“Strong students lead to a strong Alabama.”
That’s the message Gov. Kay Ivey is sending to the hundreds of thousands of students heading back to school across the state this week.
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In a back-to-school video posted on social media, Ivey challenged students to embrace the new academic year with courage and purpose: “Be bold enough to raise your hand. Be kind enough to lift someone up. Be brave enough to fail, then try again.”
Ivey, who has made improving K-12 education a central part of her administration since taking office in 2017, often highlights her early career as a teacher when speaking to students.
“Believe it or not, I’ve been in your shoes — as a student and later as a teacher,” she said. “And I know that what happens in the classroom can shape the path ahead.”
As president of the Alabama State Board of Education, Ivey regularly attends meetings and has led efforts such as the Turnaround Schools Initiative, which targets 15 chronically underperforming schools and has shown improvement in student performance.
The new school year also marks the first year of the CHOOSE Act, which provides state-funded education savings accounts to families. About 23,000 students — the majority already enrolled in private schools — are expected to use the funds this school year.
Policy shift
While the new law marks a major policy shift, Ivey’s message remained focused on student growth and the importance of classroom learning.
“Every math problem you tackle, every book you read, every science experiment you try — it all adds up to something bigger,” Ivey told students. “It prepares you to lead, to serve, and to shape our future.”
Most public school districts resume classes this week; others begin next week.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Trisha Powell Crain and originally published by Alabama Daily News.
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