SB106 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Will BarfootSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

School Choice and Student Opportunity Act, formation of charter schools on or near military installation, with focus on serving military dependents, authorized, tenure for certificated teachers temporarily serving in charter school preserved, Sec. 16-6F-12 added; Sec. 16-6F-5 am'd.

Summary

SB 106 allows charter schools to form near military installations to serve military dependents and protects tenure for teachers who temporarily move to charter schools.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes the creation of public charter schools on or within one mile of a military installation with a focus on serving military dependents. It sets enrollment rules including open enrollment, non-discrimination, and a capacity-based admission process with a random selection when demand exceeds capacity, giving priority to local residents and dependents. Once total enrollment reaches 400, all additional admitted students must be dependents of military members or Department of Defense civilian employees assigned to that installation. It also preserves tenure for teachers who temporarily leave a local school system to teach in a charter school and requires credit transfer handling and ASIM record-keeping.

Who It Affects

• Military dependents and their families (students) who would receive enrollment priority at near-base charter schools and are subject to capacity and selection rules.
• Certificated teachers in Alabama's local school systems who temporarily move to charter schools, whose previously earned tenure is preserved, along with the local school systems involved in such transfers.

Key Provisions

• Authorization for formation of charter schools on or within one mile of a military installation, with a mission focused on serving dependents of military members or DoD civilian employees assigned to that installation.
• Enrollment rules: open enrollment for state residents, non-discrimination in admissions, capacity-based enrollment, and a random selection process when capacity is exceeded; local residents have priority, with specific preferences outlined (e.g., siblings, previous attendees).
• Special admissions priority for dependents: once capacity reaches 400, all additional admitted students must be dependents of military members or DoD civilian employees assigned to the installation.
• Teacher tenure preservation: certificated teachers who temporarily leave a local school system to teach in a public charter school retain their earned tenure.
• Credit transfer and records: credits earned at a charter school must be accepted by other Alabama public schools under uniform criteria, placement tests may be used, and student records must be maintained in the Alabama Student Information System (ASIM).

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Charter Schools