WE HAVE EXPANDED.

WE HAVE BEEN VERY METHODICAL IN THAT AND WE HAVEN'T TRIED TO BITE OFF EVERYTHING AT ONE TIME.

I THINK THAT'S HELP TO SUSTAIN THE QUALITY OF THE PROGRAM.

IT HAS A WAY TO GO IN EXPANSION.

I THINK BEFORE WE HIT THAT CRITICAL MALICE.

BUT CERTAINLY WE WANT TO GET TO THAT CRITICAL MASS, THAT EVERYBODY WHO WANTS IT CAN ACCESS IT.

>> REPRESENTATIVE, LET'S SPEND THE LAST FEW MINUTES TALKING ABOUT TARGETED BUDGETING IN THIS SPENDING PLAN, BECAUSE, AS I HAVE SPOKEN WITH YOUR COUNTERPART IN THE SENATE, SENATOR ARTHUR ORR, HE SAID WITH THE HUGE INFUSION WE'RE ABOUT TO GET FEDERAL STIMULUS MONEY INTO OUR SCHOOLS AND IT MAY TARGET APPROPRIATIONS IN OUR STATE EDUCATION BUDGET EVEN MORE IMPORTANT BECAUSE THAT STIMULUS MONEY CAN BE PUT TO USE IN SO MANY DIFFERENT WAYS.

>> WELL, HE IS RIGHT, AND I AGREE AND HE AND I HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT THIS, AND ARE IN AGREEMENT THAT THIS IS REALLY GIVEN US A BIT OF A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THOSE REALLY TARGETED INVESTMENTS, MAYBE THAT WE HAVE WANTED TO MAKE OR KNOWN THAT WE NEEDED TO MAKE BUT RECOGNIZING THAT FEDERAL FUNDS WILL BE COMING IN FOR A VARIETY OF PURPOSES, WE'RE ABLE TO SHIFT FUNDS AND WE'RE TRYING TO STRATEGICALLY HIT NEEDS AND MAKE IMPROVEMENTS IN THOSE AREAS.

NOW, WE ALSO DON'T WANT TO DUPLICATE FEDERAL FUNDS.

WE DON'T WANT TO CONFLICT WITH FEDERAL FUNDS.

WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS FIND THOSE GAPS, FIND WHERE WE CAN MAKE DEMONSTRABLE CHANGES POSITIVELY IN EDUCATION.

I THINK WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED THAT YEAR.

CERTAINLY HOPE SO.

WE KNOW WE NEED TO DO BETTER IN EDUCATION IN ALABAMA.

WE WANT TO.

WE HAVE A LOT OF GOOD TEACHERS, A LOT OF GOOD EDUCATORS.

WE JUST HAVE TO KEEP WORKING HARD.

>> WE HAD STATE SUPERINTENDENT DR. ERIK MACKEY ON EARLIER IN THE SHOW AND HE TALK ABOUT A LOT OF THAT STIMULUS MONEY CAN BE PUT TO GOOD USE IN HELPING US MAKE UP THOSE LEARNING LOSSES.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

A LOT OF THE FEDERAL MONEY, WE HOPE AND EXPECT WILL BE USED FOR AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS, SUMMER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS, A LOT OF PROGRAMMING THAT COULD HELP WITH INSTRUCTIONAL LOSS.

BUT THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN OVERNIGHT AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT EVERYBODY HAS TO REALIZE, THINGS DON'T HAPPEN FAST IN EDUCATION.

YOU HAVE TO BUILD A FOUNDATION, SUSTAIN THE FOUNDATION, BE PATIENT, DEMAND RESULTS, HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY AND GET TO THE SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME.

SO THAT LEARNING LOSS RECOVERY IS GOING TO TAKE TIME.

WHEN WE'RE SITTING HERE ARE A YEAR FROM NOW, WE NEED TO REMEMBER THIS CONVERSATION AND KEEP BUILDING ON THAT FOUNDATION.

THAT'S GOING TO BE IMPORTANT.

>> BECAUSE IT MAY TAKE TWO OR THREE YEARS TO MAKE UP FOR LOFT GROUND.

>> I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY DOUBT.

WE HAVE A LOT OF STUDENTS THAT HAVE FALLEN BEHIND.

SOME CASES A YEAR OF INSTRUCTION.

AND YOU CAN'T RECOUP THAT YEAR OF INSTRUCTION WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY UNDERTAKING YOUR ONGOING INSTRUCTION.

YOU DON'T GET A TWO FOR ONE.

SO YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE ALL OF THOSE AFTER SCHOOLS WRAP AROUND PROGRAMS.

YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO BE VERY INTENTIONAL WITH TEACHERS.

IT'S CRITICAL THAT SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND LEADERSHIP GET THIS RIGHT, HAVE A PLAN, COMMUNICATE THAT PLAN AND SUSTAIN IT AND STICK WITH IT, BECAUSE THE FUTURE OF ALL OF OUR STUDENTS DEPENDENCE ON THAT.

>> AND THERE IS A RECOGNITION THAT WE HAVE GOT TO DIG IN OUR HEELS ON HIS ISSUE, AS HARD OF A YEAR AT THIS HAS BEEN, MORE CHALLENGING TIMES ARE AHEAD.

>> THEY ARE BUT I DON'T HAVE ANY DOUBT THAT THE COMMITMENT IS THERE, THE CAPABILITIES ARE THERE, YOU KNOW.

I'M PROUD OF OUR STATE.

I'M PROUD OF OUR ABILITY TO WORK THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC, IT'S BEEN A HARD PERIOD OF TIME.

I THINK EVERYBODY IS LOOKING FORWARD TO SUMMERTIME.

AND I THINK EVERYBODY IS LOOKING FORWARD TO A NORMAL ACADEMIC YEAR IN THE TRADITIONAL SENSE, NOTWITHSTANDING THESE CHALLENGES.

SO I EXPECT OUR EDUCATORS, OUR PARENTS, OUR CHILDREN, OUR STUDENTS ALL HIT THIS CHALLENGE HEAD ON AND WE NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

WE DON'T HAVE A CHOICE.

WE HAVE TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THAT.

>> REPRESENTATIVE BILL POOLE OF TUSCALOOSA, CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE EDUCATION BUDGET COMMITTEE.

THANK YOU TO YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK THIS YEAR.

>> THANK YOU.

>> YOU BET.

THAT DOES IT FOR "SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION" FOR THIS QUARTER.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

FOR ALL OF US AT APT, I'M DON DAILEY, GOOD NIGHT.

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