Montgomery, Alabama, August 21, 2025
News Summary
Recent data highlights a rise in test scores across Alabama schools, but significant performance gaps remain related to geographical and economic factors. An analysis of the 2025 ACAP results indicates that districts with higher poverty rates struggle with lower proficiency levels, with some areas exhibiting gaps of over 80 percentage points. Despite these challenges, certain high-poverty districts have achieved notable growth in proficiency. The Alabama Department of Education’s disclosure of economic disadvantage figures reveals stark differences in achievement between economically advantaged students and those in poverty.
Montgomery, Alabama – Recent data reveals a marked rise in overall test scores across Alabama schools, though stark disparities persist based on geographical location and poverty rates. An extensive analysis of the 2025 Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP) results carried out by Alabama Daily News showcased these trends through interactive charts detailing district and school performances.
Despite the statewide increase in academic proficiency, significant gaps in performance are evident, particularly in districts with high poverty percentages. The data shows a strong correlation between poverty levels and educational outcomes: districts burdened with higher poverty rates typically exhibit lower proficiency scores. The proficiency discrepancies in crucial subjects such as math, English language arts, and science can be as extensive as 80, 65, and 75 percentage points, respectively.
Areas demonstrating the highest proficiency rates, such as Mountain Brook, Vestavia Hills, Homewood, Orange Beach, and Trussville, report low poverty levels among their student populations. Contrarily, districts like Perry and Sumter counties, along with Fairfield, Lanett, and Tarrant City schools, report alarming proficiency rates often falling to single digits in math, where over 80% of their students live in poverty.
While proficiency metrics alone illustrate current standings, growth metrics provide insights on whether more students are achieving proficiency compared to previous years. Notably, some high-poverty districts recorded double-digit growth in math proficiency despite the challenges presented by socio-economic factors.
New Insights into Economic Disparities
This year marks a significant milestone, as data on students exempt from economic disadvantage was publicly disclosed for the first time by the Alabama Department of Education. This revealed achievement gaps ranging from 20 to 40 percentage points between economically advantaged students and those facing poverty. For instance, in Homewood City Schools, about 80% of students not facing economic hardship achieved math proficiency, whereas only 33% of students in poverty did, resulting in a 44-point gap. Likewise, in Vestavia Hills, 90% of non-economically disadvantaged students reached proficiency in English Language Arts (ELA) compared to 67% of those facing economic challenges, showing a 33-point gap.
Recovering from Pandemic Losses
Despite the prevalent disparities, there have been notable recoveries in several areas, particularly in Birmingham City Schools, which demonstrated an upward trend in reading scores post-pandemic and made considerable strides in math recovery, which had initially seen sharp declines. A joint report from Stanford, Harvard, and Dartmouth noted that students in Alabama have recouped roughly one-third of the learning losses in math attributed to the pandemic. Birmingham City Schools, with an economically disadvantaged student population of 87.26%, showed progress in math recovery, improving nearly half a grade level in a single year.
Various strategic measures have contributed to this improvement, including extended instructional periods and interim programs targeted at struggling students. Birmingham implemented nine-week school periods with added support for students who were failing classes or reading below grade level, seeing participation grow to 7,000 students. Federal relief funds and grants from the U.S. Department of Justice also supported essential social and emotional learning initiatives, facilitating these advancements.
Ongoing Challenges
Despite the promising growth in certain areas, persistent concerns surround the ongoing impact of poverty on student achievement across the state. The disparities in proficiency rates highlight the urgent need for continued focus on bridging the achievement gaps that exist due to economic disadvantage.
Key Data Highlights
- Proficiency gaps can reach 80 percentage points in math, 65 in English language arts, and 75 in science.
- Top-performing districts boast low poverty rates, while struggling districts see single-digit proficiency rates.
- High-poverty districts reported double-digit proficiency growth in some subjects.
- Students not considered economically disadvantaged demonstrated proficiency rates significantly higher than those in poverty.
Chart: Comparison of Proficiency Rates
| District | Poverty Rate (%) | Math Proficiency (%) | ELA Proficiency (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Brook | Low | 95 | 90 |
| Vestavia Hills | Low | 92 | 90 |
| Perry County | High | 5 | 8 |
| Fairfield | High | 6 | 12 |
FAQ
- What do the ACAP results indicate about Alabama schools?
- The ACAP results indicate a rise in overall test scores in Alabama, but significant disparities persist based on poverty levels across school districts.
- How does poverty impact student test scores?
- There is a strong correlation between poverty rates and proficiency levels, with schools in higher poverty areas often exhibiting lower test scores.
- What improvements have been observed post-pandemic?
- Some districts, such as Birmingham City Schools, have shown recovery in reading and math scores, recouping one-third of the learning losses caused by the pandemic.
- Are there efforts to address achievement gaps in Alabama?
- Yes, various strategies including increased instructional time and programs for struggling students have been implemented to address achievement gaps.
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Additional Resources
- Alabama Daily News: ACAP Scores Rise Statewide
- AL.com: Alabama School Test Scores Improving
- AL.com: Birmingham Schools Turnaround Effort
- Wikipedia: Education in Alabama
- 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.
