Alabama’s future depends on a vibrant and growing workforce. The ability to grow and retain talent will determine the long-term career prospects for our state and its people. PARCA studies school performance and the process of aligning training programs to industry needs, which develops a cradle to career talent pipeline.

PARCA provides:
Analysis of statewide school performance.
Deep dives into school systems’ performance, including by student sub-groups.
Comparisons of school system expenditures to recognized best practices.
Implement technologies to simplify schools’ budgeting and reporting.

Alabama ACT Scores for the Class of 2019

Alabama public high school students’ performance on the ACT was down slightly in 2019 for the second straight year, after Read the full release.  

2019 Test Results for State Schools Show Little Change in Student Proficiency Levels

Alabama is scheduled to implement its new state education tests this spring. In the meantime, statewide results from the Scantron Read the full release.  

Mississippi’s Progress Not a Surprise; It was Part of a Plan

When the 2019 results of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) were released last week, the good news was Read the full release.  

First Class Pre-K lowers discipline rates for students middle and high school years

Children who have participated in Alabama’s First Class Pre-K program, a voluntary, public early education program are about half as Read the full release.  

Practices of Top Gaining Schools on the ACT

After publishing ACT results for the graduating Class of 2018, PARCA contacted several of the schools and systems in Alabama Read the full release.  

Alabama High School ACT Scores for the Class of 2018

Alabama public high school students’ performance on the ACT was down slightly in 2018, after hitting a high point in Read the full release.  

Prisons, education, taxes, trust in government. What do Alabamians think?

See the Full Survey A slight majority of Alabamians oppose building new prisons, but an overwhelming majority support expanding rehabilitation Read the full release.  

PARCA collaborates on new research showing Alabama’s First Class Pre-K students are performing better on academic assessments than others

Alabama public school students who participated in the state’s publicly funded First Class Pre-K program performed better on academic assessments Read the full release.  

K-12 Education Ranks as the #1 Priority Among Alabama Voters

In late 2017, the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama (PARCA) surveyed Alabama voters to determine their thoughts about the Read the full release.  

Thank God For Mississippi: They’re Leading the Way on Educational Progress

At least in terms of education, it’s time to retire the old Alabama catchphrase, “Thank God for Mississippi.” It’s an Read the full release.