The Senate Education Committee held a public hearing last week, on a public charter shool bill, “The School Choice and Student Opportunity Act” (SB45). After receiving a favorable report, it was passed this week by the full Senate, on the same day the House Education Committee held a public hearing on its companion bill, HB192. After a very lengthy hearing, there was no vote. However, the House committee reported favorably on it, and the full House passed it on Thursday.
It now goes to the Governor to sign it into law.
The bill will allow:
- The provision of an application process for establishing start-up public charter schools and conversion charter schools, including the creation of the Alabama Public Charter School Commission;
- The provision for accountability of charter schools for performance, oversight and reauthorization while also allowing for autonomous operation from most state laws (not including those affecting personnel and civil rights), etc.;
- Funding provisions.
Follow the media coverage:
3/4/15 – Charter School Bill Approved by Senate Committee (Montgomery Advertiser)
3/10/15 – Alabama Senate Passes Charter School Bill (AL.com)
3/11/15 – Charter School Bill Moving Closer to Becoming Law in Alabama (AL.com)
3/11/15 – Alabama Charter School Debate Continues in House Committee’s Public Hearing; video (ABC 3340 – Birmingham)
3/18/15 – Alabama House Approves Charter School Act (WAAY 31 – Huntsville)
3/18/15 – Charter Schools Legislation Heads to Bentley’s Office: video (ABC 3340 – Birmingham)
For more information on public charter schools, click here for our links to more resources in our library.
Click here to read the full text of SB45, the “School Choice and Opportunity Act.”
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