Tuberville criticizes inner-city schools, questions teachers’ qualifications.

Sen. Tuberville Criticizes Public School System

Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) recently appeared on Donald Trump Jr.’s podcast Triggered, where he criticized the public school system in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tuberville claimed that he does not know how inner-city school teachers received a college degree.

23 Public Schools in Baltimore Without Proficient Math Students

Tuberville pointed to a recent study that claimed 23 public schools in Baltimore did not have any students who were proficient in math. He expanded on his criticism, stating that he was not even sure if the teachers could “read or write,” and he claimed that “work ethic” had been ruined in the United States.

“I don’t know whether they can read and write. And they want a raise. They want less time to work, less time in school,” he said. “It’s just, we’ve ruined work ethic in this country. We don’t work at it anymore. We push an easy life. If you can’t read and if you can’t write, you can’t live in a country like this and not have somebody help you make it through life, which is what a lot of this government wants.”

Mayor of Birmingham Responds

Mayor Randall Woodfin of Birmingham, Alabama, responded to Tuberville’s comments on Twitter, expressing disappointment and defending the hardworking teachers in his community. “Our teachers are at the forefront of these efforts. They deserve praise and support — not ridicule — from all of us — including an elected official who previously made millions off the backs of the black students our teachers have produced,” he tweeted.

Public School Test Scores Drop

Public schools have seen test scores drop drastically since the beginning of the pandemic, with eighth grade scores in history and civics this year reduced to 1990s level test scores, according to the Nation’s Report Card. Scores in math, science, and reading have all tested lower than pre-pandemic numbers.

Tuberville’s Recent Controversies

Tuberville has come under fire recently for actions pertaining to the military and abortion. He is currently holding up the promotions of certain military officers as a protest against Pentagon policies related to abortion. One such policy pays for the travel costs and time off of service members receiving abortions.

• Sen. Tuberville criticized the public school system in a recent podcast appearance.
• He claimed that inner-city school teachers may not be able to read or write.
• Mayor Randall Woodfin of Birmingham defended the hardworking teachers in his community.
• Public school test scores have dropped drastically since the beginning of the pandemic.
• Tuberville has faced controversy over his actions related to the military and abortion.