Three area schools on Failing Schools List

The Alabama Department of Education on Wednesday released the latest list of "failing" schools where families are eligible to transfer to a different public school or receive a tax credit to help pay for private school.

This year, a total of 66 schools made the failing list, down from 76 in 2014 and 78 in 2013. Parents who transfer their children out of a failing school can claim an income tax credit of up to 80 percent the state's per-student cost.

Area schools on the failing list include Anniston Middle School, Litchfield Middle School in Gadsden, and Zora Ellis Junior High in Talladega.

The state Department of Education used results from the Alabama Reading and Math Test to determine which schools are considered failing.

Schools on the failing list have until Feb. 13 to notify parents that they have the right to transfer. Parents wishing to transfer their children have until May 1 to return a student transfer form for the 2015-16 school year.