Chapter 1: Alabama

Alabama has had six constitutions since the state was first established in 1819. The first, the Constitution of 1819, known as the Frontier Constitution, established public schools in Alabama.¹ Based on the principles of the Northwest Ordinances of 1787, the sixteenth section of each township was set aside for public schools. From 1819 to 1828, the individual townships owned these lands. In 1828 the Public School Fund was established, with the state legislature providing for the sale of these lands with the proceeds deposited into the State Bank. The State Bank funded the operations of state government. In 1843 the State Bank failed, and the state went bankrupt. The Public Education Act of 1854 created the first statewide system of public schools, the position of state superintendent, and the ‘Education Fund,’ with certain revenue and endowments to be distributed by the State Superintendent.²