The Alabama Accountability Act: The Basics
UPDATE: Changes were made to the AAA in June 2015. Here’s the link to the update.
The Alabama Accountability Act (AAA) is nothing if not controversial. The Flexibility/Tax Credit/School Choice bill is used as a club by various political groups to beat up on their opponent, whoever that may be.
It has been an equal-opportunity hammer, used by all sides (because there are more than two sides) to point out what most claim to be at the forefront of their agendas: Alabama is not doing a good enough job of educating our children.
The reasons that each side uses to explain why that is provide the perspective through which each side views the AAA.
Since the passage of the AAA in February 2013, there has been a whole lot of information floating around. Some is accurate, and some not so much.
With the Alabama Supreme Court considering whether the AAA will stand, it might be helpful to get familiar with the various parts of the AAA.
Here is a presentation of just the basics.
Alabama Accountability Act – The Basics
What is the Alabama Accountability Act (AAA)?
What other controversies are there?
The “Failing” Schools List
How does a school get labeled as “failing”?
Can schools get off of the “failing” list?
Will the “failing” list ever contain no schools?
How does the AAA drain resources from a “failing” school?
But shouldn’t “failing” schools be closed?
Doesn’t some state money stay at the “failing” school even if the student leaves?
Tax Credits, Generally
What are the types of tax credits available?
How do tax credits reduce money for public schools?
What about the $40 million that everyone talks about?
What happens to the money that wasn’t claimed as a tax credit?
How much can be claimed as a tax credit?
About Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs)
Are SGO scholarships only available for students zoned for “failing” schools?
What are the income eligibility guidelines?
Can SGOs give scholarships to students already in private school?
About Parent Tax Credits
How long is a parent eligible to receive tax credits?
So parents can just move their child to a private school and get a tax credit?
Does it matter which private school a student attends?
Can parents who already have enrolled their children in private school take the tax credit?
What if a family moves into a “failing” school zone?
Non-Public Participating Schools – Things to Consider
How does a private school become a participating school?
How does a parent know if a participating non-public school is a good school for their child?
What kinds of questions should a parent ask?
How do I determine a school’s culture?
How do I determine a school’s record of academic success?
The Flexibility Option
What is the flexibility option given to public schools?
What are some examples of flexibility that have been approved?
How can we get more school districts interested in creating Innovation Zone programs?
This is the end. For now.
For Further Reading….
Alabama School Connection articles about various pieces of the Alabama Accountability Act.