School choice in Alabama
 in Alabama |
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School choice is a term that refers to programs offering alternatives to assigned local public school options. Public school choice options include open enrollment policies, magnet schools, and charter schools. Other options include school vouchers, scholarship tax credits, and education savings accounts (ESAs).[1][2]
Proponents argue that school choice programs improve educational outcomes by expanding opportunity and access for historically disadvantaged students. In addition, advocates claim that school choice programs empower parents and improve traditional public schools through competition. Critics contend that these programs divert funds from traditional public schools, thereby generating unequal outcomes for students. In addition, some critics argue that school voucher programs wrongly direct tax dollars to religious organizations, which operate many private schools.
Educational choice options
Charter schools
- See also: Charter schools in Alabama
Charter schools are public schools operated independently of the public school system, either by nonprofit or for-profit organizations. Although they are publicly funded, charter schools are exempt from many of the requirements imposed by state and local boards of education regarding hiring and curriculum. As public schools, charter schools cannot charge tuition or impose special entrance requirements; students are typically admitted through a lottery process if demand exceeds the number of spaces available in a school. Generally speaking, charter schools receive a percentage of per-pupil funds from state and local boards of education for operational costs based on enrollment. In most states, they do not receive funds for facilities or start-up costs; therefore, they must rely to some extent on private donations. The federal government also provides revenues through special grants.[3][4][5]
In March 2015, Alabama became the 43rd state to enact charter school legislation. According to the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, a charter school advocacy group, there were no charter schools in Alabama in the 2015-2016 school year.[6]
| Charter schools, 2015-2016 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| State | Total number of charter schools | Estimated enrollment | Percentage of total public school enrollment |
| Alabama | 0 | 0 | 0.00% |
| Georgia | 115 | 82,800 | 4.79% |
| Mississippi | 2 | 200 | 0.04% |
| Tennessee | 100 | 33,300 | 3.32% |
| United States total | 6,824 | 2,930,600 | 5.85% |
| Note: The percentages in the column labeled "Percentage of total public school enrollment" were calculated by taking the estimated number of charter school students in a given state and dividing by the total estimated number of public school students in that state in 2015. Total public school enrollment estimates came from the National Center for Education Statistics. Source: National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, "A Closer Look at the Charter School Movement," February 3, 2016 | |||
Magnet schools
- See also: Magnet school participation statistics
Magnet schools, or theme-based schools, are public schools of choice that utilize specialized subject areas or innovative learning approaches to attract students from more diverse backgrounds. Magnet schools were first formed to desegregate public schools through choice rather than force. Magnet schools can reach beyond the boundaries of school districts, but they are still managed and funded publicly by local districts even though they are centered around specialized themes and subjects.[7][8]
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there were 3,254 magnet schools in the United States in the 2013-2014 school year, 42 of which were in Alabama. According to Public School Review, those 42 magnet schools served 20,709 students in Alabama, 66 percent of whom were racial/ethnic minorities. The average student-teacher ratio in Alabama's magnet schools was 17:1. The table below presents this information for Alabama and surrounding states.[9][10]
| Magnet schools, 2013-2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | Number of magnet schools | Total enrollment | Minority enrollment percentage | Student-teacher ratio |
| Alabama | 42 | 20,709 | 66% | 17:1 |
| Georgia | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Mississippi | 25 | 7,422 | 82% | 15:1 |
| Tennessee | 133 | 92,665 | 69% | 16:1 |
| United States total | 3,254 | 2,549,825 | N/A | N/A |
| Note: "N/A" indicates that information was not available, either because the state does not have magnet schools or because the data were not reported. Source: Public School Review, "Find Public Schools," accessed May 24, 2016 | ||||
Open enrollment policies
According to the Education Commission of the States, there are two primary types of open enrollment policies:[11]
- Under intra-district enrollment policies, students may transfer to schools within their home districts.
- Under inter-district enrollment policies, students may transfer to schools outside of their home districts.
Open enrollment policies may be either mandatory or voluntary. Under mandatory programs, districts must allow for open enrollment. Under voluntary programs, districts may choose whether to allow for open enrollment.[11]
As of November 2015, Alabama had not enacted an open enrollment policy.[11]
Private schools
Private schools are operated by private organizations as opposed to government entities. Private schools typically rely on tuition, private grants, and donations for funding. Because private schools are not operated or funded directly by government entities, they may operate under different personnel and curricular standards. Private schools are often associated with religious institutions. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there were 5,395,740 students enrolled in 33,620 private schools nationwide in fall 2013. This accounted for approximately 10 percent of the total school-age population.[12][13]
In Alabama, there were 400 students enrolled in 76,400 private schools in fall 2013, accounting for roughly 9.39 percent of the state's total school-age population. The table below presents this information for Alabama and surrounding states.
| Private schools, fall 2013 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | Number of private schools | Enrollment | Enrollment as a percentage of total school-age population | |
| Alabama | 400 | 76,400 | 9.39% | |
| Georgia | 740 | 150,360 | 8.25% | |
| Mississippi | 310 | 50,330 | 9.34% | |
| Tennessee | 560 | 93,990 | 8.62% | |
| United States total | 33,620 | 5,395,740 | 10.04% | |
| Note: The column labeled "Enrollment as a percentage of total school-age population" was calculated by taking the total private school enrollment in a given state and dividing by the total school-age population of that state. Figures for total school-age population were obtained from the National Center for Education Statistics. Sources: National Center for Education Statistics, "Table 101.40. Estimated total and school-age resident populations, by state: Selected years, 1970 through 2014," accessed May 24, 2016 National Center for Education Statistics, "Table 205.80. Private elementary and secondary schools, enrollment, teachers, and high school graduates, by state: Selected years, 2003 through 2013," accessed May 24, 2016 | ||||
Homeschooling
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there were approximately 1.7 million homeschooled students in the United States as of 2012. This accounted for roughly 3.4 percent of the total school-age population.[14][15]
According to the Home School Legal Defense Association, there are three legal methods in Alabama for homeschooling: homeschooling with a church school, homeschooling with a private school, and homeschooling with a private tutor.[16]
Online learning
- See also: Blended learning
According to the Evergreen Education Group, 24 states operated state virtual schools in the 2014-2015 school year. State virtual schools are "operational intermediate supplier organizations that provide online learning programs to schools statewide." State virtual schools are created by legislative or state agency action and are "usually funded in part or entirely by a state appropriation or grant." As of the 2014-2015 school year, Alabama was home to a state virtual school, ACCESS Alabama. Course enrollments in ACCESS Alabama in the 2014-2015 school year totaled 41,578, a 19.90 percent decline from 2012-2013 course enrollments.[17]
According to the Center for Education Reform, Alabama was home to no virtual charter schools as of May 2016.[18]
Financial assistance
Tax credits
In Alabama, parents can receive a tax credit equaling 80 percent of the average annual cost of attendance at a public school, or the actual cost of attendance, whichever is less. In order to be eligible, the student must transfer from a failing public school to a non-failing public or private school. Alternatively, a student who is starting school for the first time and has been assigned to a failing public school may also be eligible. According to the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice, 88 students participated in this program in the 2014-2015 school year. The average tax credit value was $2,037.[19]
In addition, individuals and corporations in Alabama can claim a 100 percent tax credit for contributions to approved scholarship granting organizations. In fall 2015, 3,701 students in Alabama received scholarships via this program. The average estimated value of scholarships funded via this program was $6,094 in the 2015-2016 school year.[20]
Studies and reports
Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice
In January 2016, the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice released a report ranking school choice programs across the nation by participation. Alabama's Education Scholarship Program ranked 28th nationwide, with 3,696 participating students. The state's Accountability Act of 2013 Parent/Taxpayer Refundable Tax Credits program ranked 51st, with 88 tax returns. For the full report, visit this website.[21]
That same month, the Friedman Foundation released the 2016 edition of "The ABCs of School Choice," a comprehensive report detailing and commenting upon every school choice program in the nation. To access the full report, click here.
Historical events
2020
On June 30, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court decided Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue, which concerned whether the government can exclude religious institutions from student-aid programs. The case related to Article X, Section 6 of the Montana Constitution, also known as Montana’s Blaine Amendment.[22]
In its 5-4 opinion, the court held that the application of Article X, Section 6 violated the free exercise clause of the U.S. Constitution. The majority held Article X, Section 6 barred religious schools and parents who wished to send their children to those schools from receiving public benefits because of the religious character of the school.[23]
The case addressed the tension between the free exercise and Establishment clauses of the U.S. Constitution—where one guarantees the right of individuals' free exercise of religion and the other guarantees that the state won't establish a religion—and the intersections of state constitutions with state law and with the U.S. Constitution.
Alabama is one of the states with a Blaine Amendment.
2014
On April 2, 2014, Alabama enacted S 38, which expressly recognized home instruction by someone other than a state-certified private tutor as an option for complying with compulsory attendance requirements. The legislation also redefined a church school to include either on-site or home programs. The legislation forbade state higher education institutions from discriminating against home-schooled applicants and stated that nonpublic schools were not subject to licensure or regulation by the state or any of its political subdivisions, including the Alabama Department of Education.[24]
2013
On March 14, 2013, Governor Robert Bentley signed into law the Alabama Accountability Act. The bill established tax credits for parents who wish to transfer their children from failing public schools to other public or private schools. The state legislature, which was controlled by Republicans, passed the bill on February 28, 2014. After signing the bill, Bentley said, "For the first time ever, we're giving all public schools the flexibility they need to better serve their students."[25]
Democrats and teacher advocacy groups contended that the bill as passed had undergone significant alterations when it went to a conference committee, "transforming it from a measure allowing flexibility to school districts into a school choice bill." Political reporter Kyle Whitmire, from The Birmingham News, said that some were concerned the legislation could result in a "brain drain, that sort of concentrates your most challenged students in school systems that are already having problems. This could really create problems on both sides, for successful school systems that suddenly might be flooded with students and with failing school systems that already have problems."[25]
School choice ballot measures
- See also: School choice on the ballot and List of Alabama ballot measures
Ballotpedia has tracked no statewide ballot measures relating to school choice in Alabama.
School choice legislation
The following is a list of recent charter school bills that have been introduced in or passed by the Alabama state legislature. To learn more about each of these bills, click the bill title. This information is provided by BillTrack50 and LegiScan.
Note: Due to the nature of the sorting process used to generate this list, some results may not be relevant to the topic. If no bills are displayed below, no legislation pertaining to this topic has been introduced in the legislature recently.
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Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Alabama education choice. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
- Public education in Alabama
- Charter schools in Alabama
- List of school districts in Alabama
- School choice
- Charter schools
- Magnet schools
- School vouchers
External links
- National Alliance for Public Charter Schools
- Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice
- Home School Legal Defense Association
Footnotes
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "School Choice and Charters," accessed June 18, 2014
- ↑ Friedman Foundation for School Choice, "What is School Choice?" accessed June 18, 2014
- ↑ National Charter School Resource Center, "Understanding Charter Schools," accessed April 29, 2104
- ↑ Uncommon Schools, "Frequently Asked Questions About Public, Charter Schools," accessed April 30, 2014
- ↑ The Center for Education Reform, "Just the FAQs--Charter Schools," accessed April 30, 2014
- ↑ National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, "A Closer Look at the Charter School Movement," February 3, 2016
- ↑ Public School Review, "What is a magnet school?" accessed December 9, 2014
- ↑ Magnet Schools of America, "What are magnet schools?" accessed December 9, 2014
- ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, "Table 3. Number of operating public elementary and secondary schools, by school type, charter, magnet, Title I, and Title I schoolwide status, and state or jurisdiction: School year 2013–14," accessed May 24, 2016
- ↑ Public School Review, "Find Public Schools," accessed May 24, 2016
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Education Commission of the States, "Open Enrollment 50-State Report," updated November 2015
- ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, "Table 205.80. Private elementary and secondary schools, enrollment, teachers, and high school graduates, by state: Selected years, 2003 through 2013," accessed May 24, 2016
- ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, "Table 101.40. Estimated total and school-age resident populations, by state: Selected years, 1970 through 2014," accessed May 24, 2016
- ↑ Coalition for Responsible Home Education, "Homeschooling Numbers," accessed May 25, 2016
- ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, "Table 206.10. Number and percentage of homeschooled students ages 5 through 17 with a grade equivalent of kindergarten through 12th grade, by selected child, parent, and household characteristics: 2003, 2007, and 2012," accessed May 25, 2016
- ↑ Home School Legal Defense Association, "Alabama," accessed May 25, 2016
- ↑ Evergreen Education Group, "Keeping Pace with K-12 Digital Learning, 2015," accessed May 25, 2016
- ↑ Center for Education Reform, "Find a Charter School," accessed May 26, 2016
- ↑ Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice, "Alabama – Accountability Act of 2013 Parent-Taxpayer Refundable Tax Credits," accessed May 26, 2016
- ↑ Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice, "Alabama – Education Scholarship Program," accessed May 26, 2016
- ↑ Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice, "America's School Choice Programs Ranked by Participation, 2016 Edition," January 27, 2016
- ↑ Supreme Court of the United States, Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue: "Petition for a writ of certiorari," accessed July 3, 2019
- ↑ Supreme Court of the United States, Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue, decided June 30, 2020
- ↑ Home School Legal Defense Association, "New Law Recognizes Home Instruction," accessed May 22, 2104
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 NPR.org, "Alabama's Governor Signs Education Bill Allowing School Choice," March 14, 2013
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