Alabama Charter Schools Group Awarded $25 Million Federal Grant
The U.S. Department of Education announced a $25 million grant today to support charter schools in Alabama. The money will go to New Schools for Alabama, an organization that encourages the growth of charter schools.
Since the state legislature approved the establishment of charter schools in 2015, three have opened.
Tyler Barnett, executive director of New Schools for Alabama, told WBHM in an earlier interview the money will help fund 15 schools. He says the group will focus on serving educationally disadvantaged students.
“I think charter schools give us an opportunity to create a new system for kids who are mired in perpetually failing systems,” he says.
Birmingham’s first charter school – Legacy Prep – opened earlier this month. Earlier this week, organizers of the city’s second charter school – I-3 Academy, broke ground on its building in Woodlawn.
Richard Franklin, with the Birmingham chapter of the American Federation of Teachers, says federal dollars could be better spent on supporting academics and other students needs in traditional public schools.
Alabama does not adequately fund its traditional schools, and parents too often have to supply basic school needs like tissue and paper towels, he says.
Franklin also takes issue with charter schools’ emphasis on choice. He says students in Birmingham-area schools already have a full range of choices for academics, International Baccalaureate programs, the arts and vocations.
George Foreman, the fearsome heavyweight who became a beloved champion, dies at 76
The heavyweight who lost the "Rumble in the Jungle" to Muhammad Ali before authoring an inspiring second act as a 45-year-old champion and a successful businessman was 76.
Voice of America staff sue Trump administration for shutting down network
Six Voice of America journalists and a director at its parent agency have sued the Trump administration, alleging its moves to shut down the U.S.-funded network are unconstitutional.
Homeland Security makes cuts to civil rights and immigration oversight offices
DHS confirms it is implementing a reduction in force in three oversight offices as part of the effort to cut the federal workforce.
What’s the ideal age to reach a life milestone? Many Americans say it depends
Owning a home, starting a family or retiring: If these are things you want, what's the best age to do them? The Pew Research Center surveyed 3,600 U.S. adults to find out.
What we know about the case of detained Georgetown professor Badar Khan Suri
The Indian national and postdoctoral fellow is the latest scholar detained or deported by the Trump administration for speaking in support of Palestinian rights or criticizing Israel's actions in Gaza.
Screens and sleep. Maybe not so bad?
We hear a lot about how screens impact our sleep, but how significant is the disruption? And how much does exercise predict sleep quality? This story first appeared in the Body Electric newsletter.
