SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
The Alabama House of Representatives has passed a historic $10.9 billion Education Trust Fund budget for fiscal year 2027, marking one of the largest investments in education in state history.
Approved on Thursday, the sweeping spending plan prioritizes funding for K-12 schools and higher education while also supporting teacher pay raises, workforce development initiatives and early childhood programs.
The total budget includes a $419.7 million supplemental appropriation and an additional $1 billion allocation from the Advancement and Technology Fund. These funds will support K-12 schools, community colleges, and universities across Alabama.
Of the total funding, approximately $7.59 billion, or 72.46 percent, is designated for K-12 education. Higher education will receive $2.89 billion, accounting for 27.54 percent of the budget.
Among the most notable provisions is $100 million dedicated to a 2 percent pay raise for teachers, a move lawmakers say will help retain and recruit educators. The budget also allocates $180 million to the Public Education Employees’ Health Insurance Plan, addressing rising healthcare costs for school employees.
In addition to teacher support, lawmakers are investing heavily in workforce development. The budget includes $150 million for regional career technical education centers, which are designed to prepare students for in-demand jobs and strengthen Alabama’s labor force.
Early childhood education also remains a priority. The plan sets aside $226 million for the First Class Pre-K Program, which would provide access to high-quality pre-K education for approximately 47 percent of the state’s 4-year-olds.
Several ongoing education initiatives will also receive significant funding. The Alabama Numeracy Act is allocated $114 million, while the Alabama Literacy Act will receive $151.9 million to continue improving reading outcomes among students. Additionally, $81 million is earmarked for the Renewing Alabama’s Investment in Student Excellence (RAISE) Act.
The budget introduces $65 million for the College and Higher Education Excellence and Results (CHEER) Act, a new performance-based funding model for colleges and universities aimed at improving outcomes and accountability.
Lawmakers also maintained funding for the Creating Hope and Opportunity for Our Students’ Education (CHOOSE) Act at $100 million. When combined with $150 million redirected from current revenues, total funding for the program will reach $250 million.
House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter praised the budget as a continuation of Alabama’s recent progress in education.
“With the nation’s largest gains in fourth-grade math and reading, Alabama is leading what many are calling the ‘Southern Surge’ in education,” Ledbetter said. “This historic progress is no accident.”
Representative Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, who chairs the House Ways and Means Education Committee, emphasized the importance of balancing growth with accountability.
“Whether it be delivering record levels of support to public schools or investing in Alabama’s nation-leading school choice program, the Legislature’s approach is beginning to pay significant dividends,” Garrett said.
The budget now moves forward in the legislative process as state leaders continue shaping Alabama’s education priorities for the future.