Alabama school districts stand out among US for these education gains

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Ryleigh Chambers-Scott does classwork at Oxmoor Valley Elementary School in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, May 6, 2026. (Will McLelland/AL.com)

Principal of Oxmoor Valley Elementary School, Dr. Melvin Love, sits down with AL.com to discuss his administration’s approach to boost test scores and student success in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, May 6, 2026. (Will McLelland/AL.com)

5th grader Bella Williams does a diagnostic test on her tablet at Oxmoor Valley Elementary School in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, May 6, 2026. (Will McLelland/AL.com)

5th grade teacher Carmen Cantelow assists a student at Oxmoor Valley Elementary School in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, May 6, 2026. (Will McLelland/AL.com)

5th graders at Oxmoor Valley Elementary School do classwork on tablets in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, May 6, 2026. (Will McLelland/AL.com)

A large mural seen in the library at Oxmoor Valley Elementary School in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, May 6, 2026. (Will McLelland/AL.com)

Carmen Cantelow sits down with AL.com to discuss her experiences as a 5th grade teacher at Oxmoor Valley Elementary School in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, May 6, 2026. (Will McLelland/AL.com)

5th grade teacher Carmen Cantelow goes to assist a student at Oxmoor Valley Elementary School in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, May 6, 2026. (Will McLelland/AL.com)

Before every important test, teacher Nancy Barajas dims the lights, turns on a disco ball and blasts music from her playlist. Her sixth graders dance together as a “pre-celebration” to boost their confidence, then take their exam.

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