>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO "SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION," I'M TODD STACEY, ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION'S QUARTERLY DEEP DIVE INTO THE POLICY AND POLITICS OF EDUCATION IN ALABAMA.

IT HAS BEEN A PRETTY DRAMATIC SEVERAL DAYS FOR EDUCATION RIGHT HERE IN THE CAPITAL CITY.

EARLIER THIS MONTH, MONTGOMERY PUBLIC SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT DR. MELVIN BROWN SHOCKED THE CITY BY ANNOUNCING HIS RESIGNATION FROM OFFICE, WHICH THE BOARD OF EDUCATION VOTED TO ACCEPT.

HIS DECISION CAME AFTER MONTHS OF INTERNAL BICKERING WITH SELECT MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, WHICH BROWN SAID DEVOLVED INTO PERSONAL ATTACKS AGAINST HIS CHARACTER AND HIS FAMILY.

IN A VIDEO STATEMENT, BROWN SAID IT WAS A DIFFICULT DECISION TO STEP ASIDE GIVEN THE PROGRESS THE DISTRICT HAD BEEN MAKING, BUT THAT THE WORKING ENVIRONMENT MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTINUE.

>> DURING MY TENURE, WE MADE GREAT STRIDES TO IMPROVE UPON HISTORICAL NEGLECT, INCLUDING SIGNIFICANT OUTCOMES EDUCATIONALLY FOR OUR STUDENTS.

AFTER HEAVY PRAYER AND THOUGHT, MY DECISION TO TENDER MY RESIGNATION TO THE BOARD WAS NOT SOMETHING I TOOK LIGHTLY.

OBSTACLES HINDERED ME FROM FULLY EXECUTING MY RESPONSIBILITIES.

DISPARAGING REMARKS AND ONGOING FALSE ACCUSATIONS WERE NOT ONLY STATED ABOUT ME AND MY ROLE AS SUPERINTENDENT BUT ALSO PERSONALLY AND MY FAMILY.

I UNDERSTAND THERE WILL BE CRITIQUES AND CHALLENGES ABOUT THE DECISIONS I MAKE, AND I ACCEPT THAT.

HOWEVER, I WOULD NEVER HAVE IMAGINED DEFAMATORY ASSERTIONS AND FALSE CLAIMS ABOUT MY PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LIFE WOULD OVERSHADOW THE WORK WE WERE TRYING TO DO IN THE DISTRICT.

THESE ATTACKS HAVE INSINUATED I HAVE SOUGHT "PERSONAL AND FAMILY FAVORS."

THIS IMPACTED MY ABILITY TO EXECUTE MY RESPONSIBILITIES AND PLAYED A ROLE IN MY DECISION TO RESIGN.

IT CAUSED SO MUCH EMOTIONAL DISTRESS I COULD NOT IN GOOD CONSCIENCE CONTINUE SERVING IN THIS ROLE.

IN ADDITION TO THE INTERFERENCE, ONGOING FALSEHOODS ABOUT ME SEEKING PERSONAL FAVORS FOR MY FAMILY HAVE SPILLED OUT PUBLICLY DURING MEETINGS AND MOST RECENTLY ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND RADIO.

NO SUPERINTENDENT WHETHER ME OR ANYONE ELSE SHOULD HAVE TO BE SUBJECTED TO THIS AND NO SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT OR SCHOOL DISTRICT CAN THRIVE UNDER SUCH DISSENSION.

>> THIS SHAKEUP IN THE CAPITAL CITY FOR ONE OF THE STATE'S LARGEST SCHOOL SYSTEM HAS THE ENTIRE EDUCATION COMMUNITY CONCERNED.

THE ALABAMA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION THIS WEEK SPECIFICALLY CALLED ON MONTGOMERY BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBER LESA KIETH TO RETRACT AND DISAVOW ATTACKS SHE MADE TOWARD BROWN CALLING HER ACTIONS "INCONGRUOUS AND OFFENSIVE."

AND TODAY, THE MONTGOMERY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HELD AN EMERGENCY PRESS CONFERENCE URGING BROWN TO RECONSIDER HIS DECISION AND CALLING FOR THE STATE TO AGAIN TAKEOVER THE MONTGOMERY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

>> THESE BOARD MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION LAST WEEK TOLD ELECTED AND BUSINESS LEADERS THAT WE HAVE NO BUSINESS IN THEIR BUSINESS.

TODAY, WE SAY TO THE MONTGOMERY BOARD OF EDUCATION, THE BUSINESS OF EDUCATION IS, INDEED, EVERYONE'S BUSINESS, AND WE STAND READY TO ASSIST IN FINDING SOLUTIONS TO THE CURRENT LEADERSHIP CRISIS.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT THIS UNITED MONTGOMERY LEADERSHIP DELEGATION CALLS UPON STATE OF ALABAMA SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION DR. ERIC MACKEY AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF ALABAMA EDUCATION AND BOARD TO PLACE M.P.S.

UNDER STATE CONTROL AND INTERVENTION.

UNTIL SUCH TIME THE LOCAL BOARD DEMONSTRATES THAT A MAJORITY OF LEADERSHIP WILL MAKE THE NEEDED CHANGES TO MOVE MONTGOMERY FORWARD IN A TRUE SPIRIT OF PARTNERSHIP.

>> DR. MELVIN BROWN'S DONE A GREAT JOB.

HE HAS MOVED US FORWARD.

HE'S BEGUN TO IMPLEMENT SOME CHANGES, SOME PERSONNEL CHANGES, SOME CURRICULUM CHANGES, SOME SCHEDULING CHANGES THAT ARE REALLY PROPELLING MONTGOMERY FORWARD.

FINANCIALLY, MONTGOMERY WAS ESSENTIALLY BANKRUPT WHEN THE STATE INTERVENTION STARTED.

JUST A FEW YEARS LATER, WE HAD TURNED THAT AROUND.

AGAIN -- AND THIS COMMUNITY HAD INVESTED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MORE THAN 40 YEARS IN A NEW PROPERTY TAX, BUT I THINK THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A HARD TIME MAINTAINING THE ACADEMIC MOMENTUM.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A HARD TIME MAINTAINING ALSO THE MOMEMTUM BEHIND THE NEW TAX AND BEHIND THE INVESTMENT IN THIS COMMUNITY WITHOUT STABLE LEADERSHIP.

WE ARE FOLLOWING THIS VERY CLOSELY.

WE APPRECIATE THE RESOLUTION TODAY.

I REALLY CAN'T REACT TO THE RESOLUTION TOO MUCH WITHOUT TAKING THAT BACK TO OUR LEGAL TEAM SO THEY CAN LOOK AT WHAT METHODS ARE AVAILABLE TO US, BUT I WILL PROMISE THIS COMMUNITY AS A MONTGOMERY COUNTY RESIDENT MYSELF AND A MEMBER OF THIS CHAMBER THAT WE WILL BE DEEPLY INVOLVED TO TRY TO TURN THIS AROUND TO MAKE SURE THAT MONTGOMERY RETURNS TO A STABLE LEADERSHIP AND DOES NOT LOSE THE MOMEMTUM THAT HAS BEEN BUILT OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

>> DR. BROWN WAS THE BEST SUPERINTENDENT THAT WE'VE HAD SINCE THE CLINTON-CARTER DAYS WHICH DR. MACKEY TALKED ABOUT STABILITY-WISE.

SO THAT SPANS MANY, MANY YEARS AND MANY, MANY SUPERINTENDENTS.

IF THAT IS TRUE, AND WE ALL TRULY WANT WHAT'S BEST FOR OUR CHILDREN IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY, THEN, OBVIOUSLY, DR. BROWN IS THE GUY THAT WE NEED TO DO EVERYTHING WE POSSIBLY CAN TO SEE IF WE CAN SOMEHOW OPEN THE LINES OF COMMUNICATION AND SOMEHOW WORK TO KEEP HIM ON BOARD.

>> AS THE SCHOOL YEAR WAS GETTING UNDER WAY, WE GOT SOME GOOD NEWS REGARDING ALABAMA'S EDUCATION PROGRESS.

BACK IN 2019, THE LEGISLATURE PASSED THE ALABAMA LITERACY ACT, A LANDMARK LAW MEANT TO IMPROVE THE STATE'S LAGGING READING PROFICIENCY WITH A FOCUS ON TEACHER DEVELOPMENT, STUDENT INSTRUCTION AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

FIVE YEARS LATER, AFTER THE COVID INTERRUPTION, IT SEEMS THOSE EFFORTS ARE PAYING OFF.

ANALYSIS FROM THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS RESEARCH COUNCIL OF ALABAMA SHOWS THAT ENGLISH SCORES AMONG ALABAMA STUDENTS JUMPED SIGNIFICANTLY WITH THE FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ALABAMA LITERACY ACT.

IN THIS CHART HERE ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS IS THE MIDDLE SECTION.

OVERALL PROFICIENCY IN ENGLISH, WHICH INCLUDES READING COMPREHENSION, HAS JUMPED ALMOST NINE PERCENTAGE POINTS FROM 47.8 PERCENT IN 2021 TO 56 PERCENT IN 2024.

THIS IS BASED ON THE ALABAMA COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT PROGRAM, OR ACAP, THAT ALL STUDENTS TAKE EACH YEAR.

ACCORDING TO PARCA, THE BIGGEST SPIKE WAS SEEN AMONG THIRD GRADERS, WHO WENT FROM 53 PERCENT PROFICIENCY LAST YEAR TO 62 PERCENT THIS YEAR.

AGAIN THAT'S TRACKING WITH THE FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ALABAMA LITERACY ACT.

AS YOU CAN SEE, HOWEVER, PROFICIENCY FOR MATH AND SCIENCE ARE STILL PRETTY LOW BUT CLIMBING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

PERHAPS PASSAGE OF THE ALABAMA NUMERACY ACT TWO YEARS AGO WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE THERE.

ALWAYS NICE TO SHARE GOOD NEWS ON EDUCATION IN ALABAMA.

SCHOOL SECURITY IS A MAJOR FOCUS FOR SYSTEMS ALL ACROSS THE STATE.

THAT'S EVEN MORE SO AFTER THE TRAGIC SCHOOL SHOOTING IN GEORGIA A FEW WEEKS BACK.

SCHOOL SYSTEMS ARE PARTNERING WITH POLICE AND OTHER AGENCIES TO HELP MAKE SURE STUDENTS ARE SAFE AT SCHOOL.

APT'S RANDY SCOTT HAS THAT STORY.

>> A NEW REALITY FOR SCHOOLS, IT'S NOT UNCOMMON FOR K-12 FACILITIES AND COLLEGES THROUGHOUT THE NATION AND ALABAMA TO SEE DRILLS TRAINING FIRST RESPONDERS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS HOW TO HANDLE THREATS ON CAMPUSES.

>> WE HAD NASRO AND A CRITICAL INCIDENTS REPORTS TRAINING MEANING IF SOMETHING HAPPENED ON CAMPUS, WHICH EACH STAFF MEMBER IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM WOULD HAVE TO DO AND REACT.

>> THE PREVENT SCHOOL VIOLENCE PROGRAM BRINGS SEVERAL AGENCIES TOGETHER TO FIGHT CRIMES.

>> THE S.W.A.T.

TEAM, M.P.D., THE MEDICS THAT CAME AND DID A LITTLE DISPLAY OF -- AND EVEN THE HELICOPTERS THAT WE WOULD USE IF WE HAD TO FLY OVER A SCHOOL TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS THAT SHOWS US THE EQUIPMENT THAT THEY WOULD USE.

>> K-12 SCHOOLS DO WHAT THEY CAN TO GET THEIR STUDENTS PREPARED FOR THE NEXT LEVEL, COLLEGE IN SOME CASES.

ONE UNIVERSITY IS DOING WHAT IT CAN TO KEEP STUDENTS PROTECTED AND PREPARED BY OFFERING LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS ACTIVE SHOOTER TRAINING EXERCISES.

ASSISTANT CHIEF OF SECURITY FOR MONTGOMERY PUBLIC SCHOOLS SAYS SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS, CITIZENS ARE NEEDED TO INCREASE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT.

>> I DON'T THINK THIS SHOULD START AT OUR SECURITY TEAM.

TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS, EVEN PARENTS NEED TO BE INVOLVED AND GET THE RESOURCES THAT ARE BEING PROVIDED THROUGH THIS PROGRAM.

SO WE CAN BECOME A COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT FOR OUR CHILDREN.

>> THE GOAL, TO MAKE SCHOOLS ON ALL LEVELS SAFER.

>> IT IS GOOD FOR THE TEACHERS, THE CITIZENS TO SEE THAT WE HAVE RESOURCES THAT ARE TOPNOTCH IN THE NATION, AND IT MAKES THEM FEEL SECURE, IT MAKES THEM FEEL THAT THEY CAN DO THEIR JOB, KNOWING THAT THERE ARE RESOURCES OUT THERE TO HELP, IF WORST-CASE SCENARIO OCCURS.

>> IN MONTGOMERY, RANDY SCOTT, FOR "SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION."

>> GOVERNOR KAY IVEY HAS LONG CHAMPIONED THE EXPANSION OF CHARTER SCHOOLS IN ALABAMA, AND RECENTLY, SHE VISITED A GROUNDBREAKING INSTITUTION- THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE STATE.

APT'S JEFF SANDERS HAS MORE.

>> GOVERNOR KAY IVEY RETURNED TO HER ROOTS AS A SCHOOL TEACHER READING A DR. SEUSS BOOK TO A CLASSROOM OF STUDENTS AT IVY CLASSICAL COUNTY IN ELMORE COUNTY.

>> YOU HAVE BRAINS IN YOUR HEAD, YOU HAVE FEET IN YOUR SHOES, YOU CAN STEER YOURSELF ANY DIRECTION YOU CHOOSE.

>> THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT TO THE NEWLY-OPENED CHARTER SCHOOL WAS PART OF HER BACK-TO-SCHOOL TOUR AROUND ALABAMA.

>> HERE YOU ARE LEARNING ABOUT THINGS LIKE RESPECT, HONESTY AND KINDNESS.

THESE ARE VALUES THAT WILL GUIDE YOU THROUGHOUT YOUR ENTIRE LIFE, NO MATTER WHAT YOU CHOOSE TO DO.

>> IVY CLASSICAL ACADEMY IS ALABAMA'S FIRST CHARTER SCHOOL WITH A FOCUS ON CLASSICAL EDUCATION.

>> WE WANT TO TRAIN THE MIND, SO WE WANT OUR STUDENTS TO BE SMARTER, WE WANT THEM TO KNOW A LOT OF THINGS, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY WANT THEM TO BE VIRTUOUS, THOUGHTFUL PEOPLE.

SO WE FOCUS ON KINDNESS AND POLITENESS AND WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A CITIZEN.

>> DAVID WHITEMAN IS THE HEAD OF SCHOOL FOR MORE THAN 600K THROUGH 5TH STUDENTS IN IVY'S CLASSICAL CAREER.

>> USED TO YOU ONLY COULD SEND THEM TO PRIVATE SCHOOL OR HOME SCHOOL THEM TO HAVE A CLASSICAL CHARTER SCHOOL.

US HAVING THE FIRST RATHER LARGE CLASSICAL CHARTER SCHOOL AND RECEIVING ATTENTION FROM OUR STATE LEADERSHIP IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE WANT TO HOPEFULLY EXPAND AND OFFER A CLASSICAL EDUCATION TO CHILDREN THROUGHOUT ALABAMA.

>> BRADLEY BEGAN THE LONG JOURNEY TO CREATE THE SCHOOL SOME YEARS AGO.

DESPITE CONTROVERSY OVER PUBLIC FUNDS, HE BELIEVES CHARTER SCHOOLS LIKE IVY CAN BE A MODEL FOR THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION.

>> WE CHOSE TO START THE SCHOOL.

WE DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS GOING TO TAKE FIVE YEARS AND BE THE GRAVEL ROAD AND BE SO LONG AND GRUELING, BUT WE STARTED THIS FOR OUR TWO BOYS BUT FINISHED IT FOR EVERY STUDENT IN THIS ROOM.

>> IVY CLASSICAL PLANS TO ADD A NEW GRADE LEVEL EACH YEAR.

WHILE STUDENTS FROM ELMORE COUNTY GET TOP PRIORITY, APPLICATION ARE OPEN FOR STUDENTS ACROSS THE STATE.

REPORTING FOR "SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION," I'M JEFF SANDERS >> AND SPEAKING OF CHARTER SCHOOLS, COMING UP NEXT I'LL SPEAK WITH EMILY SCHULTZ OF ALABAMA FAMILIES FOR GREAT SCHOOLS ABOUT THE STATUS OF THAT SCHOOL CHOICE OPTION IN THE STATE.

AFTER THAT, I'LL TALK WITH IBBY DICKSON, FOUNDER OF THE ALABAMA MENTORING INITIATIVE ABOUT THE IMPACT MENTORING HAS ON STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AND WELLBEING.

AND THEN JENNIFER HATCHETT OF YOUTHSERVE JOINS ME TO TALK ABOUT VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS, PARENTS AND OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND FINALLY, EDUCATION POLICY VETERAN PAUL MORIN IS IN STUDIO TO TALK ABOUT EXPANDING LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS.

GREAT CONVERSATIONS YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS.

STAY WITH US.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION."

JOINING ME NEXT IS EMILY SCHULTZ, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ALABAMA FAMILIES FOR GREAT SCHOOLS SCHOOLS.

EMILY, THANKS FOR COMING ON SPOTLIGHT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

>> AND TO BRAVE A HURRICANE, NO LESS, DRIVING DOWN FROM BIRMINGHAM.

WE APPRECIATE YOU MAKING THE EFFORT.

WE SAW JEFF'S PACKAGE ON THE IVY CLASSICAL CHARTER SCHOOL IN PRATTVILLE.

REALLY IMPRESSIVE STUFF.

LOOKS LIKE AN EXCITING TIME FOR THE CHARTER SCHOOL MOVEMENT IN ALABAMA.

I WAS HOPING YOU COULD WALK US THROUGH, WHAT IS THE STATE OF CHARTER SCHOOLS IN ALABAMA?

>> WE ARE SO EXCITED ABOUT IVY CLASS ASKING.

REALLY GLAD YOU GOT THERE TO VISIT.

IVY CLASSICAL IS ONE OF THE FOUR NEW SCHOOLS THAT OPENED THIS FALL, BRINGING US TO 18 CHARTER SCHOOLS TOTAL.

WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IVY CLASSICAL IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF HOW CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE FOSTERING THAT INNOVATION WE TALKED ABOUT EARLY ON WHEN THE LAW FIRST PASSED IN 2015.

IT IS EMPOWERING DIFFERENT MODELS.

WE HAD A PERFORMS ARTS CHARTER, SOMETHING THAT'S NOT OFFERED ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE STATE, AND WE'RE SEEING THAT FOR THE DEMAND FOR THAT SCHOOL.

PEOPLE ARE EXCITED IN THAT COMMUNITY AND BEYOND.

I.3 OPENED ITS HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS ON JEFF STATE'S CAMPUS, SO A LOT OF DUAL ENROLLMENT OPPORTUNITIES, EXPOSURES TO SOME OF THE PROFESSORS AND CURRICULUM JEFF STATE IS OFFER TO HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULUM.

IT'S ABOUT PROVIDING HIGH QUALITY OPTION FORCE FAMILIES.

AND, SO, WE'RE REALLY EXCITED, OVER 9,000 KIDS ENROLLED IN CHARTER SCHOOLS AND THEY'RE POPPING UP ALL OVER THE STATE AND WE'RE EXCITED TO SEE THEM.

>> I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING CHARTER SCHOOLS FOR A LONG TIME BEFORE THE LAW PASSED BECAUSE THERE WAS QUITE AN EFFORT JUST TO GET TO 2015.

>> YES.

>> LAST SESSION, SCHOOL CHOICE WAS SUCH A BUZZ WORD BECAUSE THEY WERE WORKING ON THE CHOOSE ACT, THEY WANTED TO MAKE ALABAMA ONE OF THE MOST SCHOOL CHOICE FRIENDLY STATES IN THE COUNTRY.

BUT WHAT PASSED WAS AN EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNT LAW, RIGHT, SIMILAR TO VOUCHERS, REALLY DIDN'T HAVE MUCH TO DO WITH CHARTER SCHOOLS.

SO A LOT OF TALK ABOUT CHOICE, BUT, YOU KNOW, KEPT REMINDING PEOPLE CHOICE HAS BEEN HERE FOR A WHILE, ESPECIALLY IN THE TERMS OF CHARTER SCHOOLS.

SO DO YOU HAVE TO REMIND FOLKS OF THAT SOMETIMES IN YOUR ROLE TO SAY, LOOK, NOT ONLY HAS THIS BEEN AROUND FOR A WHILE BUT THIS IS A REALLY HIGH-QUALITY OPTION THAT WE NEED SUPPORT FOR?

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

I MEAN, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT BACK IN 15 AND BEFORE, WE WERE HEARING FROM FAMILIES THAT THEY WANTED OTHER CHOICES.

SO, FAMILIES -- SCHOOL CHOICE HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE BEFORE LAWS WERE PASSED.

FAMILIES THAT HAVE RESOURCES CAN OPT OUT OF THEIR ZONED SCHOOL, THEY CAN GO TO PRIVATE SCHOOL, CAN MOVE TO A DIFFERENT DISTRICT.

SO CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE BORN OF THIS IDEA THAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE ALL FAMILIES HAVE CHOICES AND HAVE A WAY TO FIND A SCHOOL THAT BEST MEETS THE NEEDS OF THEIR CHILD, AND THAT MIGHT NOT BE BECAUSE THEIR LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEM IS BAD OR THEIR SCHOOL IS, YOU KNOW, IS BAD.

IT'S ABOUT BEING ABLE TO FIND A MODEL, A CURRICULUM THAT REALLY MEETS THE NEEDS OF KIDS.

AND I THINK THAT'S WHERE THIS CHOICE MOVEMENT IS COMING FROM.

BUT, YEAH, AGAIN, WE HAVE BEEN AROUND SINCE 2015, SINCE THE LAW PASSED.

SO SCHOOL CHOICE HAS BEEN ENABLED IN ALABAMA SINCE 2015, AND WE STARTED WITH ONE SCHOOL IN MOBILE, AND WE ARE NOW 18 SCHOOLS, AND WE WILL CONTINUE WITH A PIPELINE OF SCHOOLS THAT ARE FOCUSED ON QUALITY, MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE REALLY HOLDING OURSELVES ACCOUNTABLE TO HIGH OUTCOMES.

ALONG WITH THAT THEORY OF CHANGE, WHICH IS THAT WE GIVE THOSE SCHOOLS FLEXIBILITY TO MEET THOSE HIGH OUTCOMES.

>> TUITION-FREE LOTTERY.

THERE'S NOT AN APPLICATION.

CAN'T BE SELECTIVE.

>> OPEN TO ALL.

>> THAT'S IMPORTANT.

LAST TIME YOU WERE HERE, WE TALKED ABOUT THE FUNDING GAP BETWEEN TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS AT A STATE LEVEL.

SUBJECT ALWAYS HAPPEN ON A LOCAL LEVEL.

IS THAT A CONVERSATION WE'LL HEAR MORE ABOUT THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION?

>> YES.

LAST TIME I CAME ON, WE TALKED ABOUT THIS.

YOU KNOW, THE FOUNDATION PROGRAM IS THE STATE MECHANISM TO FUND PUBLIC SCHOOLS, CREATED BEFORE CHARTER SCHOOLS WERE CONTEMPLATED.

SO WE ARE KIND OF TRYING TO MAKE CHARTER SCHOOLS FIT INTO THE FOUNDATION PROGRAM IN A WAY THAT HAS BEEN CUMBERSOME.

AND, SO, WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE CHARTER SCHOOLS GETTING CLOSER TO THE AMOUNT OF DOLLARS THAT DISTRICT SCHOOLS ARE GETTING.

RIGHT NOW CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE GETTING FEDERAL MONEY AND STATE MONEY, BUT THEY ARE NOT GETTING ANY OF THE LOCAL MONEY DISTRICT SCHOOLS GET.

TYPICALLY, DISTRICT ARE USING THAT LOCAL REVENUE.

IT'S THE MOST FLEXIBLE MONEY THEY HAVE AND THEY'RE USING IT TO BUILD FACILITIES, IMPROVE FACILITIES, CAPITAL PROJECTS.

CHARTERS DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THE FLEXIBLE DOLLARS AND STILL HAVE TO PROVIDE A PHYSICAL SPACE TO EDUCATE KIDS.

THAT'S REALLY WHERE WE'RE SEEING THAT GAP BE PROBLEMATIC IS CHARTERS ARE HAVING TO DIP INTO THEIR STATE RESOURCES OR SPEND A LOT OF TIME FUNDRAISING TO BE ABLE TO JUST PROVIDE A SCHOOL BUILDING.

THESE ARE NOT FANCY BUILDINGS THAT A LOT OF THEM ARE OPENING IN, AND, SO, WE ARE REALLY TRYING TO FIND A WAY IN WORKING WITH SOME REALLY COMMITTED MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE TO FIND A WAY TO PROVIDE SOME FACILITIES FUNDING FOR CHARTERS, THEN THAT WILL HELP CLOSE THAT GAP.

>> I SEE.

WELL, YOU KNOW, ALL THIS TALK ABOUT A WHOLE NEW FUNDING MODEL FOR THE ENTIRE EDUCATION SYSTEM, YOU TALKED ABOUT THE FOUNDATION, REALLY IS DECADES OLD.

I GUESS LAST UPDATED IN THE '90S.

THERE'S TALK ABOUT IT'S TIME TO MODERNIZE.

I KNOW TENNESSEE DID SOMETHING RECENTLY THAT'S KIND OF ALONG THOSE LINES.

SO WE THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF TALK DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION ABOUT IT.

HOW WOULD THAT IMPACT PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS.

>> CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE PUBLIC SCHOOLS SO ANY FUNDING IS GOING TO IMACT CHARTERS.

THE CHARTER SECTOR HAS REALLY BEEN FOCUSED ON THIS CONVERSATION AROUND A NEW FUNDING FORMULA.

WE'RE VERY SUPPORTIVE BECAUSE MOVING FROM A RESOURCE-BASED FORMULA TO A WEIGHTED STUDENT MODEL, I THINK WILL BENEFIT ALL DISTRICT AND CHARTERS, ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

SO, FROM THE CHARTER PERSPECTIVE, MOVING TO A WEIGHTED SCHOOL MODEL WHERE KIDS ARE FUNDED BASED ON THEIR NEED AS OPPOSED TO THE TAX BASE OF WHERE THEY ARE PHYSICALLY LOCATED -- >> KIND OF LIKE A HEADCOUNT.

>> EXACTLY.

SO IT WOULD REALLY HONOR THE FACT CHARTERS ARE SERVING SIGNIFICANTLY MORE STUDENTS THAT QUALIFY FOR FREE LUNCH, MORE STUDENTS OF COLOR, MORE ELL STUDENTS.

SO THE WEIGHTED STUDENT MODEL WOULD HONOR SOME OF THE NEEDS THAT KIDS ARE COMING INTO CHARTERS WITH AS OPPOSED TO ASSUMING EVERY KID HAS THE SAME AMOUNT OF NEED.

>> IT'S A BIG ISSUE AND ONE THAT, LIKE -- I HAVEN'T FOUND AN OPPONENT YET, E ONE WANTS TO GET THERE, BUT IT'S EASIER SAID THAN DONE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THIS IS A COMPLEX -- TALKING ABOUT HOW WE CHANGE FUNDING OUR ENTIRE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM, IT'S COMPLICATED.

I RESPECT THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE IS GIVING US THE TIME AND ATTENTION IT DESERVES.

IT'S COMPLEX.

WE HAVE REVENUE STREAMS.

THIS IS JUST ABOUT THE STATE ALLOCATION.

IT'S NOT GETTING INTO FEDERAL OR LOCAL.

IT IS STILL COMPLEX AND TAKES A LOT OF THOUGHTFULNESS AND DELIBERATE FOCUS TO GET IT RIGHT.

>> WE'RE GOING TO BE TALKING A LOT MORE ABOUT THAT IN THE MONTHS TO COME.

EMILY, WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

THANKS AGAIN FOR MAKING THE TRIP DOWN.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> AND WALKING US THROUGH THE STATE OF PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

APPRECIATE YOU BEING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANKS.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION."

JOINING ME NEXT IS IBBY DICKSON, FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF THE ALABAMA MENTORING INITIATIVE.

IBBY, THANKS FOR COMING ON SPOTLIGHT.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> I WANT OUR VIEWERS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ALABAMA MENTORING INITIATIVE, HOW IT CAME ABOUT AND WHAT YOUR VISION IS.

>> RIGHT, WELL IT IS A VISION AND THAT'S THE MAIN POINT.

I THINK, SEVEN YEARS AGO, I REALLY HAD THIS IDEA THAT WE WEREN'T CONNECTING ANYMORE AND I WAS LOOKING AT MY HIGH SCHOOL AND AROUND MY PEERS AND I NOTICED THAT I HAD SOMETHING THAT NOT EVERYONE HAD AND THAT WAS MENTORSHIP, IT WAS A STRONG COMMUNITY THAT WAS WILLING TO SUPPORT ME.

SO I FOUNDED THE ALABAMA MENTORING INITIATIVE ALONG WITH MY DAD.

MENTORSHIP IS THE HEART OF EVERYTHING WE DO.

I GREW UP WITH A FATHER WITH AN AGGRESSIVE OPIOID ADDICTION.

TILL I WAS NINE YEARS OLD HE BATTLED THIS ADDICTION AND DEFEATED IT WITH THE HELP OF ONE OF HIS MENTORS.

THROUGHOUT HIS YEAR OF RECOVERY AND EVERYTHING, HIS MENTOR MET WITH HIM AT A HUDDLE HOUSE IN OUR COMMUNITY ONCE A WEEK FOR ABOUT AN ENTIRE YEAR TO HELP HIM THROUGH THE ENTIRE RECOVERY.

HE DIDN'T HELP HIM FINANCIALLY OR GIVE HIM ALL THE RESOURCES IN THE ENTIRE WORLD, HE WAS JUST THERE FOR HIM.

THAT SPEAKS VOLUMES AS TO WHAT MENTORSHIP CAN DO.

IT IMPACTED MY FATHER AND ME.

WHEN I WAS STRUGGLING WITH WHAT HAPPENS IN A HOME WITH A PARENT GOING THROUGH AN ADDICTION LIKE THAT, I WAS GIVEN A STRONG SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY.

I GREW UP IN A SMALL TOWN AND THAT'S WHAT I WAS GIVEN.

MENTORSHIP WAS THE SOLUTION FOR ME AND MY FAMILY AND I WANT TO SPREAD THAT.

>> AS YOUR FATHER WAS OBVIOUSLY GOING THROUGH THAT, YOU MAY BE LACKING SOME OF THAT RELATIONSHIP FROM HIM.

>> RIGHT.

>> SO DID YOU HAVE OTHER MENTORS THAT SHAPED YOUR UPBRINGING LIKE THAT?

>> YES.

LET ME JUST SAY, WITH ANY TYPE OF ADDICTION, A CHILD MIGHT BE GOING THROUGH -- YOU KNOW 100,000 ALABAMIANS HAVE AN OPIOID ADDICTION SO I'M NOT ONE OF THE ONLY ONES.

IT WAS A STRONG SENSE OF COMMUNITY.

I HAD MY DANCE TEACHERS AND HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS AND IT SPEAKS TO THE POWER OF THE PEOPLE IN ALABAMA THAT THEY'RE WILLING TO TAKE SOMEONE LIKE ME AND I HAD A STRONG FAMILY TO SUPPORT EVERYTHING WE WERE GOING THROUGH, TOO.

THERE WERE A VARIETY OF PEOPLE.

I HAD A NETWORK OF MENTORS, A COMMUNITY OF MENTORS THAT HELPED ME.

>> I LIKE HOW IT'S PERSONAL TO YOU AND I THINK THAT REALLY MATTERS IN TERMS OF YOUR COMMITMENT.

HOW WOULD YOU GO ABOUT DEFINING WHAT A MENTOR IS?

BECAUSE YOU JUST DESCRIBED A WHOLE ARRAY OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF FOLKS.

MAYBE IS IT A LITTLE MORE FLEXIBLE IN TERMS OF WHAT DEFINES A MENTOR OR A MENTOREE?

>> WELL, WHENEVER I GO ACROSS THE STATE OF ALABAMA I'M EDUCATING WORKPLACES OR ORGANIZATIONS OR PROGRAMS ON HOW TO IMPLEMENT MENTORSHIP AND I WOULD LIKE TO SAY EACH INDIVIDUAL NEEDS A PERSONAL BOARD OF TRUSTEES, AND THESE ARE THE FOUR DIFFERENT TYPES OF MENTORS.

A MENTOR CAN ENCOMPASS, YOU KNOW, THIS INDIVIDUAL THAT HELPS YOU THROUGHOUT YOUR LIFE.

IT CAN BE A PROFESSIONAL MENTOR.

BUT I LIKE TO DEFINE IT IN FOUR DIFFERENT TYPES.

SO YOU CAN HAVE A PEER MENTOR, SOMEONE IN YOUR WORKPLACE AROUND THE SAME AGE AS YOU, MAYBE IN THE SAME PATH OF LIFE AS YOU THAT CAN HELP YOU.

A PERSONAL MENTOR, AND THIS CAN BE MORE OF A SPIRITUAL GUIDE, A COUNSELOR, SOMEONE IN YOUR FAMILY THAT KNOWS YOU VERY PERSONALLY.

AN ADVOCATE.

SO SOMEONE IN YOUR WORKPLACE OR AN ORGANIZATION THAT OPENS DOORS FOR YOU.

THAT'S TALKING ABOUT YOU IN ROOMS THAT YOU'RE NOT IN AND REALLY HELPS YOU INTO THAT NEXT LEVEL.

AND THEN NEXT ONE IS REALLY, I WOULD SAY, A ROLE MODEL.

SO THINK OF OPRAH, COACH SABAN, SOMEONE YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW PERSONALLY BUT YOU KNOW OF THEM AND THEIR STORY IMPACTS YOU.

THOSE ARE YOUR PERSONAL BOARD OF TRUSTEES, AND SOMEBODY CAN HAVE ALL FOUR OF THOSE OR THEY CAN JUST BE THAT ONE TYPE OF ROLE IN YOUR LIFE.

>> A LOT OF US CAN THINK BACK TO THE SPECIAL MENTOR IN OUR LIVES AND HOW IMPACTFUL IT WAS.

THAT'S REALLY INTERESTING.

I'M THINKING ABOUT STUDENTS AND, YOU KNOW, ALL THAT THEY GO THROUGH.

>> YEAH.

>> PROBABLY MORE THAN WE WENT THROUGH IN MY DAY, MAYBE YOURS.

>> YEAH, IT'S JUST DIFFERENT.

>> AND THE IMPORTANCE OF MAYBE BEING -- YOU KNOW, HAVING ACCESS TO MENTORS, BUT ALSO IF YOU'RE A PARENT TO UNDERSTAND, LOOK, IT'S NOT A KNOCK ON YOUS A PARENT, IT'S JUST IMPORTANT THERE ARE NON-PARTICIPANTS OUT THERE THAT ARE ALSO PART OF THE EQUATION.

FAIR TO SAY?

>> FAIR TO SAY.

I HAVE INCREDIBLE PARENTS AND I STILL NEED MENTORS.

YOU CAN HAVE THE BEST FAMILY AND RESOURCES BUT WE HAVE TO HAVE A NETWORK OF PEOPLE TO HELP US.

OUR PARENTS CAN'T GIVE US THE JOBS THAT WE NEED NECESSARILY.

OUR PARENTS -- YOU KNOW, THEY'RE NOT LIMITED BUT IT'S MORE SO OF EXPANDING THE OPPORTUNITIES YOU HAVE.

WHEN I GO AROUND AND TELL STUDENTS, YOU KNOW, THIS IS HOW CAN YOU CAN GET MENTORS AND, YOU KNOW, INCREASE YOUR NETWORK, IT'S SAYING YOU'RE REACHING OUT TO A PROFESSIONAL IN YOUR COMMUNITY AND SAYING, HEY, I LOVE WHAT YOU DO, CAN I SHADOW YOU FOR A DAY?

THAT'S NOT NECESSARILY SOMETHING THAT A PARENT PROVIDES.

SO IT'S JUST EXPANDING YOUR OPPORTUNITIES.

>> NOW, I KNOW ON YOUR WEB SITE, YOU HAVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE OF US WHO MAY BE INTERESTED IN THIS TO SIGN UP.

>> RIGHT.

>> YOU KNOW, TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THAT.

HOW DO WE REACH YOUR WEB SITE AND WHAT'S THAT PROCESS LIKE TO GO THROUGH AS A POTENTIAL MENTOR?

>> IT'S ALABAMA MENTORING INITIATIVE.COM.

WHEN YOU GO ON THE WEB SITE, IT WILL ASK YOU WHAT TYPE OF MENTOR DO YOU WANT TO BE?

DO YOU WANT TO MENTOR EWING OR THOSE WHO ARE 18 YEARS AND OLDER AND ENTERING THE WORKFORCE?

WHAT THE ALABAMA MENTORING ORGANIZATION DOES IS WE PARTNER WITH ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND SAY WE HAVE A PROGRAM, A COMMUNITY MENTORING PROGRAM, WE WILL REACH OUT TO LOCAL LEADERS IN YOUR COMMUNITY AND TRY TO CONNECT THEM WITH PEOPLE WHO NEED MENTORS.

I THINK IT'S POWERFUL AND SPEAKS TO A LOT.

SO IF YOU GO ON OUR WEB SITE AND FILL OUT THE FORM, IT WILL ASK YOU WHAT TYPE OF MENTOR YOU WANT TO BE, THE AVAILABILITY YOU HAVE, AND THINGS YOU CAN OFFER THAT'S DIFFERENT ABOUT YOU AND WE'LL TRY TO PAIR YOU WITH SOMEBODY.

>> SOMEBODY LIKE ME MAY BE A LITTLE APPREHENSIVE SAYING I WORK SO MUCH, I'M NOT SURE I'M THE RIGHT KIND OF ROLE MODEL.

TALK TO THOSE APPREHENSIONS THAT SOMEONE MIGHT HAVE ABOUT SIGNING UP AND MAYBE OUR FEARS MAY NOT SHOULD BE REALIZED.

>> I WOULD SAY A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE FEARFUL OR DON'T HAVE A LOT OF TIME.

I THINK THE COMMON MISCONCEPTION ABOUT MENTORSHIP IS THINKING YOU ALREADY DO IT.

I WANT TO CHALLENGE OUR VIEWERS TO SAY, YOU BE, MENTORSHIP IS COMMON SENSE BUT IT'S NOT COMMON PRACTICE.

WE THINK WE'RE MENTORING NATURALLY, BUT I'M HERE TO CHALLENGE AND SAY YOU CAN DO IT.

DOESN'T MATTER YOUR TIME OR AVAILABILITY.

IF YOU HAVE A LUNCH BREAK, IF YOU HAVE A LUNCH BREAK, CHICK-FIL-A IS OUR PARTNER, AND THEY WILL ALLOW THEM TO GO TO LUNCH AND THEY WILL PAY.

WE PROVIDE THE RESOURCES.

YOU CAN DEDICATE A LITTLE TIME, IF IT'S ONCE A WEEK OR EVERY OTHER TWO WEEKS.

WE'RE VERY PERSONALIZED AND TRY TO MAKE IT VERY PERSONAL AND AVAILABLE AND JUST OVERALL BETTER FOR YOU AS A MENTOR.

WE'RE NOT TRYING TO PRESSURE YOU OR TAKE AWAY YOUR TIME BUT THERE ARE FLEXIBLE THINGS YOU CAN DO.

>> THIS TO ME SOUNDS LIKE SUCH AN IMPACTFUL WAY TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY, MORE SO THAN A LOT OF THINGS, JUST A VERY PERSONAL IMPACT ON FOLKS.

>> YEAH.

>> I WANT SO ASK YOU ABOUT THE TIMES THAT WE'RE IN, AS OPPOSED TO PREVIOUS TIMES, BECAUSE WE WENT THROUGH COVID.

>> RIGHT.

>> SO MUCH OF THIS YOUNGER GENERATION WENT THROUGH SOME WEIRD TIMES IN SCHOOL.

>> YEAH, YEAH.

>> THINGS LIKE THAT.

ALSO, YOU KNOW, WITH THE RISE OF SOCIAL MEDIA, THEY TALK ABOUT HOW, YOU KNOW, OUR CONSTANT ADDICTION TO SOCIAL MEDIA, EVEN THOUGH WE'RE CONNECTED IT'S LATES US.

>> RIGHT.

>> DO THOSE TWO THINGS PLAY INTO A GREATER NEED FOR THE PERSONAL TOUCH WITH MENTORS?

>> YES.

WE'RE IN A LONELINESS EPIDEMIC.

MY GENERATION, GENERATION Z IS THE LONELIEST WE'VE EVER BEEN IN HISTORY.

WE'RE TRIPPING THE RATES WHEN MY MOM WAS GROWING UP AS FAR AS FEELING ALONE OR NOT FEELING THAT WE HAVE COMMUNITY, AND I THINK THAT'S A MAJOR NEED THAT WE MEET RIGHT NOW.

WE'RE NOT ONLY IN SOCIAL UNREST, BUT I WOULD ARGUE WE'RE IN A CROSS CULTURAL DIVIDE.

I WOULD ARGUE WE'RE IN A CROSS GENERATIONAL DIVIDE.

SO, WHEN I THINK OF THE SOLUTIONS AND WHEN I THINK OF WHAT CAN ACTUALLY HELP THAT, IT'S MENTORSHIP.

WE'RE NOT ONLY LEARNING FROM PEOPLE AHEAD OF US, BEFORE US AND TAKING THOSE LESSONS AND APPLYING THEM TODAY, WE'RE ALSO CONNECTING IN A TRUE WAY OF CONNECTION.

I THINK SOCIAL MEDIA AND DEVICES GIVE US A FALSE SENSE OF CONNECTION AND WE THINK THAT WE'RE CONNECTING ONLINE AND WE'RE CONNECTING ON PEOPLE FOLLOWING THEM, DOING ALL THESE THINGS, BUT WE'RE NEGLECTING A WHOLE DIFFERENT SIDE OF OUR LIVES WE NEED AND THAT'S PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS AND CONNECTION.

IT'S DIRE.

I THINK WE NEED IT.

>> NOTHING LIKE THE HUMAN TOUCH.

>> RIGHT.

>> WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

ALABAMAMENTORINGINITIATIVE.COM , YOU CAN LEARN A LOT MORE ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE DOING.

LEARN ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES TO MENTOR.

THANKS FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING AND COMING ON "SPOTLIGHT."

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION."

JOINING ME NEXT IS PAUL MORIN, PROGRAM COORDINATOR FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES.

PAUL, THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> IT'S AN HONOR.

I'M EXCITED TO BE HERE.

>> YOU HAVE MANY HATS AND HAVE WORN MANY HATS THROUGHOUT YOUR CAREER, BUT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMMING, AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS NOW THAT THEY'RE IN SCHOOL NOW, SCHOOL IS WELL UNDERWAY, AND YOU HAVE DECADES OF EXPERIENCE IN THIS.

A LOT OF PEOPLE MIGHT ASK, OKAY, I WOULD EXPECT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OR A FOUNDATION OF SOME TYPE, BUT THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES, HOW ARE YOU ALL INVOLVED IN THIS AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM ISSUE.

>> IT'S INTERESTING YOU SHOULD ASK IT THAT WAY BECAUSE USUALLY WHEN PEOPLE SAY WHO DO YOU WORK FOR, PAUL?

I SAY D.H.R., AND THEY SAY, I'M SO SORRY, AND THEY RELATE THAT TO CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT OR INTERVENTION AND THEY THINK LITTLE ONES.

BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS D.H.R.

IS VERY, VERY INVESTED IN DAYCARE, CHILDCARE, AFTER-SCHOOL, SUMMER SCHOOL AS ARE ALL OF THE LOCAL-STATE CHILDCARE SERVICE AGENCIES BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO BE BECAUSE THE DEMAND IS SO SIGNIFICANT.

I'M VERY GRATEFUL AND THANKFUL COMMISSIONER BUCKNER SEES IT THAT WAY BECAUSE THE LINE OF DEMARCATION BETWEEN THE ARENAS IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY BLURRY OVER THE YEARS.

IT'S ONE OF THE REASONS THAT, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE I VIEW IT, OF COURSE, FROM AN EDUCATIONAL STANDPOINT AND A CHILD SAFETY STANDPOINT AND KEEPING THEM ENGAGED, KEEPING THEM OFF THE STREET, BUT IT'S ALSO A HUGE WORKFORCE ISSUE.

YOU KNOW, BECAUSE WHEN PARENTS, WHETHER THEY ARE A SINGLE PARENT HOUSEHOLD OR DOUBLE PARENTS BUT THEY'RE BOTH WORKING, WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO DO WITH THE BABIES IN THE AFTERNOON AND EVENINGS AND SUMMER SCHOOL HOURS?

THAT'S WHY D.H.R.

PARTNERS WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT WITH ALL THE DIFFERENT AGENCIES TO TRY TO MAKE SURE WE ARE MEETING THE NEEDS OF BOTH THE CHILDREN AND THE FAMILIES.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND THERE HAVE BEEN INSTANCES PUBLICLY OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS WHERE IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO HAVE THOSE STANDARDS IN PLACE, AND THE STATE HAS GONE BACK AND BUTTONED THOSE UP, AND THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.

WHAT STRIKES ME, THOUGH, IS, YOU KNOW, IN TODAY'S ENVIRONMENT, WE'RE NOT REALLY TALKING ABOUT DAYCARE SO MUCH ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU GET INTO THE UPPER GRADES, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, REALLY HIGH QUALITY PROGRAMS THAT OFFER STUDENT SUPPORT WHICH IS SO IMPORTANT TO GET STUDENTS CAUGHT UP AND KEPT UP AHEAD OF THEIR SCHOOLING.

SO TALK ABOUT THAT COMPONENT AND HOW THAT MAYBE HAS EVOLVED OVER THE DECADES.

>> FOR ALMOST TWELVE YEARS I SERVED AS THE AFTER-SCHOOL COORDINATOR FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA, AND WHAT I WITNESSED AND WHAT I SAW IS THAT PEOPLE WERE INVOLVED IN THAT AFTER-SCHOOL AND SUMMER SCHOOL SPACE BECAUSE THEY LOVE KIDS.

YOU KNOW, THEY WANTED TO DO GOOD.

THEY WANTED TO KEEP THEM SAFE AND CONTRIBUTE TO THEIR LEARNING, CONNECTING THE DOTS FOR THEM, BUT, OFTENTIMES, EVEN IF YOU'RE A CERTIFIED TEACHER AND YOU'RE WORKING IN AFTER-SCHOOL OR A PARAPROFESSIONAL OR SOMETHING AND YOU SAY, TODAY, YOU'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENGAGING CHILDREN WITH EXPERIENTIAL HANDS-ON STEM ACTIVITIES SO THEY WILL LEARN -- NINE TIMES OUT OF TEN IF THAT'S NOT THEIR WHEELHOUSE THEY WILL FREAK OUT.

>> YOU NEED BACKGROUND, TAKES SOME INSTRUCTIONS.

>> EXACTLY.

THANKS TO THE VISIONARY LEADERSHIP I HAVE WITH COMMISSIONER BUCKNER AND DEPUTY COMMISSIONER MS. FAY, I HAVE THE LATITUDE TO DO THAT WHICH ENRICHES AND ENHANCES THEIR LEARNING.

SO THERE WERE A LOT OF THINGS THAT HAPPENED WITH COVID, WE ALL KNOW THAT, A LOT OF BAD STUFF, BUT THERE WERE SOME GOOD THINGS, TOO, THAT WE DERIVED OUT OF THAT.

AND, SO, WHAT WE DID, WE DEVELOPED A HYBRID MODEL WHERE WE, THANKS TO BRIANNA MORTON, WHO IS THE VIEWPOINT FOR APTV EDUCATION.

>> OUR OWN BRIANNA MORGAN.

>> -- EXACTLY, SHE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN MAKING IT HAPPENED.

WE DEVELOPED A HYBRID MODEL WHERE WE ARE BRINGING THE CONTENT SPECIALISTS TO THE PROGRAMS, WHO WORK IN TANDEM WITH THE PROGRAMMATIC STAFF.

EVERYTHING IS PROJECT-BASED LEARNING, EVERYTHING IS INTERRELATED AND CROSS DISCIPLINARY, AND WE'RE USING THE ENGAGEMENT WITH THE STEM DISCIPLINES TO IGNITE THAT INSPIRATION AND THAT SPARK FOR THE KIDS.

BECAUSE THE THING IS, IF -- THE ONE THING I'VE LEARNED AS AN EDUCATOR, A VERY OLD EDUCATOR NOW, IF ALL WE DO IS EDUCATE THEIR HEAD AND WE DON'T MOTIVE AND INSPIRE THEIR HEART, WE'VE NOT ACCOMPLISHED ANYTHING.

AND, SO, THAT'S THE COOL PART ABOUT WHAT WE'RE DOING.

EVERYTHING RELATES TO THE STEM DISCIPLINES, BUT WE RELATE IT TO THEIR WORLD.

WE ENGAGE THEM IN ACTIVITIES WHERE THEY ARE EXPLORING AND THEN IN CREATING.

WHEN YOU HAVE A SECOND GRADER THAT CAN WALK UP TO YOU NOW AND TELL ME THE ENGINEERING BY DESIGN PROCESS, THAT IMPRESSES ME BECAUSE THEY ARE ABLE TO SAY, WELL, I TRIED THIS, AND IT DIDN'T WORK!

AND I MESSED UP!

AND I'M, LIKE, YAY!

YOU LEARNED IT'S OKAY TO FAIL BECAUSE, IN THAT FAILURE, YOU FIND YOUR ANSWER.

YOU FIND YOUR SOLUTION.

AND, SEE, THAT'S INTRINSIC TO THE SUCCESS WITHIN THE STEM DISCIPLINES.

THERE'S NOT JUST -- THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS A JOB THAT IS NOT STEM RELATE, NOT IN TODAY'S WORLD.

>> IT'S INTERESTING.

I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT AVAILABILITY BECAUSE I KNOW -- AND WE SAW THIS AND STILL SEE IT ON THE PRE-K SIDE, YOU KNOW, WE'VE GOT A GREAT PROGRAM, BUT WE WANT TO GET IT MORE AND MORE AVAILABLE, YOU KNOW, MORE SEATS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

IF I'M A PARENT AND I'M INTERESTED IN AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM, IS IT AVAILABLE ON A PRETTY WIDE BASIS?

DO WE NEED TO DO MORE IN TERMS OF INCREASING AVAILABILITY?

WHERE ARE WE.

OF COURSE WE DO.

SPOT-ON QUESTION.

ALL THE YEARS WORKING FOR AFTER-SCHOOL COORDINATOR, THE FEDERAL FUNDING FUND IS A FEDERAL ALLOCATION LEARNING CENTERS, AND AT THE STATE LEVEL IT'S DERIVED BY THE EQUATION THEY USE REGARDING POPULATION, DA, DA, DA, DA, DA.

IN ALABAMA, 21ST CENTURY -- IT DEPENDS ON THE FEDERAL ALLOCATION.

IT ONLY REPRESENTS ABOUT 16 MILLION TO 18 MILLION, OKAY, THAT NOWHERE NEAR COVERS THE DEMAND AND NEED ACROSS THE STATEMENT IT'S ONE OF THE CONTRIBUTING FACTOR AS TO WHY OUR JOB PARTICIPATION RATE IS THE WAY IT IS BECAUSE, IF A PARENT DOESN'T HAVE -- IF THEY DON'T HAVE ACCESS, IF THEY DON'T HAVE TRANSPORTATION, IF IT'S NOT AFFORDABLE, WHY WOULD -- FOR EXAMPLE, WHY WOULD YOU -- IF YOU'RE GOING TO USE THIS AS AN EASY EXAMPLE, YOU MAKE $250 A WEEK AT WORK, BUT YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PAY $200 IN DAYCARE, CHILDCARE, AFTER-SCHOOL, SUMMARY SCHOOL, WHY WOULD YOU -- SUMMER SCHOOL, WHY WOULD YOU BOTHER?

>> YEAH, WHAT IS THE POINT?

>> WHAT IS THE POINT?

YES, IT'S AFFORDABILITY, ACCESSIBILITY.

AGAIN, THE COMMISSIONER TOLD ME, SHE SAID, DON'T ALLOW ANYTHING TO BE A DETERRENT FOR THESE BABIES TO PARTICIPATE.

AND, SO, WHATEVER WE CAN DO TO GET THEM THERE, TO LET THEM HAVE ACCESS, THAT'S WHAT WE DO BECAUSE THEIR LIVES AND THEIR PARENTS' LIVES DEPEND ON IT.

WHEN I WORKED FOR AUBURN UNIVERSITY AND WORKING AS THE AFTER-SCHOOL COORDINATOR, I SAT ACROSS THE TABLE FROM ONE OF THE COUNSELORS AT AUBURN.

SHE SAID, I LOVE DOING THIS FOR YOU, BUT COULD YOU EXPLAIN THIS FOR ME?

I STARTED TALKING TO HER, AND SHE STARTED TO CRY.

AND I SAID, OH, I'M SO SORRY, DID I SAY SOMETHING TO OFFEND YOU?

SHE SAID, NO, I'M A SINGLE MOM, AND SHE SAID, MY SON'S GOING TO MIDDLE SCHOOL MEXICO IN YEAR AND I AM FREAKING OUT BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M GOING TO DO WITH HIM BECAUSE, SHE SAID, I HAVE TO WORK.

>> WHEN THE BELL RINGS -- >> WHERE IS HE GOING TO GO?

AND SHE SAYS WE'RE NOT NEAR FAMILY.

THAT IS AN ISSUE ACROSS THE STATE AND THE BOARD.

AND IT'S NOT JUST ALABAMA, IT'S EVERYWHERE.

>> DO YOU THINK THEN -- BECAUSE WE ONLY HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF TIME LEFT.

BUT DO YOU THINK THEN THAT COMMUNITIES -- BECAUSE, LOOK, STATE FUNDING, YOU KNOW, IT'S ALWAYS AN ISSUE IN TERMS OF TRYING TO GET BIG POTS OF STATE MONEY PLACES.

AND THERE HAS BEEN A FOCUS ON AFTER-SCHOOL AND SUMMER LEARNING, BUT DO YOU THINK INDIVIDUAL COMMUNITIES COULD SEE A BENEFIT TO INVESTING IN THINGS LIKE THIS, GETTING EVERYBODY TOGETHER, WHETHER IT'S THROUGH SOME TAXPAYER MONEY, MAYBE THROUGH PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS, MAYBE SOME, YOU KNOW, GRASSROOTS, DO YOU THINK COMMUNITIES WOULD SEE A RETURN ON THE INVESTMENT IF THEY TRULY SAID, HEY, WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE AFTER-SCHOOL IS AVAILABLE TO ALMOST EVERYBODY?

>> YES BECAUSE, SEE, IT'S MORE THAN THAT.

BECAUSE THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS I BECAME SO INVOLVED IN THE AFTER-SCHOOL-SUMMER SCHOOL SPACE -- IT'S INFRASTRUCTURAL SUPPORT FOR BOTH THE SCHOOL AND FAMILIES AND THE COMMUNITY.

SEE, BECAUSE AT-RISK CHILDREN DO NOT COME FROM, YOU KNOW, A WONDERFUL ENVIRONMENT.

USUALLY IT'S AN AT-RISK ENVIRONMENT AS WELL.

THEY DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE COMING INTO A FORMAL SCHOOL SETTING BUT THEY WILL IN OUR SPACE ALL THE TIME BECAUSE WE'LL HAVE FUN AND THEY DON'T FEEL THREATENED.

BUT I'M GLAD YOU ASK ME THAT QUESTION BECAUSE I WORK WITH DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE AND WE'RE CONNECTING THEM WITH THE STEM COUNCIL AND STEM ECOSYSTEMS.

IN LIKE SILLO KAGA, YOU HAVE SAFE, THE ALLIANCE OF FAMILY SERVICES.

>> HEARD ABOUT THIS, YEAH.

>> MARGARET MORGAN IS A FORCE BECAUSE SHE IS AN INFLUENCER, SHE KNOWS HOW TO BRING ALL OF THE ENTITIES TOGETHER, ALL THE ORGANIZATIONS, ALL THE KEY STAKEHOLDERS AND PLAYERS.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, YOU HAVE ANOTHER ONE LIKE THAT IN SELMA, IN DALLAS COUNTY.

JUDGE ARMSTRONG IS, AGAIN, A FORCE.

WE HAVE A MEETING THIS WEEK WHERE WE'RE CROSS POLLINATING IDEAS SO THAT WE CAN HAVE A GOOD EXCHANGE OF BEST PRACTICES, AND WHAT WE CAN DO TO UNDERGIRD THE LOCALIZED COMMUNITY BECAUSE EVERYBODY BENEFITS WHEN EVERYBODY COMES TO THE TABLE.

AND, SO, YOU'VE GOT -- WE'VE GOT POWERFUL INFLUENCERS IN THE STATE, WE JUST HAVE TO BE WILLING TO ROLL UP OUR SLEEVES, FIND THEM AND ALLOW -- SEE, BECAUSE THE JUDGE WILL TELL YOU, PAUL, I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT STEM.

I SAID, THAT'S ALL RIGHT, I'LL TEACH YOU.

HE SAYS, ALL RIGHT, HOW DO WE MAKE THIS HAPPEN?

YOU KNOW?

AND IT WORKS BECAUSE YOU CAN SEE THE COHESIVENESS AND THE COLLABORATION AND WE'RE SEEING CHANGE.

>> I'M EXCITED TO HEAR ABOUT THAT.

YOU MAY GET EDUCATORS IN THE COMMUNITIES REACHING OUT TO YOU.

WOULD YOU MIND SHARING AN EMAIL ADDRESS, FOLKS CAN FIND YOU OUT OR A WEB SITE?

>> MY EMAIL IS PMA316@GMAIL.

MY D.H.R.

ONE, LOGGING INTO THAT LAPTOP IS LIKE LOGGING INTO FORT KNOX.

>> FAIR ENOUGH.

I WAS JUST THINKING THERE MAY BE COMMUNITIES OUT THERE AS WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THIS THAT SAY, MAN, WE COULD REALLY USE BEST PRACTICES FROM THE STATE.

DON'T BE SURPRISED IF YOU GET SOME TAKERS.

>> BECAUSE WE'RE BUILDING OUT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE GOVERNOR'S STEM COUNCIL, AND I'M EXCITED.

>> SOUND LIKE YOU SHOULD BE.

PAUL, WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

THANKS AGAIN FOR COMING ON "SPOTLIGHT."

>> MY PLEASURE.

THANK YOU.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

"SPOTLIGHT."

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION."

JENNIFER HATCHETT, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF YOUTH SERVE INCORPORATED.

THANKS FOR COMING ON "SPOTLIGHT."

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> TELL OUR AUDIENCE MORE ABOUT YOUTH SERVE, IT'S HISTORY AND MISSION.

>> YOUTH SERVE IS AN ORGANIZATION BASED OUT OF BIRMINGHAM AND SERVES MOSTLY CENTRAL ALABAMA.

I'LL TELL YOU HOW WE CAN SERVE THE REST OF THE YOUTH IN THE STATE IN A LITTLE BIT.

WE HAVE BEEN AROUND SINCE THE EARLY OR MID '90S.

WE WERE TWO ORGANIZATIONS AND MERGED TOGETHER IN 2004 TO BECOME YOUTH SERVE AND, SINCE THEN, WE'VE SERVED CLOSE TO 30,000 YOUTH WHO HAVE GIVEN OVER 100,000 HOURS OF SERVICE TO THEIR COMMUNITIES, TO THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS, TO THEIR SCHOOLS.

WE'V CALCULATED THAT IT'S BEEN WORTH OVER 3.4 MILLION IN LABOR AND INVESTMENTS.

WE'RE GETTING YOUTH INVOLVED IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND LOOK AT WHAT A GREAT IMPACT IT IS.

>> SEEMS LIKE SO MUCH VALUE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEY MAY NOT REALIZE RIGHT AWAY IN CREATING NOT JUST SKILLS BUT HABITS FOR SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP, THINGS THAT MAYBE THEY DON'T KNOW THEY'RE LEARNING.

THEY'RE PAINTING THE FENCE AND WAXING THE CAR, BUT THEY WILL USE IT LATER IN LIFE.

SEEMS LIKE SUCH A VALUABLE THING TO BE ABLE TO ACCESS TO PROGRAMS THAT HELP YOU BUILD SKILLS LIKE SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP.

>> YES, AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO SAY THAT OUR -- A YOUNG PERSON'S INVOLVEMENT IN YOUTH SERVE CAN BE INCREMENTAL.

THEY CAN BEGIN WITH JUST COMING TO A SERVICE DAYS WE HOST WHEN WE'RE DOING A NEIGHBORHOOD OR RIVER CLEANUP OR SOMETHING SIMPLE.

THEY CAN COME, EXPERIENCE, HANG OUT WITH FRIENDS AND DO GREAT WORK AND FEEL GOOD ABOUT THAT, BUT THEY CAN KEEP COMING BACK TO THOSE DAYS AND ULTIMATELY GET INVOLVED THROUGH OUR LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS AND START ASKING QUESTIONS AROUND, WELL, WHY DO WE NEED TO CLEAN UP THE RIVER?

AND WHY DO WE NEED TO HAVE SAFE, CLEAN NEIGHBORHOODS?

AND FOLLOW THAT UP WITH PROJECTS OF THEIR OWN, WHERE THEY'RE WORKING WITH SMALL GROUPS OF VERY DIVERSE YOUTH FROM ACROSS THE CENTRAL ALABAMA REGION WHERE THEY ARE ADDRESSING SOME OF THESE ISSUES AND SOME OF THE ROOT CAUSES AND TALKING THEM THROUGH AND SHARING RESPONSIBILITY ON PROJECTS.

IT'S REALLY INCREDIBLE TO SEE, BUT THEY DO BUILD THOSE LEADERSHIP SKILLS AND THEY CAN BUILD THEM OVER MANY YEARS.

WE HAVE SOME THAT ARE SENIORS NOW THAT HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH US FOR FIVE YEARS.

IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP.

>> IT'S INTERESTING WHAT YOU SAY AT INCREMENTAL.

IT MIGHT BE HARD TO HAVE SOMEBODY -- MAYBE THEY ARE A LITTLE SHY.

MAYBE THEY'RE NOT ALWAYS THE ONE TO RAISE HANDS IN CLASS BECAUSE I'M JUST GOING TO GO TO THIS VERY SMALL SITUATION BUT SOON ENOUGH THEY'RE SEEING HOW FUN IT IS, HOW ENRICHING AND ENLIGHTENING IT CAN BE.

SO I FIND THAT INTERESTING.

TALK ABOUT WHY IT'S IMPORTANT FOR STUDENTS.

TALK ABOUT THE ACADEMICS, THEIR WELL BEING, SENSE OF WELL BEING.

WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT SOME OF THE TOUGH THINGS WITH, YOU KNOW, COVID AND SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE PRECIOUS THOSE BRING YOUNG PEOPLE.

TALK ABOUT THE WAYS SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP AND PLACES LIKE YOUTH SERVE CAN HELP YOUNG PEOPLE DEVELOP EMOTIONALLY.

I'M SO GLAD YOU BROUGHT THAT UP.

WE TALK ABOUT THAT A LOT REALLY BEHIND THE SCENES MORE THAN DIRECTLY.

BUT WE KNOW THAT YOUTH HAVE FELT ISOLATED A LOT OF TIMES, ESPECIALLY LATELY JUST TRYING TO CATCH UP, REALLY, FROM THE COVID PANDEMIC, THAT SENSE OF PRESSURE FOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, FOR PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT.

THEY'RE UNDER A LOT OF PRESSURE.

AND I FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE SAID TO US OFTEN THAT THEY FEEL HELPLESS, AND FEELING HELPLESS IS CERTAINLY NOT SOMETHING THAT YOU WANT TO FEEL AT 13, 14, 15 YEARS OLD.

WHAT YOUTH SERVE DOES IS GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO FEEL EMPOWERED SO THAT THE THINGS THAT HAPPEN TO THEM DOESN'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO MEAN THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR THEMSELVES.

SO, GETTING INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY AND FINDING WAYS THAT, YOU KNOW, A 13, 14, 15-YEAR-OLD COULD ACTUALLY MAKE A TEMPERATURES AND DO SOMETHING IMPORTANT FOR THEIR COMMUNITY OR FOUR THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD, FOR THEIR SCHOOL, IT IS EMPOWERING.

AND HAVING THAT SENSE OF EMPOWERMENT BRINGS HOPE.

AND WHEN CHILDREN AND YOUTH CAN HOPE ABOUT THEIR FUTURE, IT CHANGES THEIR BEHAVIOR TRAJECTORY, IT CHANGES THE THINGS THEY WANT TO STUDY.

IT CHANGES THE WAY THEY APPROACH THEIR SURROUNDINGS AND THE OTHER PEOPLE THAT ARE IN THEIR COMMUNITY AND SURROUNDINGS.

SO IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO MAKE THEM FEEL SOMETHING OTHER THAN HELPLESS.

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

I MEAN, I WAS INVOLVED IN SOME SIMILAR PROGRAMS GROWING UP.

I DON'T KNOW WHERE I WOULD BE WITHOUT SOME EARLY FOLKS TALKING ABOUT SERVICE, TALKING ABOUT LEADERSHIP, AND IT DOES GET ADDICTING, YOU KNOW, EVEN AS A YOUNG PERSON, FOR THE BETTER, YOU KNOW, FOR THE BETTER.

WELL, LOOK, LET'S SAY I'M A PARENT OR A STUDENT, AND I WANT TO GET INVOLVED, I'M CURIOUS ABOUT THIS.

WHAT ARE SOME WAYS THAT -- I ASSUME YOU'VE GOT A WEB SITE OR THINGS LIKE THAT WHERE FOLKS CAN FIND AND SAY, ALL RIGHT, LET'S EXPLORE YOUTH SERVE?

>> I'M GLAD YOU ASKED THAT QUESTION BECAUSE YOUTH SERVE AND PARTICIPATION IN YOUTH SERVE, WE PRIDE OURSELVES THAT THERE ARE NO BARRIERS.

ANYONE THAT WANTS TO GET INVOLVED CAN SIMPLY SIGN UP FORKING IN THAT WE'RE HOSTING -- FOR ANYTHING WE'RE HOSTING.

IT'S ALL LISTED ON OUR WEB SITE.

GO OBSERVE OUR EVENTS TAB AND IT WILL HAVE SIGN-UP LINKS FOR EVERYTHING WE DO.

WE LITERALLY OPEN IT UP TO -- OPEN IT UP TO ANYONE UNTIL FULL.

EVERY SERVICE DAY, YOU CAN APPLY TO REGISTER TILL ALL SPOTS ARE FILLED.

FOR LEADERSHIP COUNCILS, TYPICALLY, WE HAVE THE APPLICATIONS UP AT THE END OF MAY, AND THEY STAY OPEN OVER THE COURSE OF THE SUMMER UNTIL WE'RE FULL.

ANYONE CAN APPLY.

THERE IS NO FEE, THERE IS NO G.P.A.

REQUIREMENT, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE NOMINATED, YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A DELEGATE FROM YOUR SCHOOL.

WE TAKE EVERY YOUTH IN OUR REGION WHO IS WILLING TO COMMIT THE TIME BECAUSE THE LEADERSHIP POSITIONS CAN BE TIME INTENSIVE, BUT THE COMMUNITY SEVENS EVENT ARE A COUPLE OF HOURS SATURDAY.

THEY CAN GET INVOLVED ANY WAY THEY WANT TO WITH NO FEE, AND IT'S PRETTY EASY TO DO.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

JUST THINK ABOUT TALKING ABOUT AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS, ABOUT WAYS TO ENRICH FOLKS-LIVES AWAY FROM GENES, MAYBE, YOU KNOW, AND I THINK THERE'S A LOT THAT COULD COME FROM THAT.

YOU MENTIONED STATEWIDE, YOU'VE TALKED TO ME OFF CAMERA ABOUT HOW Y'ALL WANT TO KIND OF REC NICE SOME OUTSTANDING LEADERS FROM ACROSS STATE.

HOW ARE YOU DOING THAT AND HOW CAN PEOPLE APPLY?

>> I LOVE FINDING YOUTH ACROSS THE STATE WHO ARE ALREADY DOING INCREDIBLE THINGS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES, AND THEY EXIST.

THEY ARE USUALLY SOME OF THE BIGGEST CHEERLEADERS IN THEIR COMMUNITY FOR VARIOUS CAUSES.

I HAVE ONE -- ONE OF MY FAVORITE STORIES AS A KID THAT JUST CAME UP TO ME LAST YEAR AND SAID, WHAT IF I STARTED AN ENVIRONMENTAL CLUB AT MY SCHOOL?

AND I SAID, THAT'S A GREAT IDEA!

HE SAID, WHAT IF I OPENED UP THE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES TO ANY KID IN ANY SCHOOL THAT WANTED TO PARTICIPATE?

I SAID THAT'S A GREAT IDEA, BECAUSE WE DO THAT IN YOUTH SERVE.

HE DID.

HE STARTED A CLUB AT HIS SCHOOL AND WAS SO EXCITED THEY HAD THEIR BIG RIFF CLEANUP AND THERE WERE LOTS OF KIDS FROM DIFFERENT SCHOOLS THAT SIGNED UP FOR IT AND THAT'S THE KIND OF PERSON I WOULD SAY MAKE SURE YOU APPLY FOR THE YOUTH AND SERVICE AWARDS, BECAUSE THAT'S A GREAT PROJECT, AND IT WAS SUCCESSFUL, AND A LOT OF KIDS OUT THERE ARE DOING THINGS LIKE THIS ON THEIR OWN OUTSIDE OF AN ORGANIZATION.

SO WE DON'T WANT TO JUST RECOGNIZE THE KIDS IN YOUTH SERVE, WE WANT TO RECOGNIZE ANY KID IN THE ENTIRE STATE THAT IS DOING GREAT WORKS AND GREAT THINGS FOR THEIR COMMUNITIES.

AND THE GREAT NEWS ABOUT THIS, ONCE AGAIN, SO EASY TO APPLY OR TO NOMINATE SOMEONE.

WE WILL OPEN NOMINATIONS IN OCTOBER FOR THE YOUTH AND SERVICE AWARDS.

THIS IS SOMETHING WE DO EVERY YEAR.

THIS IS THE FOURTH ONE.

AND THEY HAVE UNTIL DECEMBER TO NOMINATE SOMEONE IN THEIR COMMUNITY DOING GREAT WORK.

THEN WE FOLLOW IT UP WITH THEM.

THEY GET TO FILL OUT AN APPLICATION, AND IN APRIL WE RECOGNIZE THE WINNERS.

>> AND AGAIN, THAT'S YOUTH SERVEBHAM.ORG AND THAT'S WHERE WE CAN FIND THE NOMINATING INFORMATION AS WELL.

>> YES.

>> DEFINITELY WILL PUT THAT WEB SITE UP.

JENNIFER, CONGRATULATION FORCE EVERYTHING YOU'RE DOING AT YOUTH SERVE.

THANK YOU FOR BEING SO SERVICE MINDED.

LOOK FORWARD TO FOLLOWING UP.

THANKS FOR COMING ON "SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION."

>> MY PLEASURE.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> AND THAT'S IT FOR THIS EPISODE OF "SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION."

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

REMEMBER, YOU CAN FOLLOW EDUCATION AND OTHER POLITICAL ISSUES EVERY WEEK BY WATCHING "CAPITOL JOURNAL" THAT AIRS FRIDAY NIGHTS AT 7:30 AND SUNDAY AFTERNOONS RIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

FOR "SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION," I'M TODD STACEY.