SB420 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Dick Brewbaker

Republican

Co-Sponsor

Bill Hightower

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Schools, nonpublic K-12 schools, autonomy of clarified, Secs. 16-28-1, 16-28-5, 16-28-7 repealed

Summary

SB420 creates the Educational Opportunities Act to clarify nonpublic K-12 school autonomy and set new state rules on identification, records, tutoring, transfers, accreditation, and access to higher education.

What This Bill Does

SB420 would establish the Educational Opportunities Act to clarify the autonomy of nonpublic K-12 schools and set new rules for identifying with the state, handling student records if a school closes, and guidelines for private tutors. It would require nonpublic schools to meet attendance laws and have background checks for employees, and it would require the Department of Education and local boards to recognize accrediting agencies on the U.S. Department of Education list. It would ensure students transferring from nonpublic to public schools are treated the same as other public school transfers and would prohibit public colleges or police academies from denying admission or employment based only on graduation from a nonpublic school prior to the act's effective date. It would create a nonpublic school advisory committee and repeal several existing provisions related to definitions, private tutors, and enrollment reporting.

Who It Affects

• Nonpublic K-12 schools and their students and families (including private, church, and parochial schools) who must identify with the state, maintain records, comply with attendance laws, and follow tutoring guidelines; they may transfer to public schools under standardized rules.
• Public postsecondary institutions, including universities, Alabama Fire College, police academies, and state employers, which must treat nonpublic school graduates equally for admission and employment and recognize nonpublic school accreditation when deciding credits and admissions.

Key Provisions

• Establish the Educational Opportunities Act to clarify the autonomy of nonpublic schools (church, parochial, private) serving K-12.
• Require nonpublic schools to annually identify with the State Department of Education and create procedures for disposing of student records if the school ceases to exist; identify and publish identified nonpublic schools; allow church schools to provide directory information optionally.
• Set guidelines for private tutors, including certification, reporting to county/city superintendents, maintaining attendance/work registers, and required reports.
• Require attendance compliance by nonpublic schools and their staff; report names and attendance data to local superintendents; enforce compulsory attendance provisions.
• Require DOE and local boards to recognize accrediting agencies recognized by the US Department of Education; no nonpublic school is required to be accredited.
• Ensure public postsecondary admissions and state employment cannot be denied solely because of graduating from a nonpublic school prior to the act; allow certain flexibility on GED requirements for some admissions.
• Create a nonpublic school advisory committee to advise on the act’s administration and-related rules.
• Repeal existing sections related to definitions, private tutors, and enrollment reports (16-28-1, 16-28-5, 16-28-7).
• Set the act’s effective date as the first day of the third month after passage and Governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Schools