Alabama Teachers to Begin New School Year With Enhanced Authority in the Classroom

When Alabama schools open their doors in August, teachers will have new power to manage unruly students. In an example of bipartisan cooperation, in May, both houses of the Republican-controlled Alabama Legislature unanimously passed SB 157, a law that strengthens the hand of teachers in maintaining order and control in their classrooms. The statute, known as the Teachers’ Bill of Rights, took effect on June 1, after being signed into law by Gov. Kay Ivey, a Republican. The summer break will allow time for school boards and administrators to comply with the new law by developing conforming policies of their own or adopting a model policy drafted by the state....