Updating Alabama's "failed schools" list

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — State education officials say they expect to assemble a new list of failing schools before the end of the year. Alabama Department of Education spokeswoman Malissa Valdes-Hubert told AL.com test scores from last spring are likely to be released this fall and the data will help state officials recalculate schools' test scores. Valdes-Hubert says parents have until Jan. 1 to let schools know if they plan to transfer students based on the new failing schools list. She says parents are eligible for a $3,500 tax credit to help pay for private school tuition. The Alabama Accountability Act labels a school as failing if it tests in the bottom six percent in reading and math at least three times within a six-year period. Seventy-two schools in Alabama are considered failing.