Public Charter Schools Bill Passes Alabama Legislature, Awaits Governor’s Signature
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MONTGOMERY, AL. (March 18, 2015) – The Alabama Federation for Children, the state’s voice for educational choice, celebrated the passage of Senate Bill 45, the School Choice and Student Opportunity Act, allowing Alabama to offer students access to public charter schools.
“Every child deserves access to a quality education and today’s passage of the School Choice and Student Opportunity Act will offer new and necessary educational options to Alabama students,” said Chad Mathis, chairman of the Alabama Federation for Children. “We are pleased with the passage of Senate Bill 45 out of the House – moving Alabama one step closer to offering families access to quality public charter schools.”
This evening, Senate Bill 45 passed the House 58-41 and Senate voted to concur with the House. The School Choice and Student Opportunity Act will allow for start-up public charter schools, which are newly created public schools, and conversion public charter schools, which are existing public schools that have a desire to operate as a charter. There is a limit of 10 new public charter schools that could be created each year for the first five years after passage. There is no limit on the amount of conversion public charter schools.
“Public charter schools are just another way to give parents a choice in their child’s education,” added Mathis. “We commend Sen. Del Marsh and Rep. Terri Collins on their leadership and by putting the needs of children first. Combined with the success of the scholarship program, we are excited that the Alabama Legislature has put a priority on improving our state’s education by focusing on the needs of students.”
The School Choice and Student Opportunity Act awaits Gov. Robert Bentley’s signature. .
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The Alabama Federation for Children is the state-based affiliate of the American Federation for Children.
The American Federation for Children is the nation’s leading school choice advocacy organization and works in states across the country to help secure additional, high-quality educational options for families.