From the wires

Two interesting stories from the AP this afternoon:

(I can barely get myself out of bed and out the door some mornings. I can't imagine the chaos of getting six 5-year-olds ready.)

It's off to kindergarten for Birmingham's sextuplets

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) -- It's getting a little quieter around the Harris house these days, at least during school hours.

The sextuplets of Chris and Diamond Harris, now 5 years old, have headed off to preschool.
"This is a day I've been waiting for," said Diamond Harris.

She commented Thursday as the six sat quietly with their brother, DeWayne, 13, on the steps of their home waiting for the bus on the first day of school. Around each 5-year-old's neck was a ribbon attached to a piece of paper with the child's name, teacher's name, school bus number and their mom's cell phone number.

While she had looked forward to the day, Diamond Harris added that she would be dropping by the school later "just to make sure there are no problems."

Five of the sextuplets are attending Center Point Elementary's K-5 classes.
"Kiera and Kaleb are in one class," said Chris Harris. "Kobe and Kieran are in another, and Kalynne in another."

Kyle, who has been diagnosed with autism, attends Burkett Center.

"I explained to Kyle that he's going to another school, but I'm not sure he understands," Diamond Harris told The Birmingham News in a story Friday.

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Fired Alabama teacher, charged with raping student, gets raises

By Desiree Hunter
Associated Press Writer

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) -- A fired Alabama teacher charged criminally with raping a student is still receiving paychecks - collecting nearly $100,000 and getting two raises - even though he hasn't been in the classroom in two years.

Alvin Penez Taylor, who awaits an Aug. 20 trial on the rape charge, is the beneficiary of a legal twist in a 2004 Alabama law that was supposed to reform the state's teacher dismissal process.

A review by The Associated Press found that the law, pushed by the state teachers' union with the backing of Republican Gov. Bob Riley, has allowed at least two other education system personnel to continue to collect paychecks for 11 months and longer after being fired.

One was an agricultural science teacher accused of sexually harassing and inappropriately touching a student. Another was a cheerleading coach cited for using her high school's gym to run a gymnastics business.

See the full report here.