Friday, House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) announced the appointment of outgoing State Rep. Terri Collins (R-Decatur) to the Charter School Commission. Collins brings a wealth of education policy experience as she retires from the House after 16 years of service.
She was the sponsor of the School Choice and Student Opportunity Act, which created Alabama's charter school program and allows every child the chance for a quality education regardless of their economic status, race, or zip code.
"I am proud to appoint Rep. Collins to serve on the Alabama Charter Commission at a time when conservative leadership is needed most," said Ledbetter in a statement. "Simply put, Rep. Collins' understanding of education policy is second to none, and given the fact that she was the architect behind the law establishing the Alabama Charter School Commission, there is no one I have more confidence in to ensure that this entity is performing its duties to a standard Alabamians can be proud of."
Collins is the second new member to the commission in recent weeks. Lieutenant Gov. Will Ainsworth appointed former Republican Party chairman Terry Lathan in late April. Additional changes are expected, with the possibility of a majority of new commissions before the end of the year, largely due to concerns about the commission's lack of oversight over schools within its purview.
SEE: Ainsworth appoints conservative school choice advocate Terry Lathan to Charter School Commission
"I am grateful to Speaker Ledbetter for appointing me to serve in this important capacity," said Collins in a written statement. "I take a great deal of pride in the fact that I helped establish Alabama's Charter School Program and deliver real educational choices to parents across the state.
"There are many charters doing incredible things in Alabama, but there are also several that are struggling to meet quality learning standards. My goal as a member is to ensure that every charter school is held to the highest standards of accountability, so that we preserve the integrity of the program and deliver on the promise of quality education for every student."
Collins is responsible for several pieces of legislation that have been credited with student success.
She sponsored the Alabama Literacy Act, which requires students to read at grade level before advancing beyond third grade and implemented regular reading assessments for K-3 students, the deployment of expert reading coaches to priority schools, and summer reading camps to help struggling readers get up to speed.
She also passed the Human Life Protection Act, which prohibits abortions from taking place in Alabama and remains among the nation's strongest pro-life statutes since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Roe v. Wade decision in 2022.
The Charter School Commission will meet on Monday, May 4, to consider 5 new charter schools and amendments to 4 charter school contracts. Among the issues being taken up is the expansion of Magic City Acceptance Academy.
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