Alabama is one of several states which still have no charter schools, but a bill is currently before the legislature to approve some number of charter schools. So, charter schools do have to be approved by the states, and it doesn’t seem to be clear to what extent the creation, control and funding of charter schools is a state function or federal function.
It appears that the Alabama bill is intended mainly to provide alternatives in areas with low performing schools.
http://blog.al.com/live/2012/04/house_committee_passes_charter.html
Please get this article to your state legislature ASAP before they pass the bill. We have to head off stuff like this at the root. You are now informed, so inform your representatives.