Governor Bentley Takes Stance on Education

Local educators aren’t happy with Alabama’s Governor Robert Bentley, who said the state’s education system “sucks” while addressing the Alabama Association of Regional Councils Conference.

Bentley’s remarks referred to the state’s ranking on fourth grade NAEP scores, which are the 51st in the nation.

Ben Baker, Dale County School superintendent, was critical of Bentley’s remarks, calling them ‘discouraging to Alabama’s hard-working educators’.

Baker said his school system is making significant progress in raising student achievement and that Bentley’s comments do not reflect the reality of what is happening in his school system and many others around the state.

“I’m a solutions-minded person,” Baker said. “What solutions have these derogatory comments offered? If there’s a problem, offer me a solution.”

On Thursday, Bentley stood his ground regarding his criticism of the state’s school system.

“Interestingly, Governor Bentley’s term began in January, 2011,” Ledbetter said. “Under his six years of preparing budgets and providing educational leadership as president of the state school board, achievement growth has stagnated.”

On Thursday, Bentley stood his ground regarding his criticism of the state’s school system.

Spokeswoman Yasamie August said Thursday that the governor isn’t apologizing for telling a group in Montgomery that Alabama’s educational system “sucks.”

August says Bentley is aware of mounting criticism over the remarks. She says he plans to release a video statement later expanding on his position on schools.