The "Winds of Change" in Alabama Public Education

I was reminded at church last week that Lent is a time for the heart and the mind to change. Spring has also sprung in North Alabama, and the budding trees and flowers remind me that change is constant and can be very beautiful.

Our family loves the movie, Mary Poppins. We sing all the songs and have the dialogue practically memorized. It's a great movie because it has a message for just about everyone. In the movie, Mary Poppins blows in on the "winds of change" to a British household in pre-World War I London. The Father, George Banks, is a tidy banker who is comfortably settled and endures a grueling personal change as the world changes around him. The Mother, Winifred, is a suffragette, demonstrating for her right to vote in her corseted dresses! The children, Jane and Michael, sense the change and run to it, jumping into a sidewalk chalk picture with Mary Poppins and Bert - the artist / musician / chimney sweep / narrator.

But as George Banks learned, change is a reality of life, and he adjusted in time to embrace some changes and for the world not to leave him behind.

Watch the movie this Spring Break and enjoy one of the great all-time classics. Or, simply watch George Banks sing about "The Life I Lead" just before the winds of change begin to carry him to a new place.

New Board for the Alabama Community College System?

The Bill -- Senate Bill 191 and its companion, House Bill 199, propose to split the State Board of Education away from its current governance of the Alabama Community College System. Currently the Alabama State Board of Education governs both K-12 and the Alabama Community College Systems. SB 191 has passed the Senate and will presumably be taken up in the House after Spring Break. Click to read more.

Political Appointments -- The new Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees would be politically appointed by the governor and members would be confirmed by the Senate. There would be one member from each Congressional district, plus an at-large member. One member of the State Board of Education would be a non-voting member of the new board. The governor would serve as president. The new Community College Board of Trustees would be required to meet with the K-12 Alabama State of Education Board twice per year to promote collaborative efforts.

Athens State University -- Currently, according to Alabama Code Section 16-47A-4, the State Board of Education member representing District 8 is a standing member of the Board of Trustees for Athens State University. SB 191 Section 16-60-111(a)(2) would change this to be the new appointed member of the new Community Colleges Board. I supported Athens State's move to independent governance in 2012 and have enjoyed governance service at Athens State. I am hoping the Alabama House of Representatives adjusts the bill so that secondary education in Athens State's feeder areas continues close ties to our area colleges in a governance structure that's worked well since Athens State University became independent.

Efficiency and "Regionalization" -- SB 191 originally required systemic efficiency measures be taken, but the substitute that passed softens and removes that language. While efficiency measures are still needed in our System, the concern that the original language could dampen our community college's ability to deliver very unique and relevant programs that match local economies and workforce needs.

Recommendation -- I remain opposed to the bill as does the State Board of Education. However, I understand the desire and arguments for it as well. If the bill is to pass, I have recommended building in as many opportunities as possible for popular representation on the new Board so that the voice of Alabama citizens is protected and heard and that collaboration between K-12 and the Community Colleges and Athens State University continues.

Alabama Public Charter Schools

Alabama could have its first public charter schools in the Fall of 2016. Click to read Alabama's Public Charter School Law.

The bill was heavily debated and many changes were made in response to inputs from stakeholders. I was given an opportunity to shape the outcome of this bill, and I felt the best course of action was to work with the drafters in order to pass the best law we could for Alabama students. I am pleased with the results. Like many of you, I'm nervous about this change, but I think it can be an exciting and interesting "tool in the toolbox" for local school boards.

The law encompasses best practices in public charter school policy from the other 42 states that have used charter schools as an educational tool for more than 20 years.

Alabama's A+ Education Partnership summarized some important elements of the new law as follows:

Coupling strong accountability provisions for public charter schools with the autonomy needed to be innovative: Educators need to be free to do what works for their students. SB 45 allows this freedom for public charter schools to do whatever it takes for their students, while also requiring strict accountability for performance. Under SB 45, all public charter school students will participate in the state assessments just like their counterparts in traditional public schools. Additionally, all charter schools in Alabama must be non-sectarian and have an open-enrollment policy to accept any student who wishes to attend. A+ encourages the Legislature to grant this same level of autonomy with accountability to all school systems in Alabama.

Prioritizing the educational needs of at-risk students: SB 45 requires authorizers to give top priority to public charter school applications that would serve at-risk students. While public charter schools are not the answer for all students, nationwide they have proven especially effective at meeting the educational needs of low-income and minority students. This is especially relevant in Alabama, where 52% of students come from low-income homes. As a result, this bill provides another tool in the toolbox to help Alabama provide an excellent education for all students.

Allowing both start-up public charter schools as well as conversion public charter schools: SB 45 allows for 10 start-up charter schools a year for five years and an unlimited number of conversion charter schools. Start-ups can bring new ideas and energy into communities, and allowing school systems to convert existing public schools provides for more flexibility to best serve students.

Creating multiple authorizing routes for public charter school applications: SB 45 allows local school boards to serve as charter school authorizers, while also creating a state-level commission to serve as an appellate board for denied applications. Public charter schools are a tool for improving the delivery of public education, and they should not be seen as a threat to existing high-quality schools. The Alabama Public Charter School Commission will help ensure that applications to create public charter schools stay on the road to becoming a reality if they can serve children in need.

Ensuring equitable funding for students attending public charter schools: Charter schools are public schools, and SB 45 ensures that funding follows a child if he or she enrolls in a public charter school. While there is certainly a need for increased funding in Alabama's education system, public charter schools can help us use the resources we have as effectively as possible to educate students.

Have a happy and safe Spring Break and thank you for the privilege of continuing to serve you!

By Mary Scott Hunter

Representative-Alabama Board of Education

District 8 (Limestone, Madison, Jackson, DeKalb, Etowah)

PO Box 18572, Huntsville, AL 35804 ? 1-888-531-1312 ?hunter@maryscotthunter.com

Website: www.maryscotthunter.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/maryscotthunter

Twitter: www.twitter.com/MaryScottHunter