Governor Kay Ivey is true to her word. On Tuesday, February 6, she said in her State of the State address that the report produced by the Commission on Teaching and Learning will be the blueprint for K-12 education in the final three years of her administration.

She meant every word she said, as lawmakers, educators, business and industry leaders, and the public will now see as they consider her 2024-2025 Education Trust Fund budget proposal.

Governor Ivey's Executive Order on January 18, 2023 established the Commission on Teaching and Learning, which will meet throughout most of 2023 and provide education for ages 12 and older by December 1. We submitted our best suggestions to Governor Ivey to improve this. The main areas of focus were addressing teacher shortages, improving student achievement, and increasing public confidence in schools across the state. Governor Ivey responded by including many of the commission's recommendations in the largest education trust fund budget ever proposed by an Alabama governor.

Key elements of the committee's report, which totals more than $300 million, can be found throughout her 2024-2025 Education Trust Fund budget and supplemental budget proposal. Increasing teacher recruitment, retention and development, one of the report's key tenets, includes $120 million in funding to increase teacher pay and make Alabama the highest starting teacher salary of surrounding states. subject to an increase. The Governor also demonstrated continued support for the Alabama Literacy and Numeracy Act with a significant funding increase. Her Rural Broadband Initiative has a $25 million increase, which the committee says is essential to helping rural and high-needs schools succeed in the 21st century. . These are just a few examples of how the governors, along with the committee, have demonstrated their commitment to ensuring students have the resources they need to succeed.

Governor Ivey reviewed the committee's recommendations, selected those most important to early success, and submitted them to the Legislature. 2024 is the most important year for public education, and the Ivy Education Budget will ensure that all students read and master math at or above grade level, graduate from high school and college, and are career-ready and pursue higher education and employment. greatly enhances your chances of doing so. In Alabama's growing economy.

Well done, members of the Teaching and Learning Committee, and well done Governor Ivey.