With the start of the year just three weeks away for most districts, only seven private schools have signed up for Alabama's new program of tax credits to help students transfer from failing public schools.
The state Department of Revenue is developing regulations for the tax credits, and it reports that it hasn't seen much interest from private schools.
Robin Mears of the Alabama Christian Education Association says one reason is the lateness of the regulations. Schools start around Aug. 19, and the state's regulations won't be final until after that.
Resurrection Catholic School in Montgomery is one of the schools that has signed up. Officials say they're surprised interest is low because they've been flooded with calls to register since becoming part of the program.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.
