Alabama Charter Schools Group Awarded $25 Million Federal Grant
Sherrel Wheeler Stewart,WBHM
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.
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Many students who identify as LGBTQ here in Alabama say they’ve been harassed or assaulted because of their sexuality. A new charter school proposed in Birmingham aims to make these young people feel safe in the classroom.
State Commission Approves Birmingham Charter School
03-25-2019
The Alabama Public Charter School Commission approved plans for a new charter school in Birmingham. The development comes two months after Birmingham school officials rejected the i3 Academy application. Organizers of the charter school appealed to the state.
State Commission to Hear Birmingham Charter School Appeal
03-22-2019
The Alabama Public Charter School Commission is scheduled to vote Monday on a proposed charter school in Woodlawn. The Birmingham school board recently rejected i3 Academy’s bid to open in the city, and organizers appealed to the state.
Third Rejected Birmingham Charter School Plans to Appeal
02-21-2019
The Birmingham School Board informed the state today that it denied an application for a Woodlawn-area charter school and explained why it was rejected.
Birmingham Denies Application For Woodlawn Charter School
01-24-2019
The Birmingham school board denied the application Thursday for a proposed charter school in Woodlawn.
