Public Schools vs. Charter Schools: Ala

    Alabama public schools are facing the fight of a lifetime if they are to survive.  As a solution to failing public schools, Governor Bentley presented his charter school bill, using a private school as a backdrop. This bill will allow local school boards to approve charter school applications from non-profit and non-religious organizations therefore opening the door allowing for-profit businesses to storm the state with dazzling solutions to be funded from the already stretched Education Budget. 

    Alabama schools are funded using only sales tax income that fluctuates with the state of the economy. The Governor and the Republican-controlled legislature have defeated any legislation presented as alternatives to charter schools or funding existing schools. The children of Alabama are now faced with an uncertain future. Charter schools will affect education in two ways. The first is that public schools in their districts can be closed and replaced with charter schools without public consent. The second is influx of businesses that deal in providing charter school education for profit taking public school funding. Unclear in the bill is the fate of students attending public schools in a district where the public school(s) are replaced with charter schools that will not accept them. 

         According to the bill, charter schools do not have to locate in an area with failing schools. Public consent is not necessary in the creation of a charter school. Parents do not have a say in the process or the decisions to include or exclude their student from the school. Students who are not accepted into the charter school where their public school has been closed are left with the choice of paying for private schools or being bussed to another public school located in another area of the district.

    Secondly, the staff of the charter school does not have to include experienced, certified teachers. There are provisions that allow the hiring of non-certified teachers and inexperienced Teach for America. According to the Alabama School Journal, “the theory is that what they (non-certified teachers and volunteers) lack in knowledge and training will be made up by youthful enthusiasm. The choice comes down to the quality of education parents in Alabama want for their children. Contact your state Representative and Senator to voice your opinion on this issue that will affect the future of your children and grandchildren in Alabama.