Montgomery, Ala. (WDNews) — A new bill might soon help Alabama high school students learn how to solve problems without fighting.
Senator Rodger Smitherman from Birmingham has introduced a plan, called SB34, to teach students about violence prevention, conflict resolution, and mediation before they graduate. If this bill becomes a law, it would start with students entering ninth grade in the 2026-2027 school year.
The lessons would cover things like:
- How to make smart decisions.
- Understanding why bullying, harassment, or school violence happens.
- How different cultures solve problems peacefully.
- What happens when people use violence.
- How drugs and alcohol can lead to violence.
- Ways to resolve conflicts calmly, including using peer mediation (students helping other students solve problems).
Schools would be allowed to choose how they teach these lessons, and teachers would get extra training to help with the new program. The goal of this bill is to help students learn how to solve arguments in peaceful ways and make schools safer for everyone. SB34 will be discussed in the next legislative session.
