Video: Alabama Governor Signs Bill Allowing Charter Schools

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MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – Gov. Robert Bentley has signed a bill to allow charter schools in the state.

The governor’s spokeswoman said Bentley signed the GOP-championed bill into law on Thursday.

The Alabama Legislature gave final approval to the bill Wednesday after several hours of contentious debate in the House of Representatives.

Republicans called the bill a session priority, saying that the schools will spark innovation and provide education choices for families. Democrats argued that the new schools would drain education resources and criticized the potential involvement of for-profit companies.

Charter schools are publicly funded schools that have freedom from some of the regulations placed on other public schools. Alabama is one of eight states that do not allow public charter schools.