In the 2025–26 school year, Alabama’s K-12 public schools saw a notable decrease of approximately 5,800 students, marking the largest decline in enrollment in four decades, according to recent data from the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE). The total enrollment dropped from 720,181 in the previous year to 714,358, reflecting a 0.8% decrease.
State Superintendent Eric Mackey reported to the Board of Education that around 2,100 students who were enrolled last year “just didn’t show up,” with no records of their transfer to other schools or programs. Additionally, it was reported that about 3,000 students utilized funds from the CHOOSE Act, a voucher-like initiative, to transition from public education to private or homeschool settings.
Rep. Danny Garrett (R-Trussville) stated that the enrollment decline was expected, correlating with demographic trends and the increasing popularity of homeschooling, charter schools, and microschooling options. Ryan Hollingsworth, the head of the School Superintendents of Alabama, expressed concern that the drop in enrollment could affect state-funded teaching positions, which are linked to average daily attendance figures.
Despite these concerns, Garrett emphasized that the existing teacher shortage might mitigate significant job losses related to the enrollment decline. He also reassured that the state’s RAISE Act funding model, which allocates resources based on the specific needs of students, should remain stable despite the overall enrollment reduction.
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