>> HELLO, I'M TODD STACY.

WELCOME TO "SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION," ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION'S QUARTERLY DEEP DIV INTO THE POLICY AND POLITICS THAT IMPACT OUR STATE'S EDUCATION SYSTEM.

WE HAVE A GREAT LINEUP FOR YOU TONIGHT.

WE'LL BE JOINED BY STATE SUPERINTENDENT ERIC MACKEY, WHO WILL DISCUSS HIS RECENT VISIT T WASHINGTON DC TO TOUT THE STATE'S SUCCESSES IN SUMMER LEARNING, AS WELL AS WHAT WE CA EXPECT IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

AFTER THAT, DIANA VIRGIL, NATIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELOR OF TH YEAR WILL TAKE ABOUT HER RECENT NATIONAL HONOR AND HOW THE COUNSELING ROLE HAS EVOLVED OVE THE YEARS.

ALLISON KING OF THE ALABAMA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION OFFERS THAT GROUP'S PERSPECTIVE ON THE SCHOOL CHOICE DEBATE WE ARE LIKELY TO SEE IN THE LEGISLATUR THIS YEAR.

AND GORDON STONE OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP JOINS US TO DISCUSS THE LATEST WITH HIGHER ED FUNDING AND HOW POLITICS IS IMPACTING CAMPUS LIFE.

BUT FIRST, SOME EDUCATION HEADLINES.

THE LATEST EDUCATION TRUST FUND REVENUE NUMBERS WERE RELEASED TODAY AND THEY SHOW RELATIVE STABILITY.

THE ETF IS THE TAX BASE THAT PAYS FOR THE RANGE OF EDUCATION SPENDING, FROM PRE-K TO HIGHER ED.

THE LAST FEW YEARS HAVE SEEN RECORD HIGH BUDGETS, WITH THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR'S ETF AT $8.8 BILLION, NOT COUNTING THE $2.3 BILLION IN SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATION SPENDING THE LEGISLATURE PASSED LAST YEAR DU SURPLUS GROWTH.

FOR THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF THIS FISCAL YEAR, REVENUE IS DOWN JUST .

69 PERCENT, OR ABOUT $21.4 MILLION.

BUT STATE LAWMAKERS WHO WRITE THE BUDGETS WON'T NEED REVENUE GROWTH TO COVER THAT DIP BECAUS OF CONSERVATIVE BUDGETING AND CARRY OVER FROM THE LAST FISCAL YEAR.

IN FACT, BECAUSE OF REVENUE SURPLUSES FROM 2023, THEY ARE EXPECTED TO HAVE SOME $600 MILLION DOLLARS TO PUT TOWARD SUPPLEMENTAL SPENDING THIS YEAR ABOUT THAT SLIGHT DIP IN REVENUE, IT PRETTY MUCH ALL CAM FROM A DECLINE IN SALES TAXES, WHICH MAKES SENSE BECAUSE THE LEGISLATURE LAST YEAR PASSED A ONCE CENT CUT TO THE SALES TAX ON GROCERIES.

WE'LL LEARN MORE ABOUT THE COMING YEAR'S BUDGET OUTLOOK NEXT WEEK WHEN GOVERNOR KAY IVE RELEASES HER BUDGET PROPOSAL.

ALSO ANTICIPATED FROM GOVERNOR IVEY IS HER SCHOOL CHOICE PROPOSAL.

IVEY LAST YEAR COMMITTED TO PROPOSING LEGISLATION AUTHORIZING EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS.

THIS WOULD ALLOW PARENTS TO USE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF EDUCATION TRUST FUND MONEY TO USE TOWARD SENDING THEIR CHILDREN TO A SCHOOL OF THEIR CHOICE, WHETHER THAT'S A PRIVATE SCHOOL OR A HOMESCHOOL.

AT A SCHOOL CHOICE RALLY AT THE CAPITOL LAST WEEK, IVEY DIDN'T OFFER DETAILS OF HER PLAN, BUT SAID SHE WANTS TO MAKE ALABAMA THE MOST SCHOOL CHOICE FRIENDLY STATE IN THE COUNTRY.?

REPORTER: I BELIEVE THE POTENTIAL LICE WITHIN EACH OF OUR STUDENTS, WHETHER THEY'RE LEARNING IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, PRIVATE SCHOOLS, CHARTER SCHOOLS OR HOMESCHOOLS.

PROVIDING ALL CHILDREN -- IN MATTER THEIR ZIP CODE -- WITH A SOLID FOUNDATION IN EDUCATION IS CRITICAL TO THE FUTURE SUCCESS OF OUR STATE.

ALABAMA'S MISSION IS CLEAR -- TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE EVERY CHILD HAS A CHANCE TO EXCEL AND ACHIEVE THAT I EVER DREAMS.

OF THIS PAST SUMMER, I PROMISE TO PUT OUR STATE AT THE FOREFRONT OF SCHOOL CHOICE, TO MAKE ALABAMA THE MOST SCHOOL FRIENDLY STATE IN THE NATION AND USHER IN A NEW ERA OF STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT.

FOR THIS UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION, MY TOP PRIORITY IS ENSURING EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS BILL CROSSES THE FINISH LINE.

THIS IS KEY LEGISLATION THAT WOULD EMPOWER ALABAMA STUDENTS AND PARENTS.

AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SIGNING THIS LANDMARK BILL INTO LAW.

>> WITH THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION STARTING THIS COMING TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, WE KNOW THAT THIS ISSUE OF SCHOOL CHOICE IS GOING TO BE AMONG THE HOTTEST TOPICS.

HERE ARE THE FACTORS TO WATCH FOR AS THAT LEGISLATION GETS PROPOSED AND DEBATED.

ONE ISSUE IS STANDARDS OR ACCOUNTABILITY.

SOME LAWMAKERS WANT TO ENSURE ANY SCHOOL RECEIVING THESE TAXPAYER FUNDS ARE LEGITIMATE, ACCREDITED SCHOOLS THAT LIVE UP TO THE SAME STANDARDS AS TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS OR PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS.

ANOTHER IS A BUDGET CAP.

SOME WANT TO LIMIT JUST HOW MUC EDUCATION TRUST FUND REVENUE CA BE DIRECTED TO ESAS EACH YEAR, WHILE OTHERS WANT NO CAPS FOR UNIVERSAL CHOICE.

YOU'LL HEAR TALK OF AN INCOME THRESHOLD, MEANING SHOULD THE CHOICE RESOURCES ONLY BE OFFERE TO FAMILIES BELOW A CERTAIN INCOME.

AND A BIG ONE IS TESTING.

SOME ARE INSISTING THAT ANY SCHOOL RECEIVING STATE DOLLARS BE BROUGHT INTO THE STATE'S RIGOROUS TESTING SYSTEM THAT MEASURES STUDENT PROGRESS.

THAT'S A DEALBREAKER FOR SOME CONSERVATIVES WHO DO NOT WANT STATE TESTING AT PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

AND THERE YOU HAVE IT.

OF COURSE, WE'LL BE FOLLOWING THIS AN OTHER EDUCATION ISSUES ON CAPITOL JOURNAL, WHICH AIRS NIGHTLY DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

AN INTERESTING CONVERSATION ON CELL PHONES IN SCHOOLS AT THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

VICE PRESIDENT TRACI WEST WANTS THE STATE TO TAKE ACTION TO RESTRICT THE USE OF CELL PHONES BY STUDENTS IN ALABAMA SCHOOLS.

THERE IS NO FORMAL PROPOSAL AT THE MOMENT, BUT WEST AND HER FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS DISCUSSED THE IDEA AT THEIR MOST RECENT MEETING THIS WEEK.

THE BOARD COULD VOTE ON A RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING LOCAL BOARDS OF EDUCATION TO INSTITUT THEIR OWN BANS ON CELL PHONES.

I'LL TALK WITH STATE SUPERINTENDED ERIC MACKEY ABOUT THIS IN MORE DETAIL LATER IN TH SHOW.

A MAJOR HONOR FOR A MONTGOMERY SCHOOL AND A MAJOR AWARD TO GO ALONG WITH IT.

VALIANT CROSS ACADEMY WAS RECENTLY AWARDED THE YASS PRIZE, WHICH IS KNOWN AS THE PULITZER OF EDUCATION INNOVATION.

APT'S RANDY SCOTT HAS THAT STORY.

>> GOOD NEWS FOR MONTGOMERY'S VALIANT CROSS ACADEMY.

THE EFFORTS TO EDUCATE FUTURE LEADERS IN THE CAPITOL CITY ARE PAYING OFF.

LITERALLY.

>> IT'S A TREMENDOUS DAY.

IT'S THE ANSWER TO A LOT OF PRAYERS, JUST TO HAVE MORE PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT VALIANT CROSS ACROSS THE NATION MEANS A LOT TO US AND -- WE'RE APPRECIATIVE TO THE YASS FAMILY AND THE MONTGOMERY COMMUNITY FOR BEING SUPPORTIVE.

>> ANTHONY BROCK SAYS WHEN VALIANT CROSS OPENED IN 2015 THE IDEA WAS TO HELP YOUNG AFRICAN-AMERICAN BOYS GET A BETTER EDUCATION.

TODAY, WITH OVER 2 HUNDRED STUDENTS OF DIFFERENT RACES, THEIR STORY IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE.

THE STAFF ENTERED THE YASS FOUNDATION'S EDUCATION CHALLENGE TO CELEBRATE SUCCESSFUL SCHOOLS.

>> PROBABLY THE ONLY ALL BOYS SCHOOL IN THE COMPETITION THIS YEAR THAT I KNOW OF THAT MADE IT TO AT LEAST SEMIFINALS AND QUARTER FINALS.

>> THE YASS PRIZE FOR SUSTAINABLE TRANSFORMATIONAL EDUCATION IN THE NATIONWIDE EFFORT TO FIND AND REWARD PROVIDERS.

>> JEAN GEE SERVICE AS DIRECTOR OF THE STATE PRIZE.

>> VALIANT CROSS WAS THE WINNER OF THE 1 MILLION DOLLARS PRIZE AND TODAY THEY'RE HERE TO BE CELEBRATED.

>> WE'RE HERE TO HOPE THAT THE REST OF THE COUNTRY TAKES NOTED THE WHAT ALABAMA IS DOING AND STATES LIKE ARIZONA AND FLORIDA HAVE DONE FOR POOR CHILDREN TO HAVE THE EXISTING MONEY FOLLOW THE CHILDREN TO THE SCHOOL OF THEIR CHOICE.

>> GENERAL NEON YASS IS THE FOUNDER OF THE PRIZE.

SHE SAID VALIANT WHICH IS CHECKED ALL OF THE PRIZES WITH EFFORTS FOR YOUNG SCHOLARS.

>> THEY KNOW THE OTHER OPTIONS OUT THERE IF HE THIS DIDN'T HAVE SCHOOLS LIKE THIS.

SO MANY OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE FAILED CHILDREN AND, COMING FROM THOSE SEATS, THEY APPRECIATE IT MORE THAN WE COULD EVER KNOW.

>> WE'RE HERE AT VALUE VENT CROSS ACADEMY WHERE A SHORT TIME AGO A BIT OF HISTORY WAS MADE.

THIS SCHOOL HAS BEEN AWARDED A HUGE GRANT FOR THE HARD WORK IT DOES TO HELP EDUCATE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THIS CITY.

AND THAT WORK IS START OF A NEW ERA FOR VALIANT CROSS.

THAT NEW TIME STARTS IMMEDIATELY WITH A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT.

>> I'M PROUD TODAY TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE FALL OF 2024 VALIANT CROSS ACADEMY WILL BE OPENING UP AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HERE IN MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA.

>> IN MONTGOMERY, FOR SPOTLIGHT AN EDUCATION I'M RANDY SCOTT.

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

BUT ALL CHILDREN IN ALABAMA HAVE ACCESS TO THE CHILDREN'S PROGRAMMING ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

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

JUST WATCHING PROGRAMS LIKE "SESAME STREET," SUPER WHY AND CURIOUS GEORGE CAN HAVE A PROFOUND IMPACT ON HOW WELL KIDS DO, FROM KINDERGARTEN ALL THE WAY THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL.

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

>> WELCOME BACK TO "SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION."

JOINING ME NEXT IS DR. ERIK MACKEY, STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

DR. MACKEY, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON SPOTLIGHT.

>> GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> WELL, WE HAVE A LOT TO TALK ABOUT.

WE HAVE A LEGISLATIVE SESSION COMING UP AND THERE'S PLENTY OF EDUCATIONAL ISSUES TO GET THROUGH BUT I WANTED TO START WITH THIS WHITE HOUSE ATTRIBUTE.

YOU HAD A REALLY EXCITING TRIP UP TOE WASHINGTON FOR WHITE HOUSE POLICY MEETINGS ON EDUCATION.

TELL ME ABOUT THIS TRIP.

>> YEAH.

I'M SO GLAD TO BE INVITED TO REPRESENT ALABAMA.

THERE ARE SIX STATES OR THREE GOVERNOR'S IN THREE STATED CHIEFS AND I WAS THE ONLY ONE FROM THE SOUTH AND THE DEEP SOUTH TO GET INVITED AND SPECIFICALLY TO TALK ABOUT RECOVERY FROM COVID AND WHAT WE'RE DOING WITH SUMMER SCHOOL AND ACTION PROGRAMS IN ALABAMA.

WE TALKED ABOUT SUMMER READING INITIATIVE CAMPS AND WE HAVE HAD ACCOLADES ON THOSE.

SO THE SECRETARY, THE WHITE HOUSE DIRECTOR OF DOMESTIC POLICY REACHED OUT AND SAID WOULD YOU COME UP AND BE A PART OF THIS PANEL WITH US.

SO I WAS GLAD TO COME.

I WAS GLAD TO BRAG ON ALABAMA, TALKS ABOUT THE GREAT THINGS GOING ON HERE.

OF COURSE WE HAVE PAID FOR THE VAST MAJORITY OF THOSE SUMMER SCHOOL AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS WITH FEDERAL FUNDS THE LAST FEW YEARS AND NOW WE ARE TRANSITIONING THOSE TO IF A REQUEST FOR LEGISLATIVE FUNDS, AND I THINK BECAUSE OF THE SUCCESS WE HAVE HAD, THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR IS VERY OPEN TO FUNDING THOSE PROGRAMS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO HAVE SEE THE GOOD SUCCESS WE HAVE HAD.

>> SUMMER LEARNING BECAME SUCH A PRIORITY BECAUSE OF COVID BUT MAYBE THAT WAS A SILVER LINING -- IT'S AN INVESTMENT OF INVESTMENT THAT WE SHOULD MAKE GOING FORWARD?

>> NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.

ME AND MY FIRST SUMMER IN THIS ROLE IN 2018 WE HAD A VERY SMALL SUMMER READING CAMP.

WE HAD INVESTED A LITTLE BIT OF MONEY, A FEW HUNDRED STUDENTS.

I WAS GLAD TO GO DOWN TO FITZPATRICK SCHOOL HERE IN MONTGOMERY AND KICK THAT OFF THAT SUMMER.

BUT THEN WE HAD PLANS TO REALLY GO BOLD.

AND THE LEGISLATURE DID STEP IN AND HELP US A LITTLE BIT.

BUT IT REALLY WAS THOSE PANDEMIC RELIEF FUNDS, THE ARPA AND PANDEMIC FUNDS THAT ALLOWED US TO GO ACROSS THE STATE TO EVERY SCHOOL AND MAKE SURE THAT WE WERE REACHING IN STUDENTS, ESPECIALLY THE STUDENTS BELOW GRADE LEVEL OR CLOSE TO GRADE LEVEL ON READING AND WE FOLLOWED THAT UP WITH MATHEMATICS CAMPS.

LAST YEAR WE HAD ABOUT 31 THOUSAND KIDS IN K-3 IN OUR READING CAMPS, ABOUT 10 THOUSAND IN MATH CAMPS ACROSS THE STATE.

ALL OF THEM -- OUR CAMPS SHOWED GROWTH IN READING AND MATH.

SO WE FEEL REALLY GOOD ABOUT IT, WHERE WE'RE HEADED.

BUT OF COURSE WE HAVE TO CONTINUE THOSE INVESTMENTS.

IT WAS A GOOD EXPERIMENT FOR US TO SAY THIS IS WHAT WE CAN TO IF WE HAVE THE FUNDS AND I KNOW GOVERNOR IVEY HAS BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE AND I FEEL LIKE THE LEGISLATURE WILL BE SUPPORTIVE BY CONTINUING THOSE PROGRAMS.

>> WELL, THAT'S COOL.

SO NEAT TO SEE THE PICTURES FROM WASHINGTON AND IT'S GOOD TO KNOW -- WE DON'T GET TO BRAG ON OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM SO MUCH.

IT'S GREAT WE GET NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR A JOB WELL DONE.

SO THAT'S GREAT.

OKAY.

GETTING TO THE LEGISLATURE THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF EDUCATION ISSUES.

THERE ALWAYS IS.

WE'RE IN START FOR THE BUDGET AND EVERYTHING.

BUT THE.

[BUZZER] TERM, ONCE AGAIN THIS YEAR IS SCHOOL CHOICE.

OF COURSE WE'RE -- THERE ARE MULTIPLE ITERATIONS OF SCHOOL CHOICE.

SOME ARE ALREADY IMPLEMENTED IN ALABAMA, FOR SCHOOLS, SCHOLARSHIPS, PROGRAMS LIKE THAT.

SPECIFICALLY WE'RE TALKING ABOUT EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS WHERE PARENTS WOULD BE ALLOWED TO TAKE A CERTAIN BIT OF TAXPAYER MONEY, THE LAST PROPOSAL WAS 6900 DOLLARS, SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO A SCHOOL OF THEIR CHOICE WHETHER IT'S PRIVATE OR HOME SCHOOL OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

THE GOVERNOR SAYS SHE'S COMING WITH A PROPOSAL HERSELF.

WE DON'T KNOW THE DETAILS YET BUT I KNOW Y'ALL HAVE CONVERSATIONS AND I'M CURIOUS WHAT YEARS MESSAGE IS TO THE GOVERNOR, HER ADVISORS, ABOUT ESA ALES AND HOW THEY COULD OR WOULD FIT INTO THE ALABAMA EDUCATION SYSTEM.

>> YEAH.

CERTAINLY BE GLAD TO TALK ABOUT THAT.

ONE, WE DO EXPECT COMPETING BILLS.

CERTAINLY THE ONE THAT WE HAVE BEEN MOST ENGAGED ON.

I'VE NOT SEEN A DRAFT ACTUALLY BUT JUST WORKING WITH THE GOVERNOR AND HER STAFF.

WE CERTAINLY ANSWERED QUESTIONS FOR THEM, HELP THEM TOE CRAFT SOME IDEAS THAT I THINK THEY WILL USE IN DRAFTING THE BILL BUT I HAVE NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN DRAFTING THE BY.

I APPRECIATE THAT.

I REALIZE THAT SHE HAS A ROLE, BOTH AS PRESIDENT OF STATE SCHOOL BOARD AND THE HEAD OF MY BOARD BUT ALSO JUST POLICY ROLE AS THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE FOR THE STATE THAT IS SEPARATE FROM THAT, TOO.

SO SHE HAS TO FIGURE THAT OUT, WHEN TO INVOLVE US AND WHEN TO NOT.

SHE'S DONE A VERY GOOD JOB OF MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE ENGAGED ON THE OUTER CIRCLE BUT CERTAINLY NOT ENGAGED IN THE INNER CIRCLE.

THAT BEING SAID, WE DO EXPECT SOME COMPETING DRAFTS AND I PUT TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE DIFFERENCES.

SO FIRST OF ALL REMEMBER THAT ALABAMA ALREADY IS ARE DEPENDING ON WHICH NATIONAL GROUP YOU LOOK AT, WHETHER YOU'RE 15TH OR 18TH IN SCHOOL CHOICE ALREADY.

SO WE ARE WAY AHEAD OF THE AVERAGE.

EVERYBODY AGREES THAT WE'RE AT LEAST 18 IN SCHOOL CHOICE, MAYBE AS I SAY 15TH AND THAT INCLUDES PUBLIC TO PUBLIC SCHOOL TRANSFER AND INCLUDES OUR CURRENT PRIVATE SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM THROUGH THE ALABAMA ACCOUNTABILITY ACT.

WHICH THIS LEGISLATURE LAST YEAR EXPANDED, A GOOD DEAL.

IT INCLUDES THINGS LIKE MAGNET SCHOOLS, OUR THREE STATEWIDE LEGISLATIVELY CREATED MAGNET SCHOOLS AND TO A FOURTH ONE THE GOVERNOR PROPOSED.

SO WE HAVE A LOT OF SCHOOL CHOICE OPTIONS OUT THERE.

WHAT WOULD THIS NEW ONE LOOK LIKE?

YOU MENTIONED THE TERM, EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE WOULD WANT TO MAKE SURE IS THAT, ONE, THERE'S A CAP.

SO WE DON'T WANT TO DO SOMETHING AND BE DETRIMENTAL TO THE MOST VULNERABLE STUDENTS IN THE STATE SO I HAVE ENCOURAGED A CAP AND I THINK WE WILL SEE A CAP SO THAT IT'S NOT JUST UNLIMITED.

WE SAW THIS LAST YEAR.

ARIZONA DID A BILL THAT DID NOT HAVE A CAP AND NOW THEIR LEGISLATURE IS BACK TRYING TO FILL A HUGE HOLE, OVER A HALF BILLION DOLLARS.

>> IF IT'S A HUNDRED MILLION OR 2 HUNDRED MILLION THAT'S ALL THAT CAN BE SPENT.

>> YES.

SO YOU BUDGET FOR IT.

WE BUDGET FOR EVERYTHING ELSE.

IF YOU PASS AN OPEN-ENDED, UNCAPPED VOUCHER AND JUST SAY EVERYBODY GETS WHAT THEY WANT THEN YOU RUN OUT OF MONEY AND THE LEGISLATURE ON THE HOOK TO COME BACK INTO SESSION AND RAISE TAXES TO PAY FOR ADDITIONAL VOUCHERS.

I DON'T THINK SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE WANTS TO DO SO I THINK THERE HAS TO BE A CAP, IT HAS TO BE A REASONABLE CHAP.

AND WE SAY YOU KNOW WHEN THE MONEY IS GONE, THE MONEY IS GONE, AS WE DO IN EVERY OTHER PROGRAM IN STATE GOVERNMENT SO YOU CAN BUDGET.

SOME STATES HAVE DONE NONE CAPPED PROGRAMS AND ALL OF THEM HAVE HAD SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS OF PROBLEMS.

SO ONE THERE HAS TO BE A CAP.

I THINK THAT THE MONEY HAS TO GO TO SOME KIND OF ACCREDITED BODY.

SO AN ACCREDITED PRIVATE SCHOOL IF THEY WANTED TO EXTEND IT TO HOMESCHOOL, AND I THINK THEY WILL, AN ACCREDITED HOMESCHOOL UMBRELLA SO THE MONEY IS GOING TO AN INSTITUTION, THE MONEY IS NOT GOING TO THE PARENT.

I THINK THAT THERE'S A LOT OF ROOM FOR FRAUD, IF YOU JUST PUT MONEY ON A DEBIT CARD ASK SEND IT STRAIGHT TO A PARENT AND SAY HEY GO SPEND THIS MONEY ON YOUR CHILD, DON'T LET US KNOW WHAT YOU SPEND IT ON.

THAT'S NOT OF TRADITIONAL, CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT.

WOULD I HAVE REAL CONCERNS ABOUT THAT.

WE HAVE SEEN THOSE KINDS OF PROMISE IN SOME STATES.

I HAVE NOD HEARD THE GOVERNOR TALK ABOUT THAT AT ALL.

SHE'S TALK ABOUT A LOT OF TRANCE PARISHES SEE.

AND SPEAKING OF TRANSPARENCY JUST THINGS THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT IS THAT THESE BODIES, SO ACCREDITED PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND ACCREDITED HOMESCHOOL UMBRELLAS, THEY HAVE TO HAVE SOME SORT OF ACCOUNTING MECHANISM, HOW DID THEY SPEND THE STATE'S MONEY?

AND WHAT DID THE STATE GET FOR THAT MONEY?

AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE AUDITS, THERE SHOULD BE AUDITS TO LOOK.

WE AUDIT EVERYBODY ELSE'S LOOK.

WE AUDIT OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND PUBLIC DEPARTMENTS.

WE DON'T AUDIT CHURCHES.

WEE DON'T AUDIT INDEPENDENT PRIVATE BUSINESSES.

EXCEPT THE TAXES THEY PAY.

SO THE PART THAT IS TIED TO THE GOVERNMENT WE DO AUDIT SO I THINK THAT HAS TO BE INVOLVED.

AND THE LAST PIECE THAT I'D LIKE TO MENTION IS TESTING.

THAT'S THE ONE THAT REALLY HAS BEEN A HANGUP WITH EVERYBODY.

I'VE HAD TALKED TO THE LEGISLATURE.

SO PERSONALLY I THINK WE NEED COMPARABILITY.

IF YOU'RE PARENTS ARE GOING TO MACH A CHOICE THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO MAKE A LEGITIMATE CHOICE SO GIVE THE STATE TEST TO ALL OF THOSE SCHOOLS ALSO AND THEN YOU KNOW WE POST THE TEST SCORES LIKE WE DO FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND LET THE PARENTS CHOOSE.

I KNOW A LOT OF PRIVATE SCHOOLS DO NOT WANT TO BE INVOLVED IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL TESTING SYSTEM.

>> WOULD THAT BE ACAP.

>> THAT WOULD BE ACAP AND 3 THROUGH 8, ACT FOR HIGH SCHOOLS.

SO THE HIGH SCHOOL WE USE ACT.

A LOT OF SCHOOLS DON'T WANT TO USE THAT.

AND I UNDERSTAND THEIR INHIBITION.

MY CONCERN WOULD BE THIS.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE COMPARABILITY.

IF I GO TO APPEAR RESTAURANT ANY PLACE IN THIS STATE I CAN LOOK ON THE WALL AND SEE WHAT THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAYS THE HEALTH RATING IS.

IS IT 73, 83, 93 -- >> THAT MATTERS.

>> IF HE WANT TO SAID, FOR SOME RESTAURANTS WE'RE GOING TO LET THE PUBLIC HEALTH HANG UP THE SCORE BUT FOR OTHERS WE'RE GOING TO LET THEM DO THEIR OWN CASINO SCORE AND TELL US WHAT THEY THINK IT IS.

MOST PEOPLE ARE NOT GOING TO WANT TO EAT AT SOME OF THOSE RESTAURANTS.

I HAVE CONCERNS THAT WE JUST MAKE SURE THAT PARENTS GET GOOD INFORMATION ABOUT THE CHOICES THEY'RE MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

WE WANT PARENTS TO HAVE CHOICE BUT WE WANT THEY WILL TO HAVE COMPARABLE CHOICE.

NOW THAT'S GOING TO BE A HARD ISSUE TO VET, A HARD ISSUE TO SHAKE OUT I EXPECT THERE'S GOING TO BE A COMPROMISE SOMEWHERE.

AND WE CERTAINLY WILL BE INVOLVED IN THAT.

I HAVE SAID A LOT OF LEGISLATURES CONTACT ME ABOUT THAT AND SAY DR. MACK WE, WE AGREE, WE NEED THESE ACCOUNTABILITY BUT WE DON'T LIKE WHAT YOU'RE SAYING FOR PROPOSING FULLY.

WHERE IS THE COMPROMISE?

I THINK WE WILL SEE SOMETHING ALONG THAT.

>> INTERESTING.

ONE OF THE MANY ISSUES RIGHT AT THE TOP OF THE LIST OF INTRIGUING ISSUES THAT WILL BE DEBATED.

YOU EXAMINED THE SCHOOL BOARD.

THEY PASSED AN INTERESTING POLICY THE OTHER DAY REGARDING A BAN ON CELL PHONES IN SCHOOLS.

I'M THINKING ABOUT COMING UP IN HIGH SCHOOL AND CELL PHONES ARE REALLY JUST STARTING TO BEGIN BUT NOW THEY'RE UNIVERSAL, UBIQUITOUS.

TALK ABOUT THE CELL PHONE BONE BAN AND HOW IT CAME ABOUT AND HOW SOMETHING LIKE THAT COULD BE IMPLEMENTED.

>> IT'S NOT QUITE A CELL PHONE BAN.

THEY HAVE NOT ACTUALLY VOTED YET.

>> IT'S JUST PROPOSED.

>> THE VOTE IS MANY COULDINGS UP NEXT WEEK.

WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT IT, BOTH IN DECEMBER AND JANUARY WORK SESSION SO THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF MEDIA ABOUT IT.

I'M GLAD TO SEE THAT YOU'RE FOLLOWING THAT CLOSELY.

BUT THE BOARD WILL ACTUALLY VOTE IN THE ANYBODY WORK SESSION AND THE RESOLUTION THAT IS BEFORE THE BOARD, WHAT IT SAYS IS NOR EVERY LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD TO SERIOUSLY CONSIDER DOING A CELL PHONE BAN IN THE CLASSROOM.

NOW LOCAL BOARDS WILL STILL HAVE THE ULTIMATE CHOICE SO LOCAL BOARDS CAN CHOOSE NOT TO DO THAT.

WE DO HAVE LOCAL BOARDS THAT HAVE ALREADY TAKEN CELL PHONES OUT OF THEIR CLASSROOMS.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY IS THE ONLY -- THE HUGE ONE THAT HAS DONE THAT.

AND YOU KNOW, IT'S INTERESTING.

SO I TALKED TO ONE OF THE PRINCIPLES IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY JUST THIS WEEK.

HE SAID DISCIPLINE REFERRALS ARE DOWN 35 PERCENT.

AND HE ATTRIBUTES ALMOST ALL OF THAT TO STUDENTS NOT HAVING CELL PHONES DURING THE DAY.

HE SAID YOU GO DOWN THE HALLWAYS AND ASK ANY STUDENTS IF THEY LIKE THE POLICY AND THEY WILL ALL SAY NO.

ABSOLUTELY NOT.

THEY WANT THEIR PHONES DURING THE DAY.

SO IT'S DEFINITELY AN ISSUE THAT'S DIFFICULT TO DETAIL WITH BUT THERE'S A LOT OF NATIONAL RESEARCH THAT SHOWS THAT ACADEMIC ENGAGEMENT GOALS UP.

GRADES GO UP.

AND DISCIPLINE GOES DOWN.

IN EVERY RESEARCH STUDY, YOU TAKE CELL PHONES OUT OF THE HANDS OF STUDENTS DURING THE SCHOOL DAY, YOU KNOW, DISCIPLINE GETS BETTER, ACADEMICS GET BETTER.

ALABAMA'S SCHOOL LEADERS WE ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO LOOKED THAT.

AND I THINK SO WHAT THIS WILL DO, IT WILL CAUSE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS TO HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD AND SAY, OKAY, LET'S RETHINK OUR OWN POLICIES.

DO WE NEED TO TAKE CELL PHONES AWAY FROM STUDENTS?

THERE IS, BY THE WAY, ONE STATEWIDE BAN AND THAT IS FLORIDA.

FLORIDA'S LEGISLATURE LAST YEAR BANNED CELL PHONES IN THE CLASSROOM.

SO STUDENTS CAN STILL USE THEM SAY IN THE HALLWAY OR AT LUNCHTIME, BUT NOT IN THE CLASSROOM, WHEREAS FOR INSTANCE HERE IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY THE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD POLICY IS ONCE STUDENTS COME IN THE DOOR, THE PHONES ARE GONE.

THEY VIP OF ZIP THEM INTO A BAG THAT DISALLOWS THEIR USE FOR THE REST OF THE DAY.

>> KIND OF BLOCKS THE SIGNAL.

>> IT'S A LITTLE BAG -- THE STUDENT KEEPS THE BACK WITH THEY WILL WITH THEIR PHONE IN THERE BUT IT HAS A LOCK.

WE HAVE ALL BEEN TO T.J. MAXX OR SOMETHING.

THE SAME KIND OF MAGNETIC LOCK THAT KEEPS THE BAGS CLOSED.

AT THE END OF THE DAY THEY HAVE A MAGNET ON THE WALL AND STUDENTS CAN GO BY AND OPEN THEIR BAG, TAKE THEIR OWN PHONE OUT.

TAKE THE BAG AND THE PHONE HOME WITH THEM.

BUT THE NEXT MORNING WHEN THEY COME BACKS IN THE BUILDING FIRST THING THEY HAVE TO DO IS SHOW ONE OF THE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS THEY HAVE THE PHONE, PUT IT IN THE BAG AND LOG THE BACK.

SO THEY DON'T HAVE IT DURING THE DAY.

IT'S NOT AT LUNCH AND NOT IN THE HALL WAYS.

I'M PERSONALLY A FAN OF THAT.

I DO THINK WE NEED TO TAKE CELL PHONES OUT OF OUT OF THE SCHOOL DURING THE -- OR OUT OF THE HANDS OF OUR STUDENTS DURING THE DAY.

I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT I'M NOT THE -- THAT THAT IS NOT THE ONLY OPINION.

BECAUSE I HAVE HEARD FROM A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULD FEEL THE OTHER WAY.

ALSO I HAVE HEARD FROM PARENTS AND TEACHERS WHO SAY WE NEED THAT SUPPORT.

>> IT'S INTERESTING.

BECAUSE WE TALKS SO MUCH ABOUT POLICY AND INSTRUCTION AND FUNDING AND ALL OF THAT AND A SIMPLE CHANGE LIKE THAT JUST MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE.

>> LOOK WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

BUT I KNOW WE'RE GOING TO BE TALKING A LOT MORE WHEN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION GETS STARTED.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON AND EXPLAINING SOME OF THESE ISSUES.

>> GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> ALABAMA PUSHING TELEVISION.

>> WELCOME BACK TO SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION.

RECENTLY DIANA VIRGIL OF DALE INVITE HIGH SCHOOL WAS NAMED THE NATIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELOR OF THE YEAR.

AND SYMPATHY JOINS US NOW.

DR. VIRGIL THANK YOU FOR COMING ON SPOTLIGHT.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> IT'S AN HONOR.

I WANT TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS.

WHAT AN HONOR -- WALK ME THROUGH HOW THIS CAME ABOUT.

HOW DID THIS AWARD COME ABOUT?

>>S THIS STARTED ABOUT FROM BEING NOMINATED -- I'M NOT SURE WHO NOMINATED ME.

I WAS ABLE TO BE FOLLOW NATURED AND FROM THERE YOU HAVE TO APPLY FOR THE ALABAMA SECONDARY SCHOOL COUNSEL OF THE YEAR WHICH IS MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL.

FROM THERE I WAS ABLE TO APPLY.

I WAS AWARDED THE SECONDARY SCHOOL COUNSEL OF THE YEAR WHICH COMPETES AGAINST THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COUNSEL FOR ALABAMA SCHOOL COUNSEL OF THE YEAR.

FROM THERE I WAS ABLE TO THEN WIN THE ALABAMA SCHOOL COUNSELOR OF THE YEAR AWARD WHICH THEIR NOMINEE IS THEN SENT TO ASCA, AMERICAN SCHOOL COUNSELOR ASSOCIATION TO BE ABLE TO COMPETE AGAINST ALL 50 STATES TOGETHER.

I THEN BECAME A FINALIST.

OUT OF ALL 50 STATES.

WE HAD TO PLY TO WASHINGTON D.C. TO DO AN INTERVIEW IN PERSON AND I WALK IN ON NOVEMBER 28 AND MY WHOLE SCHOOL AND MY FAMILY IS THERE AND I WON.

>> HAD TO BE AN AMAZING FEELING ESPECIALLY WITH YOUR STUDENTS AND FAMILY.

>> IT WAS.

>> I'M GLAD TO HAVE YOU BECAUSE WHEN WE DID THESE SPOTLIGHT SHOWS, WE HAVE EDUCATORS -- I'M NOT SURE WE HAVE HAD A COUNSELOR IN A LONG TIME.

IT'S SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE SCHOOL EXPERIENCE THAT MAYBE GETS OVERLOOKED SOMETIMES AND ESPECIALLY NOW BECAUSE THERE'S SO MUCH TALK HERE NOT STATE ABOUT WORKFORCE, ABOUT WORKFORCE PARTICIPATES AND GETTING STUDENTS INTO JOBS AND CAREERS AND THINGS LIKE THAT AND THIS COMES AT A GREAT TIME.

BUT I WANTED TO ASK, HOW DID YOUR JOURNEY TO BECOMING A SCHOOL COUNSELOR GO?

TALK ABOUT THAT JOURNEY?

>> I HAVE A CRAZY JOURNEY.

I STARTED OFF AS A PRE-MED MAJOR IN COLLEGE.

I THOUGHT I WANTED TO BE A DOCTOR.

AND I QUICKLY LEARNED I DID NOT HAVE AN INTEREST IN IT.

SO I THOUGHT I WANTED TO BE IN THE MEDICAL FIELD SO I SWITCHED TO NURSING, REALIZED I DID NOT LIKE THAT.

I JOINED THE MILITARY AROUND THAT TIME AND I WENT TO BASICALLY TRAINING AND INTO AIC, WHICH IS FOR YOUR JOB.

FROM THERE I WAS ABLE TO WORK WITH OTHER STUDENTS OR OTHER SOLDIERS THAT WERE INTERESTED IN BECOMING COLLEGE STUDENT SO I WAS IN THERE HELPING PEOPLE DO COLLEGE APPLICATIONS AND TO IN HELPING THEM LOOK FOR SCHOLARSHIPS WHILE WE HAD WEEKEND BREAK.

AND THAT REALLY HELPED ME TEE REALIZE THAT I REALLY LIKED HELPING PEOPLE IN THAT MANNER BECAUSE FIRST OF ALL IT DOESN'T INVOLVE BLOOD.

SECOND OF ALL I WAS ABLE TO SEE THE DIFFERENCE.

AND BY DOING THAT, I CAME BACK AND I CHANGED MY MARRIAGE TO PSYCHOLOGY AND SAID I HAVE NOT TO BE ABLE TO BE THAT SUPPORT FOR SOMETHING I DIDN'T HAVE GROWING UP WHICH WAS BEING ABLE TO BE A PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELOR.

A SCHOOL COUNSEL EVER.

AND WE MOVED A LOT SO I NEVER GOT THE CHANCE TO KNOW MY SCHOOL COUNSELOR.

AND THAT HELPED ME TO BE ABLE TO SAY THIS IS WHAT I WANT TO DO.

I JOINED THE PROGRAM IN MY MASTER'S DEGREE RIGHT OUT OF MY UNDERGRAD AND FROM THERE IT TOOK OFF.

I REALLY ENJOYED IT.

I CAN MY INTERNSHIP IN ONE OF THE TOP SCHOOLS IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, AND STRAIT OUT OF MY MASTER'S PROGRAM I WENT AND I BECAME A SCHOOL COUNSELOR.

>> HOW ABOUT THAT!

TALK ABOUT HOW THE ROLE OF SCHOOL 'COUNSELOR HAS EVOLVED OFFER THE YEARS?

I'M IMAGINING ITS MUCH DIFFERENT NOW THAN IT WAS WHEN I WAS COMING UP OR EVEN IN RECENT YEARS.

>> YES.

SO SCHOOL COUNSELOR HAS EVOLVED ENTIRELY INTO A WHOLE DIFFERENT WAY OF DOING THINGS.

PEOPLE ARE KNOWN TO NOTICE SCHOOL DOWN OF COUNSELOR AT AS WHAT USED TO BE CALLED THE GUIDANCE COUNSELOR.

>> YES.

THAT'S WHAT I REMEMBER.

>> BUT THAT LANGUAGE HAS SO FOR BEEN GONE.

WE'RE NOW KNOWN AS SCHOOL COUNSELOR BECAUSE WE WORK BESIDES PEOPLE IN COLLABORATION.

IN OTHER WORDS, SCHOOL COUNSELOR HAVE DATA-DRIVEN PROGRAMS THAT REALLY HELP TO SHAPE THE DIFFERENCE IN THE SCHOOL.

AND ONE THING THAT I CAN DEFINITELY SAY IS THAT WE WORK WITH OUR ADMINISTRATION, WE WORK WITH TEACHERS, WE WORK WITH STAKEHOLDERS TO MAKE GOALS FOR OUR SCHOOL COUNTING PROGRAM BASED OFF OF DATE, LOOKING AT TEST SCORES LOOKING AT HOW ATTENDANCE IS WORKING IN THE SCHOOL AND SEEING HOW WE CAN ACTUALLY EFFECTIVELY BE ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE.

SO FOR ME AS A SCHOOL COUNCIL, I ACTUALLY WORK WITH MY APPLICABLE, SEE HIS GOALS FOR THE YEAR AND I HELP ALIGN MY GOALS WITH HIM SO WE'RE ON THE TEAM TOGETHER IN CLASHRATION MODE.

THAT HAS CHANGED DRASTICALLY BECAUSE SCHOOL COUNTER USED TO BE ISOLATED AND USED TO BE TO THEMSELVES.

AND NOW WE'RE ACTUALLY MORE INVOLVED IN THE DAY-TO-DAY DECISION-MAKING SO HELP SHAPE WHAT IS BEST FOR OUR STUDENTS MOVING FORWARD.

>> MY AUNT WAS A SCHOOL COUNSELOR?

AND THEOREM NEVER ENOUGH COUNSELORS TO GO AROUND.

TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT YOU FACE THAT YOU SEE NOT JUST IN YOUR JOB BUT MAYBE YOU HEAR FROM YOUR COLLEAGUES IN OTHER SCHOOLS IN THE COUNSELING ROLE?

>> ONE THING THAT I NOTICE IS THAT A LOT OF MEME DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT WE DO.

WE FOLKS ON CAREER, EMOTIONAL AND SOCIALLY AND ACADEMIC LEARNING.

WE DO THAT BY GOING OUT AND IMPLEMENTING DIFFERENT PROGRAMS, BEING ABLE TO HAVE EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAM FOR SCHOOL CLASSROOMS WHERE WE GO IN THE CLASSROOM AND ARE WORKING.

MOST PEOPLE THAT ARE HAVING CHALLENGES, THEY MAY BE THE TEST COORDINATOR, MAY BE DOING 504S, THEY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GO TO PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DUE TO THE LACK OF FUNDING FOR SCHOOL COUNSELORS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

THEREFORE, THESE ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES MY COLLEAGUES HAVE HAD.

BUT FOR ME, I -- I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BE BLESSED TO GO OUT AND GO TO PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

MY SUPERINTENDENT, JOSHUA ROXANNE HAS BEEN A CHANGE MAKER AND NOT ALLOWED HIS SCHOOL COUNTERS TO BE TEST TAKERS AND ARE NOT OVER 504 AND WE CAN PROVIDE FOR SERVICES AND INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING TO HELP THOSE KIDS ONE ON ONE TO BE ABLE TO DO SMALL GROUPS AND TO BE ABLE TO GO ON AND DO CLASSROOM LESSONS.

SOME PEOPLE SAY THE HEART OF THE CLASSROOM COUNSELOR IS IN THE CLASSROOM BUST I.

GO IN THE CLASSROOM A LOT.

IS A THAT IS SOMETHING I'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO TO HELP MEET THE GOALS OF THE SCHOOL IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

>> WELL, TALKING A THAT WENT BECAUSE WE WERE TALKING A LITTLE BIT BEFORE WE GOT ON AIR ABOUT MAYBE SOME OUTSIDE-OF-THE-CLASSROOM THINGS THAT MIGHT BE HELPFUL INSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM BECAUSE YOU SEE BOTH WORLDS.

TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE.

>> ONE THINGS THAT -- FIRST I WANT TO START OFF BY SAYING THE CAREER COACHES, ALABAMA HAS ALLOWED US TO BE ABLE TO HAVE CAREER COACHES IN OUR SCHOOLS NOW.

AND MY CAREER COACH, KATIE SETTLERS, HAS BEEN PHENOMENAL IN HELPING TOO HAD BRIDGE THAT GAP.

WE WORK IN COLLABORATION WHEN IT COMES TO CAREER AND BRINGING OUTSIDE ENTITIES INSIDE.

FOR INSTANCE ALL IN CREDIT UNION, THEY WERE ONE OF OUR PEOPLE THAT COME IN AND HELP US TEACH FINANCIAL LITERACY.

OBVIOUSLY THEY'RE THE EXPERTS IN IT.

THEY'RE THE CREDIT UNION.

>> IT'S USUALLY IMPORTANT, THOUGH.

>> YES.

THEY COME IN AND HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HELP US AND WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO COLLABORATED TOGETHER, TO DEVELOP AND GIVE CURRICULUM TO STUDENTS.

AND I THINK THAT IS A HUGE PIECE BY HAVING THOSE OUTSIDE ENTITIES TO COME IN.

FOR NOVASILL WHICH IS FORMERLY FORT RUCKER THEY'RE A BIG PART OF THAT AND ABLE TO HELP US.

IN A PROSPECTIVE COMMUNITY COLLEGE COMES IN AND HELPS US WITH JUST BRINGING IN OUTSIDE AGENCIES TO HELP OUR STUDENTS TO DO FINANCIAL AID, WHETHER IT BE TO EXPOSE THEM TO DIFFERENT CAREERS AND SO FORTH AND SO ON.

>> SO THEY CAN KIND OF VISUALIZE CAREER AND HE WAS THINGS LIKE THAT?

>> YES.

>> AT AN EARLY AGE.

TALK ABOUT A POLICEMAN 234 PARTICULAR THAT YOU ARE PARTICULARLY PROUD OF?

>> I WOULD HAVE TO SAY DUAL ENROLLMENT.

THAT'S BECAUSE WHEN I ARRIVED AT DALEVILLE IN 2021 WE HAD APPROXIMATELY 4 KIDS IN DUAL ENROLLMENT.

NOW WE'RE OVER 40 AND THE SCHOOL IS ONLY 340 STUDENTS.

SO THEREFORE BEING ABLE TO INCREASE THAT, MANY OF OUR STUDENTS DON'T HAVE TRANSPORTATION TO GO BACK AND FORTH TO THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

EVEN THOUGH IT'S ONLY LIKE 10 TO 12 MINUTES DOWN THE ROAD BUT IT'S SO HARD FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO GO.

SO WHAT WE HAVE ENDED UP DOING IS USING OUR TEACHERS THAT HAVE MASTERS DEGREES AND THEY HAVE BEEN HIRED ON AT THE COLLEGE TO BE ABLE TO BE ADJUNCT PROFESSOR SO THEREFORE IT'S A TIME BLOCKED OUT IN THE DAY FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO TEACH THE DUAL ENROLLMENT COURSES ON CAMPUS AND THEN THEY STAY ABOUT EXTRA HOUR OR SO TO MAKE UP THE TEACHING ADVERTISEMENT AND THAT HELPS TREMENDOUSLY BECAUSE WE'RE BRINGING DUAL ENROLLMENT TO OUR STUDENTS.

WE'RE ABLE TO BRING THE ONLINE CLASSES TO OUR STUDENTS AS WELL AND ALSO BRING AN ENGLISH TEACHER TO OUR CAMPUS SO WE CAN TEACH ENGLISH COMP 101 ON CAMPUS AND THAT HELMS THEM GET HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT AND COLLEGE CREDIT AT THE SAME TIME WHICH IS HUGE WITH THE COST OF EVERYTHING RIGHT NOW TO HELP THEM TO KIND OF ARE CUT THAT.

>> AND I WOULD IMAGINE -- TELL ME WHAT THE STATISTICS SHOW, BUT I WOULD IMAGINE IF A STUDENT IS ENROLLED IN DUAL ENROLLMENT THEY'RE A LOT MORE LIKELY TO CONTINUE THAT HIGHER EDUCATION PATH.

>> YES.

AND IT'S NOT JUST ACADEMICIAN.

WE HAVE A LOT OF STUFF WITH CAREER TECH, SO THEREFORE WE HAVE STUDENTS THAT MAY GO INTO THE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

YOU MAY STUDENTS THAT GO INTO MEGATRONICS AT THE AVIATION COLLEGE AND THEY CAN GRADUATE GOING ONTO THE MILITARY BASE MAKING MONEY RIGHT OUT OF COLLEGE BECAUSE THEY HAVE CERTIFICATIONS.

YOU CAN TAKE A CERTAIN CLASS AT THE AVIATION COLLEGE IN ELECTRONIC AND GET CERTIFIED IN HYDRAULICS AND YOU'RE LABEL TO GO TO WORK IN TOYOTA IN HYDRAULICS AND THOSE ARE THINGS WE'RE ABLE TO DO BECAUSE WE'RE LIMITED ON RESOURCES.

SINCE WE'RE SO SMALL YOU'RE LIMITED ON THE UNIONS YOU CAN RECEIVE SO WE'RE TRY TO FIND WAYS TO CAREER READINESS INDICATORS TO OUR STUDENTS.

>> THEY CAN GET A HEAD START ON A CERTIFICATE THEY'RE GOING TO NEED IN THEIR CAREERS AND EVERYTHING.

>> YES.

>> I'M SO GLAD YOU BROUGHT UP THE TRANSPORTATION THINGS, BECAUSE, AS LAWMAKERS ARE TALKING ABOUT WAYS TO FIGURE OUT THE WORKFORCE CHALLENGES, TRANSPORTATION KEEPS COMING UP.

THERE'S A THE LOVE ISSUES, HEALTH CARE, CHILDCARE BUT TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM IS SOMETIMES TAKEN FOR GRANTED AND IT'S SO INTERESTING Y'ALL FOUND A SOLUTION TO THAT.

TALK ABOUT BE -- I'D LOVE FOR OTHERS OUT THERE TO BE ABLE TO LEARN FROM YOUR EXAMPLE.

SO I'M WONDERING WHAT THINGS COULD COMMUNITIES AND KIND OF THAT COMBINED DO TO HELP SUPPORT THEIR SCHOOL COUNSELORS BE SUCCESSFUL LIKE YOU HAVE BEEN?

>> ONE THING I CAN RECOMMEND IS BEING A PART OF SCHOOL COUNSELOR ADVISORY BOARDS.

WHAT I MEAN IS THAT THE ADVISORY BOARD FOR SCHOOL PROGRAMS IS COME POSED OF STAKEHOLDERS.

IT CAN BE THE MAYOR, BUSINESSES, IT CAN BE PARENTS, AND HAVING THEM TO BE A PART OF IT, THEY CAN ACTUALLY HELP US TO REALIZE WHAT ARE YOU NEEDING IN YOUR PROGRAM.

WHAT ARE THINGS THAT WE CAN CONTRIBUTE TO?

AND IT HELPS THEM ACTUALLY BE DECISION MAKERS AND HELPING US SHAPE OUR GOALS AND EVERYTHING FOR THE YEAR BASED OFF OF DATA THAT IS USED BY THE SCHOOL.

AND BY DOING THAT, THEY CAN REALLY MAKE A HUGE IMPACT INTO HELPING US TO GET THE WORD OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY, BEING ABLE TO HAVE THAT SUPPORT AND JUST BEING ABLE TO SUPPORT WHAT IS RIGHT FOR OUR STUDENTS.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE KIDS TODAY AND I THINK BY DOING THAT WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER TO FIND OUT, TO MAKE THE MOST STABLE MENTAL PERSON TO BE ABLE TO GO OUT AND FLOURISH IN TODAY'S SOCIETY.

>> WHEN THEY'RE HELPING THE SCHOOL COUNSELOR BE SUCCESSFUL THEY'RE HELPING THE SCHOOLS BE SUCCESSFUL?

>> YES.

>> THAT'S GREAT ADVICE.

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

AND WIAT.

I UNDERSTAND THERE'S A GALA?

DENVER BRONCOS?

>> YES.

>> SO YOU CAN GO BACK TO -- WITH A SWANKY GALA?

TELL ME ABOUT THAT.

>> YES.

WE GET TO GO BACK TOO D.C. AND TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FIRST, AND THEN ALL 50 STATES WILL BE GRATED AT NICE AND BE HONORED FOR SCHOOL COUNSELOR YEAR FOR THEIR STATE.

ALSO OUR FINALIST AND MYSELF WILL BE HONORED FOR BEING A FINALIST AND PART OF SCHOOL COUNSELOR OF THE YEAR AND I'M SUPER HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO CELEBRATE WITH EVERYONE.

>> WE'RE SUPER PROUD TO HAVE SUCH AN HONOR AND THANK YOU FOR HONORING US WITH YOUR TIME AND MORE IMPORTANTLY YOUR ADVICE AND STORIES SO THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION."

JOINING ME NEXT IS DR. ALLISON KINK, GOVERNMENT RELATIONS MANAGER FOR THE ALABAMA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

DR. KING THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THE ALABAMA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, I DON'T THINK YOU NEED ANY INTRODUCTION AMONGST OUR EDUCATION VIEWERS BUT I WAS HOPING YOU CAN TALK ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AS AN EDUCATOR AND WHAT LOAD YOU TO THIS ROLE AS AEA.

>> EXCELLENT.

SO I WORKED FOR ALMOST 20 YEARS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION IN AND I STARTED AS A TEACHER IN PRATTVILLE ALABAMA, FIFTH AND 6TH GRADE ART TEACHER WHERE I WORKED ALMOST 10 YEARS AND I HAVE BEEN NOW WITH THE SITUATION TORE 10 YEARS.

I SERVED AS A UNISERVE DIRECTOR FOR THE FIRST EIGHT AND A HALF YEARS WITH AEA WHERE I SERVED ALL OF THE LOCAL MEMBERS IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN AUTAUGA AND PIKE ROAD AND TALLASSEE AND WORKED IN CHILTON COUNTY AS WELL AND NOW I SERVE WITH GOVERNMENT RELEASES TEAM AND WORK WITH LEGISLATION AND WALLS IMPACTING PUBLICATION EDUCATION IN THE STATE.

>> THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO HAVE IS YOU ON.

YOU'RE IN THE HALLWAYS WORKING WITH THE LEGISLATURE EVERY TIME AN ISSUE COMES UP AND YOU'RE INVOLVED.

AND THIS YEAR THE BIG BUZZ WORD, SCHOOL CHOICE.

AND I WAS GOING BACK AND LOOKING AT PAST SPOTLIGHT EPISODES AND WE HAD HAD A COUPLE OF SCHOOL CHOICE DECADE OF ADVOCATES ON FOR ORGANIZATIONS PROMOTING SCHOOL CHOICE.

BUT I REALLY FEEL LIKE IT'S THE IMPORTANT TO HAVE THE OTHER PERSPECTIVES.

SO WITH THIS BILL WE ARE AWAITING THE COVER'S BILL AND EVERYTHING, WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IS SUSPECT IN IT AND WE ARE TALKING ABOUT EDUCATION SAVINGS AND ACCOUNTS BUT COULD YOU OFFER AEA'S PERSPECTIVE ON SCHOOL CHOICE GENERALLY AND SPECIFICALLY ON AESAS.

>> WELL, AEA, CONTRARY TO SOME THINGS YES, I DO WILL YOU HEAR, IS NOT IN FULL OPPOSITION OF SCHOOL CHOICE.

LAST YEAR AS YOU ARE AWAY WEAR, WE EXPANDED TWO SCHOOL CHOICE OPTIONS IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA THROUGH CHIPPELA AND OUR CHARTER SCHOOL LAW AND MADE THOSE READILY AVAILABLE TO OUR STUDENTS STATEWIDE.

AND WE WERE IN FULL SUPPORT OF THOSE BILLS.

SO THE DEFINITELY IS IN THE DETAILS AND WE WILL SEE, AS YOU SAID WHEN THE BILL DROPS WHAT IS IN IT AND WHERE AEA -- ESSENTIALLY WE'RE LOOKING AT THE ISSUE THAT IS BEFORE US ON THIS SESSION OF EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNT.

WE WILL SEE WHERE THINGS STAND, WHEN THE LEGISLATION DROPS.

BUT HISTORICALLY AROUND THE COUNTRY.

VOUCHER PROGRAMS GENERALLY BENEFIT STUDENTS WITH 0 ARE ALREADY IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

IT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT CONCEPT THAN SCHOOL CHOICE OPTIONS WE HAVE LOOKED AT WHERE STUDENT RESPECT IN PUSHING CHARTERS OR THEY'RE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THEY'RE TRANSFERRING TO MAYBE ANOTHER PUBLIC SCHOOL OR GETTING A SCHOLARSHIP TO LEAD A FAILING PUBLIC SCHOOL.

THOSE RESTRAINING ORDER THE PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE.

ESA'S ARE DIFFERENT, THEY'RE MORE UNIVERSAL AND THEY'RE WIDE OPEN TO ANY STUDENT, WHETHER THEY'RE IN ANY KIND OF A FAILING OR NONFAILING SCHOOL.

THEY CAN LEAVE THEIR PUBLIC SCHOOL OR THEY CAN RECEIVE A VOUCHER IF THEY'RE ALREADY IN PRIVATE SCHOOL, WHICH IS WHERE WE SEE THE MESSAGE OF THESE PROGRAMS SERVE.

IN ARIZONA, 80 PERCENT OF THE STUDENTS THAT ARE RECEIVING A VOUCHER ARE ALREADY IN PRIVATE SCHOOL AND HAVE ALWAYS BEEN IN PRIVATE SCHOOL?

AND IN ARKANSAS, 95 PERCENT OF STUDENTS THAT'S THE CASE.

SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT VOUCHER PROGRAMS, EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS THE MAJORITY BE OF STUDENTS HAD THAT ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THOSE ARE CHILDREN THAT ARE NOT IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS BEFORE, THEY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN 234 PRIVATE AND THAT'S THE CHALLENGE OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE GOING TO PACE WITH LEGISLATION LIKE THIS.

THEY MAY BE SERVING THE SAME NUMBER OF STUDENTS THEY HAVE ALWAYS HAD OR MAYBE A FEW LEGISLATION BUT THE VAST MAJORITY OF STUDENTS WOULD STAY IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL.

HOWEVER, THEY'RE RECEIVING A WHOLE LOT LESS FUNDINGS FOR WHICH TO EDUCATE THE STUDENTS THEY ALREADY HAVE.

>> WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO PROPONENTS OF EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS.

SAY LOOK, THIS IS AT THE END OF THE DAY, TAXPAYER MONEY.

THIS IS THE MONEY THE PARENTS HAVE PAID IN.

THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO SPEND IT, YOU KNOW, ON A SCHOOL OF THEIR CHOICE EVEN IF THEY ARE ALREADY IN PRIVATE CHOICE.

IT'S THEIR MUST BE.

IT SHOULD BE THEIR CHOICE.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THAT ARGUMENT.

>> I WILL SAY A FEW THINGS.

I WILL SAY OUR EDUCATION TRUST FUND IS ESTABLISHED BY ALABAMA VOTERS TO SERVE THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

AND IT WAS ESTABLISHED FOR THAT PURPOSE.

PUBLIC EDUCATION ONLY.

SCHOOL CHOICE SHOW AVAILABLE ONLY NOW IN ALABAMA AND IT DESERVES A ROLE O HERITAGE FOUNDATION JUST RATED ALABAMA AS THE 18 MOST SCHOOL CHOICE FRIENDLY STATE IN THE COUNTRY.

>> DR. MACKEY MENTIONED THAT.

>> DEPENDING ON THE STUDY YOU SEE WE'RE RANKED 15TH TO 18TH.

WE HAVE A GREAT OBJECTIONS AND THOSE ARE NOT BEING FLIES UTILIZED TO THE FULLEST CAPACITY AT ALL.

OUR CHALLENGE IS JUST TO LOOK AT THOSE THINGS TO.

>> OBVIOUSLY THAT'S GOING TO BE A BIG AGENDA ITEM THAT WILL PROBABLY EAT UP YOUR BANDWIDTH IN TERMS OF LOBBYING AND ALL OF THAT.

BUT WHAT ELSE IS ON THE AEA ALES AGENDA FOR THE UPCOMING SESSION.

>> WELL, WE WILL BE LOOKING AT THINGS FOR OUR RETIREES SO OUR EDUCATION RETIREES ARE A LARGE MAJORITY OF OUR -- RETIRED TEACHERS.

>> YES.

OUR IMPORTANT GROUP IN OUR STATE.

AND WE HAVE ABOUT 60 THOUSAND OF THEM THAT ARE LIVING BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL AFTER A FULL CAREER OF SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC.

AND THAT'S A CHALLENGE FOR THEM IN ADDITION TO THEM NOT RECEIVING ANY KIND OF SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING IN RECENT YEARS THEY HAVE ALSO HAD THEIR INSURANCE GO UP SIGNIFICANTLY SO WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING FOR SOME RELIEF FORE THEM.

OF COURSE IT'S SOMETHING THAT COULD NOT BE UNFUNDED OWN THEIR REQUIREMENT SYSTEM BUT MAYBE SUPPLEMENTAL DOLLARS TO BE PLACED IN THEIR EDUCATION RETIRING SAVINGS ACCOUNT.

WE MR. LOOK AT OUR TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM WORKING FOR AIR CONDITIONING OUR STATE BUSES.

WE HAVE LESS THAN 50 PERCENT STATEWIDE THAT ARE AIR CONDITIONED SO WE WILL LOOKS TO EXPAND THAT.

WE WILL DO THINGS FOR TEACHER SALARIES.

WE WOULD LOVE TOO SEE THE SALARIES START AT 50 THOUSAND DOLLARS.

WE'RE ABOUT 45 THOUSAND DOLLARS NOW BUT WE WANT TO STAY COMPETITIVE IN THE SOUTHEAST AND ONE OF OTHER STATES REGIONALLY WENT TO A 50 THOUSAND DOLLARS MINIMUM LAST YEAR SO WE WANT TO BE COMPETITIVE WITH THAT AND MOVE IN -- INTO THAT SAME ROLE.

SO WE WILL BE LOOKING AT THOSE THINGS AND OTHER SMALL ITEMS, PAID INTERNSHIPS FOR OUR STUDENT TEACHERS.

MOST PROFESSIONAL INTERNSHIPS ARE PAID FOR COLLEGE KIDS SO WE'RE GOING TO LOOK THAT THINGS FOR THAT AND A FEW OTHER SMALL AGENDA ITEMS.

>> WELL, WE WILL BE WATCHING ALL OF THAT.

I WANTED TO.

>> YOU ABOUT THIS BECAUSE, AEA, IF YOU GO BACK DECADES AGO, IT'S A DIFFERENT ORGANIZATION AND THAT'S BECAUSE OF THE POLITICAL WINS; RIGHT?

THERE'S A NEW REPUBLICAN MAJORITY.

A LOT OF TRANSITION HAD TO HAPPEN AND YOU STILL HAVE, LIKE THE ALABAMA REPUBLICAN AUTHORITY WITH FRICTION TOWARDS AEA AND EVERYTHING.

WHAT IS THE MESSAGE HAD TO REPUBLICANS WHO ARE A LITTLE -- WHO HAVE THOSE MEMORIES OF DECADES AGO AND WHAT AEA IS NOW.

>> I WILL SAY, AEA HAS BEEN AND ALWAYS HAS BEEN AN ORGANIZATION THAT FIRST AND FOREMOST SUPPORTS PUBLIC EDUCATION AND WE SUPPORT CANDIDATES THAT SUPPORT PUBLIC EDUCATION BEING THAT THEY ARE ACCURATE OR REPUBLICAN.

MANY DECADES AGO WE HAD A MAJORITY OF THE LEGISLATURE THAT WERE DEMOCRATS.

AND SO OF COURSE WE SUPPORTED A MAJORITY OF DEMOCRATS BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THE LEGISLATURE IS MADE UP OF.

NOW WE'RE IN A POSITION WHERE THE MAJORITY OF THE LEGISLATURE IS REPUBLICAN.

SO IT'S A SITUATION WHERE WE SUPPORT CANDIDATES THAT SUPPORT PUBLIC EDUCATION AND THAT OUR FOUNDATION OF WHAT WE BELIEVE IN.

DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU'RE A DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN.

WE JUST WANT GOOD SOLID PEOPLE SUPPORTING PUBLICATION AND OUR MEMBERSHIP IS VAST MAJORITY ARE REPUBLICAN VOTERS.

AND THEY SET OUR AGENDA AND THEY'RE THE ONES THAT CHOICE OUR LOCAL TEACHERS AND LOCAL PROFESSIONALS CHOOSE TO CONTRIBUTE TO OUR PACK AND IT'S 3 DOLLARS A MONTH THEY GET OUT OF THEIR BANK ACCOUNT TO SUPPORT THAT AND THEY SUPPORT CANDIDATES THAT SUPPORT PUBLIC EDUCATION AND THE MAJORITY OF THOSE ARE REPUBLICANS.

BECAUSE OUR MEMBER ARE MAJORITY REPUBLICAN AND THEY SUPPORT OUR AGENDA.

>> I'M GLAD WE GOT TO TALK ABOUT THAT.

AND GLAD WE GOT TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION.

THIS HAD IS GOING TO BE AN INTERESTING SESSION, VERY EDUCATION FOCUSED.

I WILL SEE YOU IN THE HALL WAYS AND HOPE TO TALK AGAIN SOON BUT THANK YOU FOR COMING ON SPOTLIGHT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION."

JOINING ME NEXT IS GORDON STONE, SCREW DIRECTOR OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP.

GORDON, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON SPOTLIGHT.

>> ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

THANK YOU FOR COVERING EDUCATION.

IT'S A BIG ISSUE WITH A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON AND MOVING PARTS AT ALL LEVELS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND WE ABSOLUTELY WANT TO INCLUDE HIGHER EDUCATION IN THAT.

YOU KNOW I FEEL LIKE A LOT OF ENERGY AND TOPIC IS SPENT ON K-12 BUT HIGHER EDUCATION IS SO CRITICAL TO THE STATE NOT JUST ON THE INSTRUCTION SIDE BUT THE ECONOMIC SIDE SO I APPRECIATE YOU COMING ON.

WITH THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION DAYS AWAY WHAT'S IT LOOKING LIKE FOR INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

I KNOW IT'S ALWAYS A BUDGET QUESTION, HOW ARE THEY GOING TO BE FUNDED.

WHAT ARE YOUR PRIORITIES GOING ON?

>> MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE JUST TO CONTINUE TO COMMUNICATES TO LEGISLATURES THE VOLUME VALUE OF THE PRODUCT ITSELF.

WHAT HIGHER EDUCATION AND PARTICULARLY THE PUBLIC UNITS MEAN TO OUR STATE.

YOU MENTIONED IT EARLIER WHERE WE HAVE -- IT'S A PRETTY COMMON -- I THINK COMMONLY UNDERSTOOD AND WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO THE ECONOMY BUT I DON'T THINK PEOPLE REALIZE THAT OUR ENGINES FUTURE A LOT OF THE ECONOMY TO THIS STATE TO THE POINT OF ABOUT 20 BILLION DOLLARS OF ANNUAL RETURN.

THAT'S HAD A HUGE NUMBER AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE KNOW THAT WE'RE NOT JUST A TAKER OF RESOURCES.

WE ARE A CONTRIBUTOR BACKS AT THE RATE OF .23 FOR EVERY DOLLAR THE STATE INVESTS.

THAT'S NUMBER ONE.

AND THE STATE ALWAYS HAD A BUDGET AND MAKING SURE THERE'S EQUITY.

THERE ARE COST INCREASES ACROSS THE BOARD FOR THE ECONOMY AND THE AVERAGE PERSON AND AT HOME.

BUT WE ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT WE HAVE TO FUND EACH LEVEL OR ELSE WE GET DISPROPORTIONATE IN OUT THAT IMPACTS US AND WE DON'T WANT TO DO THAT.

WE WANT ALABAMA TO MOVE FORWARD IN ALL SECTORS.

ECONOMICALLY, FROM OUR QUALITY OF LIFE STANDPOINT, ET CETERA.

SO THAT WILL BE NUMBER TWO.

WATCH THE BUDGET, MAKE SURE IT'S EQUITABLE.

AND I THINK NUMBER THREE, JUST MONITOR THE EFFORTS THAT HE SAW OUT THERE TO MAKE SURE ALABAMA DOESN'T OVERREACT TO SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE MAY HERE ON THE NATIONAL SEEN AND PEOPLE THINK OH, THAT'S A PROBLEM.

WHEN IN REALITY IN OUR STATE IT'S NOT AN ISSUE AT ALL.

LET'S GET INTO THAT.

I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT THIS KIND OF NATIONAL EDUCATION -- HIGHER EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT, MORE IVEY LEAGUE, BUT IT GOALS BEYOND THAT.

YOU HAVE THIS ISSUE OF DEI, DIVERSITY EQUITY AND INCLUSION, KIND OF A BUZZ WORD BUT IT'S KIND OF GOTTEN SOME INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER ED IN HOT WERE, THINKING SPECIFICALLY OF THE IVEY LEAGUE PRESIDENTS TESTIFYING BEFORE CONGRESS AND ALL OF THAT BACKLASH, YOU HAD PEOPLE HAVING TO STEP DOWN AND RESIGN.

SO I'M CURIOUS IF THAT -- BECAUSE IT'S SUCH A NATIONAL ISSUE WITH A LOT OF CONSERVATIVES WANTING TO DO AWAY WITH DEI, I WONDER IF THAT MIGHT BUBBLE UP IN THE SESSION WITH LEGISLATION AFFECTING HIGHER ED HERE IN ALABAMA.

AND IF SO, HOW WOULD Y'ALL'S REACTION BE TO THAT.

>> FEW YEARS AGO WE HAD A BILL WITH MATT FRIDAY, JUDGE FRIDAY NOW, ON A BILL REGARDING FREE SPEECH.

AND WE WORKED TO MAKE SURE ALL ADVISES ALONE THE CAMPUS HAD TO BE HEARD BUT HEARD IN THE STRUCTURE WHICH WE ALLOW THAT FOE HAPPEN.

MEANS IN AN ORDERLY WAY AND A BAY THAT WAS CONDUCIVE TO PEOPLE BEING ABLE TO HEAR IT, NOT JUST CHAOS, OCCURRING ON OUR CAMPUSES.

I THINK WE TAKE THAT SAME APPROACH AS YOU LOOK AT ALL OF THESE ISSUES, WHETHER IT BE DEI OR SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT WERE BEHIND THE SCENES WITH SOME OF THOSE IVEY LEAGUE NARRATIVES.

AND I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS WE WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW FIRST AND FOREMOST WE RESPECT THE LEGISLATURE AND THE FACT THEY REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF THIS STATE AND THE LEGISLATURE TAKES A CERTAIN STANCE, CERTAINLY WE WILL RESPOND APPROPRIATELY AND FOLLOW THE LAW OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

WE'VE WORKED CLOSELY WITH REPRESENT OLIVER AND THOSE WHO HAVE HAD BILLS OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST FEW YEARS THAT WERE REFERENCING SOME OF THE DEI ISSUES.

I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THEM FOR WORKING WITH US TO UNDERSTAND -- WE HAVE WANT TO MAKE SURE OUR PEOPLE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TEACH HE AND TO SHARE KNOWLEDGE AND PEOPLE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN AND TO GROW IN THEIR KNOWLEDGE NOT NECESSARILY DIFFERENTIATING FOR ONE POSITION OR A LOT BUT JUST HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR YOUNGER PEOPLE WHO GRADUATE ON OTHER INSTITUTIONS ARE PREPARED TO DEAL WITH THE EVER CHANGING WORKFORCE AND WORKPLACE OUT THERE.

NOW I THINK RELATIVE TO SPECIFIC ISSUES WE JUST HAVE TO ADDRESS THOSE AS THEY COME UP BUT WE CERTAINLY WILL BE INVOLVED IN THAT.

WE WILL BE AT THE TABLE.

WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT THEY KNOW WE'RE NOT TRYING TO BE ADVERSARIAL TO ANYBODY.

WE WANT TO FIND A CORRECT.

WAY TO MAKES SHIRE THAT OUR UNFORTUNATES ARE DOING THEIR JOBS AND OUR PEOPLE THAT THAT WORKED SO HARD FOR OUR INSTITUTIONS CAN DO THEIR JOBS AND OUR STUDENT STUDENTS END UP LEAVING THERE PREPARED FOR WHAT WE NEED TO DO IN THE FUTURE.

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, PRE-SPEECH ON CAMPUS HAS BECOME A REAL ISSUE BUT THERE HAVE BEEN INSTANCES REALLY IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS THAT I THINK ALABAMA INSTITUTIONS CAN BE PROUD OF INNERS TO OF BEING PA GOOD EXAMPLE OF HOW TO DO IT RIGHT.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> I'M THINKING OF THERE WERE SOME PROTESTS BACKS AT AUBURN DURING THE KIND OF ALT-RIGHT THING BUT MOST RECENTLY I WAS IN TUSCALOOSA FOR THE GOP DEBATE AND PRESIDENT BELL GOT UP AND TALKED ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF LOOK YEAH THIS IS A REPUBLICAN DEBATE.

WE WILL HOST ANYBODY.

WE'RE READY FOR ALL OF VIEWPOINTS AND IT STOOD OUT TO ME -- WOW, THAT'S THE RIGHT WAY TO DO IT.

WHEN YOU CAN SEE THINK ABOUT -- PROBABLY PLENTY OF PLACES THAT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN CHAOS OR SOMETHING.

IT WAS A REAL SHINING MOMENT I THINK.

>> WELL, I THINK THE ENGAGEMENT THAT OUR TEAMS HAVE HAD ACROSS OUR CAMPUSES IN ALL OF THIS, BECAUSE THIS ISSUE DIDN'T JUST START YESTERDAY.

IT'S BEEN COMING ALONG GRADUALLY OVER ADVERTISEMENT.

AND WE HAVE BEEN AT THE TABLE AND WE'VE BEEN HAVING THESE CONVERSATIONS AND I THINK WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED IS WHAT ARE PEOPLE'S EXPECTATIONS AND THEN HOW DO WE GUIDE THAT IN A WAY THAT IS ORDERLY, BECAUSE THAT'S THE KEY.

IT'S NOT THAT WE WANT TO KEEP ANYBODY FROM BEING ABLE TO EXPRESS THEIR OPINION.

WE JUST WANT TO DO IT IN A MANNER THAT IS CONSTRUCTIVE, THAT LET'S PEOPLE HEAR IT AND THEN MAKE DECISIONS BASED ON WHAT THEY HEAR.

NOT FEEL LIKE THERE'S A SAFETY ISSUE OR ANYTHING OF THAT REGARD.

SO OUR INSTITUTIONS, I APPRECIATE YOU RECOGNIZING TWO YOU ARE OUR FLAGSHIPS BUT I KNOW THIS AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF ALL 14 OF OUR PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

WE'RE COMMITTED TO THAT THAT TYPE OF APPROACH.

AND WE WILL BE A PART OF THE DISCUSSION BUT I THINK I WILL WAIT UNTIL I SEE A BILL TO COMMENT ON SPECIFICS BUT WE WILL BE AROUND SO YOU CAN GRAB US LATER IF YOU NEED TO TALK ABOUT SPECIFICS.

>> OH, SURE.

YOU CAN ALWAYS GET PRETTY HARRY ONLY ABOUT A MINUTE LEFT BUT I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT STUDENT RETENTION.

THIS IS ALWAYS A QUESTION THAT COME UP WHEN PEOPLE ARE THAT YOU CAN BUDGET AND I KNOW Y'ALL HAVE A STUDENT COUNCIL OR COUNCIL ON STUDENT RETENTION.

WHAT IS THE LATEST ON THAT WITH JUST HAD A LITTLE TIME.

>> IN REALITY, ALABAMA'S UNIVERSITY HE ARE MAKING HUGE DIFFERENCE ACROSS THE STATE RIGHT NOW IN ULTIMATE DO YOU KNOW WHAT OF LIFE.

LOOK WHERE OUR 14 CAMPUSES ARE IN 12 COUNTIES.

WE CHIEF ECONOMIC DRIVERS.

WHAT WE WANTED TO DO WITH OUR STUDENT SEAS LET THEIR VOICE BE HEARD SO WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE COUNTIES CAN ALSO HAPPEN ACROSS THE STATE.

OUR STUDENTS HAVE COME TOGETHER, THE STUDENT RETECH COUNSEL AND THEY STARTED SAILING THESE THINGS THAT MAKE US INTERESTED IN STAYING IN ALABAMA, HAVING JOBS IN BADGE, BRINGING OUR JOBS AND KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS AND GIFT SETS INTO DIFFERENT AREAS OF OUR STATE.

OUR ECONOMIES ARE BOOMING IN HUNTSVILLE AND BIRMINGHAM BECAUSE OF THE ROLE OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND BOOMING IN OTHER PLACES AROUND OUR STATE BECAUSE OF THE ROLE OF EDUCATION AND OUR STUDENTS ARE SAYING WE WANT TO BE SURE BUT LISTEN TO US.

TEASE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT OTHER PLACES ARE OFFERING.

SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING.

WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT BEAK A PART OF THIS ECONOMIC GROWTH.

NOW JUST CONGRATULATIONS TO EVER FOR OF THE MORE INFORMATION GROWTH BUT NEW JOBS, KNOWLEDGE-BASED JOBS, THAT'S WHAT WE PRODUCE.

OUR STUDENTS WILL BE AT THE TABLE.

STUDENT RETENTION COUNSEL IS OUR WAY OF SAYING WE WANT TO BE A PART OF THIS SOLUTION.

>> WE'RE OUT OF TIME BUT GORDON THANK YOU AGAIN FOR COMINGS ON.

>> PLEASURE.

THANK YOU.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> AND CAN THAT'S IT.

FOR "SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION."

COMING UP NEXT, HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION, A SPECIAL DOCUMENTARY CALLED "DREAM SCHOOLS."

IT'S THE INSPIRING JOURNEY OF SIX BRIGHT AND AMBITIOUS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WORKING TO GET ADMITTED INTO AMERICA'S TOP COLLEGES.

IT'S ALSO AN INTERESTING LOOKS ON HOW FAMILIES COPE WITH THESE STRESSFUL CHALLENGES OF THE COLLEGE AT MISSION PROCESS.

THAT'S COMING UP MOMENTARILY.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL SEE YOU NEXT TIME.