The LWVAL takes on the issue of charter schools in Alabama.

The issues surrounding the subject of charter schools make them a topic capable of evoking strong opinions and responses.

Proponents of charter schools believe they offer flexibility in improving schools with consistently low academic performance, provide options for addressing the needs of underserved student populations, encourage classroom innovations by reducing bureaucracy and hiring educators without ties to education lobbying groups and unions, and foster market-oriented reform in public education through competitive school choice options for students and parents.

Critics have equally strong opinions that charter schools undermine public schools systems, siphon limited funding away from existing schools, are a backdoor for privatizing public schools systems, are no more effective for fostering innovation than traditional schools, and are harmful to the teaching profession by encouraging the use of non-certified instructors and creating lower pay scales.


Read Charter Schools: Facts & Issues and form your own opinion.

The Role of the Federal Government in Public Education
A LWVUS Study

In June, 2010 the delegates to the League of Women Voters Convention proposed and passed a study of the role of federal government in public education in the United States. The study was completed in March 2012 and, if consensus can be reached, a national League position will be published on this issue.

Study Background Information
Read the unbiased information gathered in the process of this study.

Election 2012:
Are you ready for the AL Primary Election Runoff?