Montgomery, AL – Alabama education officials have filed an amended request with the government to let failing K-12 schools offer tutoring in addition to allowing students to transfer to better-performing schools in 2008-09.
Officials say the move would allow certain schools more flexibility and give them a chance to help their students improve before letting them leave.
High poverty schools that receive federal funding must offer school choice transfers the first year they fail to meet assessment benchmarks.
If they fail for a second straight year, they must offer students after-school tutoring.
If the state's request is granted, Alabama school systems would be able to provide tutoring in the first year instead of only having it available in the second year.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)