SB5 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gerald O. Dial

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Alabama Ahead Act, commencing with 2015-2016 school year, to delete pen-enabled requirement, phase-in requirement and reassignment provisions, advisory committee revised, schools participation voluntary, local school systems to contribute 25 percent of funding, Section 14 of Act 2012-560, 2012 Reg. Sess., am'd; Secs. 16-16B-1, 16-16B-2 am'd.

Summary

SB5 overhauls the Alabama Ahead Act by removing pen-enabled tablets, eliminating phased rollout and reassignment, and funding a voluntary, wifi-focused classroom upgrade overseen by a new Implementation Committee.

What This Bill Does

It deletes the pen-enabled tablet requirement, phase-in provisions, reassignment provisions, and the advisory committee, and establishes the Alabama Ahead Implementation Committee. It prioritizes using funds to install high-quality broadband Wi-Fi in every classroom, with remaining funds for mobile digital resources. Local school systems may choose to participate, and the bill provides up to $75 million from Education Trust Fund sources to implement the act for fiscal year 2016, with applications and oversight requirements to monitor progress.

Who It Affects

• Local school systems/districts may voluntarily participate in the Alabama Ahead plan and must apply for funding and manage planning and implementation in their schools.
• Students and teachers in participating districts would have access to digital instructional materials and online resources through the statewide Wi-Fi infrastructure and associated digital devices.

Key Provisions

• Deletes the pen-enabled tablet requirement, the phase-in schedule, reassignment provisions, and the advisory committee; creates the Alabama Ahead Implementation Committee to oversee implementation.
• Authorizes use of funds to build a high-quality, standards-based broadband Wi-Fi infrastructure in every public school classroom; remaining funds may be used for mobile digital devices and related resources.
• Makes participation by local school systems voluntary and requires applications and an implementation plan with professional development components.
• Allocates up to $75,000,000 from Education Trust Fund sources to the Alabama Public School and College Authority to implement the Alabama Ahead Act for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, with per-pupil funding basis.
• Amends Sections 16-16B-1 and 16-16B-2 to reflect new priorities, responsibilities, and oversight structures, and updates related definitions and implementation timelines.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Alabama Ahead Act