Budget Shortfall, New Federal Guidelines to Hit Education Hard in 2003

The Alabama Legislature will continue to argue over the need for taxes and will remain as indecisive as ever, while new federal legislation will make it difficult for school districts to meet the new standards and to continue funding the number of teacher positions currently financed within the state of Alabama, predicts Dr. John Dolly, dean of The University of Alabama Capstone College of Education.

“The poor budget outlook, the need for changes in in-service and pre-service education, combined with significant threats of proration, will force schools to cut back on hiring during the upcoming year,” says Dolly.

“I would expect to see some freeze on hiring as well as the reduction of teacher units, leading to larger class sizes and fewer electives, particularly in high schools.”

Also, in 2003, Dolly says the new federal legislation, No Child Left Behind, will have a significant impact on the State Department of Education, colleges and schools of education, as well as local public schools.

“All three agencies will be forced to change rules and regulations for teacher certification as well as the revamping of programs within universities for the preparation of teachers.”

“Schools will be forced to spend large sums of money to provide teacher in-service or, in the case of poor schools, teachers will be forced on their own to pay for in-service to upgrade their credentials to meet the standards laid out in the new federal law.”

“This, in turn, will place tremendous demands on schools and colleges of education to provide in-service programs in local school districts and to provide coursework and opportunities to pursue master’s degrees during the summer months.”