A new education report highlights measurable gains tied to a decade of public education reforms.
The report, “Higher Expectations Set and Met,” comes as Alabama lawmakers head into the 2026 legislative session this week.
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Commissioned by the Business Education Alliance of Alabama and prepared by the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama, the report looks back at nine sets of policy recommendations issued since 2014 that helped shape state education policy. The BEA, formed in 2013, was created to unite the business and education communities so they could work together to find solutions to improve the state’s economy and overall wellbeing.
Raising academic expectations
Together, the studies outline 24 specific actions aimed at raising academic expectations, expanding early education and better aligning schools with workforce needs. And, according to the analysis, many of the goals set over that period were met or made substantial progress.
Alabama’s high school graduation rate climbed above 90%, access to the state’s nationally-recognized First Class Pre-K program expanded significantly and student performance improved in early grade reading and math.
The state also expanded access to dual enrollment and career technical education, allowing more students to graduate with college credit or workforce credentials.
The BEA, which has advocated for these reforms since its formation, credits sustained legislative support for the progress outlined in the report.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Trisha Powell Crain and originally published by Alabama Daily News.
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