Alabama Accountability Act

News

Senate passes broader tax credits for Alabama Accountability Act scholarships

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY — The Senate has narrowly given the go-ahead to a bill that would double the tax credit cap for contributors to the Alabama Accountability Act’s private school scholarship program. The Senate approved the bill by President Pro Tempore Del Marsh (R-Anniston), which would increase the cap on income tax … Continued

Chip Brownlee

February 24, 2017

Opinion

Why I fight for school choice

By Senate President Pro Tem. Sen. Del Marsh With the election of President Donald Trump, school choice has been at the front of every discussion affecting education policy in the United States. I am pleased to say that the Alabama Legislature has been opening up choice for students and parents long before it was part … Continued

Del Marsh

February 21, 2017

Opinion

Something fishy about “failing schools” list

By Larry Lee The State Department of Education just released the latest “failing schools” list, an annual ranking is required by the infamous Alabama Accountability Act. The Legislature decreed that the bottom six percent of all public schools are “failing” and should be identified annually. So lists were distributed in June 2013 and January 2014, … Continued

Larry Lee

January 17, 2017

Opinion

The irony of righteous indignation

Education Matters By Larry Lee When State Superintendent of Education Mike Sentance told the State School Board Dec. 8, that the Office of Inspector General of the US Department of Education had determined that the State’s high school graduation rate was inaccurate, reaction was swift and true to form. Members of the Legislature who consistently … Continued

Larry Lee

December 16, 2016

Opinion

Doing it for the kids

By Larry Lee Education Matters “I did not know the rules.” These words won’t leave my head. Round and round, “I did not know the rules.” The reply given by state school board member Mary Scott Hunter to State Senator Gerald Dial when asked in a Nov. 10 committee meeting if she knew the Ethics … Continued

Larry Lee

November 14, 2016

Opinion

Accountability Act Transfers Over $73 Million for 4000 Students

By Larry Lee The most recent quarterly reports from scholarship granting organizations participating in the Alabama Accountability Act are now posted on the web site of the Alabama Department of Revenue. These cover the period from April 1, 2016 to June 30, 2016. While there are currently six SGOs approved to operate in the state, … Continued

Larry Lee

August 3, 2016

Opinion

Accountability Act Leading to Resegregation

EDUCATION MATTERS By Larry Lee As soon as the Alabama Accountability Act was passed by the legislature in February 2013 educators knew it was fatally flawed. It was not supported by research. Vouchers have never been shown to bring about significant change in education outcomes. And the promise it would improve failing schools and help … Continued

Larry Lee

November 16, 2015

Opinion

“AAA the gift that keeps on giving,” maybe not

EDUCATION MATTERS By Larry Lee Legend has it that the phrase “the gift that keeps on giving,” was used to describe early versions of the phonograph in the 1920’s. Just 31 months ago the legislature gave us an act that they promised would also, “keep on giving.” It was the Alabama Accountability Act. But as … Continued

Larry Lee

October 2, 2015

House Now Moves To Save Riley SGO

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—On Wednesday, the House will take up the bill that will expand the Alabama Accountability Act to save one particular Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO). Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh (R-Anniston) sponsored SB71, which would not only expand the cap of donations under AAA from $25 million to $30 … Continued

Bill Britt

April 14, 2015

Riley Alabama Figure Head for Florida-Owned SGO

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—Federal filings show that an Alabama scholarship granting organization (SGO) is actually a wholly owned subsidiary of Florida nonprofit. Former Gov. Bob Riley has promoted his Alabama Opportunity Scholarship Fund (AOSF) as if it were the soul of the State’s Accountability Act. Yet, it is a wholly-owned subsidiary of … Continued

Bill Britt

March 31, 2015