Education and Training

     A quality work force is the primary consideration in any company's plans for expansion or relocation. For that reason, Alabama is committed to the development of its work force through progressive education programs and quality worker training.

Grade Schools
     Alabama's graduation requirements are among the most challenging in the nation, requiring four years each of English, math, science and social studies in high school. Students must pass 24 credits that include biology, algebra and geometry. In order to graduate, students must also pass a newly-toughened graduation exam that tests knowledge of the core curriculum.

     Alabama students scored at or above national average at every grade (3-11) tested (Stanford Achievement Test), except for one (grade 10). The state has implemented accountability standards for all 127 school systems.

Technical Training
     Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT), hailed as one of the nation's most effective, has trained more than 100,000 workers with more than 1,100 companies in 100 technical classifications.

     Centers of Technical Excellence, located at two-year colleges, provide advanced training in key industry sectors.

Higher Education
     Higher education is offered at 16 senior colleges and universities, 31 community and technical colleges and 16 private schools.

     Two Alabama colleges are included in the list of 100 Best Buys in Higher Education by Money magazine in 1998.

     International Baccalaureate Schools offer rigorous study for academically gifted students, resulting in a diploma recognized throughout the world.

Special programs
     The Alabama School of Mathematics and Science is a partnership of business and the state of Alabama, one of only 13 such schools in the country for students with exceptional abilities in the two disciplines.

     The Prepaid Affordable College Tuition Program allows families to pay for child's college education at current tuition levels.

     School-To-Work programs link representatives of business and industry with teachers and students to better prepare students for the work force.

     The Alabama School of Fine Arts is a public school providing tuition-free education in the theater, creative writing, dance, music and visual arts.

Source: Alabama Development Office