HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF)- Under the Accountability Act, parents can get tax credits worth about $3,500 annually if they choose to send their child to a private school. Parents who want to transfer their child have to notify the school system by August 1st. The tax credit law doesn't apply to students who are already in private schools even though they're zoned for a failing public school.

Parents in the Tennessee Valley said they are aware of the tax credit, but not all of them can take advantage of this opportunity so they are weighing their options to save their child's academic future.  

Julie Ridgway said she was blown away when the state released its list of what they consider failing schools.  Her daughter just graduated from one of the schools on the list, Lakewood Elementary and will start 6th grade at another school on the list, Davis Hills Middle.  

A Madison County judge set a new trial date for a former Huntsville City Schools teacher's aide charged with sodomy.

Madison Police arrested Michael Horton in 2009. 

Investigators said the abuse happened between July and December 2008. According to investigators, the victim was younger than 13.

Horton worked at Providence School. School officials said he was employed by Huntsville City Schools for about 10 years.

Horton's trial was supposed to begin in June. It was been rescheduled for October 7.

Horton is out of jail on bond.

Copyright 2013 WAFF. All rights reserved.

DECATUR, AL (WAFF)- A New Jersey lawmaker has introduced legislation that would give police the right to take cell phones at the scene of crash sites. The officer would have access to the drivers call log to see if the phone played a part in the wreck. But lawmakers in the Tennessee Valley said they don't see a bill like that passing here.

"The short answer is it's probably something that would be very difficult to pass in Alabama," said Senator Arthur Orr (R., Decatur - District 3)

 Orr said a bill like that could be a violation of the Constitution.

"I think there is a problem with the 4th amendment, the searches and seizures law allowing a law enforcement officer just to take someone's cell phone after a traffic accident."