Three area schools make failing schools list

The Alabama Department of Education this morning released a list of  78 "failing" schools Tuesday where parents will be eligible for a state income tax credit to help send their child to a private school.  Three of those schools are in east central Alabama.  Anniston Middle School, Litchfield Middle school in Gadsden and Zora Ellis Junior High in Talladega county were all on the list.  The new law will give tax credits -- estimated at $3,500 per year per child -- for families at failing schools to use to pay tuition at a private school or a non-failing public school.   The tax credits, however are not a voucher where parents are given a payment to take to a private school to pay tuition. Parents will have to pay the tuition out-of-pocket and seek the tax credit when they file their state income taxes. State education and revenue officials are in the process of sorting out the rules and regulations of the Accountability Act.