Alabama Lawmakers Pass Wide Range of Education Bills in 2026 Session

Measures affect pre-K, K-12, and higher ed, covering topics from screen time to school safety

Apr. 12, 2026 at 6:05pm

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A bold, colorful silkscreen-style illustration featuring a repeating grid of stylized textbooks in shades of blue, green, and orange, conceptually representing the diverse education reforms passed in Alabama.Alabama's 2026 education legislation covers a wide range of reforms, from early childhood to higher ed.Today in Birmingham

Alabama lawmakers approved a wide range of education bills during the 2026 legislative session, affecting everything from pre-K classrooms to college campuses. The bills cover topics such as limiting screen time in early childhood settings, requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in schools, allowing voluntary school prayer, creating new teacher pipeline programs, and addressing school safety and student threats.

Why it matters

These education bills passed in Alabama's 2026 legislative session reflect ongoing debates and policy shifts around issues like religion in schools, parental rights, teacher recruitment, and school safety. The measures demonstrate the state's priorities in shaping the future of its education system, from early childhood to higher ed.

The details

Key bills passed include the Healthy Early Development and Screen Time Act, which requires state-licensed early childhood facilities to limit screen time for young students. Several bills address religion and patriotism in schools, such as requiring the display of the Ten Commandments and allowing voluntary school prayer. New teacher pipeline programs were created, including a path for military veterans to obtain teaching certificates and incentives for public-private CTE partnerships. School safety measures expanded the state's school threat law and required violence prevention education for students.

  • The Healthy Early Development and Screen Time Act takes effect before the 2027-28 school year.
  • The constitutional amendment on the Ten Commandments display and Pledge of Allegiance will be on the November 2026 ballot.
  • The violence prevention education requirement begins with the 2027-28 school year.

The players

Rep. Jeana Ross

Sponsor of the Healthy Early Development and Screen Time Act.

Sen. Keith Kelley

Sponsor of the bill requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in schools.

Rep. Reed Ingram

Sponsor of the bill placing a constitutional amendment on the Pledge of Allegiance and school prayer on the November ballot.

Sen. Shay Shelnutt

Sponsor of bills codifying parental rights for off-campus religious instruction and requiring abstinence-focused sex education.

Rep. Terri Collins

Sponsor of multiple bills expanding teacher loan assistance and computer science graduation requirements.

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What they’re saying

“We must ensure our schools provide a safe, nurturing environment that promotes learning while respecting the values and beliefs of Alabama families.”

— Sen. Shay Shelnutt, State Senator

“These education reforms will strengthen our teacher pipeline, improve school safety, and uphold Alabama's proud traditions.”

— Rep. Terri Collins, State Representative

What’s next

Voters in Alabama will decide on the constitutional amendments related to the Ten Commandments display and Pledge of Allegiance in the November 2026 election. If approved, those measures would take effect immediately.

The takeaway

Alabama's 2026 legislative session saw a wide-ranging set of education bills passed, reflecting the state's priorities in areas like early childhood, K-12 curriculum, teacher recruitment, and school safety. These measures demonstrate the ongoing debates around the role of religion, parental rights, and security in Alabama's public education system.