Bentley's remarks came during an appearance in Montgomery just before the Alabama Association of Regional Councils.
Video aired Wednesday by WSFA-TV ( http://bit.ly/2fffUnQ ) shows Bentley saying: "Our education method within this state sucks." Some within the audience laugh; other individuals applaud. Bentley calls the circumstance intolerable and vows to make improvements.
Bentley told the crowd that Alabama students ranked 51st nationally in fourth-grade math scores around the National Assessment of Educational Progress.
The latest test information shows Alabama is tied for last with all the District of Columbia and New Mexico.
The new state school superintendent, Michael Sentance, says he shares Bentley's passion and wants to enhance education in the state.
