Charter schools take money from public schools (Insight) | al.com

Charter schools take money from public schools (Insight) | al.com:

Charter schools take money from public schools (Insight)

Published: Sunday, February 26, 2012, 6:15 AM

By Press-Register Editorial Board

Let’s state some facts about Alabama education.

Alabama has led the nation in early reading gains over the past eight years due to the hard work of teachers and students, and the resources of the Alabama Reading Initiative. These early reading gains are translating into an improved graduation rate, up more than 25 percent in that same period.

Last year, almost 90 percent of Alabama schools made over 90 percent of Adequate Yearly Progress — a record — exceeding the U.S. secretary of education’s predictions. Everywhere you look, Alabama education is making great progress.

We’ve done this while funding education at the bottom fifth nationally. Progress has continued during a record four straight years of budget cuts, with another year of cuts looming before us.

It is fair to say that Alabama schools do more with less. Imagine what we