SB331 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Paul Sanford

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Education, internal public charter school pilot program, established

Summary

SB331 creates a five-year pilot program for internal public charter schools within Alabama's local districts, with annual reporting and oversight, ending in 2020-2021 unless extended.

What This Bill Does

It allows local school boards to select a school to operate as an internal public charter school starting in 2016-2017 for five years. These schools have charter-like flexibility but do not have to sign a charter contract with an authorizer; the local board handles day-to-day oversight. Each internal public charter school must report yearly on student achievement and growth to the State Department of Education, which compiles a state-wide report, and the Alabama Public Charter School Commission must issue an annual progress report to the Legislature and Governor.

Who It Affects

• Local school boards and the internal public charter schools they oversee (they may select and manage internal public charter schools under the pilot)

Key Provisions

• Establishes a five-year pilot program for internal public charter schools ending after the 2020-2021 school year unless extended by the Legislature.
• Starting with the 2016-2017 school year, local school boards may select a school to operate as an internal public charter school within their jurisdiction.
• Internal public charter schools receive charter-like flexibility and are governed by the local school board rather than requiring a charter contract with an authorizer.
• Internal public charter schools must annually report to the State Department of Education on student achievement and growth (including growth of newly enrolled and continuing students) and other information; the Department prepares a comprehensive annual report for all internal public charter schools and submits it to the Alabama Public Charter School Commission by December 15.
• The Alabama Public Charter School Commission must issue an annual report on the pilot's progress to the Legislature and the Governor by the tenth legislative day of the regular session.
• The act grants rulemaking authority to implement these provisions.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education