The most important contribution that we can give our children is a good education. Education is the foundation and common denominator that will determine the quality of life that our society has. Without good doctors, lawmakers, engineers, and informed leaders, the State of Alabama would wilt away. There is not a job that anyone can do who cannot read and write. The State is now considering a voucher program that has brought controversy among our Legislation.
The Democratic Legislative has once again released its objections to the Republican Party’s intent to pass a law creating a school voucher program. The Republicans want to take money from our underfunded public schools and give it to private schools. There is also no requirement to meet the rigid standards of the Alabama Literacy Act or the Alabama Numeracy Act. These private schools and homeschool parents will get taxpayer’s money intended to educate Alabama children with no strings attached.
Under the Alabama Accountability Act, taxpayers can decide if they want to fund private schools. There is little accountability in this law that will ensure the funds are used as they should be and are directed to the student’s needs and not to parents looking for an easy way to finance their lifestyle. According to the AEA, (Alabama Educational Association), the Alabama Accountability Act is just a gateway to vouchers without oversight. If there is no accountability for the funding it will make a major milestone for community schools in Alabama.
Draining the funding from our local schools could mean fewer math and reading coaches, cuts into the extracurricular activities, and loss of STEM programs, among other programs. Money that could be taken from the Alabama Education Trust Fund would also harm our teacher’s retirement. The Alabama Education Association stated that the bill lacks accountability and would rob public schools of much-needed funding.
Alabama Republicans and Democrats are so far apart that they cannot even agree on the appropriate term for the subject. Republicans call it “school choice.” The Democrats call it a “voucher scheme.” Democrat Rep Barbara Drummond from Mobile said that she wanted to clear up what she called the confusion about what Republicans call “school choice.” “They’re not choice, y’all,” Drummond said. “They’re vouchers. Let’s be clear about our position. The Alabama House Democrats support increased investments in public education because it is the greatest and most equitable and proven path toward lifelong achievement, greater earning potential, and overall well-being.”
The Republicans tried to create an education savings account last year where parents would receive $6,900 annually which is an estimated cost for public education per student that would pay for private school, home school, and other education-related costs. This bill did not pass, however, Republicans in the State House and Senate now support this idea. The Democrats stand firm that this will defund public education and use taxpayer money to increase the profit of private schools. This would benefit those who can already afford private education and ignore the need for funding to public schools in rural areas where financially struggling families, and children with disabilities need the funding for academic achievement.
Alabama Democratic Party Chairman Randy Kelly believes that if money is diverted from public schools it will undermine the improvement in and accountability for the State’s struggling schools, especially in the rural areas of Alabama. He also stated that most of the private sector schools were attended by children from privileged families who could afford the high cost of tuition. In contrast, middle-class and poor families in Alabama had no choice but to send their children to public schools.
Alabama Republican Chairman John Wahl had a different opinion and was at odds with the AEA. “So we’re looking at issues like banning critical race theory, school choice, transparency in curriculum, and other issues that kind of address our children in Alabama being taught what their parents want them to be taught.” Alabama Democratic Party Chairman Randy Kelly said, “Just teach the truth.”
Lynda Kirkpatrick
Marion County Democratic Party Chair
Alabama Democratic Party SDEC Rep District 17