The Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama is expanding its education work with a new research center dedicated to studying some of the biggest questions facing Alabama schools, from funding and school choice to literacy and the teacher workforce.
PARCA announced the launch of the PARCA Education Research Center, a dedicated arm of the nonpartisan research organization that will build on its longstanding education analysis with a sustained research program focused on issues facing state policymakers and school leaders.
The center arrives as Alabama implements significant changes in education policy, including a new student-weighted funding framework, education savings accounts through the CHOOSE Act and third-grade retention requirements under the Alabama Literacy Act.
Its first research release offers a look at what Alabamians think about many of those issues.
PARCA‘s 2026 Alabama Public Opinion Survey found 76% of respondents believe too little is spent on education, while opinions on the CHOOSE Act are almost evenly divided, with 48% supporting the program and 50% opposed.
PARCA said the division over the CHOOSE Act shifts sharply when respondents are asked to consider an effect on public school funding.
What Alabamians say about education
The center’s first release, PARCA’s 2026 Alabama Public Opinion Survey, found Alabamians continue to see education as a top priority and largely believe schools need more money.
Seventy-six percent said too little is spent on education, although there was less agreement on how to raise additional revenue. No individual tax increase received majority support, but 66% said they would be willing to pay more through at least one type of tax.
The survey also found a nearly even split over the CHOOSE Act, with 48% supporting the school-choice program and 50% opposed. A majority, 54%, said they would choose a public school for their own children or grandchildren, compared with 22% who selected private school and 20% homeschooling.
There was broader agreement on accountability for private schools receiving state money. Depending on the requirement, between 73% and 94% said those schools should meet standards required of public schools, including academic, financial and teacher qualification requirements.
The survey also found 78% believe online sales tax revenue should be shared with local schools in the same way as local sales taxes, while 75% supported using some of Alabama’s education reserves for current needs.
The full results of the 2026 Alabama Public Opinion Survey are available here.
A new focus on education research
PARCA said its new Education Research Center will build on the organization’s years of education analysis with ongoing independent research into school funding, school choice, student outcomes, workforce issues and other questions facing Alabama education leaders.
The statewide opinion survey is the center’s first release.
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