Montgomery, Al. – "Alabama’s public schools welcome all children regardless of their race or ethnic background, birthplace or birthplace of parents and the Alabama Department of Education (ALSDE) is committed to all students and parents to provide a safe and civil environment in which students can pursue their education.
To alleviate any confusion regarding Section 28 of Act No. 2011-535, referred to as Alabama’s Immigration Law, the Alabama Department of Education would like to clarify details specific to enrollment and attendance in public schools.
Section 28 requires that all students enrolling in Alabama public schools on or after September 29, 2011 present an original or certified copy of the student’s birth certificate in order to complete the enrollment process.
We would like all parents and students to know, regardless of whether the enrolling student has an original or certified copy of their birth certificate, the student will be enrolled and receive full participation in all of the academic, co-curricular and extra-curricular programs that will be offered by the local school system. The information that we are required to collect under the Act will not be used to individually identify your child. The information will be used to report statistical data to the Legislature.
This new law does not apply to any student enrolled in an Alabama public school before September 29, 2011. Once a student is enrolled in any school district in Alabama, they are always enrolled unless they graduate or withdraw.
We would like to remind all parents and students that according to the mandatory attendance law of Alabama, all students between the ages of 7 and 17 must be enrolled in school.
We encourage all students to stay enrolled and attend school. The Alabama Department of Education is committed to a quality education for all."