New Schools for Alabama CEO discusses impact of charter schools before Senate HELP Committee

Earlier this week, Tyler Barnett, the CEO of New Schools for Alabama, addressed the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee. His testimony focused on the impact charter schools have in expanding educational opportunities across Alabama. As a leading advocate for charter schools in the state, New Schools for Alabama collaborates with communities and policymakers to promote policies that support these institutions and their students.

Barnett highlighted the growth of Alabama's charter school sector since 2017 when the first charter school opened with 245 students. Currently, there are 17 charter schools serving over 8,000 students from preschool through 12th grade in Alabama. Additionally, there are 2,000 families on waitlists seeking access to these public charter school options.

"With the advent of our charter school law, many families in Alabama’s lowest-performing districts gained access to new, high-quality, tuition-free educational opportunities for their children," Barnett stated during his testimony. "And parents are taking advantage of these new opportunities."

He noted that charter schools in Alabama use flexible learning approaches which allow students to achieve more compared to their peers at district schools. Specifically, he mentioned that students gain an equivalent of 16 additional days of learning in reading and six days in math each year. These benefits are especially pronounced for low-income families and students of color.

Barnett reported an increase in enrollment by 12 percent over five years with more than 3.8 million students currently attending charter schools nationwide. He emphasized that these future leaders deserve well-funded educational institutions equipped with resources to enhance opportunity and achievement.

The federal Charter Schools Program (CSP) was credited by Barnett as a key factor behind increased opportunities for Alabama's students. In 2019, New Schools for Alabama received a $25 million CSP State Entities Grant which has been instrumental in supporting startup subgrants for new charter schools. This federal investment has contributed significantly to making Alabama one of the fastest-growing sectors for charter schools nationwide.

In his testimony, Barnett stressed the importance of collaboration between policymakers and community leaders to expand access to quality public education and ensure all students have a path toward success.