Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama

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Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama An Investment in Good Government To carry out this purpose they formed the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama (PARCA).

In 1988 a group of Alabama civic leaders invested in the future of our state by creating an independent research organization to report objectively on issues important to improving the government of the state, cities, counties, and public schools. They realized that good state and local government is one of the keys to making Alabama a better place to live, work, and do business. PARCA provides in-depth, objective analyses on topics ranging from Alabama’s public school performance to recommendations for the state’s budget process to understanding statewide ballot issues. We also work with state and local governments to help find solutions to their biggest challenges.

$2 billion. Two new prisons. Zero added capacity. 🏗️Alabama’s prisons are the most overcrowded in the country, and the p...
10/16/2026

$2 billion. Two new prisons. Zero added capacity. 🏗️

Alabama’s prisons are the most overcrowded in the country, and the population is still rising. Swipe for what the next governor and Legislature are inheriting. ➡️
Full report at the link in bio.

Curious how your school system performed on the 2026 ACAP? 📊 Our updated data tool breaks down results by school, distri...
10/14/2026

Curious how your school system performed on the 2026 ACAP? 📊 Our updated data tool breaks down results by school, district, grade, subject, and student group, so you can compare with similar systems across Alabama. This year’s update adds 11th-grade ACT results too. Link in bio to explore.

10/13/2026

Meet PARCA! Starting off strong with Jason Fulmore, Senior Research Associate! Have questions for Jason about his work at PARCA? Leave them below or send us a dm!

A few weeks out from our speaker series, and Amy Walter’s insights are still on our minds. Here’s what stuck with us!
10/08/2026

A few weeks out from our speaker series, and Amy Walter’s insights are still on our minds. Here’s what stuck with us!

Facts, not factions, and the faces behind them. 👋For nearly 40 years, PARCA has given Alabama an honest account of itsel...
10/06/2026

Facts, not factions, and the faces behind them. 👋

For nearly 40 years, PARCA has given Alabama an honest account of itself through independent, nonpartisan research. That work comes from the people in this photo, who start with questions, not conclusions.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll introduce you to each member of our team one by one. You’ll learn what they work on, what drives them, and maybe a fun fact or two.

Follow along so you don’t miss an introduction! 📊

In just over a decade, Alabama has gone from one small scholarship program to a statewide school choice system, and dema...
10/05/2026

In just over a decade, Alabama has gone from one small scholarship program to a statewide school choice system, and demand is still climbing. 📈

PARCA’s new report, The Evolution of School Choice Policies in Alabama, breaks down how the Alabama Accountability Act, public charter schools, and the CHOOSE Act work, who’s participating, and what we know (and don’t yet know) about student outcomes.

Swipe through for 5 key takeaways, then read the full report at the link in bio. 🔗

Alabama by the Numbers: $3B in education reserves. What should happen next?Alabama is sitting on roughly $3 billion in e...
09/28/2026

Alabama by the Numbers: $3B in education reserves. What should happen next?

Alabama is sitting on roughly $3 billion in education reserves, and our 2026 Public Opinion Survey asked Alabamians what they think should be done with it.

📊 75% favor using some of the reserves for current needs rather than keeping it all in savings.

💰 There’s no consensus on raising taxes, but there’s broad agreement on tapping reserves.

🏫 On where the money should go, 70% support updating school funding formulas, 70% support improving school safety, and 66% support investing in new or renovated facilities and equipment. For new education dollars, increasing salaries and benefits was the top priority at 39%.

What happens next is up for debate. What do you think? Share your thoughts below 👇

🔗 Read more from the 2026 PARCA Alabama Public Opinion Survey at the link in our bio!

09/25/2026

A great night of conversation with Amy Walter at PARCA’s Speaker Series. 🎤

Thank you to everyone who joined us for an evening of thoughtful conversation, civic engagement, and perspective on the issues shaping our state and country.

Until next time!

09/23/2026

Want to learn more about the recent Public Opinion Survey? Watch what PARCA Executive Director Ryan Hankins had to say.

For more information, follow along.

Alabama’s per-pupil spending jumped from $10,116 to $13,627 in four years — but the state still ranks 39th in the nation...
09/22/2026

Alabama’s per-pupil spending jumped from $10,116 to $13,627 in four years — but the state still ranks 39th in the nation. 📊

So where does the money actually go? We dug into Census data to break down how Alabama’s education dollars are spent, why similarly-funded districts see wildly different results, and what’s driving costs beyond the classroom.

Swipe through for the highlights, then hit the link in our bio for the full breakdown. 🔗

Address

800 Lakeshore Drive
Birmingham, AL
35229

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+12057262482

Website

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