School Flex Act Would Give Schools More Authority On The Local Level
By: Stephen Crews
Updated: January 23, 2013
School
districts and school systems across Alabama face diverse issues in
meeting the needs of their student
populations.
The rules and regulations passed down by the State Department often lack the flexibility needed to address these issues in a specific, localized manner. It is imperative that schools be allowed the latitude to make decisions that will improve student achievement and student outcomes in their communities. That's why in Alabama, we dare defend our right to reform education.
The rules and regulations passed down by the State Department often lack the flexibility needed to address these issues in a specific, localized manner. It is imperative that schools be allowed the latitude to make decisions that will improve student achievement and student outcomes in their communities. That's why in Alabama, we dare defend our right to reform education.
Under
the Local Control School Flexibility Act, or House Bill 84, Alabama's
134 public school systems would be provided
the necessary freedoms to address their respective issues at the local
level. State Representative Chad Fincher (R-Mobile) will sponsor the
bill which is a part of the House Republican Caucus Agenda - "We Dare
Defend Our Rights." As part of the agenda, it
will be one of the first bills addressed during the upcoming Legislative
Session.
"The
Local Control School Flexibility Act is a very important step towards
education reform in Alabama," Rep. Fincher said.
"In order for us to improve education in our state, we must encourage
innovation in our schools. Innovation tailored to a school's unique
situation provides the best possible scenario to improve outcomes."
"The parents and local school boards know what is best for their students - not Montgomery," Rep. Fincher said. "This act
gives them the opportunity to make those decisions."
Currently,
Alabama's public schools can seek a waiver from regulations and
policies put into place by the State Board of
Education and the State Department of Education. The Local Control
School Flexibility Act expands the current program by giving school
systems the chance to seek a waiver from any state statute.
The
act labels any system or school that has been granted such a waiver an
"innovative" system or school. The "innovative"
school or system would then work with the State Board of Education as
well as the State Superintendent to jointly create a "flexibility
contract," which would outline the state statute, regulation or policy
from which the school is seeking relief in order to
operate in a more flexible, innovative way.
For instance, the act could provide school systems with more freedom to hire and assign personnel, partner with business
and industry professionals, or bring retired teachers back to the classroom - the list of possibilities is all but endless.
For more information on the Local Control School Flexibility Act please visit www.alhousegop.com/wedaredefend.
The full text of the bill is attached.
