by Glynn Wilson

Agricultural Commissioner Ron Sparks, the Fort Payne Democrat running for governor of Alabama, came out swinging against charter schools again today on the historic steps of the State Capitol Building in Montgomery.

“Today, at the foot of the seat of power in the State of Alabama, I stand alone in opposition to one of the most disastrous public policy initiatives in recent years,”: Sparks said. “In recent days, Artur Davis and Bob Riley have told the people of Alabama that the only way for Alabama to receive money for education reform from the federal government is through the implementation of charter schools. That is simply not true.”

There are federal programs in place now in Alabama that qualify for the stimulus funds, he said..

“We have innovative schools, magnet schools, and specialized programs of excellence in Alabama that would qualify us to receive some of the $4.3 billion of stimulus funding allocated for education,” Sparks said. “Since everybody wants to talk about charter schools, I’m going to tell you the truth about charter schools. Charter schools are only marginally effective. They are not innovative and visionary and have not produced results that justify this much discussion and debate. There is no guarantee that we will get a single penny of the stimulus money by implementing charter schools.”

Studies show that 85 percent of charter schools perform at the same level or below the level of standard schools, Sparks said. “Now, tell me what all the fuss is about? Where is the record of success to back up this demand for charter schools?”

Casino gambling has a better record of success than charter schools, Sparks said. He indicated that the statistics show there is nothing special about the performance of charter schools.

“Charter schools are at best, a mediocre experimental program,” he said. “So, if it’s not about performance then what is it all about? Why is there such a rush to get on board the charter school express?”

Throughout our history there have always been a gap between quality education and those who need it most, Sparks indicated.

“Charter schools widen that gap. Whether you live in Wilcox County or in Mountain Brook, I want every child in Alabama to have the same quality of education,” he said. “All available funding should be applied equally across the board for all of Alabama’s schools.”

The record shows that charter schools are not working, prevent Alabama children from having equal access to education and have violated federal law regarding discrimination, he said.

“Charter schools are funded by public money yet are generally exempt from the high standards we apply to all other schools and school personnel. Any movement in support of charter schools supports a movement to set up ‘dual’ public schools at the expense of an already underfunded public school system,” he said. “Taxpayer funds earmarked for public schools would go to pay for new or alternative facilities leaving other public school facilities further underfunded.”

Alabama is on the right course right now with innovative schools, magnet schools, programs of excellence, and high standards for public schools, Sparks indicated. Grades have gone up compared to national scores, especially in low performing schools. “Why in the world would we pull the rug out from under our students when they need our help the most?”

Governor Bob Riley said Monday that Alabama was one of only 10 states that does not have charter schools. He said that we must take advantage of what other states have used to great success.

But sparks said, “Governor, we are only one of seven states that don’t have an education lottery. Mind if we borrow your argument?”

Charter schools are not the answer for public education in Alabama. We have to focus all our time and energy on developing new revenue sources and building a world class education system for all our children, Sparks said.

“If Alabama is willing to implement my plan to tax gambling and bring in millions of dollars to adequately fund our education system, I would be open to looking at alternative programs such as charter schools,” he said. “As I have traveled across Alabama, I have talked to parents and teachers, whose children are begging for paper, pens, and soap. Teachers are paying for supplies out of their own pockets. This is just unacceptable to me.”

When school boards are borrowing millions of dollars just to keep the doors open, he asked, why consider taking funds from any school district under the current economic conditions?

“We are here today because my opponent has misled the people of Alabama on this issue,” he said. “I’m here today to stand up for our children and to tell the people of Alabama the truth. The people of Alabama must have a Governor that they can trust.”

Tags: Alabama Governor's Race, Arture Davis, Bob Riley, Ron Sparks

This entry was posted on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 3:48 pm and is filed under Alabama Democratic Party, Alabama Politics, Elections 2010. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.