BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Alabama lawmakers passed a flurry of education bills this session, from a landmark K-12 funding overhaul to a record-setting education budget. Smaller measures also made it through, many focused on streamlining systems, supporting educators and expanding opportunities for students. Teacher raises weren’t on the agenda, but lawmakers added benefits like paid parental leave, workers compensation for on-the-job injuries and full funding of health insurance premium increases.
Record $12.2 billion education spending package
This year’s record $12.2 billion education spending package touches nearly every area of Alabama’s education system – from early learning to higher education. The package pulls from four major funding sources:
- Senate Bill 112 – $9.9 billion Education Trust Fund budget
- Senate Bill 114 – $1.3 billion Advancement and Technology Fund appropriation for K-12 and higher education
- Senate Bill 113 – $524 million supplemental appropriation
- Senate Bill 111 – $455 million from the Educational Opportunities Reserve Fund for K-12 initiatives
New initiatives include a $100 million grant program to support regional career tech centers. Lawmakers also boosted funding for cornerstone programs like the Alabama Literacy Act and the state’s nationally-recognized First Class Pre-K.
Total ETF spending rose to $9.9 billion – a $561 million, or 6% increase over the current year:
- K-12 education: $6.7 billion, up 5.9%
- Higher education: $2.6 billion, up 6.7%
- Other education initiatives: $615 million, up 4.4%
Targeted funding for students with greater needs (RAISE Act)
Alabama will direct an additional $166 million to support high-needs students under the new RAISE Act, passed unanimously by both chambers.
The Renewing Alabama’s Investment in Student Excellence Act introduces a new formula that provides targeted funding to schools serving students with greater academic and economic challenges using weights that add per-student funding. Of the $166 million going to schools, $108 million is new money, while $58 million is redirected from existing ETF allocations that already support specific student groups.
Rather than replacing the state’s 30-year-old Foundation Program, the RAISE Act formula will operate alongside it, layering additional support on top of the existing base.
Paid parental leave and workers’ compensation for educators
For the first time, Alabama educators and state employees will have access to paid parental leave under a new law sponsored by Sen. Vivian Figures, D-Mobile, and Rep. Ginny Shaver, R-Leesburg.
The law provides:
- Mothers: Eight weeks of paid leave following the birth, stillbirth or miscarriage of a child
- Fathers: Two weeks of paid leave for the same events
- Adoptive parents: Leave also applies when adopting a child under age three
Employees will receive 100% of their base pay during leave, a major shift from the previous system, which required workers to use accrued sick leave or take unpaid leave. Paid parental leave begins for qualifying events on or after July 1.
In a separate bill, Sen. Sam Givhan, R-Huntsville, established a workers’ compensation system for K-12 and community college employees. The legislation creates a Public Education Employee Injury Compensation Board to oversee claims and manage a dedicated fund for injuries sustained on the job.
Currently, injured school employees must pay medical costs up front and seek reimbursement through the state Board of Adjustment – a process that can take weeks or even months. Supporters say the new system will provide faster, more reliable assistance. The new board will start accepting claims not later than Oct. 1, 2026.
Here are the bills that didn’t make it to the finish line: Bills on religious instruction, pronouns and prayers fail to pass in Alabama’s 2025 session
Statewide cell phone ban in classrooms
Alabama is now one of a dozen states with a statewide restriction on student cell phone use during the school day, following passage of the FOCUS Act – short for Freeing Our Children from Unnecessary Screens for Safety.
Sponsored by Rep. Leigh Hulsey, R-Helena, and Sen. Donnie Chesteen, R-Geneva, the law requires all school districts to adopt a policy by July 1 banning student cell phone use during instructional hours, from the start of the school day until dismissal.
The law also directs the Alabama State Department of Education to create and offer an internet safety and social media literacy course to students before eighth grade. The measure was a top priority for Gov. Kay Ivey.
Move On When Ready Act allows high schoolers to enroll full-time in college
Starting in the 2026-27 school year, eligible Alabama high school juniors and seniors will be able to attend participating colleges full-time at no cost to them under the Move On When Ready Act.
Sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, the law allows students prepared for college-level work to enroll in college as full-time students while also earning their high school diploma. Unlike traditional dual enrollment, which splits time between high school and college courses, this program allows for a full transition to college with the potential to graduate with both a high school diploma and a college degree.
Tuition, fees and textbooks will be covered by the state for students in the program.
REACH Act offers second chance to earn a high school diploma
The Restoring Educational Advancement of Completing High School Act formalizes and expands an existing partnership between the Alabama Department of Education and the Alabama Community College System to help adults who left high school without graduating earn a diploma.
Sponsored by Rep. Alan Baker, R-Brewton, the new law directs the ACCS to recruit eligible adults into education and workforce training programs that lead to a high school diploma. Since the initiative began in 2016, more than 2,100 Alabamians have earned their diplomas through this nontraditional route.
State data show that between 2,000 and 3,000 students leave high school each year without a diploma.
New law aims to cut teacher paperwork burden
The Teacher Paperwork Reduction Act, which passed with unanimous support in both chambers, aims to ease the administrative and paperwork overload many Alabama teachers say takes time away from instruction.
Senate Bill 280, sponsored by Orr, directs the Alabama Department of Education to develop a single digital platform that consolidates reporting for the Alabama Literacy Act, Numeracy Act and other programs requiring documentation.
The law also creates a task force of educators and department officials to recommend further ways to reduce redundant or excessive paperwork.
‘Success Sequence’ curriculum required in K-12 schools
Under Senate Bill 289, which also passed both chambers with unanimous support, Alabama school districts will be required to adopt a state-developed curriculum that promotes the “success sequence” – a series of steps research shows is associated with long-term economic stability.
Sponsored by Orr, the curriculum encourages students to:
- Complete their education
- Secure full-time employment
- Postpone parenthood until after marriage
Supporters say the approach is designed to help students understand how personal decisions can impact future financial well-being. The state board of education is charged with developing the curriculum.
Lawmakers boost funding for education savings accounts
After overwhelming demand for Alabama’s new education savings accounts, lawmakers increased the state’s financial commitment to the program created by the CHOOSE Act earlier this year.
While the CHOOSE Act initially capped eligibility at families earning up to 300% of the federal poverty level, interest in the program exceeded expectations. Lawmakers responded by setting aside additional funding to support more participants as the program launches this year.
The CHOOSE Act allows eligible families to use state funds for approved education expenses, including public and private school tuition, tutoring and curriculum materials.
Principal stipend program narrowed to high-needs schools
Lawmakers have significantly narrowed eligibility for Alabama’s $5,000 annual principal stipend, reducing the number of qualifying schools from about 1,200 to just 420.
Senate Bill 303, sponsored by Orr, redefines which schools qualify as “high-poverty” or “low-performing” — a change supporters say restores the original intent of the program.
Created two years ago, the stipend — one of two stipends available — was designed to help retain strong school leaders in Alabama’s most challenging K-12 schools. Over time, the number of qualifying schools expanded well beyond initial expectations, prompting lawmakers to tighten the criteria.