Ruth Serven Smith

Inside one new school cashing in on Alabama’s CHOOSE Act: ‘Changed our world’ Peach City Academy is one of at least a dozen private and microschools that have opened in Alabama recently.

@al.com has been exploring Alabama's dramatic expansion of school choice -- and what it means for both public and private schools. @greezbock.bsky.social visited a school that just opened and is taking tax credits. www.al.com/educationlab...

The University of Alabama is unique in heavily recruiting out of state students. I talked with a UA admin, two new students, an alum and a researcher as to what's drawing folks here. My latest for @al.com.

West Point is violating the First Amendment with a crackdown on professors, lawsuit says A law professor at West Point has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Military Academy, saying it violates the First Amendment by banning professors' opinions in the classroom and restricting certain boo...

West Point in the mix of academic freedom:

apnews.com/article/west...

At World Outreach Church in Murfreesboro for the Culture & Christianity Conference.
Charlie Kirk had been scheduled to speak at this summit, so expecting a lot of references to Kirk. This afternoon’s session will feature Rob McCoy, co-founder of TPUSA Faith.

Thanks for reading!

Thanks John!

Alabama colleges are firing staff over Charlie Kirk comments. It’s not enough, students say Inside the campus battle to define Charlie Kirk's legacy.

I spoke with students across Alabama who considered Charlie Kirk to be a mentor and role model. I asked them what they think should happen next. www.al.com/educationlab...

Many teachers leave their jobs after 3 years. This Alabama school aims to change that Birmingham schools faced record shortages in 2021 and 2022, often scrambling to hire staff weeks into the new school year.

www.al.com/educationlab...

Alabama immigration advocate detained by ICE in traffic stop, family says: ‘Just heartbreaking and discouraging’ "Her detainment is not only legally questionable — it is morally wrong," a petition demanding her release reads.

Gio Martinez was pulled over for going 1 mile over the speed limit.

She is an Alabama social worker who helped local students plan next steps in life.

“I try to be a support to the students,” she told @al.com earlier this summer.

www.al.com/news/2025/08...

It's been great to learn how my AL.com colleagues conquer web traffic. Living in one of the less-populated and less-wealthy states, but conducting best-in-class journalism? Hell yeah

How Huntsville music venues make concerts more awesome for fans with disabilities Local fans and musicians and Orion Amphitheater and Von Braun Center reps on making live music a great experience for everyone.

Neat story by @mattwake.bsky.social about ways some Alabama entertainment venues are working to make concerts more accessible for everyone who wants to jam. #accessability #ada #disabilityawareness

Gift link: www.al.com/life/2025/07...

a man in a suit says " and i need you " in a dark room ALT: a man in a suit says " and i need you " in a dark room

If you will be affected by the termination of Grad PLUS loans (or any financial aid change in the budget bill) and attending an Alabama college, hit me up! wmorris@al.com

Looking to find stories of how students will overcome the deficit. #JournoRequest

Hey Birmingham! Would love to see you there!

Just noting for all the people who demand that the press ask Trump tough questions... well, this is what happens.

You could be. It's up to DOR to decide whether the stated use + education service provider is allowed in the regulation. We're trying to parse out some of those use cases and see whether anyone is being allowed to use them. I'll pass that one along.

*Only* at @al.com: a comprehensive list of tuition data for more than 200 Alabama private schools.

A labor of love I'm elated to see published. With in-depth reporting from @greezbock.bsky.social.

How a new $7,000 tax credit will reshape school choice, education in Alabama: ‘Balancing act’ There has been intense demand for new school choice options, but oversight remains unclear.

Here's that longer story. www.al.com/educationlab...

Thanks for reading! Send tips and questions!

This reporting lays the foundation for transparency and accountability with public dollars. And it gives parents the information they need to make critical decisions about their children's future. Stay tuned for more, plus a great in-depth story today from Rebecca Griesbach.

Education journalism is evolving. With Alabama's massive school choice expansion (and something similar looming nationwide), covering only public schools no longer serves our readers.

How much does private school cost in Alabama? See tuition for 216 schools Even if a family can afford a local private school, it may be tough to claim a seat

This year, the Ed Lab team is tackling the challenge of reporting on Alabama's unregulated private school market.

www.al.com/educationlab...

Some more rural areas show improvement, even!

11 Alabama schools achieve perfect reading rates. See how your school compares Reading on grade level means a student is confident with longer blocks of text.

After several years of reporting on literacy efforts in Alabama, it's great to be able to publish good news. Story by @greezbock.bsky.social for @al.com : www.al.com/educationlab...

The Latest on International Students in the US | The Brian Lehrer Show | WNYC Reporter Liam Knox reports on the latest on that plus the dispute between the administration and Harvard over enrolling foreign students.

ICYMI: @liamknox.bsky.social on the Trump admin & international students:

www.wnyc.org/story/the-la...

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Trump's impact on immigrant student attendance | Created with Datawrapper In many school districts, attendance dropped after President Donald Trump's 2025 inauguration but quickly rebounded. But in some systems – particularly those that serve large populations of immigrant ...

Local reporters, use our work! This graphic may feature your district or context you can use to ask your schools about absenteeism, withdrawals and how they are adjusting staffing. www.datawrapper.de/_/BK2m1/

They crossed the border for better schools. Now, families, students are leaving the US Around the United States, immigrant families are considering whether to stay or self-deport.

Reporters from @apnews.com, @hechingerreport.org and @al.com reached out to more than 50 school districts this spring to find out how Trump’s new immigration policies are impacting schools.

Absenteeism and withdrawals could reshape local districts.

Gift link: www.al.com/educationlab...

Visas for 15 Auburn students, staff revoked in immigration crackdown: ‘Political ping pong’ More than 1,000 people have had their visas revoked recently.

www.al.com/news/2025/04...