Montgomery, Ala. – At the January 14 State Board of Education meeting, the Board unanimously adopted “Resolution in Support of Charter School Legislation in Alabama,” which supports the concept of charter schools and asks the Alabama Legislature to pass a charter schools law. State Superintendent of Education Joe Morton expressed his delight that the Board sees the potential in charter schools legislation and the benefit it could bring to Alabama students, including being more competitive with other states for the $4 billion in Race to the Top funds through the U.S. Department of Education.

“We have a responsibility to provide the students of Alabama with the best public education possible,” Morton said. “That responsibility challenges us to use every available resource effectively and efficiently, and to adapt to new and innovative means of providing quality education throughout the state of Alabama.”

Following a thorough review of charter schools in a December 22, 2009, work session, all Board members, including Gov. Bob Riley, voted in support of the initiative. Gov. Riley passionately supported the resolution and cleared up some of the misconceptions and misunderstanding many have concerning charter schools.

“Charter schools are not private schools. They won’t lead to the resegregation of public schools.” Riley said. Being faced with the opportunity to provide better education in some of the most-needed school systems in the state, Riley said it’s “nonsensical not to do it.”

Board member Dr. Mary Jane Caylor (District VIII) said, “Two months ago I said ‘no’ to charter schools, but I educated myself on the benefits. I support the resolution and want Alabama to have the best charter schools legislation we can possibly have.” Board member Stephanie Bell (District III) said she hopes the Legislature will see the wisdom of supporting a strong charter schools law. “This is a positive move for Alabama and Alabama’s children,” Bell said. State Board Vice President Randy McKinney (District I) expressed his support, saying, “A charter school is a public school that provides an extra option for children and parents.”

Mark Dixon, the governor’s education policy adviser, stated Alabama is one of only eleven states without a charter schools law; therefore, Alabama can learn from best practices established in other states. The vast majority of southern states also have charter schools.

CHARTER SCHOOLS FACTS:

1.    Charter schools can be a tool for both local school boards and the State Board of Education to turn around low-performing schools.

2.    Charter schools allow local boards to be more innovative in addressing the needs of their students.

3.    Charter schools funding would be just like other public schools:  the money follows the child. According to Todd Ziebarth of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, charter schools often operate on 78 cents to the dollar compared to traditional public schools.

4.    Charter schools do not have the same administrative costs as other public schools and the same funding resources can be used differently (reallocated and unearmarked). Rather than draining dollars, charter schools actually bring new resources into public education in the form of federal dollars and private grants. Charter schools can have an immediate and long-term positive fiscal impact on communities.

5.    Charter schools are not private or religious-based schools. They cannot charge tuition or discriminate against any group of students.

6.    The fact that 39 other states, as well as Puerto Rico and DC, have legislation enabling the establishment of charter schools is a testament that the idea has merit. However, there is no “one-size-fits-all” charter school. Alabama has the opportunity to fashion its charter schools law by learning from the mistakes and successes of others.

7.    Charter schools are normally “authorized” by a local board of education, thus continuing the policy of local control/local decision making.

###