Independent
Nonideological
Research

Explore PARCA's Research Here

WE ENVISION A THRIVING ALABAMA SHAPED BY FACTS,
NOT FACTIONS.

PARCA exists to strengthen Alabama’s future by informing policy through honest, objective,
nonpartisan, nonideological research.  

For more than three decades, we have produced the objective research that state and local leaders, school systems, nonprofits, and the business community rely on to make sound decisions. We do not advocate or endorse. 

Our work is to inform.

Serving Alabama Since 1988

PARCA's Most Recent Publications

Issues and Agencies: The Alabama Department of Corrections

Issues and Agencies: The Alabama Department of Corrections

ByCharles Vaughan October 16, 2026 publications
  In that same year, Alabama had the most overcrowded prisons in the nation. Alabama’s prisons were designed to hold 12,115 prisoners, but instead housed 21,046 prisoners, 174% of the system’s...
Read More
Issues and Agencies: The State of Alabama’s Health

Issues and Agencies: The State of Alabama’s Health

ByPARCA Staff October 8, 2026 Special Studies
According to PARCA’s 2026 survey of public opinion, health care is now tied with education as Alabamians’ top priority for state government to address. Rising health care costs and an ongoing decline...
Read More
Graphic from PARCA report showing the growth of Alabama school choice policies from the 2013 and 2015 acts to the 2024 CHOOSE

Alabama’s School Choice Landscape, Explained: New PARCA Report Traces a Decade of Growth

ByPARCA Staff October 5, 2026 Education Research Center
Over the past thirteen years, Alabama has built a set of publicly supported alternatives to the traditional neighborhood public school. Today, Alabama Accountability Act (AAA) scholarships support...
Read More
Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program 2026 dashboard showing statewide grades 3–5 proficiency in math, ELA, and science.

Tool for Comparing Performance on Alabama Public School Standardized Testing

ByThomas Spencer September 30, 2026 Education Research Center
The State Department of Education released the results of the Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP) in August. PARCA provides this internet-based data visualization tool to help educators...
Read More

PARCA works with organizations from across the state and nation.