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Charter Schools
Score
72%
Grade: C
Rank: #29
While there were positive, yet minor, legislative changes in 2023, there will be little impact on growth in these public educational options for students. As a result, Alabama has the twentieth weakest charter law in the nation.
Fast Facts:
Law passed: 2015
Most recently amended: 2023
Number of charter schools: 14
Number of charter students: 5,200
Cap on the number of schools allowed: No
Virtual charters allowed: No
Charter Law Analysis:
GROWTH: There is no cap on the number of charter schools that may be established. The 2023 Alabama School Choice and Student Opportunity Act permits charters to offer enrollment preferences for students residing within specific geographical boundaries, but only if the overall charter school enrollment includes a majority of at-risk students. OPERATIONS: Charters receive a blanket waiver from regulations that apply to traditional district schools. However, the law also gives control to the State Board of Education to write regulations specific to charter schools, creating a political environment where charter schools can be arbitrarily subject to regulations that harm their ability to operate effectively. This is not a good model – any rules that apply should not be subject to political whims.AUTHORIZERS: Local districts were initially the only authorizers, but only a few signed up to use their authority. The Alabama Public Charter School Commission was established as authorizer for applicants in districts that don’t choose to authorize, and appeals for denied applications by districts go to the Commission. This layered (district and state) approach to authorizing subjects charters to additional, unnecessary, time-consuming processes. In 2023, new legislation streamlined the process for appointing members to the Alabama Charter School Commission, making it more reliant on elected officials.
EQUITY: The law calls for charter schools to be funded at parity with district schools and even calls for charters to receive local dollars (in addition to state funds). The money, however, flows through the district when it is the authorizer, which has considerable power over how much money the charter eventually yields for per pupil costs, less than what is expended on traditional schools. The law does not provide per-pupil facilities funds. In 2023, legislation provided $10 million in one-time supplemental funding to charter schools on a per-pupil basis and secured $400,000 for pre-planning grants.
Choice Programs (Scholarships, Vouchers, Tax Credits, etc.)
Score
78%
Grade: C
Rank: #15
A growing number of students, especially those from marginalized communities like the population at 2023 Yass Prize Winner Valiant Cross Academy, will have access to more education scholarships thanks to the creation of ESAs and an expansion of the tax-credit scholarship program. One month after announcing she would indeed expand the programs, Governor Ivey did just that and as a result, thousands more students will have choices. Lots more to do, but this is a great start.
Fast Facts:
Law enacted: 2015 - 2024
Most recently amended: 2024
Number of programs: 3
Statewide participation: 11,000
Types of programs: Education savings account, tax-credit scholarship, parent-taxpayer refundable tax-credits
Choice Laws & Analysis:
Education Savings Account The Creating Hope and Opportunity for Our Students’ Education (CHOOSE) Act The state's newest choice program, termed the "CHOOSE Act," establishes education savings accounts funded by refundable income tax credits from parents. Eligibility is determined by family income, with the first year limiting qualifying incomes to 300% of the federal poverty level and subsequently opening to all families with eligible students. Priority is given to students with special needs, followed by siblings already enrolled, and then based on family income. Under the law, the CHOOSE Act Fund is established in the State Treasury and will allocate at least $100 million annually. Individual awards are up to $7,000 or actual expenses for participating schools and up to $2,000 for non-participating schools. It is projected to benefit around 14,285 students annually, with 3% reserved for those with special needs. Tax-Credit Scholarship Tax-Credit Scholarship Education Scholarship Program This tax-credit scholarship program, created in 2013 under the Alabama Accountability Act (AAA) and increased in 2022, allows taxpayers who donate to nonprofit scholarship granting organizations to receive a dollar-for-dollar state tax credit for their contribution. Individuals may contribute from 50% to 100% of income tax liability – up to $100,000 and corporations may give from 50% to 100% of income liability without a cap. However, the cumulative amount of tax credits issued shall not exceed $40 million total, with an automatic escalator up to $60 million. Once a student receives a scholarship, the family’s income may not exceed 275 percent of the federal poverty level ($76,313 for a family of four in 2022-23). Statewide, 35 percent of families with children are eligible for scholarships under this program but the tax credit caps limit their opportunities. For those fortunate to receive one, scholarships are capped at $6,000 for K–5, $8,000 for 6–8, and $10,000 for 9–12 with the average scholarship value at $4,721. Individual Tax-Credit/Deduction Accountability Act of 2013 Parent-Taxpayer Refundable Tax Credits This refundable tax credit is for parents who transfer their children enrolled in or assigned to a “failing” public school to a “non-failing” public or private school. Different from traditional tax credit programs, refundable tax credits have greater utility for parents of more modest incomes. Currently, only five percent of Alabama’s students are eligible for this program because participation is based on whether an entire school is categorized as “failing.” Participation should be expanded to any students who are assigned to a school that is not a good fit. In 2023, under SB 263, the income eligibility threshold was elevated from 185% to 250% of the federal poverty level, thereby broadening access to this program for families in need.
Teacher Quality
USE OF STUDENT DATA IN EVALUATING TEACHER PREP
"Alabama releases certain student growth metrics on an institutional level. However, achievement data makes up a smaller part of a teacher's evaluation."
This is just one indicator from The National Council on Teacher Quality, which collects and analyzes states on how well their policies and practices lead to well-prepared teachers. They collect data on state laws and regulations concerning the preparation of teachers, the policies that govern their oversight and the contracts that guide their employment. Learn more about your state here.
National Council on Teacher Quality
https://www.nctq.org/yearbook/stateHome/AL
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