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Rep. Phil Williams pushing for charter schools in Alabama

By Trang Do - Bio | Email

HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF) - The debate over charter schools is heating up in Alabama and one state representatives is taking a public stance in favor of them.

Charter schools are currently illegal here, so our state stands to miss out on billions of dollars in federal funds that will go to states who do have this system.

Charter schools are up and running in 40 states across the country, but in Alabama, the concept of charter schools is unfamiliar and according to District Six Rep. Phil Williams, often misunderstood.

"Basically it's another form of public school. It's not a private school, it's not a religious school. It's a public school that allows a board of directors to come together and form a charter," Williams said. 

It's an issue that's come to Alabama's attention because of a challenge put forth by President Obama.

The President is offering up more than $4 billion in federal funds for innovation in education, money that Alabama won't have a shot at unless it lifts its ban on charter schools.

"The reason they're necessary at this time is we're competing, internationally, and everywhere in education, and we're being left behind in many areas. A charter school would customize the educational experience to the child and instead of the other way around," Williams said.

Williams is co-sponsoring legislation that would legalize charter schools.

But he faces some tough opposition from some state education leaders.

"If we change our law and say ok we're going to fund 50 private schools and we're going to call them charter schools, there's no guarantee we would get one red dime extra, one red penny extra from the federal government," said Paul Hubbert of the Alabama Education Association. 

For a state that is consistently near the bottom when it comes to state education rankings, Williams said change could be a good thing.

Williams is launching a Facebook and letter writing campaign in support of charter schools.

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