A recent poll found that three out of four Alabama voters want a position in choosing their children’s public school.
The poll, conducted by ExcelinEd, issued a statewide survey of 587 registered Alabama voters, finding that 76 percent of those spoken to support giving parents the ability to choose a specific public school instead of the zip code-determined home schools.
“It should come as no surprise that parents overwhelmingly want to be able to have the choice to send their children to a school that gives them the optimal chance at success,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Del Marsh. “Although there is no ‘magic bullet’ when it comes to providing quality education, I believe that parents should have as many options as we can give them to send their children to a school that is best suited for their needs. It is obvious that they agree.”
The survey took place on Feb. 27 and 28 and focused on collecting opinions on education choices and other topics involving the K-12 education system in the state.
The survey also concluded that, if given the opportunity, 42 percent of respondents would enroll their child in private school, even though 18 percent of those who have children have them currently enrolled in such institutions.
Sixty-one percent support the growth of charter schools, and 70 percent support the Alabama Accountability Act, the state’s tax-credit scholarship program.
Open enrollment, the concept of allowing students to attend the school of their choice, received 67 percent support.
“Voters in Alabama believe families should have education options,” said ExcelinEd CEO Patricia Levesque. “Whether choosing a public charter school, private school or another public school of their choice, all families deserve the freedom to select the learning environment where their child will succeed, regardless of their ZIP code or background.”
