Alabama, October 23, 2025
News Summary
Alabama schools face a serious enrollment crisis with 5,800 students missing from attendance rolls, as reported by Dr. Eric Mackey. The crisis stems partly from 3,000 students transferring to private or home schooling under the CHOOSE Act, while over 2,000 remain unaccounted for. Birmingham City and Jefferson County Schools are particularly affected, witnessing significant declines in student numbers. Dr. Mackey emphasizes the urgent need for community involvement to locate the missing students and ensure their educational futures are secured.
Alabama Schools Face Enrollment Crisis with 5,800 Students Missing from Attendance Rolls
Alabama State Superintendent of Education Dr. Eric Mackey reports that 5,800 students are currently missing from attendance rolls across Alabama. This alarming figure highlights a significant enrollment crisis affecting various school districts within the state.
Of the total missing students, approximately 3,000 transferred to private or home schooling under the CHOOSE Act. However, more than 2,000 students remain unaccounted for, raising concerns about their status and academic future. The larger school districts in Alabama are reportedly facing the highest numbers of missing students, which poses further challenges for educational oversight and planning.
A student is classified as “missing” if their parents do not notify the school district of their withdrawal. The situation has been particularly pronounced in major urban districts. For example, Birmingham City Schools saw a drop in enrollment from 19,686 students last year to 19,204 this year, marking a decrease of 482 students. Similarly, Jefferson County Schools reported a decline of 1,025 students, down from a total of 34,230 students last year. This decline is notably concerning as Jefferson County accounts for 26% of the state’s missing students, which translates to 1,025 students or 17.6% of the state total.
The district of Birmingham City Schools had the third-largest drop in enrollment, at 482 students, which denotes an 8.2% decrease. Several other counties, such as Etowah County, Tarrant City, Tuscaloosa City, and Baldwin County, reported smaller numbers of missing students. In contrast, Calhoun County and Tuscaloosa County noted increases in attendance, with 20 and 220 new students respectively. Baldwin County alone has 329 students unaccounted for from a total of 30,000 students, while Mobile County has over 960 missing students out of 47,000, and Montgomery County has 316 missing from a 25,000 student population.
Dr. Mackey described the situation as “an enigma,” emphasizing the importance of parents officially reporting their children’s withdrawal from school. His concerns extend to the potential academic impact on students who are currently unaccounted for, stressing that every child has a right to education. The missing student numbers suggest a potential loss of about 500 teacher units, which could impact class sizes and educational programs within the affected districts. While there are no expected layoffs, potential teacher reductions may occur due to attrition and retirements.
In light of these numbers, Dr. Mackey called on community members to assist in identifying missing students and urged local districts to be informed if children are not attending school. Local superintendents indicated that certain areas with high immigrant populations, particularly among Hispanic students, have witnessed attendance declines. Nevertheless, statewide Hispanic enrollment has increased by 300 during this same period. Richard Franklin, president of the Birmingham chapter of the American Federation of Teachers, suggested that fears related to deportation may contribute to the drop in attendance.
Education officials are actively conducting efforts to locate missing students and better understand the reasons for their absence from school. The decreasing enrollment numbers across Alabama schools present a complex challenge that educational authorities must address promptly.
FAQs
How many students are currently missing from Alabama schools?
5,800 students are currently missing from attendance rolls across Alabama.
What percentage of missing students transferred to private or home schooling?
Approximately 3,000 of these students transferred to private or home schooling under the CHOOSE Act.
What are the potential consequences of the missing students?
The missing student numbers equate to a potential loss of about 500 teacher units, impacting class sizes and educational programs.
Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Missing Students | 5,800 |
| Transferred Students | 3,000 to private or home schooling |
| Unaccounted Students | 2,000+ |
| Highest District Enrollment Drop | Jefferson County – 1,025 |
| Impact on Teachers | Potential loss of 500 teacher units |
| Call to Action | Community assistance needed to identify missing students |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Governor Ivey Celebrates Success of Alabama’s CHOOSE Act
Birmingham City Council Allocates $1 Million for School Mental Health Support
Birmingham Launches Affordable Housing Initiative
Birmingham City Council Elections Result in Key Changes
Birmingham City Council Election Results Show Leadership Change
Birmingham City Council Election Results Show Leadership Change
Incumbent J.T. Moore Loses Birmingham City Council Seat
Jefferson State Community College Opens New Workforce Education Center
Birmingham Celebrates New Workforce Education Center at Jefferson State Community College
Birmingham Welcomes New Legal Associate Kamryn Carpenter at Starnes Davis Florie LLP
Additional Resources
- WBRC News: Nearly 6,000 Students Missing from Attendance Rolls in Alabama Schools
- AL.com: Another Case Over Organs Missing from Prisoners in Alabama
- ABC3340: Birmingham Police Search for Missing Runaway Teens
- Wikipedia: Education in Alabama
- CBS News: Carlee Russell Found After Missing 911 Call
- AL.com: Alabama Public Schools Face Record Enrollment Drop
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER
The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
