The Education Wars: Sanity in Alabama

Alabama, of all places, has decided to not allow charter schools in the state. That may jeopardize its chances for Arne's blackmail money, but oh well:

Leaders on both sides of the issue - Dr. Joe Morton, state school superintendent, and Dr. Paul Hubbert, executive secretary of the Alabama Education Association - agreed the bill is dead for the 2010 session.

Democratic opponents on the committee argued that Alabama was unlikely to receive much in education stimulus money because the state's Republican-dominated congressional delegation steadfastly opposed it in Congress.

Alabama is only one of 11 states that does not have charter schools, which are public schools overseen by a group or organization under a charter with the state usually granted by a local school board.

Morton disagreed with opponents on the committee who argued that charter schools tended to set up dual school systems and foster segregation.

"It's just another tool a local school board can utilize if the legislation is passed to enable people to address unique ways to educate children," he said.