Alabama is one of just nine states that does not allow charter schools, but the Republican-led Legislature wants to change that.

Lawmakers plan to introduce charter-school legislation during this year’s legislative session, which begins today, and Republican Gov. Robert Bentley is supportive.

Even those who do not support charter schools say the legislation — at least in some form — will pass this session.

Proponents charter schools are about providing parents with options. Advocates will initially target urban areas such as Birmingham, Montgomery and Huntsville and the rural Black Belt in south Alabama, but the ultimate plan is to take the initiative statewide.

“We can show these areas new and innovative ways to educate students,” House Majority Leader Micky Hammon, R-Decatur, said. “It would give kids in those areas a real boost toward a better education, a better career and a better life.”

State Rep. Phil Williams, R-Madison, said parents need a choice if their school is failing academically. He also wants to allow charter schools with a special focus, such as math, engineering or medicine.

“In Alabama, your zip code determines where you attend school,” Williams said. “Some are lucky enough to live in a great school district. Others are not as lucky and have to attend one of those struggling schools. These parents need options.”

Charter schools face opposition from Democrats, the Alabama Education Association and many in public and private education, although new state Superintendent Tommy Bice said he supports the concept.

Supporters deny this is an attack on AEA, although Hammon blamed the organization for the state’s slow academic progress until Republicans began to gain control under former Gov. Bob Riley.

“AEA has completely controlled the education process for years,” Hammon said. “We didn’t start making any progress until the last eight years, when we introduced new, innovative ideas like the reading and math initiatives and distance learning.”

AEA spokesman David Stout said his organization was one of the original sponsors of the reading and math initiatives.

He countered Hammon, saying the math initiative is only in 40 percent of the schools because the Republican-controlled Legislature won’t fully fund it.

If a school isn’t performing up to standards, the state should take over that school and correct its problems instead of creating another kind of school that takes away public education funding, new AEA Executive Secretary Henry Mabry said.

Williams said the problem with that idea is the state’s tenure law limits flexibility and makes it difficult to get rid of bad or uninspired teachers. The law is less an a year old.

Charter schools would bring fresh ideas, Williams said.

“If I were able to, teachers would be hired on contracts with no tenure and they wouldn’t go into the retirement system,” Williams said.

Shoals Democratic Reps. Greg Burdine and Marcel Black and Sen. Roger Bedford are not convinced.

“Charter schools will not help school children,” said Bedford, D-Russellville. “We don’t pay enough now to buy textbooks and toilet paper for schools. We surely don’t need to create another school system that has different standards such as teachers don’t even have to be certified.

“But charter schools are a Republican buzzword. They will pass it just to say they passed it.”

The administrations of President Barack Obama and President George W. Bush support or supported charter schools.

Tuscumbia’s Black said it’s likely charter schools will pass in some form, and likely be seen in the larger cities initially.

“Once they get their foot in the door, it will be hard to stop it,” Black said.

He said he is concerned charter schools would not have to hire certified teachers, provide transportation and could get rid of kids who pose disciplinary problems.

Hammon and Williams said schools receive state money based on average daily attendance. Hammon said the charter school operator would pay administration and building expenses.

“The money follows the student,” he said.

Lawrence County Superintendent Heath Grimes said the state would be wiser to invest in classroom instructional supplies and teachers’ salaries, so good teachers aren’t lost to retirement or other professions.

“They’re not sending us the money we were getting three years ago,” Grimes said. “Why would they spend money to fund more schools? They need to be funding the ones we have.”

Williams said the plan is to approach charter schools slowly, initially piloting the schools in only a few areas.

“If Decatur or Hartselle (school boards) decide they don’t want a charter school, they won’t have a charter school,” Williams said. “The intent is to get the power into the local educators’ hands. I don’t see the floodgates opening if this passes. We may only have 50 charter schools in the next 15 years.”

Money is the biggest concern on all sides. Burdine said he’s OK with the charter concept, although he’s not convinced of their effectiveness. The Florence representative is more concerned about funding.

“How do we think we fund another entity when we can’t fund what we have now?” Burdine said. “Let’s fully fund public education and see where we are then.”

Pros and cons

Charter schools are secondary schools that receive public money but are not subject to the rules that apply to traditional public schools. They receive the flexibility in exchange for accountability, usually test scores. Alabama is one of nine states that does not allow charter schools.

Pros