[zenjenn]

Did you know the difference between number 1 and number 51 (includes D.C.) on those state rankings (based on average test scores) is generally around 10%, and often less? (Depending on the grade you look at, whether you are looking at language or math or average total, etc.) And the margin of error can be easily linked to the average socioeconomic demographics, and more often than not probably has little or nothing to do with school quality overall in the state.

Comparing apples to apples in my personal experience, the schools are indistinguishable from each other in terms of quality or content (school in nice middle class suburban area in California vs. school in nice middle class suburban area in Alabama.) Actually I'd have to give the schools right here a bit of an edge, due to having better facilities and smaller class sizes, and a higher % of teachers with advanced degrees. (In both the areas where I lived, there was literally no room to expand schools or build new schools, yet populations increased, often resulting in class sizes of 30-35 kids, sometimes in violation of state law - compared to my daughter's class at overcrowded Hampton Cove: 18 kids.) And with the salaries teachers made in California (some of the best teacher salaries nationwide), districts cut costs by providing incentives for well-educated, experienced teachers to retire, and hiring fresh, single-degree-holding new teachers instead as a cost-cutting measure. (Granted - teacher salaries in Alabama are, IMO, too low, but there's a happy medium somewhere.)

[115db]

I have seriously thought about it and work around a few people who have lived in Montgomery and Tuscaloosa. Very pleasant people. But havent really visited there yet to say too much about it. Definately would like to plan a visit sometime though, from what I see in pics and on the website, its gorgeous and the folks are as pleasant as they are in Ok and a few other midwest/southern areas Ive been to. Definitely a slower paced lifestyle than Calif!
Ive also been looking online at homes and work in and near Tuscaloosa.

[chiefguyton]

my dauther and her family live in the Dothan Alabama area. A lot of California people moving there because Alabama does not charge an income tax on their retirement. I may soon follow. The biggest issue my daughter has is the Humid weather in the summer.

[I be tha baddest]

Gadsden is the best place to move.The high school is 9th in the state, the band received honors. just come on down and make the move to gadsden alabama.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by I be tha baddest

Gadsden is the best place to move.The high school is 9th in the state, the band received honors. just come on down and make the move to gadsden alabama.

You might be the wrongest too:

From Greatschools, Gadsden City High School is a 2/10

Gadsden City High School - Gadsden, Alabama - AL - School overview

[Okiefrombama]

I wouldn't recommend Gadsden moving from California. But I grew up there, and attended the city schools, and am now a college-educated young professional. Here in Mobile sending your kids to private school is just a way of life, and Mobilians find it hard to believe that the city of Gadsden has a newer public high school with all of these AP courses. Feel free to bash Gadsden. I'm not too big of a fan. But please don't criticize the quality of its schools.

On a better note, I would recommend either Spanish Fort or Daphne (near Mobile) for someone transplanting from California. Everytime I go to the Eastern Shore Centre, I feel like I'm in Phoenix or San Diego again.

Also, Madison and Huntsville are two great professional cities someone from California should enjoy.