MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) -- The Alabama Senate has passed a school flexibility bill, but with one major difference from the House's version.

The Senate voted 26-7 Thursday for a bill designed to give school boards flexibility in complying with state education laws. The Senate version exempts teacher tenure laws from the flexibility provisions. The House earlier passed a version that allowed flexibility with tenure laws. The bill now goes back to the House for consideration.

The executive secretary of the Alabama Education Association, Henry Mabry, praised the Senate for the change.

The bill grants city and county school boards flexibility in complying with many state education laws provided they show how the changes would improve school performance and get approval from the state school superintendent and state school board.